Devine Scripture

Revelation 5:11

What does Revelation 5:11 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 5:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 5:11 means

John now hears and sees an immense host of angels surrounding the throne, the living creatures, and the elders. Their number—“ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands”—communicates an innumerable company. Heaven’s worship is not the private devotion of a few but the corporate acclaim of countless holy ones. Their encircling posture highlights the centrality of the throne and those nearest it, while adding weight to the Lamb’s worthiness. The vision swells from the council’s song to a cosmic choir, showing that the Lamb’s work is of such magnitude that all the heavens must bear witness and join in praise.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And I saw, and I heard a voice of many angels round about the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And I saw, and I heard a voice of many angels round about the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And I saw, and there came to my ears the sound of a great number of angels round about the high seat and the beasts and the rulers; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And I saw, and I heard the voice of many messengers round the throne, and the living creatures, and the elders--and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands--

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the living creatures and the ancients (and the number of them was thousands of thousands),

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And I saw, and I heard [the] voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and their number was ten thousands of ten thousands and thousands of thousands;

Context

After the elders finish their song, the camera pulls back to include the angelic host. The shift prepares for the next verse, where their united voice will ascribe a sevenfold acclamation to the slain Lamb. This enlargement of the worshiping assembly intensifies the scene and anticipates the still wider chorus of all creation in verse 13. The progression underscores that the Lamb’s worth impacts every level of created existence—council, angels, and finally every creature.

v.10and madest them to be unto our God a kingdom and priests; and they reign upon the earth.

v.11This passage

v.12saying with a great voice, Worthy is the Lamb that hath been slain to receive the power, and riches, and wisdom, and might, and honor, and glory, and blessing.

Cross references

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

  • Revelation 4:9

    And when the living creatures shall give glory and honor and thanks to him that sitteth on the throne, to him that liveth for ever and ever,

  • Revelation 5:6

    And I saw in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, having seven horns, and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent forth into all the earth.

  • Revelation 4:4

    And round about the throne were four and twenty thrones: and upon the thrones I saw four and twenty elders sitting, arrayed in white garments; and on their heads crowns of gold.

  • Psalms 68:17

    The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands upon thousands: The Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the sanctuary.

  • Revelation 19:6

    And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunders, saying, Hallelujah: for the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigneth.

  • Revelation 4:6

    and before the throne, as it were a sea of glass like unto crystal; and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, four living creatures full of eyes before and behind.

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