Darby Bible
Revelation 8:1
1And when it opened the seventh seal, there was silence in the heaven about half an hour.
Revelation 8:1 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.
- New International Version (NIV)When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.
- English Standard Version (ESV)When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.
- New King James Version (NKJV)When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.
Context of Revelation 8:1
And when it opened the seventh seal, there was silence in the heaven about half an hour. 2And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. 3And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, that he might give [efficacy] to the prayers of all saints at the golden altar which [was] before the throne.
Read all of Revelation 8Revelation 8:1 word by word
Καὶ ὅταν ἤνοιξεν τὴν σφραγῖδα τὴν ἑβδόμην, ἐγένετο σιγὴ ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ ὡς ἡμιώριον.Read the interlinear
Cross-references for Revelation 8:1
- Revelation 5:1And I saw on the right hand of him that sat upon the throne a book, written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals.
- Revelation 6:1And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying, as a voice of thunder, Come [and see].
- Job 4:16It stood still; I could not discern the appearance thereof: a form was before mine eyes; I heard a slight murmur and a voice:
- Psalms 37:7Rest in Jehovah, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him that prospereth in his way, because of the man that bringeth mischievous devices to pass.
- Psalms 62:1Upon God alone doth my soul rest peacefully; from him is my salvation.
- Habakkuk 2:20But Jehovah is in his holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before him!
- Zechariah 2:13Let all flesh be silent before Jehovah; for he is risen up out of his holy habitation.
Commentaries on Revelation 8:1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1The seventh seal - This is ushered in and opened only by the Lamb. Silence in heaven - This must be a mere metaphor, silence being put here for the deep and solemn expectation of the stupendous things about to take place, which the opening of this seal had produced. When any thing prodigious or surprising is expected, all is silence, and even the breath is scarcely heard to be drawn. Half an hour - As heaven may signify the place in which all these…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1And when he had opened the seventh seal - See the notes on Revelation 5:1. There was silence in heaven - The whole scene of the vision is laid in heaven Revelation 4:1-11, and John represents things as they seem to be passing there. The meaning here is, that on the opening of this seal, instead of voices, thunderings, tempests, as perhaps was expected from the character of the sixth seal (Revelation 6:12 ff), and which seemed only to have been suspended…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1The seventh seal is opened and seven angels appear with seven trumpets, ready to proclaim the purposes of God. (1-2) Another angel casts fire on the earth, which produces terrible storms of vengeance. (3-5) The seven angels prepare to sound their trumpets. (6) Four sound them. (7-12) Another angel denounces greater woes to come. (13) Verses 1-6 The seventh seal is opened. There was profound silence in heaven for a space; all was quiet in the church, for…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1The opening of the seventh seal ends the first act and starts a dramatic silence. This silence suggests the mystery of God's actions in the world (Revelation 10:4; 1 Kings 19:11–12). This mysterious silence may be similar to God's rest on the seventh day of creation (Genesis 2:1–3; see also Hebrews 4:1–11). half an hour: This short pause comes before the second act of divine judgment, when God will answer his people's prayers.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-131. was--Greek, "came to pass"; "began to be." silence in heaven about ... half an hour--The last seal having been broken open, the book of God's eternal plan of redemption is opened for the Lamb to read to the blessed ones in heaven. The half hour's silence contrasts with the previous jubilant songs of the great multitude, taken up by the angels (Re 7:9-11). It is the solemn introduction to the employments and enjoyments of the eternal Sabbath-rest of the…Read the comment
Topics related to Revelation 8:1
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Revelation 8
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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