Revelation 10:5

Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land lifted up his right hand to heaven.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The angel previously positioned on the sea and land acts immediately after the command to seal the seven thunders. He raises his right hand toward heaven before delivering an oath in the subsequent verse.

The words — ἑστῶτα (hestōta) translates to standing, and ἐπὶ (epi) translates to on, anchoring the angel's physical location on the sea and land. The text records the raising of the right hand to heaven as a direct action without attaching additional symbolic meaning.

The thread — Lifting a hand toward heaven occurs in Daniel 12:7 with a figure above the river waters and in Deuteronomy 32:40 as a posture accompanying a declaration by the eternal Creator. The supplied Acts 14:15 text describes a message to turn from idols to a living God but contains no mention of hand gestures.

Why it lands — The gesture functions as a solemn prelude to the oath sworn by the Creator in Revelation 10:6. It marks a transition from sealed revelation to a definitive divine announcement.

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 the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,

Cross-references

Daniel 12:7 And the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by Him who lives forever, saying, “It will be for a time, and times, and half a time. When the power of the holy people has finally been shattered, all these things will be completed.”
Deuteronomy 32:40 For I lift up My hand to heaven and declare: As surely as I live forever,
Acts 14:15 “Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them.
Revelation 4:11 “Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things; by Your will they exist and were created.”
Revelation 10:2 He held in his hand a small scroll, which lay open. He placed his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land.
Revelation 14:7 And he said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come. Worship the One who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and the springs of waters.”
Revelation 16:17 Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came from the throne in the temple, saying, “It is done!”
Revelation 1:18 the Living One. I was dead, and behold, now I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of Death and of Hades.
Revelation 4:9 And whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the One seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever,
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.