God’s Word Translation
Revelation 1:14
14His head and his hair were white like wool—like snow. His eyes were like flames of fire.
Revelation 1:14 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
- New International Version (NIV)The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire,
- New King James Version (NKJV)His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire;
Context of Revelation 1:14
12I turned toward the voice which was talking to me, and when I turned, I saw seven gold lamp stands. 13There was someone like the Son of Man among the lamp stands. He was wearing a robe that reached his feet. He wore a gold belt around his waist. His head and his hair were white like wool—like snow. His eyes were like flames of fire. 15His feet were like glowing bronze refined in a furnace. His voice was like the sound of raging waters. 16In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp, two-edged sword. His face was like the sun when it shines in all its brightness.
Read all of Revelation 1Revelation 1:14 word by word
ἡ δὲ κεφαλὴ αὐτοῦ καὶ αἱ τρίχες λευκαὶ ὡς ἔριον λευκὸν ὡς χιὼν καὶ οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτοῦ ὡς φλὸξ πυρὸςRead the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Hisαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
- headκεφαλήkephalē · headG2776
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- hairsὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- hairsθρίξthrix trichos · hairG2359
- whiteλευκόςleukos · whiteG3022
- likeὡσείhōsei · like/as/aboutG5616
- woolἔριονerion · woolG2053
- asὡςhōs · as/whenG5613
- as snowχιώνchiōn · snowG5510
- eyesὀφθαλμόςophthalmos · eyeG3788
- a flameφλόξphlox · flameG5395
- of fireπῦρpur · fireG4442
- ·δέde · thenG1161
Cross-references for Revelation 1:14
- Daniel 7:9I watched until thrones were set up and the Ancient One, who has lived for endless years, sat down. His clothes were as white as snow and the hair on his head was like pure wool. His throne was fiery flames, and its wheels were burning fire.
- Matthew 28:3He was as bright as lightning, and his clothes were as white as snow.
- Revelation 2:18“To the messenger of the church in Thyatira, write: The Son of God, whose eyes are like flames of fire and whose feet are like glowing bronze, says:
- Revelation 19:12His eyes are flames of fire. On his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him, but only he knows what it is.
- Daniel 10:6His body was like beryl. His face looked like lightning. His eyes were like flaming torches. His arms and legs looked like polished bronze. When he spoke, his voice sounded like the roar of a crowd.
Commentaries on Revelation 1:14
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 14His head and his hairs were white like wool - This was not only an emblem of his antiquity, but it was the evidence of his glory; for the whiteness or splendor of his head and hair doubtless proceeded from the rays of light and glory which encircled his head, and darted from it in all directions. The splendor around the head was termed by the Romans nimbus, and by us a glory; and was represented round the heads of gods, deified persons, and saints. It is…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 14His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow - Exceedingly or perfectly white - the first suggestion to the mind of the apostle being that of wool, and then the thought occurring of its extreme whiteness resembling snow - the purest white of which the mind conceives. The comparison with wool and snow to denote anything especially white is not uncommon. See Isaiah 1:18. Prof. Stuart supposes that this means, not that his hairs were…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 12-20Verses 12-20 The churches receive their light from Christ and the gospel, and hold it forth to others. They are golden candlesticks; they should be precious and pure; not only the ministers, but the members of the churches; their light should so shine before men, as to engage others to give glory to God. And the apostle saw as though of the Lord Jesus Christ appeared in the midst of the golden candlesticks. He is with his churches always, to the end of…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 14White hair symbolizes wisdom and maturity. This image reflects Daniel’s vision of the Ancient One (Daniel 7:9). His eyes, like flames of fire, see through deception. The one who knows everything will judge everyone (see Daniel 10:6; Hebrews 4:13).Read the comment
Topics related to Revelation 1:14
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Revelation 1
- 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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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