Devine Scripture

Revelation 1:12

What does Revelation 1:12 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 1:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 1:12 means

John turns to see the voice and beholds seven golden candlesticks. The image is rich: candlesticks hold light and suggest the churches’ calling to bear witness in a dark world. Their gold indicates their value to God. The fact that John turns to see a voice emphasizes that this is a revelation by sight as well as sound, a summons to attentive perception. The scene prepares for the appearance of the glorious figure who stands among the candlesticks. Before any rebuke or promise is given to the churches, the Lord shows His nearness to them and His presence in their midst.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And having turned I saw seven golden candlesticks;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And having turned I saw seven golden candlesticks;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And turning to see the voice which said these words to me, I saw seven gold vessels with lights burning in them;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And I did turn to see the voice that did speak with me, and having turned, I saw seven golden lamp-stands,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And I turned back to see the voice which spoke with me; and having turned, I saw seven golden lamps,

Context

This begins the central vision of the chapter. After the commission to write to seven churches, John sees seven golden candlesticks. In the next verse (v. 13), the key figure appears—one like a son of man in priestly-royal attire—standing among them. Later, verse 20 will identify the candlesticks as the seven churches. Placing this image first teaches readers to interpret the messages that follow in light of Christ’s active presence with His churches.

v.11saying, What thou seest, write in a book and send it to the seven churches: unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamum, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

v.12This passage

v.13and in the midst of the candlesticks one like unto a son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about at the breasts with a golden girdle.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Exodus 25:37

    And thou shalt make the lamps thereof, seven: and they shall light the lamps thereof, to give light over against it.

  • Revelation 1:20

    the mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks are seven churches.

  • Revelation 1:13

    and in the midst of the candlesticks one like unto a son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about at the breasts with a golden girdle.

  • Micah 6:9

    The voice of Jehovah crieth unto the city, and the man of wisdom will see thy name: hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it.

  • Zechariah 4:2

    And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have seen, and, behold, a candlestick all of gold, with its bowl upon the top of it, and its seven lamps thereon; there are seven pipes to each of the lamps, which are upon the top thereof;

  • Ezekiel 43:5

    And the Spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and, behold, the glory of Jehovah filled the house.

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