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Among the apocalyptic symbols that excited the imagination of the commentators are the seven bowls from Revelation 15–16. Usually interpreters approach this imagery by looking at the Old Testament, Jewish, New Testament, or the historical-cultural setting. This article explores the seven bowls within Revelation’s own symbolic tapestry. It uses intratextual analysis of Revelation’s own symbolic language in order to understand the meaning of the seven plagues. The article has two parts. This first part presents the background tapestry of the seven bowls. It argues that the hymn of Revelation 15:3–4 is a key passage for understanding the plagues. Also, it analyses the terms used for the plagues, the wrath of God, and the pouring of the bowls, in order to clarify their contextual significance.

Among the apocalyptic symbols that excited the imagination of the commentators are the seven bowls from Revelation 15-16. Usually interpreters approach this imagery by looking at the Old Testament, Jewish, New Testament, or the historical-cultural setting. This article explores the seven bowls within Revelation’s own symbolic tapestry. It uses intratextual analysis of Revelation’s own symbolic language in order to understand the meaning of the seven plagues. The article has two parts. This first part presents the background tapestry of the seven bowls. It argues that the hymn of Revelation 15:3-4 is a key passage for understanding the plagues. Also, it analyses the terms used for the plagues, the wrath of God, and the pouring of the bowls, in order to clarify their contextual significance.

Among the apocalyptic symbols that excited the imagination of the commentators are the seven bowls from Revelation 15-16. Usually interpreters approach this imagery by looking at the Old Testament, Jewish, New Testament, or the historical-cultural setting. This article explores the seven bowls within Revelation’s own symbolic tapestry. It uses intratextual analysis of Revelation’s own symbolic language in order to understand the meaning of the seven plagues. The article has two parts. This first part presents the background tapestry of the seven bowls. It argues that the hymn of Revelation 15:3-4 is a key passage for understanding the plagues. Also, it analyses the terms used for the plagues, the wrath of God, and the pouring of the bowls, in order to clarify their contextual significance.