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Introduction to Revelation

Part 1: General Introduction

Outline of the book of Revelation

  1. Opening (1:120)
  2. Letters to the seven churches (2:13:22)
  3. Vision of God and the Lamb in heaven (4:15:14)
  4. The seven seals (6:18:1)
  5. The seven trumpets (8:213:18)
  6. Worship of the Lamb and judgment against Babylon (14:120)
  7. The seven bowls (15:118:24)
  8. Worship in heaven (19:110)
  9. The destruction of the beast (19:1121)
  10. The thousand years, destruction of Satan, and final judgment (20:115)
  11. The new creation and the new Jerusalem (21:122:5)
  12. Closing (22:621)

Many interpreters believe that a phrase in 1:19, “what you have seen, and what is, and what is about to happen after these things,” describes three main divisions of the book. “What you have seen” would describe Johns vision of Jesus in chapter 1. “What is” would describe the current situation of the churches, addressed in chapters 2 and 3. “What is about to happen after these things” would describe the visions of the future in the rest of the book.

Who wrote the book of Revelation?

The author identifies himself as John. Many interpreters believe that this means he was the apostle John. However, other interpreters believe this was a different man named John, a prophet who had a ministry among the seven churches described in chapters 2 and 3. In either case, this man wrote the book while on the island of Patmos. The Romans had exiled him there for teaching people about Jesus.

What type of writing is the book of Revelation?

John used a special style of writing to describe his visions. John described what he saw by using many symbols. This style of writing is called symbolic prophecy or apocalyptic literature, and a book written in this style is called an apocalypse.

No other book of the Bible is written entirely in apocalyptic style like the book of Revelation. However, some passages in the books of Ezekiel, Zechariah, and especially Daniel are similar in content and style to Revelation. It may be beneficial to translate Revelation at the same time as Daniel since those two books have a similar style and some shared imagery. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-apocalyptic]])

How should we translate the title of this book?

Translators may choose to call this book by one of its traditional titles, such as “Revelation,” “The Revelation of Jesus Christ,” “The Revelation to Saint John,” or “The Apocalypse of John.” Or they may choose a different title such as “The Things that Jesus Christ Showed to John.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

What is the book of Revelation about?

John wrote the book of Revelation to encourage believers to remain faithful even when suffering persecution. In the book, John describes visions he had of Satan and his followers fighting against and killing believers. In these visions, God causes many terrible things to happen on earth to punish wicked people. In the end, Jesus defeats Satan and his followers. Then Jesus comforts those who were faithful. Those believers will live forever with God in the new heavens and earth.

Does one need to understand the book of Revelation in order to translate it?

The book provides the reader with some idea of how to understand its symbols by interpreting a few of them at the beginning (1:20) and near the end (19:8). But one does not need to understand all of the symbols in the book of Revelation in order to translate it properly. Translators should not suggest possible meanings for the symbols in their translations. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-apocalyptic]])

Are the events of Revelation past or future?

Since early Christian times, scholars have interpreted Revelation differently. Some scholars think John described events that happened during his lifetime. Other scholars think John described events that happened throughout history, from his time until the return of Jesus. Still other scholars think John described events that will happen in a short period of time just before Christ returns.

Translators do not need to decide about the time reference of the visions in this book in order to translate it, and they should be careful not to let their own beliefs influence how they translate. They should leave the prophecies in the tenses that are used in the ULT.

Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts

Angels

People in this culture recognized that God uses created spirits called angels to carry out his purposes. In the book of Revelation, John describes seeing visions of angels announcing and executing Gods judgments.

In chapters 13 there may be some special uses of the word “angel.” That word can also mean “messenger,” and so the “angels of the seven churches” (1:20) could mean messengers whom those churches had sent to John or whom John was sending to those churches. The word might also refer symbolically to leaders of those seven churches. In 1:1, John says that either God or Jesus “sent through his angel” to make this revelation known. If John is saying that it was God who sent, the “angel” could figuratively mean Jesus as a messenger of God. If John is saying that it was Jesus who sent, the “angel” could mean the actual angel with whom John speaks in 19:10 and 22:9.

