Revelation 5:12

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.

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}.

and they shouted out,

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

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!”

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 on Revelation 5:12 (KJV)

This powerful verse is part of the heavenly throne room scene described in Revelation chapter 5, following the vision of the sealed scroll that no one in heaven or on earth was found worthy to open (Revelation 5:3). The tension is resolved by the appearance of "a Lamb as it had been slain," who alone is worthy to take the scroll (Revelation 5:6).

Upon the Lamb taking the scroll, the heavenly hosts, including the four beasts and four and twenty elders, break out in worship, singing a new song (Revelation 5:9). Verse 12 records the next level of this overwhelming adoration: the voice of myriads of angels joining in a loud declaration of the Lamb's supreme worthiness.

Key Themes

  • The Worthiness of the Lamb: The central declaration is that Jesus Christ, symbolized as the Lamb, is supremely worthy. This worthiness is directly linked to His sacrificial death ("that was slain"). His suffering and sacrifice are the foundation of His authority and right to receive ultimate honor.
  • Exaltation and Authority: The verse lists seven attributes the Lamb is worthy to receive: power, riches, wisdom, strength, honour, glory, and blessing. Seven often symbolizes completeness or perfection in biblical numerology, indicating that the Lamb is worthy of receiving all authority, all wealth (spiritual and perhaps cosmic), perfect wisdom, absolute strength, ultimate honour, divine glory, and the full extent of worship and adoration (blessing). This reflects Christ's position following His resurrection and ascension.
  • Universal Worship: This verse is part of a cascading scene of worship that expands to include every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, and in the sea (Revelation 5:13), highlighting the eventual universal recognition of Christ's supreme authority.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the Lamb that was slain" uses the Greek term arnion esphagmenon. Arnion is a diminutive of 'lamb', perhaps suggesting tenderness or humility, while esphagmenon comes from a verb meaning "to slaughter" or "to sacrifice," often used for sacrificial victims. This powerfully emphasizes the sacrificial nature of Christ's death. The word "worthy" (Greek: axios) means deserving or having the proper weight or value to receive something. The list of seven attributes underscores the comprehensive nature of what He is worthy to receive.

Reflection and Application

This verse calls us to join the heavenly chorus in recognizing the unparalleled worth of Jesus Christ. His worthiness is not inherent solely in His divine nature, but also profoundly in His act of being "slain" for humanity. This reminds us that His sacrifice is the basis for our salvation and His exaltation.

Meditating on the seven attributes He is worthy to receive encourages us to acknowledge His supreme authority and sufficiency in all areas. If He is worthy to receive all power, riches, wisdom, strength, honour, glory, and blessing, then He is fully capable and deserving of our complete trust, worship, and obedience. Our earthly worship is a participation in this eternal, cosmic declaration of His worth. His sacrifice makes Him worthy of receiving everything, and conversely, it is through Him that we receive every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3).

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 5:9

    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.

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