Revelation 5:12

KJV

Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

KJV (with Strong's)

Saying {G3004} with a loud {G3173} voice {G5456}, Worthy {G514} is {G2076} the Lamb {G721} that was slain {G4969} to receive {G2983} power {G1411}, and {G2532} riches {G4149}, and {G2532} wisdom {G4678}, and {G2532} strength {G2479}, and {G2532} honour {G5092}, and {G2532} glory {G1391}, and {G2532} blessing {G2129}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and they shouted out,

“Worthy is the slaughtered Lamb to receive
power, riches, wisdom, strength,
honor, glory and praise!”

Berean Standard Bible

In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!”

American Standard Version

saying with a great voice, Worthy is the Lamb that hath been slain to receive the power, and riches, and wisdom, and might, and honor, and glory, and blessing.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 5:12 captures a pivotal moment in John's vision of the heavenly throne room, where an innumerable multitude of angels joins the worship of the Lamb. With a resounding declaration, they proclaim the supreme worthiness of the Lamb, who was slain, to receive sevenfold perfection of divine attributes: power, riches, wisdom, strength, honour, glory, and blessing. This verse serves as a climactic affirmation of Christ's unparalleled authority and deservingness of ultimate adoration, stemming directly from His sacrificial work.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Revelation 5:12 is embedded within the dramatic throne room scene of Revelation chapters 4 and 5. Chapter 4 establishes the majesty of God the Father, seated on His throne, receiving worship. Chapter 5 introduces a scroll sealed with seven seals, which no one in heaven or on earth is found worthy to open, leading to John's weeping. This tension is resolved by the appearance of "a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain" ([Revelation 5:6](/revelation/5-6 "Revelation 5:6 - The Lamb Takes the Scroll")). The immediate preceding verses ([Revelation 5:8-10](/revelation/5-8-10 "Revelation 5:8-10 - The Elders and Living Creatures Worship the Lamb")) describe the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders falling down in worship, singing a "new song" that extols the Lamb's redemptive work. Verse 11 then expands the chorus, introducing "myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands" of angels, whose collective voice culminates in the declaration of [Revelation 5:12](/revelation/5-12 "Revelation 5:12 - The Angels' Proclamation of the Lamb's Worthiness"). This verse thus represents an escalation of the worship, moving from the elders and living creatures to the vast angelic host, before encompassing all creation in [Revelation 5:13](/revelation/5-13 "Revelation 5:13 - All Creation Worships").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Revelation was written by John during a period of intense persecution of Christians, likely under the Roman Emperor Domitian (c. AD 95). Believers faced immense pressure to conform to imperial cult worship, which demanded allegiance to the emperor as divine. In this context, John's vision offers a profound counter-narrative, asserting the absolute sovereignty of God and the ultimate triumph of Christ over all earthly powers. The imagery of the Lamb, particularly "a Lamb as it had been slain," would resonate deeply with Jewish sacrificial traditions, where lambs were offered for sin, but also with the Christian understanding of Jesus as the ultimate Passover Lamb ([1 Corinthians 5:7](/1_corinthians/5-7 "1 Corinthians 5:7 - Christ Our Passover Lamb")). The "loud voice" and vast numbers of worshipers reflect ancient Near Eastern and Roman imperial acclamations, but here they are directed not at an earthly potentate, but at the divine Lamb, subverting imperial claims and offering hope and assurance to the persecuted church that true power and authority belong to Christ alone.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Revelation and biblical theology. The most prominent is the **Sovereignty and Worthiness of God and Christ**. The entire throne room scene underscores that ultimate authority resides with the One on the throne and the Lamb. The Lamb's worthiness is explicitly tied to His sacrificial death ("that was slain"), highlighting the theme of **Redemption through Sacrifice**. This sacrificial act is the foundation for His right to receive all honor and power. The seven attributes listed (power, riches, wisdom, strength, honour, glory, and blessing) emphasize the **Completeness and Perfection of Christ's Authority and Exaltation**. This sevenfold declaration, often symbolizing divine completeness in biblical numerology, signifies that Christ is worthy of receiving *all* that is due to God. Furthermore, the escalating chorus of worship, culminating in this angelic declaration and expanding to all creation in [Revelation 5:13](/revelation/5-13 "Revelation 5:13 - All Creation Worships"), underscores the theme of **Universal Worship and Recognition of Christ's Lordship**, a future reality where every knee will bow ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10-11 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Worthy (Greek, _áxios_):** G514 - This term denotes something deserving, suitable, or having the proper weight or value to receive a particular honor or recognition. In this context, it signifies that the Lamb possesses the inherent and demonstrated qualifications—specifically, His sacrificial death—to be the rightful recipient of the sevenfold acclamation that follows. It implies a moral and ontological fitness for such supreme honor.