In any event, translators should use the word “angel” throughout the book, wherever it appears in the ULT, and not offer interpretations of the word in their translations. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/angel]])

Part 3: Important Translation Issues

Language that would be figurative in other contexts

If your language does not generally use figures of speech, and if you have previously translated other books of the Bible, you may be accustomed to using literal language to translate figurative language. However, that would not be appropriate in this book, since John is describing what he actually saw and heard in his visions. For example, John says in 16:7, “I heard the altar saying.” In other contexts, this might mean that John heard someone standing at the altar saying something. But within the world of these visions, the altar itself could have spoken. In 16:14, John speaks of “the kings of the whole world.” In other contexts, this might be a generalization for emphasis, and it might be appropriate to translate it as “kings throughout the world.” But in this book, this kind of generalization applies to everyone John saw in his vision, so it can be translated literally. In other contexts, the phrase “the throne of God” might refer figuratively to the presence of God (as it does in Hebrews 4:16, for example). But here it literally means the royal throne upon which God sits as the ruler of the universe. It would be appropriate in all such cases to retain Johns actual language and not translate it as if it were representing something else.

Verb tenses

As John describes his visions, he sometimes changes back and forth between the present and past tenses or between the present and future tenses. You can make these verb tenses consistent in your translation. For example, in 16:21, where John says, “And great hail, about a talent, comes down from heaven upon men, and men blasphemed God because of the plague of hail, because that plague is exceedingly great,” you could say, “And great hail, about a talent, came down from heaven upon men, and men blasphemed God because of the plague of hail, because that plague was exceedingly great.” In 21:24, where John says, “the nations will walk by the light of her, and the kings of the earth bring their glory into her,” you could say, “the nations will walk by the light of her, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into her.”

Singular and plural “you”

Many languages have separate forms for singular and plural “you.” In most contexts in the book of Revelation, it is clear whether one person or a group of people is being addressed and so it is obvious what form to use. Notes will specify which form of the word the book is using when this may not be clear.

Periods of time

John refers to various periods of time in Revelation. For example, there are references to three and a half days, ten days, 1,260 days, and forty-two months. Some scholars think these time periods are symbolic. Other scholars think these are actual time periods. The translator should translate these expressions as referencing actual periods of time. It is a matter of interpretation, not translation, to determine their significance or possible symbolic reference.

“Saints”

John often uses the term “saints” to describe people who believe in Jesus and obey him faithfully. John uses the term by association with the way these people are set apart as holy for God. You language may have a term or expression of its own that would convey this meaning. In your translation you could also express the meaning plainly by using a phrase such as “disciples of Jesus” or “believers in Jesus.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

“Amen”

John uses the word “Amen” many times in this book. This is a Hebrew word that people used to express agreement and the wish that something someone said would actually happen. John spells out the word using Greek letters so that his readers will know how it sounds. In your translation you could also spell this word the way it sounds in your language, especially if people in the churches in your area use the word and your readers are likely to understand its meaning. If the word would not be familiar, you could translate it with a phrase that expresses its meaning, as the UST does by translating “Amen” as “May it be so.” However, in 3:14, where Jesus describes himself as “the Amen,” it would probably be most appropriate to spell the word the way it sounds, rather than have Jesus call himself “the May It Be So.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-transliterate]])

“Behold”

As John describes what he saw in his visions, he frequently uses the word “behold” to focus the attention of his listeners on what he is about to say. Jesus also uses the word that way in his letters to the seven churches, and characters in the visions that John sees also use the word in the same sense. The word literally means “look!” or “see!” However, in this usage, the expression means to “see” in the figurative sense of giving notice and attention. If it would be helpful in your language, in your translation you could express the meaning plainly by using an expression such as “listen carefully!” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

“Keep”

In this book, John uses the word “keep” many times to mean “obey.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. For example, in 1:3 you could say “obeying” rather than “keeping.” However, there are two places, 3:10 and 16:15, where the word means “preserve” instead. In 3:10, Jesus actually contrasts these two meanings. He says, “Because you have kept the word of my steadfastness, I will also keep you from the hour of testing.” This means, “Because you have obeyed the word of my steadfastness, I will also preserve you from the hour of testing.” In 16:15, the phrase “the one keeping his garments” means “the one preserving his garments,” that is, keeping them in good repair, “so that he might not walk around naked.” Notes will address these specific uses; in other contexts, translators may find that “obey” is a good way to translate the term “keep.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

“Certainly not”

In many places throughout the book of Revelation, the ULT uses the expression “certainly not” to translate a double negative that John uses for emphasis. The second negative does not cancel the first to create a positive meaning. If for emphasis your language uses double negatives that do not cancel one another, it would be appropriate to use that construction in these places. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives]])

“the ones living on the earth”

John uses the expression “the ones living on the earth” in a specific sense in several places in the book (3:10, 6:10, 8:13, 11:10, 13:8, 13:12, 13:14, 17:2, 17:8). In these places John is not referring in general to humans who live in the world. He means specifically people who will disobey God and worship idols at the time of the events that the book of Revelation describes. You may have an expression in your language that you could use in these places with this meaning, such as “worldly people.”

