Revelation 10:2a
Re-evaluation Translation:
10:2 They exalt Yehuveh’s wisdom and covenant: and established righteous authority over all the people, and their leadership was a blessing to all the earth,
Bible, KJV Translation:
10:2 And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth,
Significant Words and Comments:
Commentary on Revelation 10:2 (7 February 2008): “He had in his hand,” that is, he had a solid grasp of, a firm understanding of, this “little book.” Little book is from bibliaridion [G0974, diminutive of biblos, G0976, “a book”], “a small written book,” and is used only four times in Revelation 10 [2, 8, 9, 10]. Biblos [G0976] is used eight times in Revelation of the book of life; see notes on Revelation 13:8.
This “little book” is not related to the sealed book of closing events of Revelation 5:1-5; 6:1, and 3 or to the “roll of a book” of Ezekiel 2:9-10. Rather, this “little book” is Yehuveh’s instruction. The seven-sealed-book was secured with seven closing events, and though it appears this verse comes after the seventh of these closing events has been opened [Revelation 8:1], in reality Revelation 8:2 to 11:19 describe the instruction being given while these seven closing events are unfolding. (The seven-sealed-book [Revelation 5-6] is consistently described with a different Greek word [biblion, G0975], making a clear linguistic distinction between it and this book. Furthermore, both the seven-sealed book of Revelation 5:1 and the “roll of a book” of Ezekiel 2:9-10 are “written within and without,” a strong appeal that they are the same book. Likewise, both of those books describe events which bring distress, anguish and woes. By contrast, the little book described here is for restoration and healing.)
That the book is now “open” clearly indicates that the Lamb-king and the anointed instructors have full freedom to teach men what is in this book.
Now restored Israel “set his right foot upon the sea,” that is “establishes righteous authority over the peoples of all nations.” Set is from tithemi [G5087], meaning “to set, put, place; to make; to set, fix, establish, ordain, appoint.” In Revelation tithemi is used only here and in Revelation 11:9 where it is translated put in. Rather than speaking of setting someone’s foot in a certain place, this word is describing the establishment of restored Israel’s and the Lamb-king’s authority over the peoples of the world. Right is from dexios [G1188], and is used to indicate “direction; correctness; appropriateness; justice; entitlement; authenticity; and good health,” just as we use the word right in English. Dexios may mean “the right, the right hand,” or speak of “a place of honour or authority,” the latter meaning being more appropriate in this context. Foot is from the primary root pous [G4228], which means foot, or as noted in Revelation 10:1, steps or sequence of choices, but which James Strong notes also indicates establishing authority over another as “often in the orient, one put his foot on the vanquished.” Sea, as noted by Revelation 8:8, are masses of people.
Gael Bataman
Originally Written: 7 February 2008
Latest Update: 29 May 2008
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