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Christian Standard Bible ®

Revelation 14:2

I heard a sound from heaven like the sound of cascading waters and like the rumbling of loud thunder. The sound I heard was like harpists playing on their harps.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Celibacy;   Chastity;   Harp;   Heaven;   Music;   Praise;   Righteous;   Song;   Vision;   Thompson Chain Reference - Harps;   Instruments, Chosen;   Joy;   Music;   Musical Instruments;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Heaven;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Christians, Names of;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Order;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Harp;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Birthright;   Cuttings;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Revelation, the Book of;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Predestination;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Atonement (2);   Harp ;   Praise;   Thunder ;   Type;   Voice;   Voice (2);   Water ;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Harp;   Lamb;   Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types - Forehead;   Thunder;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Ascension;   Revelation of John:;  

Devotionals:

- Daily Light on the Daily Path - Devotion for March 16;  

Parallel Translations

King James Version (1611)
And I heard a voice from heauen, as the voice of many waters, and as the voyce of a great thunder: and I heard the voyce of harpers, harping with their harpes.
King James Version
And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:
New American Standard Bible
And I heard a voice from heaven, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder, and the voice which I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps.
New Century Version
And I heard a sound from heaven like the noise of flooding water and like the sound of loud thunder. The sound I heard was like people playing harps.
English Standard Version
And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps,
New American Standard Bible (1995)
And I heard a voice from heaven, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder, and the voice which I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps.
Berean Standard Bible
And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and the loud rumbling of thunder. And the sound I heard was like harpists strumming their harps.
Contemporary English Version
Then I heard a sound from heaven that was like a roaring flood or loud thunder or even like the music of harps.
Complete Jewish Bible
I heard a sound from heaven like the sound of rushing waters and like the sound of pealing thunder; the sound I heard was also like that of harpists playing on their harps.
Darby Translation
And I heard a voice out of the heaven as a voice of many waters, and as a voice of great thunder. And the voice which I heard [was] as of harp-singers harping with their harps;
Easy-to-Read Version
And I heard a sound from heaven as loud as the crashing of floodwaters or claps of thunder. But it sounded like harpists playing their harps.
Geneva Bible (1587)
And I heard a voyce from heauen, as the sound of many waters, and as the sound of a great thunder: and I heard the voyce of harpers harping with their harpes.
George Lamsa Translation
Then I heard a voice from heaven, as the sound of many waters, and as the sound of a great thunder: and the voice I heard was as the music of many harpists playing on their harps:
Good News Translation
And I heard a voice from heaven that sounded like a roaring waterfall, like a loud peal of thunder. It sounded like the music made by musicians playing their harps.
Lexham English Bible
And I heard a sound from heaven like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder, and the sound that I heard was like harpists playing on their harps.
Literal Translation
And I heard a sound out of Heaven, as a sound of many waters, and as a sound of great thunder. Also I heard a sound of harpers harping on their harps.
Amplified Bible
And I heard a voice from heaven, like the sound of great waters and like the rumbling of mighty thunder; and the voice that I heard [seemed like music and] was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps.
American Standard Version
And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and the voice which I heard was as the voice of harpers harping with their harps:
Bible in Basic English
And a voice from heaven came to my ears, like the sound of great waters, and the sound of loud thunder: and the voice which came to me was like the sound of players, playing on instruments of music.
Hebrew Names Version
I heard a sound from heaven, like the sound of many waters, and like the sound of a great thunder. The sound which I heard was like that of harpers playing on their harps.
International Standard Version
Then I heard a voice from heaven like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps.Revelation 1:15; 5:8; 19:6;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
And I heard a voice from heaven, as the sound of many waters, and as the sound of great thunder; and the voice which I heard was as harpers striking on their harps.
Murdock Translation
And I heard a sound from heaven, as the sound of many waters, and as the sound of great thunder; and the sound which I heard, was like that of harpers striking on their harps.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And I hearde a voyce from heauen, as the sounde of many waters, and as the voyce of a great thunder: And I hearde the voyce of harpers harpyng with their harpes:
English Revised Version
And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and the voice which I heard was as the voice of harpers harping with their harps:
World English Bible
I heard a sound from heaven, like the sound of many waters, and like the sound of a great thunder. The sound which I heard was like that of harpers playing on their harps.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
And I heard a voice out of heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as a voice of a great thunder; and the voice which I heard was as of harpers harping on their harps.
Weymouth's New Testament
And I heard music from Heaven which resembled the sound of many waters and the roar of loud thunder; and the music which I heard was like that of harpists playing upon their harps.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And Y herde a vois fro heuene, as the vois of many watris, and as the vois of a greet thundur; and the vois which is herd, was as of many harperis harpinge in her harpis.
Update Bible Version
And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and the voice which I heard [was] as [the voice] of harpers harping with their harps:
Webster's Bible Translation
And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:
New English Translation
I also heard a sound coming out of heaven like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. Now the sound I heard was like that made by harpists playing their harps,
New King James Version
And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps.
New Living Translation
And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of mighty ocean waves or the rolling of loud thunder. It was like the sound of many harpists playing together.
New Life Bible
I heard a voice coming from heaven. It was like the sound of rushing water and of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like people playing music on their harps.
New Revised Standard
And I heard a voice from heaven like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder; the voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps,
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And I heard a sound out of heaven, as the sound of many waters, and as the sound of, loud thunders; and, the sound which I heard, was as of harp-singers harping with their harps,
Douay-Rheims Bible
And I heard a voice from heaven, as the noise of many waters and as the voice of great thunder. And the voice which I heard was as the voice of harpers, harping on their harps.
Revised Standard Version
And I heard a voice from heaven like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder; the voice I heard was like the sound of harpers playing on their harps,
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
And I herde a voyce from heven as the sounde of many waters and as the voyce of a gret thoundre And I herde the voyce of harpers harpynge with their harpes.
Young's Literal Translation
and I heard a voice out of the heaven, as a voice of many waters, and as a voice of great thunder, and a voice I heard of harpers harping with their harps,
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And I herde a voyce from heauen, as the sounde of many waters, and as the voyce of a greate thondre. And the voyce that I herde, was as the harpers that playe vpon their harpers.
Mace New Testament (1729)
and I heard a voice from heaven, which was like the noise of many waters, or like a great thunder-clap: I heard too a sound like that of a harp, when touch'd by the hand of a musician.
Simplified Cowboy Version
I heard a sound coming from heaven that sounded like thunder mixed with powerful ocean waves breaking against a rocky shore. At the same time, it sounded like a million stringed instruments playing in unison.

