Greek Grammar Lesson from Revelation 8:13

Verse in Greek

Καὶ εἶδον καὶ ἤκουσα ἑνὸς ἀετοῦ πετομένου ἐν μεσουρανήματι, λέγοντος φωνῇ μεγάλῃ· Οὐαὶ, οὐαὶ, οὐαὶ τοὺς κατοικοῦντας ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἐκ τῶν λοιπῶν φωνῶν τῆς σάλπιγγος τῶν τριῶν ἀγγέλων τῶν μελλόντων σαλπίζειν.

Focus Topic: Genitive Absolute and Participles of Imminence and Motion

This apocalyptic verse features a vivid sensory narrative constructed with multiple participles, a genitive absolute, and dramatic word repetition. The grammar highlights urgency, authority, and sequential judgment.

Main Verbs: εἶδον καὶ ἤκουσα

These two aorist indicative verbs are 1st person singular from βλέπω and ἀκούω. John personally witnesses and hears, linking vision and auditory proclamation as parallel sources of revelation.

Genitive Absolute: ἑνὸς ἀετοῦ πετομένου

ἑνὸς ἀετοῦ πετομένου (“of one eagle flying”) is a genitive absolute construction — a noun and a participle both in the genitive case, grammatically independent of the main clause but providing background context:

Location Phrase: ἐν μεσουρανήματι

This prepositional phrase specifies the spatial setting — “in mid-heaven,” referring to the highest part of the sky visible from earth. It emphasizes visibility and audibility of the eagle’s message.

Genitive Absolute Continued: λέγοντος φωνῇ μεγάλῃ

λέγοντος (“saying”) is a present active participle, genitive singular, agreeing with ἀετοῦ. φωνῇ μεγάλῃ is an instrumental dative phrase — “with a loud voice.” The genitive absolute here functions to give the content and tone of the proclamation.

Dramatic Interjection: Οὐαί, οὐαί, οὐαί

The thrice-repeated οὐαί (“woe”) serves as a prophetic lament. The repetition heightens intensity and signals the gravity of the judgment to come.

Accusative of Reference: τοὺς κατοικοῦντας ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς

This accusative phrase identifies the recipients of the judgment — “those who dwell upon the earth.” The participle κατοικοῦντας is present active accusative plural from κατοικέω and expresses a continuous, habitual dwelling.

Causal Phrase: ἐκ τῶν λοιπῶν φωνῶν…

This phrase introduces the reason for the woes — the remaining trumpet blasts yet to come. ἐκ + genitive expresses cause: “because of the remaining voices of the trumpet.” The genitive chain continues:

• τῶν τριῶν ἀγγέλων — “of the three angels”
• τῶν μελλόντων σαλπίζειν — “who are about to sound [the trumpet]” (future participle)

Future Active Participle: μελλόντων σαλπίζειν

This genitive plural participle + complementary infinitive construction expresses impending action — “about to blow the trumpet.” It intensifies the sense of immediacy and dread.

Key Observations

• Genitive absolute adds descriptive background while maintaining syntactical independence.
• Present participles create a vivid, ongoing scene — the eagle flying, speaking loudly.
• Future participle + infinitive projects looming judgment.
• The triple οὐαί functions both rhetorically and structurally, marking transition in the trumpet sequence.

Apocalyptic Tension in Syntax

This verse masterfully combines grammatical elements to communicate urgency, foreboding, and transition. The genitive absolutes frame the heavenly proclamation, while the participles of imminence and motion sustain dramatic suspense. Through syntax, John heightens the vision’s emotional and theological force.