Revelation 4:3 kjv
And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.
Revelation 4:3 nkjv
And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald.
Revelation 4:3 niv
And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne.
Revelation 4:3 esv
And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald.
Revelation 4:3 nlt
The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones ? like jasper and carnelian. And the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow.
Revelation 4 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 24:10 | ...they saw the God of Israel; and there was under His feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone... | Appearance of God, divine ground |
| Eze 1:26-28 | And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne... upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man... and there was a brightness round about Him. As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. | God's throne, glory, and a rainbow |
| Isa 6:1 | I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up... | Vision of God on His throne |
| Dan 7:9 | ...His raiment was white as snow, and the hair of His head like the pure wool: His throne was like the fiery flame... | God's ancientness and fiery throne |
| Rev 21:11 | Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; | God's glory and jasper in the New Jerusalem |
| Rev 21:19-20 | The foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones... The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third a chalcedony, the fourth an emerald... | Precious stones in heavenly foundation |
| Gen 9:13-16 | I do set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between Me and the earth... I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant... | Rainbow as sign of God's covenant and mercy |
| Isa 54:8-10 | ...My lovingkindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of My peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee. | God's covenant faithfulness and peace |
| Ps 47:8 | God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne. | God's sovereign reign from His throne |
| Isa 63:2-3 | Wherefore art thou red in Thine apparel, and Thy garments like him that treads in the winepress? I have trodden the winepress alone... | Divine wrath and judgment often depicted in red |
| Hab 3:3-5 | His brightness was as the light; He had bright beams coming out of His hand: and there was the hiding of His power... before Him went the pestilence... | God's brilliant appearance and associated judgment |
| Ex 28:17-18 | ...And thou shalt set in it settings of stones... The first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle... | Priestly breastplate featuring these stones |
| Ex 34:6-7 | The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth... Will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity... | God's balance of mercy and justice |
| Ps 97:2 | Clouds and darkness are round about Him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of His throne. | God's justice surrounding His throne |
| Heb 1:3 | ...He is the radiance of the glory of God... | Description of God's glory |
| Ps 104:1-2 | ...You are clothed with splendor and majesty, covering Yourself with light as with a garment... | God's magnificent glory |
| 1 Tim 6:15-16 | ...the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords... dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto... | God's unapproachable light and power |
| Nahum 1:3 | The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked... His way is in the whirlwind and in the storm... | God's justice and patience |
| Rev 5:1 | And I saw in the right hand of Him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside... | Connection to God on the throne |
| Phil 4:7 | And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. | Divine peace amidst chaos, reflective of emerald |
| Matt 3:17 | ...a voice from heaven, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. | God revealing Himself clearly |
Revelation 4 verses
Revelation 4 3 Meaning
Revelation 4:3 describes the majestic and awe-inspiring appearance of God on His throne in the heavenly sanctuary, as seen in John's vision. The description employs symbolic imagery of precious stones—jasper and sardius—to convey God's transcendent glory, purity, holiness, and righteous judgment. Encircling the throne is a rainbow, resembling an emerald, signifying God's covenant faithfulness, mercy, and the hope of new life, providing comfort and peace amidst the overwhelming power and splendor of the divine presence.
Revelation 4 3 Context
Revelation 4 initiates a pivotal shift in John's vision from earthly concerns (the seven churches in chapters 2-3) to the divine realm, specifically the heavenly throne room. This chapter establishes God's absolute sovereignty and control over all creation and history, setting the stage for the unfolding of His plan and judgments revealed in subsequent chapters. Verse 3, along with the surrounding verses, emphasizes the indescribable glory, majesty, and power of God, depicted through light, colors, and phenomena. This foundational vision reassures the persecuted early Christian audience that God remains enthroned and ultimately in control, even amidst escalating earthly trials and suffering.
Revelation 4 3 Word analysis
- And he that sat: Refers unequivocally to God the Father, distinct from the Lamb (Christ) introduced later. It asserts God's immutable presence and authority on the cosmic throne. This "sitting" signifies His settled dominion and sovereign rule.
- Was to look upon: Greek horasis (ὅρασις), implying a sight or vision, highlighting the limited human capacity to comprehend the divine essence directly. It describes a perceptible, yet symbolically represented, divine appearance (theophany).
- Like a jasper: Greek iaspis (ἰάσπις). In ancient times, "jasper" often referred to a clear, sparkling stone, possibly a diamond or rock crystal, unlike the opaque green jasper of modern understanding. It symbolizes God's pure, translucent holiness, perfect glory, and unblemished righteousness, emitting a radiant, clear light. Rev 21:11 describes the New Jerusalem as having "the glory of God, and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal." This reflects divine purity.
- And a sardius stone: Greek sardion (σάρδιον). This refers to a blood-red, fiery gemstone (like a carnelian). It symbolizes God's consuming fire, His holy wrath against sin, His righteous judgment, and divine majesty. The fiery aspect can represent divine purification and judgment. This juxtaposes with the jasper to show both His purity and His power to judge.
- And there was a rainbow: Greek iris (ἶρις). This imagery directly connects to Gen 9:13-16, the Noahic covenant where the rainbow signified God's promise not to destroy the earth by flood again, representing His faithfulness, mercy, and peace. Its presence encircling the throne underscores that God's judgment (symbolized by the sardius) is always tempered by His covenant grace and steadfast love.
- Round about the throne: Indicates that God's covenant mercy, faithfulness, and peace perpetually encompass His divine rule and every exercise of His authority. The rainbow isn't merely an external decoration but an inherent aspect of the throne room.
- In sight like unto an emerald: Greek smaragdinon (σμαράγδινος), meaning "of an emerald color." The emerald is green, signifying life, freshness, healing, peace, and hope. After the intense visual of the Jasper and Sardius, the restful green offers comfort and suggests a perpetual verdancy and newness surrounding God's reign, reinforcing the mercy aspect of the rainbow and the promise of life found in God.
Revelation 4 3 Bonus section
The juxtaposition of fiery red (sardius) and serene green (emerald-like rainbow) around God's throne beautifully illustrates the two poles of His nature: His righteous anger against sin and His enduring covenant love and mercy. This visual balance communicates that even as God prepares to unleash judgments, His actions are rooted in a foundational commitment to covenant, peace, and the preservation of life, just as He promised to Noah. This rich imagery would have been especially meaningful to John's audience, facing persecution, assuring them that divine justice would ultimately prevail, yet tempered by grace and faithful presence.
Revelation 4 3 Commentary
Revelation 4:3 offers a profound and condensed portrayal of God's character through symbolic colors. The "jasper and sardius stone" describe God's dual attributes: the crystalline purity, light, and holiness (jasper) juxtaposed with His fiery, unapproachable judgment and righteous wrath (sardius). These stones present a challenging but accurate picture of a God who is utterly pure yet intensely just against all evil. This divine radiance is not solely one of awe-inspiring judgment, for "a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald," mitigates the intensity with comfort and assurance. The rainbow, eternally linking to God's covenant with Noah, testifies to His faithfulness and mercy, while the emerald's refreshing green signifies peace, life, and enduring hope. This composite vision reassures believers that even amidst overwhelming divine glory and the prospect of judgment, God's essential character is tempered by His unbreakable promises and a pervasive, restorative peace. It is a powerful affirmation that God, though terrifyingly holy and just, remains fundamentally true to His word and extends His preserving grace.