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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Revelation 8:1 When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/revelation/8-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/66_Rev_08_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Revelation 8:1 - The Seventh Seal" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour." /><script type="application/javascript" 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cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/revelation/7-17.htm" title="Revelation 7:17">◄</a> Revelation 8:1 <a href="/revelation/8-2.htm" title="Revelation 8:2">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/revelation/8.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/revelation/8.htm">New International Version</a> When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. <a href="/nlt/revelation/8.htm">New Living Translation</a> When the Lamb broke the seventh seal on the scroll, there was silence throughout heaven for about half an hour. <a href="/esv/revelation/8.htm">English Standard Version</a> When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. <a href="/bsb/revelation/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. <a href="/blb/revelation/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And when He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. <a href="/kjv/revelation/8.htm">King James Bible</a> And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. <a href="/nkjv/revelation/8.htm">New King James Version</a> When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. <a href="/nasb_/revelation/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> When the Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. <a href="/nasb/revelation/8.htm">NASB 1995</a> When the Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. <a href="/nasb77/revelation/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And when He broke the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. <a href="/lsb/revelation/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. <a href="/amp/revelation/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a> When He (the Lamb) broke open the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour [in awe of God’s impending judgment]. <a href="/csb/revelation/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. <a href="/hcsb/revelation/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. <a href="/asv/revelation/8.htm">American Standard Version</a> And when he opened the seventh seal, there followed a silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. <a href="/cev/revelation/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. <a href="/erv/revelation/8.htm">English Revised Version</a> And when he opened the seventh seal, there followed a silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. <a href="/gwt/revelation/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. <a href="/gnt/revelation/8.htm">Good News Translation</a> When the Lamb broke open the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. <a href="/isv/revelation/8.htm">International Standard Version</a> When the lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. <a href="/msb/revelation/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. <a href="/net/revelation/8.htm">NET Bible</a> Now when the Lamb opened the seventh seal there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. <a href="/nheb/revelation/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. <a href="/wbt/revelation/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. <a href="/wey/revelation/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> When the Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence in Heaven for about half an hour. <a href="/web/revelation/8.htm">World English Bible</a> When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/revelation/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And when He opens the seventh seal, there came silence in Heaven about half an hour, <a href="/blb/revelation/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And when He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. <a href="/ylt/revelation/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And when he openeth the seventh seal, there came silence in the heaven about half-an-hour, <a href="/slt/revelation/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And when he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about half an hour.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/revelation/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven, as it were for half an hour. <a href="/cpdv/revelation/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. <a href="/nabre/revelation/8.htm">New American Bible</a> When he broke open the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. <a href="/nrsvce/revelation/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/revelation/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> AND when he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about the space of half an hour. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/revelation/8.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And when he opened the seventh seal, there was stillness in Heaven for about half an hour.