2:18 “To 1 the angel of the church in Thyatira write the following: 2
“This is the solemn pronouncement of 3 the Son of God, the one who has eyes like a fiery flame 4 and whose feet are like polished bronze: 5
In 7 the middle of the throne 8 and around the throne were four living creatures 9 full of eyes in front and in back.
10:1 Then 10 I saw another powerful angel descending from heaven, wrapped 11 in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun and his legs were like pillars of fire. 12
1 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated due to differences between Greek and English style.
2 tn The phrase “the following” after “write” is supplied to clarify that what follows is the content of what is to be written.
3 tn Grk “These things says [the One]…” See the note on the phrase “this is the solemn pronouncement of” in 2:1.
sn The expression This is the solemn pronouncement of reflects an OT idiom. See the note on this phrase in 2:1.
4 tn Grk “a flame of fire.” The Greek term πυρός (puros) has been translated as an attributive genitive.
5 tn The precise meaning of the term translated “polished bronze” (χαλκολιβάνῳ, calkolibanw), which appears no where else in Greek literature outside of the book of Revelation (see 1:15), is uncertain. Without question it is some sort of metal. BDAG 1076 s.v. χαλκολίβανον suggests “fine brass/bronze.” L&N 2.57 takes the word to refer to particularly valuable or fine bronze, but notes that the emphasis here and in Rev 1:15 is more on the lustrous quality of the metal.
6 tn This could refer to rock crystal, but it is possible this refers to ice (an older meaning). See BDAG 571 s.v. κρύσταλλος.
7 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
8 tn Perhaps, “in the middle of the throne area” (see L&N 83.10).
9 tn On the meaning of ζῴον (zwon) BDAG 431 s.v. 2 states, “Of the four peculiar beings at God’s throne, whose description Rv 4:6-9 reminds one of the ζῷα in Ezk 1:5ff, the cherubim. S. also Rv 5:6, 8, 11, 14; 6:1, 3, 5-7; 7:11; 14:3; 15:7; 19:4.”
10 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
11 tn Or “clothed.”
12 tn Or “like fiery pillars,” translating πυρός (puros) as an attributive genitive.