The Meaning of Revelation 16:7 Explained

Revelation 16:7

KJV: And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.

YLT: and I heard another out of the altar, saying, 'Yes, Lord God, the Almighty, true and righteous are Thy judgments.'

Darby: And I heard the altar saying, Yea, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.

ASV: And I heard the altar saying, Yea, O Lord God, the Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  I heard  another  out of  the altar  say,  Even so,  Lord  God  Almighty,  TRUE  and  righteous  [are] thy  judgments. 

What does Revelation 16:7 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The Tribulation martyrs offer their "amen" from under the altar ( Revelation 6:9; Revelation 15:3-4). The altar was the personification of those associated with it earlier in John"s vision (cf. Revelation 9:13; Genesis 4:10; Luke 19:40; Hebrews 12:24). God always judges consistently with His character, which these martyrs describe as being almighty, true, and righteous.

Context Summary

Revelation 16:1-9 - Recompense For The Blood Of Saints
It makes us pause to hear that angels, who rejoice over one sinner that repenteth, are employed in these terrible judgments. It is very startling to hear their outspoken acquiescence in the plagues that vitiate the earth, sea, springs, and sun. The angel of the waters insists that God has judged righteously, and the altar, beneath which are the souls of the martyrs, assents.
Our softer age shrinks from such conceptions of the divine judgments, but it is likely that our standards are weakened and warped by our daily contact with what is earthly and human. God's love is not soft and emasculated, but strong, vigorous, and righteous. Only when we reach the land of light and glory, shall we understand the true horror of sin and the inveteracy of human apostasy. Then we also shall be able to take up those solemn words of endorsement in Revelation 15:7, Even so, Lord God, Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments. [source]

Chapter Summary: Revelation 16

1  The angels pour out their bowls of wrath
6  The plagues that follow
16  Armageddon

Greek Commentary for Revelation 16:7

O Lord God, the Almighty [Κυριε ο τεος ο παντοκρατωρ]
Just as in Revelation 15:3 in the Song of Moses and of the Lamb, vocative with the article ο — ho “Judgments” (κρισεις — kriseis) here instead of “ways” (οδοι — hodoi) there, and with the order of the adjectives reversed (αλητιναι και δικαιαι — alēthinai kai dikaiai true and righteous). [source]
Another out of the altar []
Omit another out of, and read, as Rev., I heard the altar. The altar personified. Compare Revelation 6:9, where the souls of the martyrs are seen under the altar and cry how long. [source]
Almighty []
Add the article: the Almighty. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Revelation 16:7

