Revelation 6:10
And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
Study Note
Study Note
The martyrs under the altar cry out 'How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?' — echoing the imprecatory psalms (Psalm 6:3; 79:5, 10) and introducing the eschatological question that structures much of the Apocalypse. The location 'under the altar' recalls the Levitical rite in which the blood of sacrificial animals was poured at the base of the altar — the martyrs' deaths are interpreted as priestly sacrifice. The cry 'how long?' (heōs pote) is the characteristic lament of the persecuted righteous (Habakkuk 1:2; Revelation 6:11), framing divine delay as a theological question demanding answer. John's vision responds that vindication is certain but the full number of martyrs must yet be completed — an answer that neither removes urgency nor grants premature resolution.
Other Translations
and they cried with a great voice, saying, How long, O Master, the holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
and they were crying with a great voice, saying, `Till when, O Master, the Holy and the True, dost Thou not judge and take vengeance of our blood from those dwelling upon the land?'
And they gave a great cry, saying, How long will it be, O Ruler, holy and true, before you take your place as judge and give punishment for our blood to those on the earth?
Cross References
And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will …
Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling …
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that …
For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with …
And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the …
Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.
And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.
And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt …
Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall …
And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and …