Revelation 4:10

The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

The four {G5064} and {G2532} twenty {G1501} elders {G4245} fall down {G4098} before {G1799} him that sat {G2521} on {G1909} the throne {G2362}, and {G2532} worship {G4352} him that liveth {G2198} for {G1519} ever {G165} and ever {G165}, and {G2532} cast {G906} their {G846} crowns {G4735} before {G1799} the throne {G2362}, saying {G3004},

the twenty-four elders fall down before the One sitting on the throne, who lives forever and ever, and worship him. They throw their crowns in front of the throne and say,

the twenty-four elders fall down before the One seated on the throne, and they worship Him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying:

the four and twenty elders shall fall down before him that sitteth on the throne, and shall worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and shall cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

Revelation 4:10 describes a profound moment of worship in John's heavenly vision, showcasing the reverence and adoration directed towards God seated on the throne. This verse is part of a larger scene in Revelation Chapter 4, which establishes the divine throne room as the center of all creation and worship.

Context

Following the continuous praise of the four living creatures, the twenty-four elders respond with an act of deep humility and worship. These elders, often interpreted as representing the totality of God's redeemed people from both the Old and New Testaments, are seen here in their designated roles as priests and kings, yet their ultimate act is one of submission. Their actions immediately precede their declaration of God's worthiness in Revelation 4:11, forming a powerful sequence of adoration.

Key Themes

  • Profound Adoration and Worship: The elders' act of "falling down" (Greek: piptō, signifying prostration) and "worshipping" (Greek: proskyneō, meaning to bow down in adoration) signifies complete submission and reverence before the eternal God. This is the ultimate posture of humility in God's presence.
  • God's Eternal Sovereignty: The object of their worship is "him that liveth for ever and ever," emphasizing God's timeless existence, unchallengeable authority, and self-sufficiency. This phrase underscores His unchanging nature and ultimate control over all things.
  • Renunciation of Self-Glory: The dramatic act of "casting their crowns before the throne" is highly symbolic. These crowns likely represent their authority, victory, or reward (cf. 1 Peter 5:4, 2 Timothy 4:8). By laying them down, the elders acknowledge that any glory, honor, or achievement they possess comes from God alone and rightfully belongs back to Him. It's an act of recognizing that all praise and dominion are due to Him, not themselves.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "worship," proskyneō (προσκυνέω), literally means "to kiss towards," often implying bowing down or prostrating oneself before a superior. This term conveys not just respect but profound reverence and submission, indicating that the elders' worship is a total surrender of self. The phrase "liveth for ever and ever" (Greek: ho zōn eis tous aiōnas tōn aiōnōn) powerfully declares God's absolute eternality and unending life, a core attribute of His divine nature.

Practical Application

Revelation 4:10 offers a profound model for our own worship. It teaches us that true worship involves:

  • Humility: A willingness to humble ourselves, recognizing God's supreme authority and majesty above all else.
  • Surrender: Laying down our perceived achievements, talents, or accolades at the feet of Christ, understanding that any good thing we possess comes from Him.
  • Eternal Focus: Directing our adoration to the God who is, and was, and is to come, acknowledging His unchanging nature and eternal reign. This heavenly vision reminds us that our earthly lives should be lived with an awareness of God's sovereignty and a desire to give Him all glory, anticipating the day when we too will join in such profound worship.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Revelation 5:8

    And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four [and] twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

  • Psalms 95:6

    O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.

  • Revelation 19:4

    And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.

  • Revelation 11:16

    And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,

  • Revelation 4:4

    And round about the throne [were] four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

  • Revelation 5:14

    And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four [and] twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

  • Revelation 7:11

    And all the angels stood round about the throne, and [about] the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,

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