And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.
Parallel translations
- WEB When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.
- BSB When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.
- NKJV WhenHe opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.
- NASB When the Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.
- NLT When the Lamb broke the seventh seal on the scroll, there was silence throughout heaven for about half an hour.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
When the Lamb opens the seventh seal, heaven falls silent for about half an hour. The silence marks a solemn pause before the next series of judgments.
Overview
The hush in heaven heightens awe and anticipation, perhaps signaling reverent stillness before God's judgments or the answering of the saints' prayers. The seventh seal opens into the seven trumpets, linking the sequences of judgment. The dramatic silence underscores the gravity of what God is about to do.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- Zech 2:13Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.
- Hab 2:20But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.
- Rev 6:1And 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.
- Ps 62:1Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.
- Job 4:16It 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,
- Rev 5:1And 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.
- Ps 37:7Rest 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.
- Rev 6:9And 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:
- Rev 6:12And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;
- Rev 6:5And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.
- Rev 6:7And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.
- Rev 6:3And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.
- Rev 5:9And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
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Christ at the center
Revelation ends the story with the slain-yet-standing Lamb who is worthy, the Lion of Judah, the Alpha and Omega, the returning King who makes all things new and dwells with his people forever.
How Revelation 8:1 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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