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/revelation/8.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.<CM> <a href="/godbey/revelation/8.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> And when he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about half an hour. <a href="/haweis/revelation/8.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> AND when he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about half an hour. <a href="/mace/revelation/8.htm">Mace New Testament</a> At the opening of the SEVENTH SEAL, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. <a href="/wey/revelation/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> When the Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence in Heaven for about half an hour. <a href="/worrell/revelation/8.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And, when He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in Heaven about half an hour. <a href="/worsley/revelation/8.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> And when He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour: <a href="/parallel/revelation/8-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LJfD7KQcx0I?start=1590" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/revelation/8.htm">The Seventh Seal</a> 1<a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: Kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/3752.htm" title="3752: hotan (Conj) -- When, whenever. From hote and an; whenever; also causatively inasmuch as.">When</a> <a href="/greek/455.htm" title="455: ēnoixen (V-AIA-3S) -- To open. From ana and oigo; to open up.">the Lamb opened</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1442.htm" title="1442: hebdomēn (Adj-AFS) -- Seventh. Ordinal from hepta; seventh.">seventh</a> <a href="/greek/4973.htm" title="4973: sphragida (N-AFS) -- Probably strengthened from phrasso; a signet; by implication, the stamp impressed, literally or figuratively.">seal,</a> <a href="/greek/1096.htm" title="1096: egeneto (V-AIM-3S) -- A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.">there was</a> <a href="/greek/4602.htm" title="4602: sigē (N-NFS) -- Silence. Apparently from sizo; silence.">silence</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">in</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3772.htm" title="3772: ouranō (N-DMS) -- Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel.">heaven</a> <a href="/greek/5613.htm" title="5613: hōs (Adv) -- Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.">for about</a> <a href="/greek/2256.htm" title="2256: hēmiōrion (N-ANS) -- Half an hour. From the base of hemisu and hora; a half-hour.">half an hour.</a> 2And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and they were given seven trumpets.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/zechariah/2-13.htm">Zechariah 2:13</a> Be silent before the LORD, all people, for He has roused Himself from His holy dwelling.” <a href="/habakkuk/2-20.htm">Habakkuk 2:20</a> But the LORD is in His holy temple; let all the earth be silent before Him. <a href="/psalms/46-10.htm">Psalm 46:10</a> “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted over the earth.” <a href="/zephaniah/1-7.htm">Zephaniah 1:7</a> Be silent in the presence of the Lord GOD, for the Day of the LORD is near. Indeed, the LORD has prepared a sacrifice; He has consecrated His guests. <a href="/psalms/37-7.htm">Psalm 37:7</a> Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men prosper in their ways, when they carry out wicked schemes. <a href="/isaiah/41-1.htm">Isaiah 41:1</a> “Be silent before Me, O islands, and let the peoples renew their strength. Let them come forward and testify; let us together draw near for judgment. <a href="/lamentations/3-26.htm">Lamentations 3:26</a> It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. <a href="/psalms/62-1.htm">Psalm 62:1</a> For the choirmaster. According to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. In God alone my soul finds rest; my salvation comes from Him. <a href="/isaiah/30-15.htm">Isaiah 30:15</a> For the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said: “By repentance and rest you would be saved; your strength would lie in quiet confidence—but you were not willing.” <a href="/exodus/14-14.htm">Exodus 14:14</a> The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” <a href="/1_kings/19-12.htm">1 Kings 19:12</a> After the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a still, small voice. <a href="/matthew/24-30.htm">Matthew 24:30-31</a> At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. / And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. <a href="/matthew/24-36.htm">Matthew 24:36</a> No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. <a href="/1_thessalonians/4-16.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:16</a> For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise. <a href="/1_corinthians/15-52.htm">1 Corinthians 15:52</a> in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.And.<a href="/revelation/5-1.htm">Revelation 5:1,9</a> And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals… <a href="/revelation/6-1.htm">Revelation 6:1,3,5,7,9,12</a> And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see… silence.