Andrew,
In verse 9 there is no "men" in the text; it was supplied by the editors to make sense of the CT's reading "didst purchase for God with Thy blood [men] from every tribe and tongue..." (NASB)
As noted, Metzger said although the evidence for that reading (the CT's) is slight, they chose it as it "best accounts for the origin of the other" CT readings. Building upon conjecture.
You said,
Quote:
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Since the elders are "holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints" they are representing the men (those who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ, men and women)
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This doesn't necessarily follow. It is the
prayers of the saints in the golden bowls, not the men. Is this not also conjecture?
"redeemed
us to God" and "made
us unto our God kings and priests" are harmonious with the context. Of course the 24 elders do represent the people of God, but
they are singing, out of their own gratitude, joy and worship, and they refer to themselves in the first person plural -- us.