Revelation 4:7

KJV

And the first beast [was] like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast [was] like a flying eagle.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} the first {G4413} beast {G2226} was like {G3664} a lion {G3023}, and {G2532} the second {G1208} beast {G2226} like {G3664} a calf {G3448}, and {G2532} the third {G5154} beast {G2226} had {G2192} a face {G4383} as {G5613} a man {G444}, and {G2532} the fourth {G5067} beast {G2226} was like {G3664} a flying {G4072} eagle {G105}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The first living being was like a lion, the second living being was like an ox, the third living being had a face that looked human, and the fourth living being was like a flying eagle.

Berean Standard Bible

The first living creature was like a lion, the second like a calf, the third had a face like a man, and the fourth was like an eagle in flight.

American Standard Version

And the first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face as of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 4:7 provides a vivid description of the four living creatures surrounding God's throne, detailing their distinct appearances as a lion, a calf, a man, and a flying eagle. These symbolic forms encapsulate the multifaceted nature of creation and divine attributes, serving as central figures in the perpetual heavenly worship of the Almighty, thereby emphasizing God's supreme majesty, power, and sovereignty over all things.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Revelation chapter 4 marks a pivotal transition in John's apocalyptic vision, moving from the earthly concerns of the seven churches in [Revelation 2-3](/revelation/2-3 "Letters to the Seven Churches") to a profound unveiling of God's heavenly throne room. This shift establishes the divine authority and cosmic scope of the revelations that follow. Verse 7 builds directly upon the introduction of the four living creatures in [Revelation 4:6](/revelation/4-6 "The Four Living Creatures Introduced"), providing specific details about their individual appearances. These creatures are not merely decorative but are active participants in the heavenly liturgy, continuously offering praise and adoration, a role further emphasized in subsequent chapters like [Revelation 5](/revelation/5 "The Scroll and the Lamb"). Their presence underscores the holiness and majesty of the One seated on the throne, setting the stage for the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of living creatures with multiple faces or forms is deeply rooted in ancient Near Eastern cosmology and Jewish prophetic tradition. Visions of divine chariots and throne rooms, often attended by composite beings, are found in texts like [Ezekiel 1](/ezekiel/1 "Ezekiel's Vision of the Chariot Throne") and [Isaiah 6](/isaiah/6 "Isaiah's Vision of God's Throne"). In these cultures, animal symbolism was a common means of conveying power, character, and divine attributes. Lions represented royalty and strength, oxen/calves symbolized service and sacrifice, human figures denoted intelligence and compassion, and eagles signified transcendence and swiftness. John, writing to a first-century audience familiar with such prophetic motifs and symbolic language, would have conveyed profound theological truths through these instantly recognizable archetypes, drawing on a rich tapestry of shared spiritual understanding to depict the awe-inspiring reality of God's presence.
* **Key Themes:** The description of the four living creatures in [Revelation 4:7](/revelation/4-7 "The Four Living Creatures' Appearances") contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Revelation. Firstly, it powerfully reinforces the theme of **Divine Majesty and Sovereignty**, portraying God as the supreme ruler whose throne is surrounded by beings embodying the pinnacle of creation's attributes. Secondly, the distinct forms highlight the **Multifaceted Nature of Creation and God's Attributes**, suggesting that all aspects of life—strength, service, intelligence, and transcendence—are encompassed within and directed towards God's glory. Thirdly, their continuous presence and worship underscore the theme of **Perpetual Worship**, emphasizing that the primary purpose of these creatures, and by extension all creation, is to offer unending praise to the Creator. This passage also subtly introduces the theme of **Christ's Future Reign**, as the attributes embodied by these creatures, particularly the lion (representing the [Lion of the tribe of Judah](/revelation/5-5 "The Lion of the Tribe of Judah")), find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **beast (Greek, _zōon'_):** This word, often translated "beast" in older English versions like the KJV, specifically means "a live thing" or "an animal." It is crucial to distinguish this from the Greek word _therion_ (θηρίον), which denotes a wild, monstrous, or dangerous beast, used later in Revelation to describe evil powers ([Revelation 13](/revelation/13 "The Beast from the Sea and the Beast from the Earth")). Here, _zōon_ refers to living, holy creatures, emphasizing their vitality and their role as part of God's vibrant heavenly court, not as malevolent entities.
