The Meaning of Revelation 19:6 Explained

Revelation 19:6

KJV: 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 thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

YLT: and I heard as the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, 'Alleluia! because reign did the Lord God -- the Almighty!

Darby: And I heard as a voice of a great crowd, and as a voice of many waters, and as a voice of strong thunders, saying, Hallelujah, for the Lord our God the Almighty has taken to himself kingly power.

ASV: 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.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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  thunderings,  saying,  Alleluia:  for  the Lord  God  omnipotent  reigneth. 

What does Revelation 19:6 Mean?

Verse Meaning

This praise followed and probably included that of the angels. Together all God"s servants in heaven now praised Him for the fact that He reigns, after destroying Babylon. In this proleptic statement they look forward to what is about to happen, namely, Jesus Christ"s return to earth and the beginning of His eternal reign. [1] Here He receives the title "the Lord our God, the Almighty." This praise is appropriately great since Messiah"s earthly reign is the climax of history. Thus John heard a voice that sounded like multitudes of people, the roar of a huge waterfall, and loud claps of thunder announcing its arrival (cf. Ezekiel 1:24; Ezekiel 43:2; Daniel 10:6). The singers are evidently angels (cf. Revelation 6:1; Revelation 10:1-4; Revelation 11:15-17; Revelation 14:2).

Context Summary

Revelation 19:1-10 - The Fourfold Hallelujah
One day we shall hear those four Alleluias, Revelation 19:1; Revelation 19:3-4; Revelation 19:6. They will reverberate to the farthest limits of the universe. They will not be inspired by vindictiveness or revenge, but will be jubilant with the conviction that God has vindicated Himself and has proved that right can conquer wrong; truth, falsehood; and love, hate. One of our chief anticipations when we think of the future, is that God's character and government of the universe will be amply vindicated.
Contemporaneous with the fall of Babylon will be the marriage of the Lamb. Before He assumes, together with His saints, the task of governing the world, the union of supreme love will have been consummated, and the marriage supper will have been filled with guests. Note from Revelation 19:10 that the angels are our fellow-servants. They hail us as comrades on the condition that we never flinch from maintaining the testimony of Jesus. [source]

Chapter Summary: Revelation 19

1  God is praised in heaven for judging the great harlot, and avenging the blood of his saints
7  The marriage of the Lamb
10  The angel will not be worshipped
17  The birds called to the great slaughter

Greek Commentary for Revelation 19:6

As it were the voice [ως πωνην]
Used here three times, as once in Revelation 19:1: once of a second great multitude (οχλου πολλου — ochlou pollou), not of angels as in Revelation 19:1, but the innumerable multitude of the redeemed of Revelation 7:9; then “of many waters” (υδατων πολλων — hudatōn pollōn) as in Revelation 1:15; Revelation 14:2 like “the roar of a cataract” (Swete); and once more “the voice of mighty thunders” (βροντων ισχυρων — brontōn ischurōn) as in Revelation 6:1; Revelation 10:3. [source]
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]
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]
Reigneth [ebasileusen)]
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]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Revelation 19:6