31:introu1e20

Revelation 1 General Notes

Structure and Formatting

This chapter explains how the book of Revelation records the vision that John received on the island of Patmos.

  • Prologue (1:1-8)

    Preface (1:1-3) Address and Doxology (1:4-6) Theme (1:7-8)

  • Johns Vision of Christ (1:9-20)

Some translations set quotations from the Old Testament farther to the right on the page to make them easier to read. The ULT does this with the words quoted in verse 7.

Special Concepts in this Chapter

Language that would be figurative in other contexts

To describe the way he saw Jesus in the opening vision that this chapter relates, John uses much language that would be treated as figurative in other contexts. For example, John says in verse 16 that Jesus had “a sharp, double-edged sword coming out of his mouth,” and yet Jesus was still able to speak. Since Hebrews 4:12 describes the word of God as like a double-edged sword, we might therefore think that this image actually indicates that Jesus speaks the very words of God because he is God himself. But as the General Introduction to Revelation discusses, it would not be appropriate to use literal language like that in your translation to explain the meaning of what John saw. John is describing what he actually saw and heard in his visions, and you should simply translate his descriptions rather than interpreting them.

Seven churches

John wrote this book to seven actual churches in the Roman province of Asia. That province was located in the western part of what is now the country of Turkey. The churches themselves would be found in the southwestern area of Turkey. The list of the churches in verse 11 follows a particular order. The list begins with Ephesus, the most important city at the time, and moves clockwise around the cities, ending with Laodicea, which was the southernmost city. The letters in chapters 2 and 3 follow this same order.

41:1rkh9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsἀποκάλυψις Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, ἣν ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ ὁ Θεὸς1

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of revelation, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “The things that God revealed to Jesus Christ” or “The things that Jesus Christ revealed, which God gave him”

51:1kv41rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possessionἀποκάλυψις Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ1

This phrase could mean: (1) that this book is a revelation that came to Jesus from God. Alternate translation: “The revelation to Jesus Christ” (2) that this book is a revelation that came from Jesus to John, the author of the book. Alternate translation: “The revelation from Jesus Christ”

61:1ik5vrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitτοῖς δούλοις αὐτοῦ1

Here, his servants refers to people who believe in Jesus Christ and accordingly serve him as their Lord. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate that explicitly. Alternative translation: “those who believe in him”

71:1h2dcrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἐσήμανεν1

The word translated signified could mean implicitly (1) that Jesus used signs or symbols to communicate this revelation. Alternate translation: “he showed this by signs” (2) that Jesus made known what must happen soon. Alternate translation: “he made this known”

81:1pb4urc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personτῷ δούλῳ αὐτοῦ, Ἰωάννῃ1

John is speaking about himself in the third person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this in the first person. Alternate translation: “to me, John, his servant”

91:1hz2wrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-namesἸωάννῃ1

The word John is the name of a man. See the General Introduction to Revelation for a discussion of who this man may have been.

101:2tgtsrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-tenseὃς ἐμαρτύρησεν1

Although John uses the past tense and says testified, he means that he is testifying to what he saw by sending this written record of his visions to the believers in the seven churches. You could indicate this in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “who is testifying, by sending you this written record of his visions,”

111:2koyprc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletτὸν λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ τὴν μαρτυρίαν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ1

These two phrases mean similar things. John is using them together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “to what God told Jesus Christ to disclose”

121:2va4crc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτὸν λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ1

Here, John uses word figuratively to refer to the message that God spoke by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “to the message that God spoke”

131:2wb7zrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsτὴν μαρτυρίαν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ1

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of testimony, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “to the things about which Jesus Christ testified”

141:3lyx7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitὁ ἀναγινώσκων1

In this context, the word reading implicitly means “reading aloud.” In John's culture, a message to a church, such as the one he is sending to the seven churches in this book, would have been read aloud to the assembled believers. You can indicate this in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. (Revelation is not simply declaring a blessing upon any believer today who would read the book out loud in private.) Alternate translation: “the one reading aloud” or “the one reading for others to hear”

151:3le65rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnounὁ ἀναγινώσκων1

Here, the one reading does not refer to a specific person. It refers to anyone who reads the words of the prophecy aloud. Express this in the way that would be most natural in your language. Alternate translation: “anyone who reads aloud”

161:3dod2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomτηροῦντες1

See the discussion of the term “keep” in the General Introduction to Revelation. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning of this expression plainly here and elsewhere throughout the book. Alternate translation: “obeying”

171:3h37brc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτὰ ἐν αὐτῇ γεγραμμένα1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could state this in active form. Alternate translation: “the things that I have written in it”