Contextual Overview

1Then I looked, and there was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him were 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. 2I heard a sound from heaven like the sound of cascading waters and like the rumbling of loud thunder. The sound I heard was like harpists playing on their harps. 3They sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders, but no one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. 4These are the ones who have not defiled themselves with women, since they remained virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were redeemed from humanity as the firstfruits for God and the Lamb. 5No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

a voice: Revelation 10:4, Revelation 11:12, Revelation 11:15, Revelation 19:1-7

of many: Revelation 1:15, Revelation 19:6, Psalms 93:4, Isaiah 17:13, Ezekiel 43:2

of a: Revelation 1:10, Revelation 8:7-13, Revelation 9:1, Revelation 10:3, Revelation 10:4, Revelation 11:15, Exodus 19:16, Exodus 20:18, Zechariah 9:14

harpers: Revelation 5:8, Revelation 15:2, Revelation 18:22, 2 Samuel 6:5, 1 Chronicles 25:1-7, Psalms 33:2, Psalms 43:4, Psalms 57:8, Psalms 92:3, Psalms 98:5, Psalms 147:7, Psalms 149:3, Psalms 150:3-6

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 10:12 - harps 2 Chronicles 20:28 - with psalteries Psalms 68:25 - the players Matthew 3:17 - lo John 3:23 - much John 12:29 - thundered