<a href="/job/4-16.htm">Job 4:16</a> It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image was before mine eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying,<a href="/psalms/37-7.htm">Psalm 37:7</a> Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.<a href="/psalms/62-1.htm">Psalm 62:1</a> To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/revelation/6-12.htm">Broke</a> <a href="/revelation/6-8.htm">Followed</a> <a href="/james/5-17.htm">Half</a> <a href="/revelation/6-14.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/revelation/3-10.htm">Hour</a> <a href="/revelation/7-17.htm">Lamb</a> <a href="/revelation/6-12.htm">Opened</a> <a href="/revelation/3-7.htm">Openeth</a> <a href="/revelation/3-10.htm">Quiet</a> <a href="/revelation/7-3.htm">Seal</a> <a href="/jude/1-14.htm">Seventh</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-15.htm">Silence</a> <a href="/revelation/2-21.htm">Space</a> <a href="/revelation/6-12.htm">Stamp</a> <a href="/revelation/6-12.htm">Undone</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/revelation/12-7.htm">Broke</a> <a href="/revelation/8-5.htm">Followed</a> <a href="/revelation/11-9.htm">Half</a> <a href="/revelation/8-10.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/revelation/9-15.htm">Hour</a> <a href="/revelation/12-11.htm">Lamb</a> <a href="/revelation/9-2.htm">Opened</a> <a href="/genesis/8-6.htm">Openeth</a> <a href="/revelation/14-12.htm">Quiet</a> <a href="/revelation/9-4.htm">Seal</a> <a href="/revelation/10-7.htm">Seventh</a> <a href="/genesis/24-21.htm">Silence</a> <a href="/revelation/14-20.htm">Space</a> <a href="/exodus/28-11.htm">Stamp</a> <a href="/numbers/17-12.htm">Undone</a><div class="vheading2">Revelation 8</div>1. <a href="/revelation/8-1.htm">At the opening of the seventh seal,</a> 2. <a href="/revelation/8-2.htm">Seven angels have seven trumpets given them.</a> 6. <a href="/revelation/8-6.htm">Four of them sound their trumpets and great plagues follow.</a> 9. <a href="/revelation/8-9.htm">Another angel puts incense to the prayers of the saints on the golden altar.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/revelation/8.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/revelation/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/revelation/8.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>When the Lamb opened the seventh seal The Lamb refers to Jesus Christ, depicted as the sacrificial Lamb who is worthy to open the seals of the scroll (<a href="/revelation/5-5.htm">Revelation 5:5-7</a>). The opening of the seventh seal marks the culmination of the seal judgments, which are part of the apocalyptic visions given to John. This act signifies the authority and sovereignty of Christ over the unfolding events of the end times. The number seven often symbolizes completeness or perfection in biblical literature, indicating the fulfillment of divine purposes.there was silence in heaven Silence in heaven is a dramatic pause in the continuous worship and activity described in earlier chapters (Revelation 4-5). This silence can be seen as a moment of awe and anticipation before the next series of judgments, the trumpet judgments, are revealed. In the Old Testament, silence often precedes divine judgment or the presence of God (<a href="/habakkuk/2-20.htm">Habakkuk 2:20</a>, <a href="/zephaniah/1-7.htm">Zephaniah 1:7</a>). It underscores the gravity and solemnity of the events about to unfold.for about half an hour The specific mention of "half an hour" suggests a brief but significant pause. While the exact duration may not be literal, it emphasizes a temporary cessation of activity, allowing for reflection and preparation for what is to come. In the context of apocalyptic literature, time periods can be symbolic, representing a divinely appointed interval. This pause serves as a transition from the seal judgments to the trumpet judgments, highlighting the structured progression of the Revelation narrative.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/the_lamb.htm">The Lamb</a> Refers to Jesus Christ, who is depicted as the Lamb of God. In the context of Revelation, He is the only one worthy to open the seals of the scroll, symbolizing His authority and role in God's redemptive plan. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_seventh_seal.htm">The Seventh Seal</a> The final seal on the scroll that the Lamb opens. The opening of this seal leads to a profound silence in heaven, marking a significant moment in the unfolding of God's judgment and plan for the end times. 3. <a href="/topical/s/silence_in_heaven.htm">Silence in Heaven</a> A period of silence lasting about half an hour. This silence is significant and contrasts with the usual worship and praise in heaven, indicating a moment of solemnity and anticipation.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_sovereignty_of_christ.htm">The Sovereignty of Christ</a> The Lamb's authority to open the seals underscores Christ's sovereignty over history and the future. Believers can trust in His control over all events. <a href="/topical/t/the_significance_of_silence.htm">The Significance of Silence</a> Silence in heaven signifies a pause for reflection and reverence. In our lives, taking time for silence before God can deepen our awareness of His presence and plans. <a href="/topical/a/anticipation_of_god's_judgment.htm">Anticipation of God's Judgment</a> The silence precedes the unfolding of God's judgment. It serves as a reminder of the seriousness of God's justice and the importance of being prepared for His return. