Devine Scripture

Revelation 10:2

What does Revelation 10:2 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 10:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 10:2 means

The angel holds a “little book open,” a deliberate contrast to sealed mysteries. God’s message is ready to be received and proclaimed. Planting his right foot on the sea and his left on the earth, the angel claims comprehensive reach: what is spoken in this book concerns all creation, not a corner of it. This stance embodies dominion under God, assuring the church that the coming word is not local or limited. The open book anticipates access and responsibility—John will not merely observe; he will ingest and speak it. The scene underlines that heaven’s decree governs both restless seas and settled lands alike.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left upon the earth;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left upon the earth;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he had in his hand a little open book: and he put his right foot on the sea, and his left on the earth;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he had in his hand a little scroll opened, and he did place his right foot upon the sea, and the left upon the land,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he had in his hand a little book, open. And he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot upon the earth.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and having in his hand a little opened book. And he set his right foot on the sea, and the left upon the earth,

Context

The description narrows from the angel’s majestic appearance to the object he carries and the posture he assumes. Having seen the messenger’s glory, we now see the open book and his feet spanning sea and land, signaling breadth and authority. The next verses will move from what he holds to what he says—his lion-like cry—and to a mysterious response from the seven thunders. This progression sets tension between revelation offered and revelation withheld.

v.1And I saw another strong angel coming down out of heaven, arrayed with a cloud; and the rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire;

v.2This passage

v.3and he cried with a great voice, as a lion roareth: and when he cried, the seven thunders uttered their voices.

Cross references

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

  • Revelation 5:1

    And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the back, close sealed with seven seals.

  • Psalms 65:5

    By terrible things thou wilt answer us in righteousness, O God of our salvation, Thou that art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, And of them that are afar off upon the sea:

  • Revelation 10:5

    And the angel that I saw standing upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his right hand to heaven,

  • Revelation 6:1

    And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, Come.

  • Psalms 2:8

    Ask of me, and I will givetheethe nations for thine inheritance, And the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

  • Matthew 28:18

    And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth.

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