Revelation 14:2 kjv
And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:
Revelation 14:2 nkjv
And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps.
Revelation 14:2 niv
And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps.
Revelation 14:2 esv
And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps,
Revelation 14:2 nlt
And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of mighty ocean waves or the rolling of loud thunder. It was like the sound of many harpists playing together.
Revelation 14 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Divine Voice/Power | ||
| Rev 1:15 | "His voice as the sound of many waters..." | Describes Christ's powerful voice. |
| Ezek 43:2 | "And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the way of the east; and His voice was like the sound of many waters..." | God's voice like many waters, majesty. |
| Dan 10:6 | "...and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude." | Heavenly being's voice is powerful. |
| Ps 29:3-9 | "The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders..." | Lord's voice identified with thunder and power. |
| Heb 12:26 | "whose voice then shook the earth..." | God's voice as source of great power. |
| Job 37:4-5 | "After it a voice roars; He thunders with His majestic voice..." | God's thunderous voice as majesty. |
| Isa 30:30 | "The Lord will cause His majestic voice to be heard..." | God's voice for judgment or revelation. |
| Exod 19:16 | "...and there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain, and a very loud trumpet sound..." | Thunder as sign of divine presence/covenant. |
| Rev 11:15 | "Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven..." | Loud voices announcing God's reign. |
| Heavenly Worship/Music | ||
| Rev 5:8-9 | "...each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense... And they sang a new song..." | Harps used in heavenly worship and song. |
| Rev 15:2-3 | "And I saw those who had conquered the beast...standing by the sea of glass, holding harps of God. And they sang the song of Moses... and the song of the Lamb..." | Saints with harps, singing songs of victory. |
| Rev 19:6 | "And I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder..." | Great multitude praising God with mighty sounds. |
| Ps 33:2-3 | "Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; Sing praises to Him with a harp of ten strings. Sing to Him a new song..." | Harps used for new songs of praise. |
| Ps 149:3 | "Let them praise His name with dancing; Let them sing praises to Him with tambourine and lyre." | Musical instruments for praising God. |
| Ps 150:3 | "Praise Him with trumpet sound; Praise Him with harp and lyre." | Harps for praise and worship. |
| 1 Chr 25:6 | "All these were under the direction of their father to make music in the house of the Lord with cymbals, harps, and lyres..." | Harps used in temple worship. |
| Rev 4:8 | "And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say, 'HOLY, HOLY, HOLY is THE LORD GOD, THE ALMIGHTY...'" | Continuous heavenly praise. |
| Rev 7:9-12 | "After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude... crying out with a loud voice, saying, 'Salvation belongs to our God...'" | Heavenly host proclaiming praise and salvation. |
| 1 Thess 4:16 | "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God..." | Heavenly sounds accompanying divine event. |
Revelation 14 verses
Revelation 14 2 Meaning
Revelation 14:2 describes a powerful and majestic auditory experience heard by John, originating from heaven. The sounds are multifaceted: first, an immense voice likened to the roar of many rushing waters, then the mighty crash of great thunder, both signifying overwhelming power, divine presence, and authoritative declaration. Immediately following, a harmonious sound emerges – the melodic playing of harpers with their instruments, representing worship, praise, and a collective expression of heavenly joy or celebration. This composite sound portrays a blend of awe-inspiring divine majesty and the serene beauty of celestial adoration.
Revelation 14 2 Context
Revelation 14:2 immediately follows Revelation 14:1, which introduces the Lamb (Jesus Christ) standing on Mount Zion with the 144,000 who bear His Father's name on their foreheads, contrasting starkly with the worshipers of the beast from the preceding chapter. This verse, therefore, serves as an auditory backdrop to the redeemed saints in heaven or spiritual Zion. The overwhelming sounds signify a momentous divine declaration or manifestation, followed by the responsive worship of the heavenly hosts, anticipating the "new song" mentioned in Rev 14:3 that only the 144,000 can learn. Broadly, Revelation chapter 14 acts as a significant turning point, shifting focus from the destructive power of the beast to God's ultimate victory and judgment. It portrays three angelic messages declaring the eternal gospel, the fall of Babylon, and warning against worshipping the beast, culminating in the vision of the harvest (judgment) of the earth. The sounds in Rev 14:2 foreshadow these impending events, underscoring the divine authority and the joyous outcome for those who remain faithful.
