And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.

REVELATION 10:3KJV
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Revelation 10:3 (KJV)

What does Revelation 10:3 mean?

Revelation 10:3 describes a mighty angel calling out with a powerful voice, compared to the roar of a lion, and after this cry, seven thunders respond with their own voices. The verse highlights the dramatic and awe-inspiring nature of the angel’s proclamation and the mysterious response from the seven thunders.

The setting is John’s vision in the book of Revelation, where he sees a strong angel standing on land and sea. The angel’s loud cry (like a lion’s roar) signals something important and commands attention. The seven thunders are not explained here, but their voices suggest a response from heaven or creation itself, adding to the sense of mystery and significance.

The Greek behind Revelation 10:3

  • The word for "cried" is ἔκραξεν (ekraxen), which means to shout or call out loudly. This emphasizes the force and urgency of the angel’s message.
  • "Loud" comes from μεγάλη (megalē, from G3173), meaning great or mighty. The angel’s voice is not just loud, but overwhelming and commanding.
  • The comparison "as when a lion roareth" uses the Greek word λέων (leōn) for lion and μυκάομαι (mukaomai, from G3455) for roaring, which carries the sense of a deep, fearsome sound. This paints a vivid picture of power and authority.
  • "Seven thunders" (ἑπτὰ βρονταί, hepta brontai) uses the word for thunder, which often signals God’s voice or presence in biblical imagery. Their "voices" (φωνάς, phōnas) suggest that these thunders communicate something, though the content is not revealed here.

Why Revelation 10:3 matters

  • The verse clears up that the angel’s message is meant to be dramatic and unmistakable, not quiet or hidden.
  • The mention of the seven thunders responding shows that there are mysteries in Revelation that are intentionally left unexplained, inviting readers to recognize the limits of human understanding.
  • This moment connects to the larger theme of Revelation, where heavenly events are announced with great authority and often accompanied by signs that show God’s power and majesty.

Where else these words appear

“lion” Greek G3023 · used in 9 verses

  • 2 Timothy 4:17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
  • 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
  • Revelation 9:8 And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions.

“thunders” Greek G1027 · used in 11 verses

  • Mark 3:17 And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:
  • Revelation 6:1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.
  • Revelation 11:19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

“as” Greek G5618 · used in 42 verses

  • Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
  • Matthew 25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
  • 1 Corinthians 8:5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth,(as there be gods many, and lords many,)

“cried” Greek G2896 · used in 58 verses

  • Matthew 8:29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?
  • Mark 11:9 And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:
  • Acts 19:32 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.