Revelation 16 5

Revelation 16:5 kjv

And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus.

Revelation 16:5 nkjv

And I heard the angel of the waters saying: "You are righteous, O Lord, The One who is and who was and who is to be, Because You have judged these things.

Revelation 16:5 niv

Then I heard the angel in charge of the waters say: "You are just in these judgments, O Holy One, you who are and who were;

Revelation 16:5 esv

And I heard the angel in charge of the waters say, "Just are you, O Holy One, who is and who was, for you brought these judgments.

Revelation 16:5 nlt

And I heard the angel who had authority over all water saying, "You are just, O Holy One, who is and who always was,
because you have sent these judgments.

Revelation 16 verses

Revelation 16 5 Meaning

Revelation 16:5 articulates an angelic affirmation of God's inherent justice. The "angel of the waters" praises God as "just" and "Holy One, who is and who was," acknowledging that His poured-out judgments are righteous and deserved. This statement underscores that divine wrath is not arbitrary, but a morally impeccable response to the extreme wickedness of humanity, specifically the shedding of the blood of His saints and prophets. It highlights God's unwavering character as a righteous judge who perfectly executes His will.

Revelation 16 5 Context

Revelation chapter 16 depicts the pouring out of the seven bowls of God's wrath, culminating in the final series of divine judgments before the return of Christ. These judgments are unprecedented in severity, bringing escalating plagues upon an unrepentant earth. Specifically, verse 5 occurs after the third bowl has been poured out, causing the rivers and springs of fresh water to turn into blood. This follows the first bowl (sores on land) and the second (sea turning to blood).

In this immediate context, the angel’s declaration in verse 5 serves as a theological justification for the extreme nature of these judgments, particularly the third bowl that pollutes all sources of life-giving water. It is a divine answer to the cries of the martyrs from earlier in Revelation (e.g., 6:9-10), affirming that God's actions are perfectly just in light of the world’s persecution of His saints and prophets. Historically and culturally, the original audience, facing intense persecution from the Roman Empire and state-sponsored idolatry, would find immense comfort and validation in this pronouncement of God's unwavering justice, assuring them that their suffering was seen and would be avenged by a righteous God. It contrasts divine righteousness with the brutal unrighteousness of Rome.

Revelation 16 5 Word analysis

• And I heard (Καὶ ἤκουσα - Kai ēkousa): Signifies John's direct perception and reception of this divine pronouncement, underscoring its authoritative nature and heavenly origin.
• the angel of the waters (ὁ ἄγγελος τῶν ὑδάτων - ho angelos tōn hydatōn): A specific angelic being with jurisdiction or administrative responsibility over the earth's waters. His declaration is not merely praise but an endorsement from within the affected sphere of creation, affirming God’s justice even when his own domain is undergoing judgment.
• say, "You are just," (λέγοντος, Δίκαιος εἶ - legontos, Dikaios ei):
  • "Just" (Δίκαιος - Dikaios): Refers to God's intrinsic moral perfection, His absolute righteousness, and adherence to His own divine law and nature. It signifies His actions are equitable, right, and morally sound, without bias or fault.
  • The direct address, "You are," emphasizes God's essential and unchanging character.
• "O Holy One," (Ὁ Ὅσιος - Ho Hosios):
  • "Holy One" (Ὅσιος - Hosios): This specific Greek term for holy emphasizes ethical purity, moral uprightness, and adherence to covenant faithfulness, distinguishing God from the unholy and unrighteous world. It is a profound declaration of God's unblemished and separate nature, essential to His capacity as judge.
• "who is and who was," (ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν - ho ōn kai ho ēn): A timeless declaration of God's eternal, unchangeable existence, rooted in the divine name YHWH ("I AM"). The notable omission of "and who is to come" from the full divine title (as found in Rev 1:4, 1:8, 4:8) in this context signifies the present and accomplished nature of God's righteous judgments, or that judgment itself is the fulfillment of that coming. It implies the imminence or finality of the unfolding judgments, as His past promise of justice is now being perfectly executed in the present.
• "because you have judged these things." (ὅτι ταῦτα ἔκρινας - hoti tauta ekrinas):
  • "because" (ὅτι - hoti): Establishes the direct reason and justification for the angel's praise.
  • "you have judged" (ἔκρινας - ekrinas): Past tense, indicating a completed action. God has already judged, and this current outpouring is the manifestation of that verdict. It’s not just a declaration; it's the enactment of His righteous judgment.
  • "these things" (ταῦτα - tauta): Refers directly to the specific judgments (the bowls) being poured out, and by extension, the wickedness and persecution that necessitated them, particularly the bloodshed of the saints.

Revelation 16 5 Bonus section

• The praise in Revelation 16:5 anticipates the fuller vindication scene in Revelation 19:2, where God's judgments against the "Great Prostitute" (Babylon) are also declared to be "true and just." This reinforces a consistent theme of divine justice throughout the book.
• The concept of an "angel of the waters" suggests a broader angelic hierarchy and administrative roles over aspects of creation (cf. angels associated with fire in Rev 14:18 or winds in Rev 7:1). Even in the midst of its domain being used as an instrument of judgment, this angel fully comprehends and praises God's righteousness, emphasizing that all of creation recognizes God’s justice.
• This verse provides profound comfort for suffering believers, affirming that God is not indifferent to their persecution. His judgments are a direct answer to their prayers for justice and an ultimate demonstration that all human evil, especially that against His people, will face His perfect righteous retribution.
• The turning of waters to blood directly links back to the Egyptian plagues (Ex 7:17-21), demonstrating that God's methods of judgment against hardened hearts remain consistent throughout biblical history, reinforcing the typology of judgment against an oppressive, anti-God world system.

Revelation 16 5 Commentary

Revelation 16:5 is a pivotal declaration in the narrative of divine judgment, firmly asserting the unassailable righteousness of God amidst catastrophic global plagues. The voice of "the angel of the waters" provides a divine commentary, clarifying that the horrific consequences of the third bowl judgment are not random acts of vengeance but meticulously just recompense. This angelic testimony contrasts sharply with humanity’s widespread blasphemy and unrepentant attitude throughout these judgments (Rev 16:9, 11, 21).

The angelic praise of God as "just, O Holy One, who is and who was" affirms that divine judgment proceeds from God's very nature—He cannot act unrighteously. His past promises to defend His persecuted people, combined with His unchanging holiness, compel Him to act decisively. The omission of "who is to come" highlights that God, existing outside of time, brings past offenses to account in a present, tangible display of justice. This passage profoundly assures believers that even when circumstances appear chaotic and overwhelming, God remains fully in control, executing His purposes with perfect equity and fulfilling the cries of His martyred saints for vindication.