Revelation 4:3

4:3 And the one seated on it was like jasper 1  and carnelian 2  in appearance, and a rainbow looking like it was made of emerald 3  encircled the throne.

Revelation 4:6

4:6 and in front of the throne was something like a sea of glass, like crystal. 4 

In 5  the middle of the throne 6  and around the throne were four living creatures 7  full of eyes in front and in back.

1 tn Grk “jasper stone.”

sn Jasper was a semiprecious gemstone, probably green in color (L&N 2.30).

2 sn Carnelian was a semiprecious gemstone, usually red in color (L&N 2.36).

3 tn Or “a rainbow emerald-like in appearance.”

4 tn This could refer to rock crystal, but it is possible this refers to ice (an older meaning). See BDAG 571 s.v. κρύσταλλος.

5 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

6 tn Perhaps, “in the middle of the throne area” (see L&N 83.10).

7 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.”