* **like (Greek, _hómoios'_):** This term signifies similarity in appearance or character, rather than exact identity. The creatures are "like" a lion, a calf, a man, and an eagle, indicating that their forms are symbolic representations or resemblances, not literal animals. This distinction is vital for understanding the symbolic nature of apocalyptic literature, where visions often convey deeper truths through evocative imagery.
* **face (Greek, _prósōpon'_):** This word denotes "the front," "countenance," "aspect," or "appearance." In the context of the third creature having "a face as a man," it highlights the specific human visage, emphasizing the qualities associated with humanity—reason, intelligence, and moral capacity—as distinct from the animal forms of the other creatures.
* **flying (Greek, _pétomai'_):** This verb means "to fly" or "to be flying," indicating dynamic movement and an aerial nature. When applied to the eagle, it accentuates the creature's ability to soar, symbolizing transcendence, swiftness, and a high, far-reaching perspective, distinguishing it from an eagle merely at rest.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the first beast [was] like a lion":** The lion, often called the "king of beasts," symbolizes strength, royalty, courage, and dominion. This aspect of the creature points to God's supreme sovereignty and the majestic power inherent in His rule, echoing the Old Testament imagery of the Lion of Judah.
* **"and the second beast like a calf":** The "calf" (or young bullock/ox) represents strength, service, and sacrifice. Oxen were beasts of burden, used for labor and often for sacrifice in ancient Israel. This form symbolizes steadfastness, endurance, and the willingness to serve, reflecting aspects of God's patient work and the sacrificial nature of His redemptive plan.
* **"and the third beast had a face as a man":** This human face signifies intelligence, reason, compassion, and moral understanding—the highest attributes of created life. It speaks to God's wisdom, His relational nature, and His capacity for profound understanding, which is reflected in humanity made in His image.
* **"and the fourth beast [was] like a flying eagle":** The eagle, known for its keen eyesight, swift flight, and ability to soar to great heights, symbolizes transcendence, majesty, far-sightedness, and swiftness. This aspect speaks to God's omnipresence, His divine perspective that surveys all creation, and His swift execution of His purposes, whether in judgment or deliverance.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 4:7 is rich in **Symbolism**, where each animal form—lion, calf, man, and eagle—represents distinct attributes of God, creation, or even the redeemed. The use of these archetypal creatures creates powerful **Imagery**, allowing the reader to visualize the awe-inspiring nature of the heavenly throne room and the beings who attend it. The collective description of these four distinct forms can also be seen as a form of **Merism**, where a totality is expressed by listing its constituent parts. By presenting a lion, an ox, a man, and an eagle, the passage comprehensively symbolizes all aspects of creation (wild animals, domesticated animals, humanity, and birds), indicating that all creation is represented in the worship surrounding God's throne. Furthermore, the attribution of animal and human characteristics to these spiritual beings employs **Zoomorphism** (for the lion, calf, and eagle) and **Anthropomorphism** (for the man-faced creature), making abstract spiritual realities more tangible and comprehensible to human understanding.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The four living creatures of Revelation 4:7 are profound theological symbols, echoing similar visions in the Old Testament and enriching our understanding of God's character and the nature of heavenly worship. They represent the fullness of creation—its strength, service, intelligence, and transcendence—all united in ceaseless adoration of the Creator. Their presence around the throne signifies that all aspects of existence are under God's sovereign rule and find their ultimate purpose in glorifying Him. The distinct forms also point to the multifaceted attributes of God Himself: His kingly power (lion), His patient strength and sacrificial provision (calf), His wisdom and relational nature (man), and His transcendent, all-seeing perspective (eagle). They are not merely observers but active participants in the divine drama, leading the heavenly chorus and affirming God's holiness and worthiness to receive all glory and honor.

