Jesus Holds the Seven Stars
εγενομην εν πνευματι εν τη κυριακη ημερα και ηκουσα οπισω μου φωνην μεγαλην ως σαλπιγγος
egenomhn en pneumati en th kuriakh hmera kai hkousa opisw mou fwnhn megalhn ws salpiggos
Rev 1.10 I came to be in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
λεγουσης εγω ειμι το α και το ω ο πρωτος και ο εσχατος και ο βλεπεις γραψον εις βιβλιον και πεμψον ταις επτα εκκλησιαις ταις εν ασια εις εφεσον και εις σμυρναν και εις περγαμον και εις θυατειρα και εις σαρδεις και εις φιλαδελφειαν και εις λαοδικειαν
legoushs o blepeis grayon eis biblion kai pemyon tais epta ekklhsiais eis efeson kai eis smurnan kai eis pergamon kai eis quateira kai eis sardeis kai eis filadelfeian kai eis laodikeian
Rev 1.11 saying, (I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last); and, What you see, write in a roll, and send to the seven churches in Asia, to Ephesus, and to Smyrna, and to Pergamos, and to Thyatira, and to Sardis, and to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.
και επεστρεψα βλεπειν την φωνην ητις ελαλησεν μετ εμου και επιστρεψας ειδον επτα λυχνιας χρυσας
kai epestreya blepein thn fwnhn htis elalei met emou kai epistreyas eidon epta lucnias crusas
Rev 1.12 And I turned to see the voice which spoke with me.
και εν μεσω των επτα λυχνιων ομοιον υιω ανθρωπου ενδεδυμενον ποδηρη και περιεζωσμενον προς τοις μαστοις ζωνην χρυσην
kai en mesw twn lucniwn omoion uion anqrwpou endedumenon podhrh kai periezwsmenon pros tois mastois zwnhn crusan
Rev 1.13 And having turned, I saw seven lampstands of gold, and in (the) midst of the seven lampstands (One) like (the) Son of Man, having been clothed to (the) feet, and having been girded with at the breasts a girdle of gold.
η δε κεφαλη αυτου και αι τριχες λευκαι ωσει εριον λευκον ως χιων και οι οφθαλμοι αυτου ως φλοξ πυρος
h de kefalh autou kai ai trices leukai ws erion leukon ws ciwn kai oi ofqalmoi autou ws flox puros
Rev 1.14 And the head of Him, and the hairs white as wool white, as snow, and the eyes of Him as a flame of fire;
και οι ποδες αυτου ομοιοι χαλκολιβανω ως εν καμινω πεπυρωμενοι και η φωνη αυτου ως φωνη υδατων πολλων
kai oi podes autou omoioi calkolibanw ws en kaminw pepurwmenhs kai h fwnh autou ws fwnh udatwn pollwn
Rev 1.15 and the feet of Him like burnished metal as in a furnace having been fired, and the voice of Him as a sound of waters many,
και εχων εν τη δεξια αυτου χειρι αστερας επτα και εκ του στοματος αυτου ρομφαια διστομος οξεια εκπορευομενη και η οψις αυτου ως ο ηλιος φαινει εν τη δυναμει αυτου
kai ecwn en th dexia ceiri autou asteras epta kai ek tou stomatos autou romfaia distomos oxeia ekporeuomenh kai h oyis autou ws o hlios fainei en th dunamei autou
Rev 1.16 and having in His right hand seven stars; and a sharp, two-edged sword proceeding out of His mouth, and His face shining as the sun in its power.
και οτε ειδον αυτον επεσα προς τους ποδας αυτου ως νεκρος και επεθηκεν την δεξιαν αυτου χειρα επ εμε λεγων μοι μη φοβου εγω ειμι ο πρωτος και ο εσχατος
kai ote eidon auton epesa pros tous podas autou ws nekros kai eqhken thn dexian autou ep eme legwn mh fobou egw eimi o prwtos kai o escatos
Rev 1.17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet, as dead. And He put His right hand on me, saying to me, Do not fear. I am the First and the Last,
και ο ζων και εγενομην νεκρος και ιδου ζων ειμι εις τους αιωνας των αιωνων αμην και εχω τας κλεις του αδου και του θανατου
kai o zwn kai egenomhn nekros kai idou zwn eimi eis tous aiwnas twn aiwnwn kai ecw tas kleis tou qanatou kai tou adou
Rev 1.18 and the Living One; and I became dead; and, behold, living I am to the ages of the ages, Amen. And I have the keys of Hades, and of death.
γραψον α ειδες και α εισιν και α μελλει γινεσθαι μετα ταυτα
grayon oun a eides kai a eisin kai a mellei | ginesqai | genesqai | meta tauta
Rev 1.19 Write what you things saw, and what things are, and what things are about to occur after these things.
