And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues; there came out the seven angels that had, etc. These angels are distinguished from the other angels only by the fact that they bore the seven plagues.
These they have not yet, but they receive them directly after. The phrase is added here to distinguish the angels meant. These angels have once before (Revelation 15:1) been described in the same manner.
Clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles. λίνον, "linen," is found in א, B, P, 7, 14, 97, Andreas, Primasius. λίθον, [precious] "stone," is read in A, C, 38 (margin), 48, 90, Vulgate.
It seems more probable that λίθον is the correct word; for in no other place in the New Testament is λίνον found except in Matthew 12:20, where it signifies "flax;" while the ordinary word for linen, viz.
βύσσος or βύσσινος, is found in Revelation 18:12, Revelation 18:16, and Revelation 19:8, Revelation 19:14, as well as in Luke 16:19. If λίνον be the correct reading, the image is perhaps suggested by the priestly garments (cf.
Exodus 28:42, and vide infra). For the idea of "clothed in precious stone," the LXX. reading of Ezekiel 28:13 is usually quoted. We may refer also to the stones of the high priest's breastplate, and to the description in Revelation 17:4.
And having their breasts girded with golden girdles (cf. the vision of our Lord in Revelation 1:13, and the priestly attire described in Exodus 28:8).