Revelation 7:11
And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἄγγελοι
the angels
G32
ἄγγελοι
the angels
Strong's:
G32
Word #:
4 of 27
compare g0034) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor
ἑστήκεσαν
stood
G2476
ἑστήκεσαν
stood
Strong's:
G2476
Word #:
5 of 27
to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
κύκλῳ
round about
G2945
κύκλῳ
round about
Strong's:
G2945
Word #:
6 of 27
i.e., in a circle (by implication, of g1722), i.e., (adverbially) all around
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θρόνου
the throne
G2362
θρόνου
the throne
Strong's:
G2362
Word #:
8 of 27
a stately seat ("throne"); by implication, power or (concretely) a potentate
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πρεσβυτέρων
about the elders
G4245
πρεσβυτέρων
about the elders
Strong's:
G4245
Word #:
11 of 27
older; as noun, a senior; specially, an israelite sanhedrist (also figuratively, member of the celestial council) or christian "presbyter"
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θρόνου
the throne
G2362
θρόνου
the throne
Strong's:
G2362
Word #:
20 of 27
a stately seat ("throne"); by implication, power or (concretely) a potentate
ἐπὶ
on
G1909
ἐπὶ
on
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
21 of 27
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
πρόσωπον
faces
G4383
πρόσωπον
faces
Strong's:
G4383
Word #:
22 of 27
the front (as being towards view), i.e., the countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person
αὐτῶν
G846
αὐτῶν
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
23 of 27
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
24 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
προσεκύνησαν
worshipped
G4352
προσεκύνησαν
worshipped
Strong's:
G4352
Word #:
25 of 27
to fawn or crouch to, i.e., (literally or figuratively) prostrate oneself in homage (do reverence to, adore)
Cross References
Revelation 4:10The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,Revelation 4:6And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.Revelation 4:4And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.Revelation 11:16And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,Hebrews 1:6And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.Matthew 4:10Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.John 5:23That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.Revelation 15:4Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.Revelation 22:9Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.
Historical Context
Jewish apocalyptic literature (Daniel, Ezekiel, Isaiah) featured angelic worship, but Revelation uniquely integrates the elders (representing redeemed humanity) into heaven's liturgy. This vision encouraged persecuted believers that their earthly struggles were observed by heaven's worshiping assembly, which would soon welcome them to join the eternal chorus.
Questions for Reflection
- How does envisioning angels, elders, and living creatures worshiping together elevate your perspective during earthly worship?
- What does the prostrate posture ('fell before the throne') teach about appropriate heart attitude in approaching God?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The angels, elders, and living creatures surrounding the throne depict the cosmic scope of worship. Angels stand ('hestēkeisan') in readiness to serve, while the posture of falling before the throne demonstrates humility before divine majesty. This heavenly liturgy models earthly worship—centered on God's throne, responsive to His acts, corporate in nature. Reformed theology emphasizes that worship's object determines its acceptability; these celestial beings worship the sovereign God, not created things. The order (angels, elders, creatures) shows the unified chorus of all creation honoring the Creator and Redeemer.