Revelation 14 2 Word analysis
And I heard (Καὶ ἤκουσα - Kai ēkousa): The recurring phrase emphasizes John's reception of revelation through auditory means, drawing attention to the significance of what is heard. It marks a transition to a new aspect of the vision.
a voice (φωνὴν - phōnēn): Refers to a single source of utterance, but the subsequent descriptions liken it to immense sounds, indicating a powerful and comprehensive communication. In biblical contexts, phōnē often refers to a divine declaration or the voice of an angel.
from heaven (ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ - ek tou ouranou): Specifies the divine origin and authority of the voice. Heaven is the dwelling place of God and the source of ultimate truth and power.
as the voice of many waters (ὡς φωνὴν ὑδάτων πολλῶν - hōs phōnēn hydatōn pollōn): "Many waters" (ὑδάτων πολλῶν) metaphorically describes a sound of immense volume and power, like a great cataract or raging ocean. It frequently signifies divine majesty, irresistible power, and overwhelming presence. It echoes similar descriptions of the voice of God or divine beings (Ezek 43:2, Rev 1:15).
and as the voice of a great thunder (καὶ ὡς φωνὴν βροντῆς μεγάλης - kai hōs phōnēn brontēs megalēs): "Thunder" (brontē) is another powerful biblical metaphor for God's voice or presence, associated with awe, judgment, and revelation, as seen at Mount Sinai (Exod 19:16) or in Psalms 29:3-9. The addition of "great" (megalēs) intensifies its scale and majesty, suggesting overwhelming divine authority.
and I heard the voice (καὶ φωνὴν ἤκουσα - kai phōnēn ēkousa): This repetition reinforces that John heard two distinct aspects of sound from the single source initially described, shifting from a powerful divine voice to a collective harmonious one.
of harpers harping (κιθαρῳδῶν κιθαριζόντων - kitharōdōn kitharizontōn):
- harpers (kitharōdōn): Those who play the kithara (lyre-like string instrument). This term denotes skilled musicians.
- harping (kitharizontōn): The act of playing the kithara. The present participle indicates continuous or ongoing action.The kithara was used extensively in ancient Jewish worship for praise and joyful celebration (Ps 33:2, Ps 149:3, Ps 150:3). In Revelation, harps are consistently associated with heavenly worship, praise, and the singing of new songs by those redeemed or triumphant (Rev 5:8, Rev 15:2-3). This sound contrasts sharply with the disharmony and suffering of the world.
with their harps (ἐν ταῖς κιθάραις αὐτῶν - en tais kitharais autōn): Emphasizes the instrument, affirming the clear identification of the musical sound.
Word-Groups Analysis:
"And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder": This phrase paints a grand and awesome auditory picture of divine power and majesty. It's a revelation not just for John, but for the reader, of the overwhelming scale of God's presence and utterance. The use of "voice" multiple times yet describing distinct powerful sounds indicates a singular, multifaceted divine source, full of authority, strength, and presence, capable of commanding attention and evoking reverence. This is the voice that proclaims and orchestrates events, symbolizing divine revelation or a momentous divine decree.
"and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps": This phrase shifts from divine proclamation to harmonious worship. It introduces a sound of adoration and praise, emanating from heavenly beings or the redeemed. The harps suggest organized, melodic, and joyful expression, a heavenly orchestra in response to the divine voice, signaling praise, victory, and the joyous atmosphere of God's presence. It is worship born from salvation and victory, distinct from, yet in harmony with, the awesome power previously described. The combination presents the awesome yet worship-evoking nature of God.
Revelation 14 2 Bonus section
The juxtaposition of a powerful, possibly fearful, voice (many waters, thunder) with the beautiful, calming sound of harpers suggests a comprehensive soundscape of heaven, encompassing both divine judgment/authority and divine grace/worship. It sets the stage for the new song in Rev 14:3, indicating that this specific group of harpers and singers may be the 144,000 who have unique understanding and relationship with God due to their faithfulness. This heavenly music provides a stark contrast to the chaotic and unholy sounds associated with the beast's kingdom on earth, reinforcing the blessedness of those who remain faithful to God. The divine sounds communicate God's unwavering control and power over all things, while the music of the harps illustrates the peaceful and joyful consequence of faithful endurance.
Revelation 14 2 Commentary
Revelation 14:2 provides an profound auditory glimpse into heaven, combining elements of awe-inspiring divine power with serene worship. The opening sounds – "many waters" and "great thunder" – represent the overwhelming might and authority of God's voice, signifying ultimate power and a decisive divine presence, perhaps foretelling the powerful declarations or judgments to come later in the chapter. These sounds create an atmosphere of divine immensity, commanding immediate reverence. Juxtaposed with this majestic power is the melodious "voice of harpers harping with their harps," which introduces the element of worship and harmonious praise. This implies that even amidst the terrifying manifestations of divine power, there is a consistent and beautiful response of adoration from those in God's presence, signifying victory, joy, and the heavenly response to salvation. This blending of overwhelming power and peaceful worship illustrates the dual nature of God's character and His presence in heaven: majestic and formidable, yet inspiring heartfelt and joyful praise among His redeemed.