* **slain (Greek, _spházō_):** G4969 - This verb literally means "to butcher" or "to slaughter," often used in the context of animal sacrifice. Its use here, in the perfect passive participle ("that was slain"), emphasizes the completed act of sacrifice and its enduring effects. It points directly to the crucifixion of Jesus, highlighting that His worthiness is not merely inherent in His divine nature but is profoundly established and demonstrated through His voluntary, atoning death as the ultimate sacrificial Lamb.
* **glory (Greek, _dóxa_):** G1391 - Derived from a root meaning "to seem," "to appear," or "to think," _dóxa_ refers to a manifestation of splendor, renown, or honor that is highly apparent and evokes praise. In a theological sense, it often signifies the visible manifestation of God's presence, majesty, and character. Here, it refers to the divine radiance, honor, and praise that the Lamb is supremely worthy to receive, reflecting His intrinsic divine nature and His achieved triumph through sacrifice.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Saying with a loud voice,"**: This phrase introduces the declaration of the vast angelic host, emphasizing the immense volume and unified nature of their proclamation. The "loud voice" signifies the overwhelming and undeniable consensus of heaven regarding the Lamb's worthiness, a sound that would fill the cosmos.
* **"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain"**: This is the core theological assertion. The Lamb, a symbolic representation of Jesus Christ, is declared supremely "worthy." Crucially, this worthiness is explicitly tied to His past act of being "slain," underscoring that His sacrificial death is the foundational basis for His unparalleled authority and right to receive all honor and worship. It connects His humility and suffering directly to His exaltation.
* **"to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing."**: This is a sevenfold list of attributes, symbolizing completeness and perfection. The Lamb is worthy to "receive" these, implying that they are due to Him as His rightful possession and acknowledgment.
* **Power (_dýnamis_):** Authority and ability to act, divine might.
* **Riches (_ploûtos_):** Abundance, fullness, spiritual and cosmic wealth.
* **Wisdom (_sophía_):** Perfect understanding, insight, and discernment.
* **Strength (_ischýs_):** Inherent might, vigor, and capacity to overcome.
* **Honour (_timḗ_):** Esteem, high regard, and dignity.
* **Glory (_dóxa_):** Splendor, majesty, and renown.
* **Blessing (_eulogía_):** Praise, adoration, and commendation.
This comprehensive list signifies that the Lamb is worthy of all forms of dominion, resources, intellect, might, reverence, splendor, and worship.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 5:12 employs several powerful literary devices. **Symbolism** is paramount, with "the Lamb" serving as the central symbol for Jesus Christ, specifically highlighting His sacrificial nature ("that was slain"). The Lamb is not a fierce lion, though He is described as such in [Revelation 5:5](/revelation/5-5 "Revelation 5:5 - The Lion of Judah"), but a vulnerable, slain victim, yet paradoxically the one who conquers. The phrase "loud voice" is a form of **hyperbole**, emphasizing the immense scale and overwhelming nature of the angelic chorus, conveying a sound that transcends earthly comprehension. The list of seven attributes—power, riches, wisdom, strength, honour, glory, and blessing—is a prime example of **numerology**, where the number seven signifies completeness, perfection, or divine fullness. This sevenfold enumeration also utilizes **polysyndeton**, the repeated use of the conjunction "and" between each item in the list. This stylistic choice creates a sense of accumulating grandeur and emphasizes the comprehensive, exhaustive nature of the attributes the Lamb is worthy to receive, rather than merely listing them. The cumulative effect is one of profound reverence and absolute affirmation of Christ's supreme worth.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 5:12 stands as a profound theological statement, asserting the unique and unparalleled worthiness of Jesus Christ, the Lamb, whose sacrificial death is the foundation of His cosmic authority and universal adoration. This worthiness is not merely a divine attribute but is intrinsically linked to His redemptive act on the cross, demonstrating that true power and glory are achieved through self-sacrifice and humble obedience. The sevenfold acclamation underscores the comprehensive nature of Christ's dominion and the perfect sufficiency of His work, establishing Him as the rightful recipient of all worship from all creation. This vision anticipates the ultimate consummation of God's plan, where Christ's reign will be universally acknowledged and celebrated, providing immense comfort and assurance to believers facing persecution, reminding them that their suffering Savior is the reigning Lord of all.