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_worship_and_reverence.htm">The Role of Worship and Reverence</a> The usual worship in heaven pauses, highlighting the importance of reverence and awe in our worship practices. Worship should include moments of quiet reflection on God's majesty.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_revelation_8.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Revelation 8</a> <a href="/q/why_was_heaven_silent_for_30_minutes.htm">What caused silence in heaven for half an hour?</a> <a href="/q/what_are_the_five_love_languages.htm">What caused silence in heaven for half an hour?</a> <a href="/q/what_do_the_seals,_trumpets,_bowls_mean.htm">What do the Seven Seals, Trumpets, and Bowls signify?</a> <a href="/q/why_does_revelation_echo_past_apocalypses.htm">Why does the Book of Revelation use imagery and symbols that closely resemble earlier apocalyptic writings rather than unique divine revelation?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/revelation/8.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>VIII.(1) And when he had opened the seventh seal . . .--Translate, And when he opened the seventh seal there took place a silence in heaven as it were for half an hour. It is greatly to be regretted that this verse should have been prefixed to this chapter. The section of the book with which it is connected is that which goes before, not that which follows. The second verse of this eighth chapter introduces a new series of visions: the first verse gives the close of the visions which follow the opening of the seals. But what is the meaning of this verse which describes a half-hour's silence in heaven? It is a disputed point whether the book, or roll, fastened with the seven seals (<a href="/context/revelation/5-1.htm" title="And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.">Revelation 5:1-2</a>) is ever really unrolled to view. Some have thought that as each seal is opened a portion of the roll is displayed, unfolding the vision of the seal: others have regarded the visions as mere accompaniments of the opening of the seals, and quite distinct from the writing on the roll; those who take this view are disposed to think that the roll never is read, for that when the last seal is broken, and all are expecting to hear what is written in the book, no reading takes place, but only a silence ensues. It does not seem to me that this latter view is altogether tenable. It appears a singularly harsh interpretation to say that the contents of the roll are never disclosed. The book of God's purposes was seen in the hand of Him who sat on the throne. The Evangelist longed to know something of its contents; vain efforts were made to open it; the Evangelist wept with disappointment; he was then comforted in his sorrow by hearing that the Lion of the tribe of Judah had conquered to open the book; but then, after all this, not a line or word of the book, it is said, is ever revealed. The servant is waiting to hear the divine word; the seer is waiting to record what is unfolded; but though the seals are opened, we are told that the words he waits for never came. St. John himself gives no hint of so disappointing a conclusion. Later on (<a href="/revelation/10-4.htm" title="And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.">Revelation 10:4</a>) he is told not to record the utterances of the seven thunders, but there the concealing of the utterances is clearly commanded. Here he evidently associates the visions of the seals with the contents of the roll. It is only a spirit in bondage to foolish literalisms which will ask how the visions can be the writing in the roll. The book represents God's purposes and principles of His government in relation to the world-history; the seals show us some typical scenes in that world-history, and if not seen on the parchment of the roll, are yet unfoldings of principles and truths in the book. But it does not follow that all that is in the roll is ever unfolded. Such portions are made manifest as the seer could hear, and as the Church of Christ needed; and thus it may well be that the half-hour's silence is significant that all God's purposes and revelations are not exhausted--that there is something behind which it is not well that we should know--that prophecy as well as knowledge is partial. But the stillness of this half hour, if it reminds us of what is yet untold, yet proclaims to us a time of deep, unbroken tranquility, when the cries and groans of the earth, and even the grateful doxologies of heaven are hushed into calm. It is the silence which tells us that sorrow is ended, and eloquently tells us of heart peace. It is the rest of the troubled on the breast of God. All the earth, with her strife of tongues is still; all the cries of men (<a href="/revelation/6-15.htm" title="And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every slave, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;">Revelation 6:15</a>), of trafficker and warrior, of struggling wise, and suffering good, are stilled; all flesh keeps silence before Him; He gives His people peace."O earth, so full of dreary noises!O men with wailing in your voices!O delved gold, the waiter's heap!O strife, O curse, that o'er it fall! . