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An Exegetical Study of the Anarthrous Substantival Participle in Revelation 4:2
This exegetical study of An Exegetical Study of the Anarthrous Substantival Participle in Revelation 4:2 is based on a b-greek discussion from April 23rd, 2014. The initial observation concerned a seemingly unusual grammatical construction within Revelation chapter 4, encountered during translation work. Reference was made to William Mounce’s “Basics of Biblical Greek” (p. 272) regarding similar constructions. While not necessarily ‘awkward’ or ‘weird,’ the construction was noted as atypical but potentially more common than initially perceived.
The central exegetical issue revolves around the function of a participle (specifically καθήμενος in Rev 4:2) that appears to function substantivally despite the absence of a definite article. This contrasts with the more common pattern where substantival participles are accompanied by an article, as observed in a subsequent verse (e.g., Rev 4:3 or 4:4). The discussion highlights Mounce’s observation that while the presence or absence of the article often indicates adjectival/adverbial versus substantival function, this rule is not absolute, and context ultimately determines the correct interpretation. The potential influence of a preceding prepositional phrase on the anarthrous state is also considered, leading to the preliminary conclusion that an adjectival or substantival translation (e.g., ‘one is sitting’ or ‘the one who is sitting’) remains appropriate despite the lack of an article, especially when clarified by articular usage in immediate context.
Καὶ εὐθέως ἐγενόμην ἐν πνεύματι· καὶ ἰδοὺ θρόνος ἔκειτο ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν θρόνον καθήμενος.
Καὶ ὁ καθήμενος ἦν ὅμοιος ὁράσει λίθῳ ἰάσπιδι καὶ σαρδίῳ, καὶ ἶρις κυκλόθεν τοῦ θρόνου ὅμοιος ὁράσει σμαραγδίνῳ.
Καὶ κύκλῳ τοῦ θρόνου θρόνοι εἴκοσι τέσσαρες, καὶ ἐπὶ τοὺς θρόνους εἴκοσι τέσσαρας πρεσβυτέρους καθημένους, περιβεβλημένους ἐν ἱματίοις λευκοῖς, καὶ ἐπὶ τὰς κεφαλὰς αὐτῶν στεφάνους χρυσοῦς.
Greek text (Nestle 1904)
Key differences with SBLGNT (2010):
- In Revelation 4:2, Nestle 1904 reads εὐθέως, while SBLGNT 2010 (and NA28) reads εὐθὺς.
Textual criticism (NA28), lexical notes (KITTEL, BDAG):
The textual tradition for καθήμενος in Revelation 4:2 is stable, with no significant variants affecting its form or presence in the NA28 apparatus. The main variant in this section (εὐθέως vs. εὐθὺς in 4:2) does not alter the core grammatical issue under examination.
Lexically, the participle καθήμενος derives from the verb καθῆμαι, meaning “to be seated” or “to sit.” BDAG (p. 491-492) specifically lists the construction ἐπὶ τὸν θρόνον καθήμενος in Revelation 4:2 as referring to “one sitting on the throne,” acknowledging the anarthrous state while treating it substantivally, referring to God. KITTEL (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Vol. III, p. 440-444) discusses καθῆμαι extensively, highlighting its theological significance in the context of divine enthronement. It emphasizes the royal and judicial connotations of God “sitting on the throne,” without explicitly detailing the grammatical nuances of the anarthrous participle in 4:2, but affirming its reference to the enthroned divine figure.
Translation Variants
The primary focus of grammatical and rhetorical analysis centers on the phrase ἐπὶ τὸν θρόνον καθήμενος in Revelation 4:2. The participle καθήμενος is a present middle/passive participle, nominative singular. Its position immediately following the description of the throne, without an explicit subject, suggests a substantival function, referring to the entity occupying the throne. The crucial point of discussion is the absence of a definite article, which typically accompanies substantival participles in Koine Greek.
Grammatically, the lack of an article with a substantival participle is not unheard of. As noted by grammarians such as Mounce, context often serves as the ultimate arbiter for interpretation. In this instance, the immediate succeeding verse, Revelation 4:3, clarifies the anarthrous construction: Καὶ ὁ καθήμενος ἦν ὅμοιος (“And the one sitting was like…”). Here, the same participle is used with the definite article ὁ, explicitly confirming the substantival nature and identity of the figure introduced in verse 2. This immediate clarification strongly argues for a substantival interpretation of καθήμενος in 4:2, despite the absence of the article. The participle functions here as a dramatic introduction, perhaps akin to an appositive or a predicate nominative, identifying the figure implicitly without prior formal definition.
Rhetorically, the anarthrous presentation of καθήμενος in Revelation 4:2 contributes to the vivid and immediate nature of the vision. It presents the enthroned figure with a stark, understated power, drawing the reader directly into the scene. This initial, less defined introduction creates a sense of awe and mystery, allowing the subsequent description in verse 3, where the figure is explicitly identified as “the One sitting” (ὁ καθήμενος), to build upon this initial impression. The anarthrous construction can thus be understood as a stylistic choice to enhance the dramatic and revelatory impact, emphasizing the *fact* of someone sitting on the throne before elaborating on *who* that person is.
Conclusions and Translation Suggestions
The analysis concludes that the anarthrous participle καθήμενος in Revelation 4:2 clearly functions substantivally, referring to the divine figure enthroned in heaven. This interpretation is robustly supported by the immediate contextual clarification in Revelation 4:3, where the same participle is employed with the definite article (ὁ καθήμενος) to designate the identical entity. While the absence of the article for a substantival participle is a grammatical feature worthy of note, the overarching context, the visionary genre, and the subsequent articular usage unequivocally establish its substantival role. The anarthrous construction, in this specific instance, likely serves a rhetorical purpose, providing an immediate and potent introduction to the enthroned figure before any further, more formal identification.
- “And behold, a throne was set in heaven, and upon the throne, one was sitting.”
This translation emphasizes the immediate visual impact of the enthroned figure, treating the participle as a predicate or an appositive to an unstated subject, consistent with an anarthrous substantival function. - “And behold, a throne was set in heaven, and upon the throne the one sitting.”
This option directly renders the participle substantivally, relying on the immediate context and the explicit articular usage in the following verse (4:3) to justify the implied definite article. - “And behold, a throne was set in heaven, and upon the throne he who was sitting.”
This translation employs a relative clause, which is a common and natural method for translating substantival participles in English, providing clarity for the anarthrous construction where a definite referent is clearly implied.
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