Revelation 1:9 Patmos []
Now called Patmo and Palmosa. In the Aegean, one of the group of the Sporades, about twenty-eight miles S. S.W. of Samos. It is about ten miles long by six in breadth. The island is volcanic, and is bare and rocky throughout; the hills, of which the highest rises to nearly a thousand feet, commanding a magnificent view of the neighboring sea and islands. The bay of La Scala, running into the land on the east, divides the island into two nearly equal parts, a northern and a southern. The ancient town, remains of which are still to be seen, occupied the isthmus which separates La Scala from the bay of Merika on the western coast. The modern town is on a hill in the southern half of the island, clustered at the foot of the monastery of St. John. A grotto is shown called “the grotto of the Apocalypse,” in which the apostle is said to have received the vision. “The stern, rugged barrenness of its broken promontories well suits the historical fact of the relegation of the condemned Christian to its shores, as of a convict to his prison. The view from the topmost peak, or, indeed, from any lofty elevation in the islands, unfolds an unusual sweep such as well became the Apocalypse, the unveiling of the future to the eyes of the solitary seer. Above, there was always the broad heaven of a Grecian sky; sometimes bright with its 'white cloud' (Revelation 14:14), sometimes torn with 'lightnings and thunderings,' and darkened by 'great hail,' or cheered with 'a rainbow like unto an emerald' (Revelation 4:3; Revelation 8:7; Revelation 11:19; Revelation 16:21). Over the high tops of Icaria, Samos, and Naxos rise the mountains of Asia Minor; amongst which would lie, to the north, the circle of the Seven Churches to which his addresses were to be sent. Around him stood the mountains and islands of the Archipelago (Revelation 6:14; Revelation 16:20). When he looked round, above or below, 'the sea' would always occupy the foremost place … the voices of heaven were like the sound of the waves beating on the shore, as 'the sound of many waters' (Revelation 14:2; Revelation 19:6); the millstone was 'cast into the sea' (Revelation 18:21); the sea was to 'give up the dead which were in it' (Revelation 20:13)” (Stanley, “Sermons in the East”). [source]
Revelation 1:15 Many waters []
Compare Ezekiel 1:24; Ezekiel 43:2; Isaiah 17:12. See also Revelation 14:2; Revelation 19:6. [source]
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 1:15 As if it had been refined [ως πεπυρομενης]
Perfect passive participle of πυροω — puroō old verb, to set on fire, to glow, as in Ephesians 6:16; Revelation 3:18. The feminine gender shows that η χαλκολιβανος — hē chalkolibanos is referred to with της χαλκολιβανου — tēs chalkolibanou understood, for it does not agree in case with the associative-instrumental χαλκολιβανωι — chalkolibanōi just before. Some would call it a slip for πεπυρομενωι — pepuromenōi as Aleph, and some cursives have it (taking χαλκολιβανωι — chalkolibanōi to be neuter, not feminine). But P Q read πεπυρωμενοι — pepurōmenoi (masculine plural), a correction, making it agree in number and gender with ποδες — podes (feet).In a furnace (εν καμινωι — en kaminōi). Old word, in N.T. also Revelation 9:2; Matthew 13:42, Matthew 13:50.As the voice of many waters So the voice of God in the Hebrew (not the lxx) of Ezekiel 43:2. Repeated in Revelation 14:2; Revelation 19:6. [source]
Revelation 1:15 As the voice of many waters [ως πωνη υδατων πολλων]
So the voice of God in the Hebrew (not the lxx) of Ezekiel 43:2. Repeated in Revelation 14:2; Revelation 19:6. [source]
Revelation 14:2 Of a great thunder [βροντης μεγαλης]
For which see Revelation 6:1; Revelation 19:6. For this voice out of heaven see Revelation 10:4; Revelation 14:15; Revelation 18:4 and note accusative with ηκουσα — ēkousa the voice of harpers harping with their harps Triple use of κιταρα — kithara (Revelation 5:8), κιταρωιδων — kitharōidōn (Revelation 18:22), κιταριζοντων — kitharizontōn (old verb κιταριζω — kitharizō in N.T. only here and 1 Corinthians 14:7). Wonderful melody in this chorus by the angels, not by the 144,000. [source]
Revelation 19:1 Saying [λεγοντων]
Present active participle of λεγω — legō genitive plural, though οχλου — ochlou is genitive singular (collective substantive, agreement in sense).Hallelujah (Αλληλουια — Allēlouia). Transliteration of the Hebrew seen often in the Psalms (lxx) and in 3 Macc. 7:13, in N.T. only in Revelation 19:1, Revelation 19:3, Revelation 19:4, Revelation 19:6. It means, “Praise ye the Lord.” Fifteen of the Psalms begin or end with this word. The Great Hallel (a title for Psalm 104-109) is sung chiefly at the feasts of the passover and tabernacles. This psalm of praise uses language already in Revelation 12:10. [source]
Revelation 19:1 Hallelujah [Αλληλουια]
Transliteration of the Hebrew seen often in the Psalms (lxx) and in 3 Macc. 7:13, in N.T. only in Revelation 19:1, Revelation 19:3, Revelation 19:4, Revelation 19:6. It means, “Praise ye the Lord.” Fifteen of the Psalms begin or end with this word. The Great Hallel (a title for Psalm 104-109) is sung chiefly at the feasts of the passover and tabernacles. This psalm of praise uses language already in Revelation 12:10. [source]
Revelation 6:6 As it were a voice [ως πωνην]
“This use of ως — hōs giving a certain vagueness or mysteriousness to a phrase, is one of the characteristics of the writer‘s style, e.g., Revelation 8:1; Revelation 14:3; Revelation 19:1, Revelation 19:6 ” (Beckwith). This voice comes from the midst of the four living creatures, “the protest of nature against the horrors of famine” (Swete). [source]

What do the individual words in Revelation 19:6 mean?

And I heard [something] like [the] voice of a multitude great like [the] sound of waters many a sound of thunders mighty saying Hallelujah For has reigned [the] Lord - God of us the Almighty
Καὶ ἤκουσα ὡς φωνὴν ὄχλου πολλοῦ ὡς φωνὴν ὑδάτων πολλῶν φωνὴν βροντῶν ἰσχυρῶν λεγόντων Ἁλληλουϊά ὅτι ἐβασίλευσεν Κύριος Θεός ἡμῶν Παντοκράτωρ

ἤκουσα  I  heard 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: ἀκουστός 
Sense: to be endowed with the faculty of hearing, not deaf.
ὡς  [something]  like 
Parse: Adverb
Root: ὡς 
Sense: as, like, even as, etc.
φωνὴν  [the]  voice 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: φωνή  
Sense: a sound, a tone.
ὄχλου  of  a  multitude 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: ὄχλος  
Sense: a crowd.
πολλοῦ  great 
Parse: Adjective, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: πολύς  
Sense: many, much, large.
ὡς  like 
Parse: Adverb
Root: ὡς 
Sense: as, like, even as, etc.
φωνὴν  [the]  sound 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: φωνή  
Sense: a sound, a tone.
ὑδάτων  of  waters 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Plural
Root: ὕδωρ  
Sense: water.
πολλῶν  many 
Parse: Adjective, Genitive Neuter Plural
Root: πολύς  
Sense: many, much, large.
φωνὴν  a  sound 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: φωνή  
Sense: a sound, a tone.
βροντῶν  of  thunders 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Plural
Root: βροντή  
Sense: thunder.
ἰσχυρῶν  mighty 
Parse: Adjective, Genitive Feminine Plural
Root: ἰσχυρός  
Sense: strong, mighty.
λεγόντων  saying 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root: λέγω 
Sense: to say, to speak.
Ἁλληλουϊά  Hallelujah 
Parse: Hebrew Word
Root: ἁλληλουϊά  
Sense: praise ye the Lord, Hallelujah.
ἐβασίλευσεν  has  reigned 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: βασιλεύω  
Sense: to be king, to exercise kingly power, to reign.
Κύριος  [the]  Lord 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: κύριος  
Sense: he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord.
  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative 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.
ἡμῶν  of  us 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 1st Person Plural
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
Παντοκράτωρ  Almighty 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: παντοκράτωρ  
Sense: he who holds sway over all things.