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/revelation/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 1. - And when. Καὶ ὅταν, instead of καὶ ὅτε (as in the other seals), is read in A, C, and gives a certain indefiniteness which does not belong to any of the rest (Altbrd). Οτε is, however, found in א, B, P, Andreas. He had opened the seventh seal; he opened. As in the case of the other seals, the silence accompanies the opening (see on Revelation 6:1, 3, 5, etc.). This completes the number, and sets the roll free (<a href="/revelation/5-1.htm">Revelation 5:1</a>). The contents of the roll do not, however, become visible, nor are they portrayed otherwise than by the silence of half an hour (see on Revelation 5:1). There was silence in heaven; there followed a silence (Revised Version); a silence became; i.e. where there had not been silence previously, owing to the praises set forth at the close of <a href="/revelation/7.htm">Revelation 7</a>. This image may have been suggested by the silence kept by the congregation without, while the priest offered incense within, the temple (cf. <a href="/luke/1-10.htm">Luke 1:10</a>). This thought, too, may have led to the following vision, in which the angel offers incense (ver. 3), and in this souse the vision of the trumpets may be said to have grown out of the seventh seal, though a similar act precedes the visions of the seals (see <a href="/revelation/5-8.htm">Revelation 5:8</a>). But in no other way is there any connection between the two visions; the events narrated under the vision of the trumpets are not an exposition of the seventh seal, but a separate vision, supplementing what has been set forth by the seven seals. The silence is typical of the eternal peace of heaven, the ineffable bliss of which it is impossible for mortals to comprehend, and which is, therefore, symbolized by silence. In the same way the new name is left unexplained, as something beyond the knowledge of man in this life, and reserved for the life in heaven (see on Revelation 3:12). It is the sabbath of the Church's history, into the full comprehension of which man cannot now enter. The interpretation of this seal varies with different writers, according to the view taken of the vision as a whole. Bede, Primasius, Victorinus, Wordsworth, agree in considering that it denotes the beginning of eternal peace. Those who take the preterist view variously assign the silence to (1) the destruction of Jerusalem (Manrice); (2) A.D. 312-337 (King); (3) the period following A.D. (Eiliott); . . . <a href="/commentaries/revelation/8-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>When ὅταν (hotan) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3752.htm">Strong's 3752: </a> When, whenever. From hote and an; whenever; also causatively inasmuch as. [the Lamb] opened ἤνοιξεν (ēnoixen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_455.htm">Strong's 455: </a> To open. From ana and oigo; to open up. the τὴν (tēn) Article - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. seventh ἑβδόμην (hebdomēn) Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1442.htm">Strong's 1442: </a> Seventh. Ordinal from hepta; seventh. seal, σφραγῖδα (sphragida) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4973.htm">Strong's 4973: </a> Probably strengthened from phrasso; a signet; by implication, the stamp impressed, literally or figuratively. there was ἐγένετο (egeneto) Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1096.htm">Strong's 1096: </a> A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude. silence σιγὴ (sigē) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4602.htm">Strong's 4602: </a> Silence. Apparently from sizo; silence. in ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. heaven οὐρανῷ (ouranō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3772.htm">Strong's 3772: </a> Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel. for about ὡς (hōs) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_5613.htm">Strong's 5613: </a> Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner. half an hour. ἡμιώριον (hēmiōrion) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2256.htm">Strong's 2256: </a> Half an hour. From the base of hemisu and hora; a half-hour. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/revelation/8-1.htm">Revelation 8:1 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/revelation/8-1.htm">Revelation 8:1 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/revelation/8-1.htm">Revelation 8:1 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/revelation/8-1.htm">Revelation 8:1 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/revelation/8-1.htm">Revelation 8:1 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/revelation/8-1.htm">Revelation 8:1 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/revelation/8-1.htm">Revelation 8:1 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/revelation/8-1.htm">Revelation 8:1 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/revelation/8-1.htm">Revelation 8:1 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/revelation/8-1.htm">Revelation 8:1 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/revelation/8-1.htm">NT Prophecy: Revelation 8:1 When he opened the seventh seal there (Rev. 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