το μυστηριον των επτα αστερων ων ειδες επι της δεξιας μου και τας επτα λυχνιας τας χρυσας οι επτα αστερες αγγελοι των επτα εκκλησιων εισιν και αι επτα λυχνιαι ας ειδες επτα εκκλησιαι εισιν
to musthrion twn epta asterwn ous eides epi ths dexias mou kai tas epta lucnias tas crusas oi epta asteres aggeloi twn epta ekklhsiwn eisin kai ai lucniai ai epta epta ekklhsiai eisin
Rev 1.20 The mystery of the seven stars which you saw on My right, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are angels of the seven assemblies, and the seven lampstands you saw are seven assemblies.
Compare to 53.1…
وَالنَّجْمِ إِذَا هَوَى
Waalnnajmi itha hawa
53.1 And/by the asterism, when he fell down.
و = “wa”
“wa” definition:
An inseparable prefixed conjunction; and; also; but; whilst, at; together; with; together with. Connects words and clauses as a simple coordinative “and”. It is used as a conjunction, unrestricted conjunction, and is expressive of concomitance, particle used for swearing (by God).
References:
An Arabic-English Lexicon, E.W. Lane, volume eight, p. 3049
A Grammar of the Arabic Language, W. Wright, Third edition, volume 1, p. 290
The Dictionary of the Holy Qur’an, 1st edition, Abdul Mannan Omar, p. 599
A Dictionary and Glossary of the Koran, John Penrice, p. 156
Arabic English Dictionary, J.G. Hava, p. 845 - 846
ال = “al”
“al” definition:
The definite article. In Arabic it is used to give the meaning of Most, All, Complete, Maximum, Whole, The, and to denote comprehensiveness, that is to say all aspects or categories of a subject, or to denote perfection and includes all degrees and grades.
Anything which has a quality requiring it to be regarded as sacred, or inviolable; which has some right pertaining to it.
It is also used to indicate something which has already been mentioned or a concept of which is in the mind of the writer or reader.
References:
An Arabic-English Lexicon, E.W. Lane, volume one, pp. 74 - 75
The Dictionary of the Holy Qur’an, 1st edition, Abdul Mannan Omar, p. 25
A Dictionary and Glossary of the Koran, John Penrice, p. 7
نَّجْمِ = “najmi”
“najmi” definition:
Singular noun. Star. An asterism, or constellation; being applied autonomastically to the Pleiades. The time when a payment falls due. Plant growing close to the earth with little or no stalk as grass; germinaceous plant; portions; a kind of plant, triticum, re-pens or dog’s grass. It comes from the root “najama”, which means to appear, rise, begin, accomplish, ensue, proceed.
وَالنَّجْمِ = “wa” + “al” + “najmi” = “waalnnajmi” = and/by the asterism
References:
An Arabic-English Lexicon, E.W. Lane, volume eight, p. 3028
The Dictionary of the Holy Qur’an, 1st edition, Abdul Mannan Omar, p. 554
A Dictionary and Glossary of the Koran, John Penrice, p. 144
Concordance of the Koran, Gustav Flugel, p. 190
Occurrences of “waalnnajmi” in the Koran: 1
Location: 53.1
Occurrences of the root “najama” and its 9 forms in the Koran: 13
Locations: 6.97, 7.54, 16.12, 16.16, 22.18, 37.88, 52.49, 53.1, 55.6, 56.75, 77.8, 81.2, 86.3
إِذَا = “Itha”
“Itha” definition:
Indeclinable noun. Denotes a thing’s happening suddenly, or unexpectedly; or one’s experiencing the occurrence of a thing when he is in a particular state; it pertains only to nominal phrases; does not require to be followed by a reply, or the compliment of a condition; does not occur at the commencement of a sentence; and signifies the present time, not the future. Used as an adverbial noun denoting future time, and implying the meaning of a condition. Sometimes it denotes past time; sometimes present time; and this is after an oath; sometimes it is redundant. Used to commence a sentence without any antecedent. Time referenced and are used as a corroborative particle meant to draw the readers attention to a turn in the discourse and can be translated as “remember the time”. When; if; behold; then; at that time; as; while; since; on or all of a sudden; in that case; on that day when.
References:
An Arabic-English Lexicon, E.W. Lane, volume one, pp. 39 – 41
A Grammar of the Arabic Language, W. Wright, Third edition, volume 1, p. 292
The Dictionary of the Holy Qur’an, 1st edition, Abdul Mannan Omar, p. 18
A Dictionary and Glossary of the Koran, John Penrice, p. 4
هَوَى = “hawa”
“hawa” definition:
Perfect tense, 3rd person masculine singular. Beloved, or an object of love; to love, desire; fall, set. As applied to 53.1…by some interpreted “by the stars when they set”, and others “when they rise”. He made it to fall down; to fall, to stoop as a bird to its prey, also to rise; rev, perish, pull down, destroy, disappear, yearn, fancy, beguile, infatuate, be blown, inspire with passion.
References:
An Arabic-English Lexicon, E.W. Lane, volume eight, p. 3046
The Dictionary of the Holy Qur’an, 1st edition, Abdul Mannan Omar p. 597
A Dictionary and Glossary of the Koran, John Penrice, p. 155
Concordance of the Koran, Gustav Flugel, p. 207
Occurrences of “hawa” in the Koran: 2
Locations: 20.81, 53.1
Occurrences of the root “hawa” and its 13 forms in the Koran: 37
Locations: 2.87, 2.120, 2.145, 4.135, 5.48, 5.49, 5.70, 5.77, 6.56, 6.71, 6.119, 6.150, 7.176, 13.37, 14.37, 14.43, 18.28, 20.16, 20.81, 22.31, 23.71, 25.43, 28.50(2x), 30.29, 38.26, 42.15, 45.18, 45.23, 47.14, 47.16, 53.1, 53.3, 53.23, 53.53, 54.3, 79.40
Observe these Koranic contexts of the root derivatives of “hawa”…
• 2.87…Jesus, Spirit, messenger came to you
• 2.119/120…announcer sent to you of good news, Warner, Christians, Savior
• 2.145…people of “The Book”
• 4.135/136…believe in “allah” and his messenger, and “The Book” , Resurrection Day
• 5.48/49… “The Book” is descended
• 5.69/70…Christians, Resurrection Day, messenger came to them
• 5.77/78… “The Book’s” people. Believe and obey Jesus
• 6.56/57…evidence from the Lord
• 6.70/71…savior/ mediator
• 6.119…the Lord
• 6.150…the Lord
• 13.36/37… “The Book” is descended to him in Arabic
• 14.37…the Lord
• 14.43/44…the Lord, warning, follow the messengers
• 18.27/28…the Lord’s Book
• 20.15/16…The hour of Resurrection
• 20.81…he had fallen, from what “allah’s ” rath had descended
• 22.31… “allah” fell from the clouds
• 23.71/72…Lord’s reminder
• 25.43/44/45…the Lord
• 28.50…guidance from “allah”
• 30.29…guidance from “allah”, Savior
• 38.26… “allah’s” Resurrection Day
• 42.15… “allah” descended from “The Book”
• 45.18… “allah’s” decreed way of life
• 45.23…. “allah” guides him
• 47.14…evidence from his Lord
• 47.16…. “allah” seals
• 53.23…guidance from their Lord
• 79.40…Lord’s status
Observe that in the only other Koranic usage of “hawa” (20.81), it is used in reference to “allah”.
Additionally, all usages of “alhawa”, refer specifically to “allah”, his messenger, The Book, Resurrection Day, and the Lord’s status.
Further, surveying every occurrence of “hawa” and its derivatives in the Koran shows that it is always used in the context of “allah”, Lord, or Savior.
Summary of 53.1:
• In Revelation, John describes his vision of Jesus, while being in the Spirit, or “pneuma”
• John tells us that he is spoken to by Jesus
• John sees Jesus holding Seven Stars in His right hand
• Upon seeing Jesus, John falls at His feet and worships Him
• Observe that in Revelation, John is rebuked twice for falling down and worshiping an angel; however, when he falls down and worships Jesus, there is no rebuking – thus demonstrating that Jesus is God Almighty and worthy of worship
• 53.1 begins with “waal”, which can be taken as swearing by a thing
• The juxtaposed “al” informs us that “it is also used to indicate something which has already been mentioned or a concept of which is in the mind of the writer or reader”
• Further, “al” has the signification of “anything which has a quality requiring it to be regarded as sacred, or inviolable; which has some right pertaining to it”
• Hence the material in this sura is not only very important, and sacred, but it relates to something that is already known
• 53.1 elaborates on what is already known and sacred, by affixing the noun “najmi”, which describes “an asterism, or constellation”
• An asterism or constellation is a small group or configuration of stars
• Thus, we have a Koranic correlation to a small group of sacred stars via the term “waalnnajmi”(which is used only this once in the Koran) to the Seven Stars held by Jesus in Revelation
• “Waalnnajmi” is the Seven Stars
• Revelation tells us that “the seven stars are angels of the seven assemblies”
• Juxtaposed to “waalnnajmi” is the indeclinable noun “itha”, which tell us of “one’s experiencing the occurrence of a thing when he is in a particular state”
• This relates to John’s vision of Jesus holding the Seven Stars, while he (John) is in the Spirit
• This Spirit state is a Koranic confirmation to the triune nature of the Biblical God
• 53.1 further confirms the Revelation account by utilization of the prefect tense, masculine, singular word “hawa”, which means “he fell down” – and refers to the falling down of John in worship to Jesus
• Surveying every occurrence of “hawa” and its derivatives, in the Koran, shows that it is always used in the context of “allah”, Lord, or Savior
• 53.1 refers to John worshiping at the feet of Jesus who holds the Seven Stars