Revelation 1:16

Revelation 1:16 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
• New International Version (NIV)In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
• English Standard Version (ESV)In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.
• New King James Version (NKJV)He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.

Context of Revelation 1:16

14His 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. In 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. 17When I saw him, I fell down at his feet like a dead man. Then he laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the first and the last, 18the living one. I was dead, but now I am alive forever. I have the keys of death and hell.

Revelation 1:16 word by word

καὶ ἔχων ἐν τῇ δεξιᾷ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ ἀστέρας ἑπτὰ καὶ ἐκ τοῦ στόματος αὐτοῦ ῥομφαία δίστομος ὀξεῖα ἐκπορευομένη καὶ ἡ ὄψις αὐτοῦ ὡς ὁ ἥλιος φαίνει ἐν τῇ δυνάμει αὐτοῦ.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Andκαίkai · andG2532
• he hadἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• hisαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• right handδεξιόςdexios · rightG1188
• sevenἑπτάhepta · sevenG2033
• starsἀστήρastēr · starG792
• outἐκek ex · out fromG1537
• ofὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• ofστόμαstoma · mouthG4750
• wentἐκπορεύωekporeuomai · to departG1607
• aῥομφαίαrhomphaia · swordG4501
• sharpὀξύςoxus · sharp/swiftG3691
• twoedgedδίστομοςdistomos · double-edgedG1366
• countenanceὄψιςopsis · faceG3799
• asὡςhōs · as/whenG5613
• the sunἥλιοςhēlios · sunG2246
• shinethφαίνωphainō · to shine/appearG5316
• strengthδύναμιςdunamis · powerG1411
• ·χείρcheir · handG5495

Cross-references for Revelation 1:16

• Revelation 1:20The hidden meaning of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and the seven gold lamp stands is this: The seven stars are the messengers of the seven churches, and the seven lamp stands are the seven churches.
• Revelation 2:1“To the messenger of the church in Ephesus, write: The one who holds the seven stars in his right hand, the one who walks among the seven gold lamp stands, says:
• Revelation 3:1“To the messenger of the church in Sardis, write: The one who has God’s seven spirits and the seven stars says: I know what you have done. You are known for being alive, but you are dead.
• Revelation 12:1A spectacular sign appeared in the sky: There was a woman who was dressed in the sun, who had the moon under her feet and a crown of 12 stars on her head.
• Job 38:7when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
• Daniel 8:10It continued to gain power until it reached the army of heaven. It threw some of the army of heaven, the stars, down on the ground and trampled them.
• Daniel 12:3Those who are wise will shine like the brightness on the horizon. Those who lead many people to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever.
• Revelation 2:12“To the messenger of the church in Pergamum, write: The one who holds the sharp two-edged sword says:
• Revelation 19:15A sharp sword comes out of his mouth to defeat the nations. He will rule them with an iron scepter and tread the winepress of the fierce anger of God Almighty.
• Isaiah 11:4He will judge the poor justly. He will make fair decisions for the humble people on earth. He will strike the earth with a rod from his mouth. He will kill the wicked with the breath from his lips.
• Isaiah 49:2He made my tongue like a sharp sword and hid me in the palm of his hand. He made me like a sharpened arrow and hid me in his quiver.
• Ephesians 6:17Also take salvation as your helmet and God’s word as the sword that the Spirit supplies.
• Hebrews 4:12God’s word is living and active. It is sharper than any two-edged sword and cuts as deep as the place where soul and spirit meet, the place where joints and marrow meet. God’s word judges a person’s thoughts and intentions.
• Revelation 10:1I saw another powerful angel come down from heaven. He was dressed in a cloud, and there was a rainbow over his head. His face was like the sun, and his feet were like columns of fire.
• Isaiah 24:23The moon will be embarrassed. The sun will be ashamed, because the Lord of Armies will rule on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem. He will be glorious in the presence of his respected leaders.
• Isaiah 60:19The sun will no longer be your light during the day, nor will the brightness of the moon give you light, But the Lord will be your everlasting light. Your God will be your glory.

Commentaries on Revelation 1:16

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16In his right hand seven stars - The stars are afterwards interpreted as representing the seven angels, messengers, or bishops of the seven Churches. Their being in the right hand of Christ shows that they are under his special care and most powerful protection. See below. Out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword - This is no doubt intended to point out the judgments about to be pronounced by Christ against the rebellious Jews and persecuting Romans…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16And he had in his right hand seven stars - Emblematic of the angels of the seven churches. How he held them is not said. It may be that they seemed to rest on his open palm; or it may be that he seemed to hold them as if they were arranged in a certain order, and with some sort of attachment, so that they could be grasped. It is not improbable that, as in the case of the seven lamp-bearers (see the notes at Revelation 1:13), they were so arranged as to…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. 16The seven stars symbolize the complete church. The church is safe in the right hand of the Son of Man, which means it is under his care, acceptance, and blessing. The sharp sword coming from his mouth represents his powerful message and judgment (see Revelation 19:15; Genesis 3:24; Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12). Jesus announces both grace and judgment, but here the focus is on his role in carrying out judgment (see Revelation 2:12, 16; 19:15, 21; compare…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1616. he had--Greek, "having." John takes up the description from time to time, irrespective of the construction, with separate strokes of the pencil [Alford]. in ... right hand seven stars--(Re 1:20; Re 2:1; 3:1). He holds them as a star-studded "crown of glory," or "royal diadem," in His hand: so Is 62:3. He is their Possessor and Upholder. out of ... mouth went--Greek, "going forth"; not wielded in the hand. His Word is omnipotent in executing His will…Read the comment

Topics related to Revelation 1:16

• Jesus, the Christ
• Seven
• Stars
• Sun
• Sword
• Vision

In the dictionaries

• Seven Stars
• Alpha
• Beginning
• Star
• Stars
• Sword
• Alliance
• Armor; Arms
• Asia Minor
• Astronomy

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