* [Philippians 2:8-11](/philippians/2-8-11 "Philippians 2:8-11 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")
* [Ephesians 1:20-23](/ephesians/1-20-23 "Ephesians 1:20-23 - Christ's Supremacy")
* [Psalm 103:19-22](/psalms/103-19-22 "Psalm 103:19-22 - Universal Praise to God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 5:12 invites us to participate in the heavenly chorus, aligning our hearts and voices with the cosmic declaration of Christ's supreme worth. It challenges us to consider what we truly value and worship in our lives. If the Lamb, who was slain, is worthy to receive all power, riches, wisdom, strength, honour, glory, and blessing, then our lives should reflect this truth by placing Him at the center of our affections, allegiances, and aspirations. This verse reminds us that true authority and glory are not found in worldly might or possessions, but in the self-giving love exemplified by the Lamb. It calls us to trust in His perfect wisdom and strength, to find our true riches in Him, and to offer Him the honor and glory due His name. Our daily acts of worship, service, and obedience become a tangible response to this heavenly vision, a participation in the eternal adoration of the One who gave everything for us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the connection between the Lamb being "slain" and His worthiness to receive all power and glory challenge my understanding of strength and victory?**
* **Considering the seven attributes the Lamb is worthy to receive, which one resonates most deeply with my current needs or understanding of God, and why?**
* **In what practical ways can I, as an individual or as part of a community, join this heavenly chorus and offer Christ the "honour, glory, and blessing" He is worthy of?**

### FAQ

**Why is the Lamb described as "slain" but also "worthy" to receive so much?**

Answer: The description of the Lamb as "slain" (Greek: _esphagmenon_) points directly to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. This imagery emphasizes His sacrificial death, which atoned for the sins of humanity. Paradoxically, it is precisely *because* of this act of ultimate self-sacrifice and His subsequent resurrection that He is deemed "worthy" (_áxios_) to receive all power, riches, wisdom, strength, honour, glory, and blessing. His worthiness is not merely inherent in His divine nature (though that is true), but also powerfully demonstrated and established through His redemptive work. This highlights a core biblical truth: true exaltation in God's kingdom often follows humility and suffering, as seen in [Philippians 2:8-9](/philippians/2-8-9 "Philippians 2:8-9 - Christ's Obedience and Exaltation"). The Lamb's sacrifice is the foundation for His unique authority and the universal worship He receives.

**What is the significance of the seven attributes listed in the verse?**

Answer: The list of seven attributes—power, riches, wisdom, strength, honour, glory, and blessing—is highly significant. In biblical numerology, the number seven frequently symbolizes completeness, perfection, or divine fullness. Therefore, this sevenfold declaration signifies that the Lamb is worthy to receive *all* forms of dominion, resources, intellect, might, reverence, splendor, and worship. It's an exhaustive and comprehensive list, indicating that nothing is withheld from Him. It underscores the absolute and total supremacy of Christ, who is fully equipped and fully deserving of every conceivable form of praise and authority, reflecting His position as the exalted Lord over all creation ([Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16-17 "Colossians 1:16-17 - Christ as Creator and Sustainer")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 5:12 offers a profound Christ-centered fulfillment, revealing the ultimate destiny and deservingness of Jesus Christ as the sacrificial Lamb. This vision is the culmination of God's redemptive plan, foreshadowed throughout the Old Testament sacrificial system, which pointed to the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice of Christ ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). The Lamb "that was slain" is none other than Jesus, who, through His death and resurrection, conquered sin and death, thereby establishing His unique worthiness to break the seals and execute God's sovereign plan. His receiving of "power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing" is the New Testament affirmation of His exaltation to the right hand of God, where He reigns supreme over all things ([Ephesians 1:20-22](/ephesians/1-20-22 "Ephesians 1:20-22 - Christ's Exaltation and Headship")). This verse beautifully connects Christ's past suffering with His present reign and future universal acknowledgment, assuring believers that the one who humbled Himself to the point of death on a cross is the very one before whom every knee will ultimately bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord, to the glory of God the Father ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Christ's Exaltation and Universal Confession")). It is through this Christ, the Lamb, that humanity gains access to God's blessing and participates in His eternal kingdom ([Revelation 1:5-6](/revelation/1-5-6 "Revelation 1:5-6 - Christ's Faithfulness and Dominion")).

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

Revelation 5:9

And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

Revelation 19:1

¶ And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:

Revelation 4:11

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

2 Corinthians 8:9

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

John 17:2

As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

Revelation 7:12

Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, [be] unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

Matthew 28:18

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.