Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

REVELATION 5:12KJV
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Revelation 5:12 (KJV)

What does Revelation 5:12 mean?

Revelation 5:12 describes a loud proclamation in heaven declaring that the Lamb who was slain is worthy to receive all power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing. This verse highlights the unique worthiness of the Lamb—Jesus—because of his sacrificial death.

In the vision, multitudes of angels and heavenly beings speak together with a powerful voice, focusing all attention on the Lamb. The verse lists seven qualities or gifts, showing completeness and the fullness of what the Lamb deserves. This moment comes after the Lamb is revealed as the only one worthy to open the scroll, setting the stage for the rest of the book’s events.

The Greek behind Revelation 5:12

  • ἄξιος (axios, "Worthy"): This word means deserving or having the right to something. Here, it stresses that only the Lamb truly deserves these praises and honors.
  • ἐσφαγμένος (esphagmenos, "slain"): This word refers to being slaughtered or sacrificed. It points to the Lamb’s death as the reason for his worthiness.
  • δύναμις (dynamis, "power"): This word often means might or ability. The Lamb is recognized as having ultimate authority and strength.
  • εὐλογία (eulogia, "blessing"): This word means praise or good words spoken about someone. The Lamb is to be spoken well of and honored by all.

Why Revelation 5:12 matters

  • Revelation 5:12 clarifies that the Lamb’s worthiness is directly tied to his sacrificial death, not just his identity or power.
  • The sevenfold list of what the Lamb is worthy to receive shows the totality and completeness of his honor in heaven.
  • This verse connects the worship of the Lamb with the broader theme of Revelation: the victory and authority of Jesus as the one who fulfills God’s plan for history.

Where else these words appear

“slain” Greek G4969 · used in 9 verses

  • 1 John 3:12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.
  • Revelation 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
  • Revelation 13:3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.

“strength” Greek G2479 · used in 11 verses

  • Mark 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
  • Ephesians 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
  • 1 Peter 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

“blessing” Greek G2129 · used in 14 verses

  • Romans 15:29 And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.
  • 2 Corinthians 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
  • Hebrews 12:17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

“riches” Greek G4149 · used in 21 verses

  • Matthew 13:22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
  • Romans 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
  • Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.