Devine Scripture

Revelation 10:3

What does Revelation 10:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 10:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 10:3 means

When the angel cries out like a roaring lion, creation answers: “the seven thunders uttered their voices.” The lion-like voice suggests kingly authority and irresistible summons. Seven thunders, a complete chorus of thunder, evokes the formidable, awe-inspiring voice of God’s judgments. The scene conveys that heaven’s proclamation provokes a cosmic response; God’s purposes reverberate through creation. Yet the content of these thunders is not immediately disclosed, hinting that even in apocalyptic unveiling, God retains sovereign control over what is revealed. The roar and thunder together assure suffering believers that divine decrees, not earthly powers, will have the final, overwhelming word.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he gave a loud cry, like the angry voice of a lion: and at his cry the voices of the seven thunders were sounding.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he cried with a great voice, as a lion doth roar, and when he cried, speak out did the seven thunders their voices;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he cried with a loud voice as when a lion roareth. And when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and cried with a loud voice as a lion roars. And when he cried, the seven thunders uttered their own voices.

Context

Having established the angel’s stature and universal stance, the narrative now spotlights his powerful cry and the mysterious echo of seven thunders. This builds anticipation that new, weighty revelation is about to be recorded. However, the very next verse will interrupt the expected flow: John is stopped from writing what he heard. That restraint will highlight the selective and purposeful nature of revelation and prepare for the solemn oath to come.

v.2and he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left upon the earth;

v.3This passage

v.4And when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying, Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.

Cross references

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

  • Revelation 15:7

    And one of the four living creatures gave unto the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.

  • Revelation 15:1

    And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having seven plagues, which are the last, for in them is finished the wrath of God.

  • Revelation 14:2

    And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and the voice which I heardwasasthe voiceof harpers harping with their harps:

  • Isaiah 42:13

    Jehovah will go forth as a mighty man; he will stir up his zeal like a man of war: he will cry, yea, he will shout aloud; he will do mightily against his enemies.

  • Isaiah 31:4

    For thus saith Jehovah unto me, As the lion and the young lion growling over his prey, if a multitude of shepherds be called forth against him, will not be dismayed at their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so will Jehovah of hosts come down to fight upon mount Zion, and upon the hill thereof.

  • Jeremiah 25:30

    Therefore prophesy thou against them all these words, and say unto them, Jehovah will roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation; he will mightily roar against his fold; he will give a shout, as they that tread the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth.

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