Revelation 4:4 Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had c

[Athanasiy]

Are there generally accepted interpretations of the symbolism of this verse?
Who are these old men?

 

[Fauken]

From Haydock’s Commentary:

" Ver. 4. About the throne were four and twenty seats, or lesser thrones, with twenty-four seniors or senators upon them, representing the illustrious saints both of the Old and New Testament, clothed in white garments, in token of their innocence, and crowns of gold, signifying the glory of the heavenly inhabitants. Wi. — These four and twenty elders sitting round the throne of God, represent the judgment which the Almighty was about to pass upon the enemies of his Church. Thus in Daniel, when he was about to pronounce sentence against Antiochus Epiphanes, “thrones were placed, and the ancient of days sat, . . . the judgment sat, and the books were opened.” Dan. vii. 9, 10. They represent kings and priests who attend on the Sovereign Judge. It appears as if God intended to designate by the number the ancient patriarchs and the twelve apostles, who judge with the Lord, and condemn the injustice of their persecutors. Calmet."

 

[Athanasiy]

Pretty deep symbolism of the book. There is an interesting sequel:
5
From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God.
6 Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.

seven spirits

 

[Fauken]

From the same commentary:

" Ver. 5. Lightnings, a symbol of God’s majesty and power. — Seven lamps burning, which signified the seven spirits of God, the chief spirits that attend his throne. See C. i. 4. Wi. — The lightnings, loud voices, and thunders, which come from the throne of God, announce alarms and severe hardships, such as persecutions, heresies, calamities, &c. by which he tries the fidelity of his servants on earth. And the seven spirits of God, who appear under the form of burning lamps, are seven Angels, as before mention, (C. i. 4.) standing ready to execute the divine commands. Walmesley."

 

[Mintaka]

The seven spirits come into the Book of Zechariah, IIRC.

Practically speaking, they symbolize the Holy Spirit and His gifts.

 

[Todd_Easton]

From the NABRE:
[4:4] Twenty-four elders: these represent the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles; cf. Rev 21:12-14. (source)

 

[Dovekin]

Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you that you who have followed me, in the new age, when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory, will yourselves sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Matthew 19:28

 

[Athanasiy]

It seems that the numbers 12 and 24 are not prime numbers in the symbolic language of the Bible, as well as the number 7

 

[Dovekin]

12, 24 and 7 are numbers written in the Solar System. 12 is the number of times the moon goes around the Earth during one year. Seven is the number of number of objects that move against the immovable backdrop of the stars. The 2 lights, sun and moon, move directly through the sky, while the 5 planets can be seen wandering across the sky. (planets beyond Saturn cannot normally be seen with an unaided human eye).

Everyone on Earth uses these numbers describe their place in the Universe, though not all in the same way, because everyone sees the same sky.