Cross-References

Genesis 10:19
The Canaanite border went from Sidon going toward Gerar as far as Gaza, and going toward Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim as far as Lasha.
Genesis 13:10
Lot looked out and saw that the entire plain of the Jordan as far as Zoar was well watered everywhere like the Lord’s garden and the land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.)
Genesis 14:9
against King Chedorlaomer of Elam, King Tidal of Goiim, King Amraphel of Shinar, and King Arioch of Ellasar—four kings against five.
Genesis 14:10
Now the Siddim Valley contained many asphalt pits, and as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some fell into them, but the rest fled to the mountains.
Genesis 14:20
and blessed be God Most Highwho has handed over your enemies to you.
Deuteronomy 29:23
All its soil will be a burning waste of sulfur and salt, unsown, producing nothing, with no plant growing on it, just like the fall of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, which the Lord demolished in his fierce anger.
Deuteronomy 34:3
the Negev, and the plain in the Valley of Jericho, the City of Palms, as far as Zoar.
1 Samuel 13:18
The next division headed toward the Beth-horon road, and the last division headed down the border road that looks out over the Zeboim Valley toward the wilderness.
Nehemiah 11:34
Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat,
Isaiah 15:5
My heart cries out over Moab,whose fugitives flee as far as Zoar,to Eglath-shelishiyah;they go up the Ascent of Luhith weeping;they raise a cry of destructionon the road to Horonaim.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And I heard a voice from heaven,.... The same with the voices heard in heaven upon the sounding of the seventh trumpet,

Revelation 11:15;

as the voice of many waters; very loud, and uttered by a great multitude of people, signified by waters in this book, Revelation 17:15; the same with those that praise the Lord for the destruction of antichrist, and for the marriage of the Lamb, Revelation 19:1;

and as the voice of a great thunder; to which the Gospel may be compared for its open, loud publication, being heard far and near, as thunder is:

and I heard the voice of harpers, harping with their harps; that is, singing the praises of God, for the fall of Babylon, the happy state and condition of the church, and the blessings of grace; the harp being a musical instrument, used under the Old Testament in singing praise: Brightman thinks that these different sounds represent the course of Gospel doctrine, and the church's voice throughout the reign of antichrist; that when the church first went into the wilderness, her voice was like the murmuring of waters, confused and indistinct; when she began to revive under the Waldenses and Albigenses, Wickliff, Huss, c. her voice was like thunder, loud and terrible and at the Reformation, it was as the voice of harpers, when confessions of faith were published with sweet harmony and consent. Others have thought that the different properties and efficacy of the Gospel are designed; as its rapidity and irresistible force, by the many waters; its striking and shaking the consciences of men, by the thunder, Christ's ministers being sometimes "Boanergeses", sons of thunder; and its harmonious music, pleasant sound, peace, joy, and comfort it brings, by the voice of harpers. The Alexandrian copy, the Complutensian edition, the Vulgate Latin, and all the Oriental versions, read, "the voice which I heard was as harpers", &c.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

And I heard a voice from heaven - Showing that the scene is laid in heaven, but that John in the vision was on the earth.

As the voice of many waters - As the sound of the ocean, or of a mighty cataract. That is, it was so loud that it could be heard from heaven to earth. No comparison could express this more sublimely than to say that it was like the roar of the ocean.

As the voice of a great thunder - As the loud sound of thunder.

And I heard the voice of harpers - In heaven: the song of redemption accompanied with strains of sweet instrumental music. For a description of the harp, see the notes on Isaiah 5:12.

Harping with their harps - Playing on their harps. This image gives new beauty to the description. Though the sound was loud and swelling, so loud that it could be heard on the earth, yet it was not mere shouting, or merely a tumultuous cry. “It was like the sweetness of symphonious harps.” The music of heaven, though elevated and joyous, is sweet and harmonious; and perhaps one of the best representations of heaven on earth, is the effect produced on the soul by strains of sweet and solemn music.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Revelation 14:2. The voice of many waters — That is, of multitudes of various nations.

The voice of harpers — Though the sounds were many and apparently confused, yet both harmony and melody were preserved.


 
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