Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament · Revelation Chapter 10

A cloud

The expression occurs seven times in Revelation, and in all of them is connected with the Son of Man.

Rainbow

See on Revelation 4:3.

Pillars of fire

Compare Revelation 1:15.

In his hand (ἐν)

The roll of Revelation 5:1-14 was on the hand (ἐπί, see Revelation 5:1), being too large to be grasped within it. The roll was on the right hand; the little book is in the left. See on Revelation 10:5.

Cried (ἔκραξεν)

See on Mark 5:5.

As when

The when of A.V. is unnecessary.

Roareth (μυκᾶται)

Only here in the New Testament. Peter uses ὠρύομαι for the voice of the lion. See on 1 Peter 5:8. The verb here is originally applied to the lowing of cattle, expressing the sound, moo-ka-omai. Both Aristophanes and Theocritus use it of the roar of the lion, and the former of thunder. Homer, of the ring of the shield and the hissing of meat on the spit.

Seven thunders

The Jews were accustomed to speak of thunder as "the seven voices." Compare the sevenfold "voice of the Lord," Psalm 29:1-11.

As usual, interpretation has run wild as to the seven thunders. As a few illustrations may be cited: Vitringa, the seven crusades; Daubuz, the seven kingdoms which received the Reformation; Elliott, the bull fulminated against Luther from the seven-hilled city, etc.

To write

According to the injunction in Revelation 1:11.

His hand

Add τὴν δεξιὰν the right, and see on Revelation 10:2. On lifting the hand in swearing, see Genesis 14:22; Exodus 6:8 (margin); Deuteronomy 32:40.

Swear by (ὤμοσεν ἐν)

Lit., "swear in," a Hebrew idiom.

Should be time no longer (χρόνος οὐκ ἔσται ἔπι)

Rev., correctly, shall be, etc. The meaning is not, as popularly understood, that time shall cease to exist, but that there shall be no more delay (so Rev., in margin) before the fulfillment of the divine purposes respecting the Church on earth. Possibly with allusion to the cry how long (Revelation 6:10).

Shall begin to sound ((μέλλῃ σαλπίζεν)

Wrong. Rev., correctly, when he is about to sound.

The mystery (τὸ μυστήριον)

See on Matthew 13:11.

Declared (εὐηγγέλισεν)

The word used of declaring the good news of salvation. Here of declaring the mystery of the kingdom.

Spake unto me

Render, as Rev., "I heard it again speaking."

I went (ἀπῆλθον)

The preposition ἀπό has the force of away. I went away from the place where I was standing.

Eat it up

Compare Ezekiel 3:1-3; Jeremiah 15:16.