* [Ezekiel 1:10](/ezekiel/1-10 "Ezekiel's Vision of the Four Living Creatures with Four Faces")
* [Revelation 5:8](/revelation/5-8 "The Four Living Creatures and Elders Falling Down in Worship")
* [Isaiah 6:2-3](/isaiah/6-2-3 "Seraphim Worshipping God in Isaiah's Vision")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The vision of the four living creatures in Revelation 4:7 invites us to expand our understanding of God's majesty and the nature of true worship. Confronted with such powerful and symbolic imagery, we are called to move beyond a limited view of God, recognizing His comprehensive dominion over all creation and His multifaceted character. This scene reminds us that worship is not merely a human activity but a cosmic reality, with heavenly beings continually giving glory to the One who sits on the throne. Reflecting on the lion's strength, the calf's service, the man's wisdom, and the eagle's transcendence should inspire us to appreciate the depth and breadth of God's attributes, fostering a deeper sense of awe and reverence. It encourages us to align our lives with this heavenly reality, making worship a central and continuous aspect of our existence, trusting in the sovereign God who encompasses all power, wisdom, and love.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What do the distinct animal forms of the four living creatures teach us about the multifaceted nature of God?**
* **How should the perpetual worship of these heavenly beings influence our own approach to worship and daily life?**
* **In what ways can we, as part of God's creation, embody the attributes of strength, service, intelligence, and transcendence in our devotion to Him?**

### FAQ
**Are these "beasts" evil or monstrous, as the term might imply in modern English?**

Answer: No, the Greek word translated "beast" in the King James Version for these creatures is _zōon_ (ζῷον), which accurately means "living creature" or "animal." This distinguishes them entirely from the monstrous, evil "beasts" (Greek: _therion_, θηρίον) that appear later in [Revelation 13](/revelation/13 "The Beast from the Sea and the Beast from the Earth") and other chapters, which symbolize antichrist powers and oppressive empires. The four living creatures described in [Revelation 4:7](/revelation/4-7 "The Four Living Creatures' Appearances") are benevolent, holy beings, part of God's heavenly entourage, and they play a crucial role in leading the worship around God's throne, as seen in [Revelation 5:8](/revelation/5-8 "The Four Living Creatures and Elders Worship the Lamb"). Their forms are symbolic, similar to the cherubim and seraphim described in Old Testament prophetic visions, such as [Ezekiel 1:5-10](/ezekiel/1-5-10 "Ezekiel's Vision of the Four Living Creatures").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The symbolic imagery of the four living creatures, each bearing a distinct face—lion, calf, man, and eagle—finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment, as these archetypes converge in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate embodiment of the attributes they represent. Christ is the **Lion** of the tribe of Judah ([Revelation 5:5](/revelation/5-5 "The Lion of the Tribe of Judah")), signifying His kingly power, sovereign authority, and victorious strength over sin and death. He is the **Calf** (or Ox), representing His humble service and sacrificial nature as the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offering Himself as the ultimate atonement. He is the perfect **Man**, the Son of Man ([Daniel 7:13](/daniel/7-13 "Son of Man Coming on Clouds")), fully human yet without sin, embodying perfect wisdom, compassion, and the ideal of humanity as God intended. Finally, He is the **Eagle**, symbolizing His divine transcendence, His ability to ascend to the highest heavens, and His all-encompassing divine perspective by which He upholds all things by the word of His power ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Christ Upholding All Things")). Thus, the worship of these creatures around the throne ultimately points to the One who perfectly embodies all creation's highest qualities and is supremely worthy of all praise: Jesus Christ, the Lamb who was slain and is now glorified.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 10:14

And every one had four faces: the first face [was] the face of a cherub, and the second face [was] the face of a man, and the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle.

Ezekiel 1:10

As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle.

Ezekiel 10:21

Every one had four faces apiece, and every one four wings; and the likeness of the hands of a man [was] under their wings.

Ezekiel 1:8

And [they had] the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings.

Revelation 4:6

And before the throne [there was] a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, [were] four beasts full of eyes before and behind.

Daniel 7:4

The first [was] like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it.

Deuteronomy 28:49

The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, [as swift] as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand;