Revelation 19:6

New Testament Apocalyptic ASV (1901)

What does Revelation 19:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunders, saying, Hallelujah: for the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigneth.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunders, saying, Hallelujah: for the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigneth.
Revelation 19:6 — American Standard Version

Context — Revelation 19

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
6And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunders, saying, Hallelujah: for the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigneth.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, etc.] Even of all the servants of the Lord, and them that fear him, small and great; a vast multitude of converted Jews and Gentiles, in the several parts of the world, who in answer to the voice out of the throne, which came with great power and energy, lift up their voices in praise to God, both for their own conversion, and for the downfall of Babylon: and as the voice of many waters: falling down in a descent, or in rough and rocky places, which make a great noise, and is heard afar off; and such must be the united voice of so great a multitude of converts as will be gathered together everywhere at this time: the same metaphor is…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“many waters--Contrast the "many waters" on which the whore sitteth (Rev 17:1). This verse is the hearty response to the stirring call, "Alleluia! Praise our God" (Rev 19:4-5). the Lord God omnipotent--Greek, "the Omnipotent." reigneth--literally, "reigned": hence reigneth once for all. His reign is a fact already established. Babylon, the harlot, was one great hindrance to His reign being recognized. Her overthrow now clears the way for His advent to reign; therefore, not merely Rome, but the whole of Christendom in so far as it is carnal and compromised Christ for the world, is comprehended in the term "harlot." The beast hardly arises when he at once "goeth into perdition": so that Christ…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude - In Revelation 19:1 he says that he “heard a great voice of much people”; here he says he “heard as it were a voice of a great multitude.” That is, in the former case he heard a shout that he at once recognized as the voice of a great multitude of persons; here he says that he heard a sound not distinctly recognized at first as such, but which resembled such a shout of a multitude. In the former case it was distinct; here it was confused - bearing a resemblance to the sound of roaring waters, or to muttering thunder, but less distinct than the former. This phrase would imply: (a)A louder sound; and, (b)That the sound was more remote, and…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“And I heard the voice of a great multitude. So all his servants did praise him. The Almighty reigneth - More eminently and gloriously than ever before. Revelation 19:7”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“19:6-8 The focus of the final thunderous Praise the Lord! is that God reigns as the Almighty in complete supremacy (see 1:8; 4:8; 11:17; 15:3; 16:7, 14; 19:15; 21:22).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“and as the voice of many: Rev 1:15, Rev 14:2; Eze 1:24, Eze 43:2 and as the voice of mighty: Rev 4:5, Rev 6:1, Rev 8:5, Rev 14:2, Rev 19:6; Job 40:9; Psa 29:3-9, Psa 77:18 for: Rev 11:15-18, Rev 12:10, Rev 21:22; Psa 47:2, Psa 47:7, Psa 93:1, Psa 97:1, Psa 97:12, Psa 99:1; Isa 52:7; Mat 6:13 Revelation 19:7”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification