Devine Scripture

Revelation 19:4

What does Revelation 19:4 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 19:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 19:4 means

Those nearest the throne—the four and twenty elders and the four living creatures—fall in adoring worship. Their words, “Amen; Hallelujah,” affirm and seal the chorus of heaven. This is the court of God agreeing with the crowd: the Judge has judged rightly. The posture of falling down emphasizes God’s absolute sovereignty and holiness. Even the most exalted heavenly beings do not stand as peers; they bow as worshipers. Their brief response teaches that the purest worship unites mind and heart—agreement with God’s ways and joyful praise of His name. When leaders worship, they lead by humble example, drawing all creation into the same reverent consent.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And the four and twenty elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshipped God that sitteth on the throne, saying, Amen; Hallelujah.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And the four and twenty elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshipped God that sitteth on the throne, saying, Amen; Hallelujah.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the four and twenty rulers and the four beasts went down on their faces and gave worship to God who was seated on the high seat, saying, Even so, praise to the Lord.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And fall down did the elders--the twenty and four--and the four living creatures, and they did bow before God who is sitting upon the throne, saying, `Amen, Alleluia.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the four and twenty ancients and the four living creatures fell down and adored God that sitteth upon the throne, saying: Amen. Alleluia.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and did homage toGod who sits upon the throne, saying, Amen, Hallelujah.

Context

After two shouts from the vast multitude, the focus narrows to the throne room itself. The elders, often associated with the redeemed people of God, and the living creatures, associated with the worship around the throne, validate the heavenly praise. Their “Amen” functions as a solemn seal. This sets up verse 5, where a voice from the throne extends a call to every servant to praise. The movement is from praise by many, to assent by the nearest, to a universal invitation—preparing for the climactic chorus and the announcement of the marriage of the Lamb (verses 6–9).

v.3And a second time they say, Hallelujah. And her smoke goeth up for ever and ever.

v.4This passage

v.5And a voice came forth from the throne, saying, Give praise to our God, all ye his servants, ye that fear him, the small and the great.

Cross references

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

  • Nehemiah 5:13

    Also I shook out my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labor, that performeth not this promise; even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the assembly said, Amen, and praised Jehovah. And the people did according to this promise.

  • 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.

  • 1 Corinthians 14:16

    Else if thou bless with the spirit, how shall he that filleth the place of the unlearned say the Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he knoweth not what thou sayest?

  • Revelation 19:1

    After these things I heard as it were a great voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, Hallelujah; Salvation, and glory, and power, belong to our God:

  • Psalms 41:13

    Blessed be Jehovah, the God of Israel, From everlasting and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.

  • Psalms 72:19

    And blessed be his glorious name for ever; And let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen, and Amen.

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