“The “Έπί τήν δεξιάν” of Revelation 5:1”

Abstract

This paper briefly examines the meaning of the clause “Έπί τήν δεξιάν” of Rev 5:1. It has been generally translated as “in/on the right hand” as a member of the body as opposed to the righthand side. To achieve this, the paper has looked at Greek grammar, selecting Old Testament and New Testament antecedents, and the New Testament ascension-exaltation enthronement of Jesus on the right hand of the Father on the throne. Evidential analysis has shown that the clause can be better interpreted as on/at/to the righthand side. The conclusion reached was that the “Έπί τήν δεξιάν” of the Apocalypse (Rev 5:1), commonly translated as “in/on the right hand” and generally understood to mean God holding the ϐιϐλίον “in/on his right hand,” cannot be validated by its often-held antecedents.