Revelation 6:9

And when the Lamb opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony they had upheld.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — John records a vision occurring the moment the Lamb breaks the fifth seal. He observes a scene positioned beneath the altar.

The words — ἤνοιξεν (ēnoixen) literally means He opened, marking the Lamb’s action. ὑποκάτω (hupokatō) translates as under, locating the vision beneath the altar.

The thread — The vision of slain souls recurs in Revelation 20:4, where John sees those given authority to judge. The theme of persecution for faith connects to John 16:2 and Revelation 1:9.

Why it lands — The text states that martyrs were killed for God’s word and their testimony, placing them under the altar. A reader must acknowledge that divine justice follows persecution, as the subsequent verse records their demand for vengeance.

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 when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:

Cross-references

Revelation 20:4 Then I saw the thrones, and those seated on them had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or hands. And they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
John 16:2 They will put you out of the synagogues. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.
Revelation 1:9 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance that are in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and my testimony about Jesus.
Revelation 12:11 They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. And they did not love their lives so as to shy away from death.
Revelation 2:13 I know where you live, where the throne of Satan sits, yet you hold fast to My name. You did not deny your faith in Me, even in the days of My faithful witness Antipas, who was killed among you where Satan dwells.
Revelation 11:3 And I will empower my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.”
2 Timothy 1:8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me, His prisoner. Instead, join me in suffering for the gospel by the power of God.
Revelation 16:7 And I heard the altar reply: “Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are Your judgments.”
Leviticus 4:7 The priest must then put some of the blood on the horns of the altar of fragrant incense that is before the LORD in the Tent of Meeting. And he is to pour out the rest of the bull’s blood at the base of the altar of burnt offering at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.