Bible Strands
Revelation 1:12
Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned, I saw seven golden lampstands,
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — John turns in response to the command in Revelation 1:11 to record what he sees. He locates the source of the voice that had just instructed him to write to the seven churches in Asia.
The words — ἐπεστρεψα (epestrepsa) means "I turned," and φωνὴν (phōnēn) means "voice." The text records John physically rotating to face the speaker who issued his commission.
The thread — The vision echoes the seven-lampstand descriptions in Exodus 25:37 and Zechariah 4:2, both detailing lampstands with seven lamps. Revelation 1:20 later identifies these same lampstands as symbols of the seven churches.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to observe the physical manifestation before receiving its explanation. It demands recognition that divine instruction is immediately accompanied by visible confirmation of its scope.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
Cross-references
- Zechariah 4:2 “What do you see?” he asked. “I see a solid gold lampstand,” I replied, “with a bowl at the top and seven lamps on it, with seven spouts to the lamps.
- Exodus 25:37 Make seven lamps and set them up on the lampstand so that they illuminate the area in front of it.
- Revelation 1:20 This is the mystery of the seven stars you saw in My right hand and of the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
- Revelation 1:13 and among the lampstands was One like the Son of Man, dressed in a long robe, with a golden sash around His chest.
- Ezekiel 43:5 Then the Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple.
- Micah 6:9 The voice of the LORD calls out to the city (and it is sound wisdom to fear Your name): “Heed the rod and the One who ordained it.