Revelation 8:1

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

When the Lamb broke the seventh seal on the scroll, there was silence throughout heaven for about half an hour. 2I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and they were given seven trumpets. 3Then another angel with a gold incense burner came and stood at the altar. And a great amount of incense was given to him to mix with the prayers of God’s people as an offering on the gold altar before the throne.

Revelation 8:1 word by word

Καὶ ὅταν ἤνοιξεν τὴν σφραγῖδα τὴν ἑβδόμην, ἐγένετο σιγὴ ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ ὡς ἡμιώριον.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Andκαίkai · andG2532
• whenὅτεhote ho te hē te tō te · whenG3753
• he had openedἀνοίγωanoigō · to openG455
• the seventhὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the seventhἕβδομοςhebdomos · seventhG1442
• sealσφραγίςsphragis · sealG4973
• there wasγίνομαιginomai · to beG1096
• silenceσιγήsigē · silenceG4602
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• heavenοὐρανόςouranos · heavenG3772
• aboutὡςhōs · as/whenG5613
• the space of half an hourἡμιώριονhēmiōrion · half an hourG2256

Cross-references for Revelation 8:1

• Revelation 5:1Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who was sitting on the throne. There was writing on the inside and the outside of the scroll, and it was sealed with seven seals.
• Revelation 6:1As I watched, the Lamb broke the first of the seven seals on the scroll. Then I heard one of the four living beings say with a voice like thunder, “Come!”
• Job 4:16The spirit stopped, but I couldn’t see its shape. There was a form before my eyes. In the silence I heard a voice say,
• Psalms 37:7Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.
• Psalms 62:1I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him.
• Habakkuk 2:20But the Lord is in his holy Temple. Let all the earth be silent before him.”
• Zechariah 2:13Be silent before the Lord, all humanity, for he is springing into action from his holy dwelling.”

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

• Heaven
• Hours

In the dictionaries

• Censer
• Ethics
• Literature, Sub-Apostolic
• Midian; Midianites
• Revelation of John
• Silence
• Zeruiah
• Incense

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