Question: Many places in scripture speak of God’s throne or throne room. Is the throne a piece of furniture or symbolic of our Lord’s sovereignty?
Profile: Male, North America, Over 60
Answered by: Jerry Adams, who has been a volunteer with us since November 2006.
Answer: Thank you for your question concerning the use of the word “throne” in the Bible. Uniquely, only one word is used in the Hebrew text in the Old Testament and only one word is used in the Greek text of the New Testament. The comprehensive answer is that the same word in both cases refers to the highest level of authority. It may refer to a physical chair, such as a chair on which a king, or a ruler of similar position sits. Or it may refer to the position of authority possessed by the magistrate. The application of the word is generally clear by reading the context.
When the word throne is used in refence to God we need to understand that God does not need to sit on a chair in order to exercise His authority because God is infinite in His being. When the word is used to refer to a human sitting on a physical chair the context makes that meaning clear. However, sometimes the word refers to both the physical presence and the individual’s supreme authority.
Solomon made the following statement at the dedication of the temple he had built. “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built? (1Kings 8:27)” Isaiah makes the following statement in Isaiah 6:1, “In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the LORD sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.” The Apostle John was invited to see the throne room of God, as he records in Revelation 4:2 “And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.” So, we have an apparent contradiction. We know that God does not need a chair on which to sit. Therefore, we assume the statement to express God’s glory, magnificence, beauty, and power. Apparently, we who know Him will be able to see and enjoy the very presence John describes.
