Revelation 4:9 kjv

And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,

Revelation 4:9 nkjv

Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever,

Revelation 4:9 niv

Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever,

Revelation 4:9 esv

And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever,

Revelation 4:9 nlt

Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever),

Revelation 4 verses

Revelation 4 9 Meaning

Revelation 4:9 describes the perpetual and solemn worship offered by the four living creatures to God, who sits upon the heavenly throne. This worship consists of bestowing glory, honor, and thanks upon Him, specifically acknowledging His eternal existence and supreme sovereignty as the Creator of all things. It sets a pattern for all subsequent worship in Revelation and emphasizes God's absolute worthiness.

Revelation 4 9 Context

Revelation chapter 4 initiates a grand vision of the heavenly throne room, shifting John's focus from earthly churches to the divine realm. John is called "up here" (Rev 4:1) to witness what "must take place after this." The chapter details the appearance of God, enthroned in magnificent splendor, surrounded by a rainbow resembling an emerald. Around the throne are twenty-four elders in white robes, and four living creatures (Greek: zōa – living beings, distinct from common animals, reflective of cherubic and seraphic beings from Ezek 1 and Isa 6). These creatures, full of eyes and covered with wings, continually offer worship day and night. Verse 9 specifically highlights their action of offering glory, honor, and thanks, setting the stage for the responsive worship of the twenty-four elders (Rev 4:10). This scene establishes God's absolute sovereignty and eternal worthiness as the basis for all events that follow in the book of Revelation. The lavish descriptions of God's throne and being worthy of perpetual worship stand as a strong polemic against contemporary Roman emperor worship, which claimed divine status and demanded honor and loyalty that belonged to God alone.

Revelation 4 9 Word analysis

• And when: Marks a consequential action, indicating that the worship of the living creatures is a continuous and intrinsic part of the heavenly scene, preceding and prompting the worship of others.
• those beasts: The Greek word here is ζῶα (zōa), meaning "living creatures" or "living beings," not θηρία (thēria), which denotes wild animals or beasts of prey (as used for the antichrist in Rev 13). These are celestial beings, embodying different aspects of God's creation (lion, calf, human, eagle) and equipped with many eyes, symbolizing divine knowledge, watchfulness, and omniscience. Their appearance links them to the Cherubim and Seraphim in Ezek 1 and Isa 6, representing the fullness of created life, reflecting God's majesty.
• give (δώσουσιν - dōsousin): "they will give" or "they give." The future tense can imply a continuous or habitual action, underscoring the unending nature of their worship. It is a volitional act of ascribing worth.
• glory (δόξαν - doxan): Refers to God's inherent majesty, splendor, and reputation. To give Him glory is to acknowledge and express His divine attributes, weightiness, and magnificent presence. It's the declaration of His true nature.
• and honour (τιμήν - timēn): Denotes value, respect, and supreme dignity. To give God honor is to acknowledge His supreme authority and worth, elevating Him above all else. It contrasts with earthly dignities that fade.
• and thanks (εὐχαριστίαν - eucharistian): Means thanksgiving, an expression of gratitude. This highlights that God's worship is not only about His inherent greatness but also includes a response to His actions, especially His role as Creator and Sustainer, as implied in Rev 4:11.
• to him that sat on the throne (τῷ καθημένῳ ἐπὶ τοῦ θρόνου - tō kathēmenō epi tou thronou): "To the one sitting on the throne." This directly identifies the recipient of worship as God the Father, the sovereign Ruler of the universe. The throne is the symbol of ultimate authority, power, and universal dominion, firmly established and unshakable.
• who liveth (τῷ ζῶντι - tō zōnti): "To the living One." This emphasizes God's self-existence, immortality, and source of all life. It distinguishes Him from lifeless idols and mortal kings. It is a recurring identifier for God in Revelation (e.g., Rev 1:18, 10:6).
• for ever and ever (εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων - eis tous aiōnas tōn aiōnōn): "Into the ages of ages" or "unto the ages of the ages." This is the strongest Greek idiom for eternity, emphasizing His endless, everlasting nature without beginning or end. It underscores the ceaseless nature of God's existence and His enduring reign.
• Amen (ἀμήν - amēn): A Hebrew transliterated word signifying "so be it," "truly," "certainly." It serves as an affirmation, underscoring the certainty and truth of the declaration, especially when attached to praise. It solidifies the truth and affirmation of God's eternal life.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "glory and honour and thanks": These three terms represent a comprehensive form of worship, encompassing recognition of God's intrinsic majesty (glory), His supreme value and authority (honor), and gratitude for His deeds (thanks). This tripartite expression is common in biblical doxologies.
• "to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever": This phrase succinctly identifies God the Father through His supreme position of authority (on the throne) and His essential nature as the eternal, self-existent Being (who lives forever and ever). This establishes the unparalleled object of worship.

Revelation 4 9 Bonus section

The threefold expression "glory and honour and thanks" reflects a common pattern in Revelation's doxologies, often expanding to seven attributes as seen in Rev 5:12 and Rev 7:12 ("blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might"). This indicates a profound and comprehensive understanding of God's worthiness, growing in scope as the scene of worship unfolds in heaven. The ceaseless nature of the living creatures' worship ("day and night they do not cease," Rev 4:8) provides an archetype for human worship, suggesting that praise is not a fleeting act but an eternal vocation and privilege for believers. It also underscores God's unending worthiness, highlighting that He is perpetually deserving of the highest form of adoration.

Revelation 4 9 Commentary

Revelation 4:9 is a pivotal verse, depicting the core activity of heaven: perpetual, holistic worship of God. The four living creatures, as symbolic representatives of creation or aspects of God's providential rule, initiate this ceaseless homage. Their offering of "glory and honour and thanks" is comprehensive: "glory" recognizes God's infinite intrinsic worth and majesty; "honour" ascribes ultimate dignity and value to Him above all; and "thanks" expresses gratitude for His character and works, notably His creative act and sustenance (expanded in Rev 4:11). The recipient, "Him who sat on the throne," immediately identifies the sovereign God, emphasizing His unchallengeable authority over all creation. The descriptor, "who liveth for ever and ever," further establishes God's unique eternal nature, distinguishing Him as the sole immortal and self-existent Being. This declaration, sealed with "Amen," signifies an unbreakable truth. The worship in this verse serves as the foundation for the entire book, establishing God's immutable reign and worthiness as the supreme Ruler, justifying His judgments and ultimate victory. It teaches believers the constant nature of praise due to the ever-living and ever-reigning God, inspiring similar responses of adoration from all of creation. Practically, it reminds believers that true worship encompasses acknowledging God's attributes, valuing Him supremely, and expressing gratitude for His works.