Revelation 1:8 The Lord God [Κυριος ο τεος]
“The Lord the God.” Common phrase in Ezekiel (Ezekiel 6:3, Ezekiel 6:11; Ezekiel 7:2, etc.) and in this book (Revelation 4:8; Revelation 11:17; Revelation 15:3; Revelation 16:7; Revelation 19:6; Revelation 21:22). See Revelation 1:4; Revelation 4:8 for the triple use of ο — ho etc. to express the eternity of God.The Almighty (ο παντοκρατωρ — ho pantokratōr). Late compound (πας — pās and κρατεω — krateō), in Cretan inscription and a legal papyrus, common in lxx and Christian papyri, in N.T. only in 2 Corinthians 6:18 and Revelation 1:8; Revelation 4:8; Revelation 11:17; Revelation 15:3; Revelation 16:7, Revelation 16:14; Revelation 19:6, Revelation 19:15; Revelation 21:22. [source]
Revelation 1:8 The Almighty [ο παντοκρατωρ]
Late compound (πας — pās and κρατεω — krateō), in Cretan inscription and a legal papyrus, common in lxx and Christian papyri, in N.T. only in 2 Corinthians 6:18 and Revelation 1:8; Revelation 4:8; Revelation 11:17; Revelation 15:3; Revelation 16:7, Revelation 16:14; Revelation 19:6, Revelation 19:15; Revelation 21:22. [source]
Revelation 14:18 Out from the altar [εκ του τυσιαστηριου]
From the altar of incense where he is in charge of the fire If it is the altar of burnt offering (Revelation 6:9; Revelation 11:1), we are reminded of the blood of the martyrs (Swete), but if the altar of incense (Revelation 8:3, Revelation 8:5; Revelation 9:13; Revelation 16:7), then of the prayers of the saints.The sharp sickle (το δρεπανον το οχυ — to drepanon to oxu). Useful for vintage as for harvesting. So “send forth” (πεμπσον — pempson) as in Revelation 14:15.Gather First aorist active imperative of τρυγαω — trugaō old verb (from τρυγη — trugē dryness, ripeness), in N.T. only Revelation 14:18. and Luke 6:44.The clusters (τους βοτρυας — tous botruas). Old word βοτρυς — botrus here only in N.T. (Genesis 40:10).Her grapes Old word again for grapes, bunch of grapes, in N.T. only here, Matthew 7:16; Luke 6:44.Are fully ripe (ηκμασαν — ēkmasan). Old and common verb (from ακμη — akmē Matthew 15:16), to come to maturity, to reach its acme, here only in N.T. [source]
Revelation 16:1 The seven bowls [τας επτα πιαλας]
The article points to Revelation 16:7. [source]
Revelation 19:2 For [οτι]
Because. The reason for God‘s judgments is given in Revelation 15:3; Revelation 16:7. The doom of Babylon seen in Revelation 14:7 is now realized. [source]
Revelation 19:6 Saying [λεγοντων]
The best attested reading, genitive plural of λεγω — legō agreeing with οχλου — ochlou (genitive singular), for roll of the waters and the roar of the thunders were not articulate. Some MSS. have λεγοντες — legontes (nominative plural) referring also to οχλου — ochlou though nominative instead of genitive. The fourth “Hallelujah” comes from this vast multitude.The Lord our God, the Almighty (Κυριοσ ο τεοσ ο παντοκρατωρ — Kuriosεβασιλευσεν — ho theosβασιλευω — ho pantokratōr). For this designation of God see also Revelation 1:8; Revelation 4:8; Revelation 11:17; Revelation 15:3; Revelation 16:7, Revelation 16:14; Revelation 19:15; Revelation 21:22. Cf. deus et dominus noster used of the Roman emperor.Reigneth First aorist active of basileuō Probably ingressive prophetic aorist, “God became king” in fulness of power on earth with the fall of the world power. [source]
Revelation 19:6 The Lord our God, the Almighty [Κυριοσ ο τεοσ ο παντοκρατωρ]
For this designation of God see also Revelation 1:8; Revelation 4:8; Revelation 11:17; Revelation 15:3; Revelation 16:7, Revelation 16:14; Revelation 19:15; Revelation 21:22. Cf. deus et dominus noster used of the Roman emperor. [source]
Revelation 19:11 Behold, a white horse [ιδου ιππος λευκος]
Nominative case because of ιδου — idou not ειδον — eidon Cf. Revelation 6:2 for ιππος λευκος — hippos leukos The emblem of victory in both cases, but the riders are very different. Here it is the Messiah who is the Warrior, as is made plain by “Faithful and True” Cf. also Revelation 22:6.In righteousness he doth judge and make war (εν δικαιοσυνηι κρινει και πολεμει — en dikaiosunēi krinei kai polemei). See Isaiah 11:3. The Messiah is both Judge and Warrior, but he does both in righteousness (Revelation 15:3; Revelation 16:5, Revelation 16:7; Revelation 19:2). He passes judgment on the beast (antichrist) and makes war on him. Satan had offered Christ a victory of compromise which was rejected. [source]
Revelation 19:11 In righteousness he doth judge and make war [εν δικαιοσυνηι κρινει και πολεμει]
See Isaiah 11:3. The Messiah is both Judge and Warrior, but he does both in righteousness (Revelation 15:3; Revelation 16:5, Revelation 16:7; Revelation 19:2). He passes judgment on the beast (antichrist) and makes war on him. Satan had offered Christ a victory of compromise which was rejected. [source]
Revelation 6:9 Under the altar [υποκατω του τυσιαστηριου]
“Under” The altar of sacrifice (Exodus 39:39; Exodus 40:29), not of incense. The imagery, as in Hebrews, is from the tabernacle. For the word see Matthew 5:23., often in Rev (Revelation 8:3, Revelation 8:5; Revelation 9:13; Revelation 11:1; Revelation 14:18; Revelation 16:7). This altar in heaven is symbolic, of course, the antitype for the tabernacle altar (Hebrews 8:5). The Lamb was slain (Revelation 5:6, Revelation 5:9, Revelation 5:12) and these martyrs have followed the example of their Lord. [source]

What do the individual words in Revelation 16:7 mean?

And I heard the altar saying Yes Lord - God Almighty TRUE righteous [are] the judgments of You
Καὶ ἤκουσα τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου λέγοντος Ναί Κύριε Θεός Παντοκράτωρ ἀληθιναὶ δίκαιαι αἱ κρίσεις σου

ἤκουσα  I  heard 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: ἀκουστός 
Sense: to be endowed with the faculty of hearing, not deaf.
θυσιαστηρίου  altar 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root: θυσιαστήριον  
Sense: the altar for slaying and burning of victims used of.
λέγοντος  saying 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root: λέγω 
Sense: to say, to speak.
Ναί  Yes 
Parse: Particle
Root: ναί  
Sense: yea, verily, truly, assuredly, even so.
Κύριε  Lord 
Parse: Noun, Vocative Masculine Singular
Root: κύριος  
Sense: he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord.
  - 
Parse: Article, Vocative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Θεός  God 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.
Παντοκράτωρ  Almighty 
Parse: Noun, Vocative Masculine Singular
Root: παντοκράτωρ  
Sense: he who holds sway over all things.
ἀληθιναὶ  TRUE 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Feminine Plural
Root: ἀληθινός  
Sense: that which has not only the name and resemblance, but the real nature corresponding to the name, in every respect corresponding to the idea signified by the name, real, true genuine.
δίκαιαι  righteous  [are] 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Feminine Plural
Root: δίκαιος  
Sense: righteous, observing divine laws.
κρίσεις  judgments 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Plural
Root: κρίσις  
Sense: a separating, sundering, separation.
σου  of  You 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.