Revelation 14:3

Authorized King James Version

And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
καὶ
G2532
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#2
ᾄδουσιν
G103
they sung
to sing
#3
ὡς
G5613
as it were
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
#4
ᾠδὴν
G5603
song
a chant or "ode" (the general term for any words sung; while g5215 denotes especially a religious metrical composition, and g5568 still more specially
#5
καινὴν
G2537
a new
new (especially in freshness; while g3501 is properly so with respect to age
#6
ἐνώπιον
G1799
before
in the face of (literally or figuratively)
#7
τῆς
G3588
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#8
θρόνου
G2362
the throne
a stately seat ("throne"); by implication, power or (concretely) a potentate
#9
καὶ
G2532
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#10
ἐνώπιον
G1799
before
in the face of (literally or figuratively)
#11
τῆς
G3588
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#12
τέσσαρες
G5064
and four
four
#13
ζῴων
G2226
beasts
a live thing, i.e., an animal
#14
καὶ
G2532
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#15
τῆς
G3588
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#16
πρεσβυτέρων
G4245
the elders
older; as noun, a senior; specially, an israelite sanhedrist (also figuratively, member of the celestial council) or christian "presbyter"
#17
καὶ
G2532
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#18
οὐδεὶς
G3762
no man
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
#19
ἠδύνατο
G1410
could
to be able or possible
#20
μαθεῖν
G3129
learn
to learn (in any way)
#21
τῆς
G3588
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#22
ᾠδὴν
G5603
song
a chant or "ode" (the general term for any words sung; while g5215 denotes especially a religious metrical composition, and g5568 still more specially
#23
εἰ
G1487
if, whether, that, etc
#24
μὴ
G3361
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
#25
τῆς
G3588
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#26
ἑκατὸν
G1540
the hundred
a hundred
#27
τεσσαράκοντα
G5062
and forty
forty
#28
τέσσαρες
G5064
and four
four
#29
χιλιάδες
G5505
thousand
one thousand ("chiliad")
#30
τῆς
G3588
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#31
ἠγορασμένοι
G59
were redeemed
properly, to go to market, i.e., (by implication) to purchase; specially, to redeem
#32
ἀπὸ
G575
from
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
#33
τῆς
G3588
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#34
γῆς
G1093
the earth
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)

Analysis

The kingdom of God theme here intersects with the progressive revelation of God's rule from creation to consummation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of development from creation mandate through Davidic kingdom to eschatological fulfillment. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's reign from creation through the millennial kingdom.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of Jewish apocalyptic literature using symbolic imagery to convey hope shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of kingdom of God within the theological tradition of Revelation Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection