And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

REVELATION 5:6KJV
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Revelation 5:6 (KJV)

What does Revelation 5:6 mean?

Revelation 5:6 presents Jesus as a Lamb who has been killed but now stands alive at the center of John’s vision. The Lamb’s seven horns and seven eyes picture power and sight, while the verse connects the eyes with God’s seven Spirits sent throughout the earth.

John sees the Lamb among the throne, the four living creatures, and the elders. After the announcement of a conquering lion in verse 5, the appearance of a slain Lamb is striking: the one presented as victorious bears the marks of death.

The Greek behind Revelation 5:6

  • “Lamb” — ἀρνίον (arnion): This word means a lamb. Its use highlights the contrast between the gentle animal John sees and the lion announced just before.
  • “slain” — σφάζω (sphazō): This word means to slaughter or kill. The Greek form describes the Lamb as bearing the continuing result of having been killed.
  • “beasts” — ζῷον (zōon): This word means a living creature. The KJV’s “beasts” here refers to the four living beings around the throne.

Why Revelation 5:6 matters

  • The Lamb’s standing shows that death is not the end of the picture. John sees a Lamb that appears slain, yet is standing in the heavenly scene.
  • The seven eyes are connected with God’s presence throughout the earth. John identifies them as “the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth”; the number seven often suggests completeness in Revelation.
  • The Lamb is the one able to take the scroll. In the following verse, the Lamb takes it from the one seated on the throne, answering the search for someone worthy to open it.

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 5:12 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 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.

“horns” Greek G2768 · used in 10 verses

  • Luke 1:69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
  • Revelation 13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
  • Revelation 17:7 And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.

“beasts” Greek G2226 · used in 20 verses

  • Hebrews 13:11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.
  • Revelation 4:9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,
  • Revelation 6:5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.

“Lamb” Greek G721 · used in 28 verses

  • John 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
  • Revelation 7:17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
  • Revelation 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.