181:3dwt8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitὁ γὰρ καιρὸς1

Here, the time refers specifically to the appointed time when God will make the prophecies in this book come true. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “for the time for the fulfillment of what is written in this book”

191:4vw1trc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personἸωάννης1

In this culture, letter writers would give their own names first, and they would refer to themselves in the third person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use the first person. If your language has a particular way of introducing the author of a letter, you could also use that. Alternate translation: “From John” or (with no comma following) “I, John, am writing this letter”

201:4apl8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personταῖς ἑπτὰ ἐκκλησίαις ταῖς ἐν τῇ Ἀσίᾳ1

In this culture, after giving their own names, letter writers would then say to whom they were writing, naming those people in the third person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use the second person. Alternate translation: “to you who are members of the seven churches in Asia”

211:4y9yhrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-blessingχάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη, ἀπὸ ὁ ὢν, καὶ ὁ ἦν, καὶ ὁ ἐρχόμενος, καὶ ἀπὸ τῶν ἑπτὰ πνευμάτων, ἃ ἐνώπιον τοῦ θρόνου αὐτοῦ1

In this culture, letter writers would offer a good wish for the recipient before introducing the main business of the letter. Use a form in your language that makes it clear that this is a greeting and blessing. Alternate translation: “May the one who is and who was and who is coming and the seven spirits who are before his throne give you grace and peace”

221:4lsunrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsχάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη, ἀπὸ ὁ ὢν, καὶ ὁ ἦν, καὶ ὁ ἐρχόμενος, καὶ ἀπὸ τῶν ἑπτὰ πνευμάτων, ἃ ἐνώπιον τοῦ θρόνου αὐτοῦ1

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the ideas of grace and peace, you could express the same ideas in another way. Alternate translation: “May the one who is and who was and who is coming and the seven spirits who are before his throne treat you kindly and make you peaceful”

231:4cwtmrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingularὑμῖν1

The word you is plural here because it refers to all of the believers to whom John is writing. So use the plural form here in your translation if your language marks that distinction, and use the singular or plural form in the rest of the book as the context indicates. (As the General Introduction to Revelation explains, these notes will generally only identify forms as singular or plural if that might not be clear from the context.)

241:4unulrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitὁ ὢν, καὶ ὁ ἦν, καὶ ὁ ἐρχόμενος1

These three phrases do not describe three different people. They all refer to God. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this explicitly. Alternate translation: “God, who is and who was and who is coming”

251:4x38prc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-symlanguageτῶν ἑπτὰ πνευμάτων1

Here, the seven spirits could refer to: (1) the Spirit of God, that is, the Holy Spirit. The Bible can use the number seven as a symbol for completeness and perfection, for example, it describes the Holy Spirit with seven attributes in Isaiah 11:2. If this phrase refers to the Holy Spirit, then John is giving a Trinitarian benediction by mentioning God the Father and the Holy Spirit in this verse and Jesus Christ in the next verse. Alternate translation: “the Holy Spirit” (2) seven individual spirits who serve God. Alternate translation: “the seven spirit beings” or “the seven angelic spirits”

261:4emw0rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἃ ἐνώπιον τοῦ θρόνου αὐτοῦ1

If these are individual spirits, is not entirely clear who they are, but they would be seven individual spiritual beings who had important responsibilities serving God. John indicates this by association by noting that they are before his throne, that is, in God's presence and ready to serve him whenever needed. Some interpreters believe that they may be the “seven angels” whom John describes in 8:2. Alternate translation: “who are always ready to serve him in important ways”

271:5w24xrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitκαὶ ἀπὸ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ1

The first half of this verse continues the sentence from the previous verse. It may be helpful to indicate this by repeating some of the information from the previous verse. It may also be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “And may grace and peace also be to you from Jesus Christ”

281:5gz2nrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotemarksὁ μάρτυς ὁ πιστός, ὁ πρωτότοκος τῶν νεκρῶν, καὶ ὁ ἄρχων τῶν βασιλέων τῆς γῆς1

In this verse, John is alluding several times to Psalm 89. In that psalm, God speaks of King David as his “firstborn” and says that he will make him “the most exalted of the kings of the earth.” God also says that he will establish Davids throne forever like the moon, “the faithful witness” in the sky. Psalm 89 as a whole is a meditation on the promises that God gave to David in 2 Samuel 7. So all of these allusions indicate that Jesus Christ is the one who fulfills Gods promises to David. You may want to explain this in a footnote. You may also want to mark the phrases that are Old Testament allusions by putting them in quotation marks, as the ULT does.

291:5l3h8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorὁ πρωτότοκος τῶν νεκρῶν1

John is speaking as if Jesus was literally “born” when he became alive again after he died. Since Jesus was the first person to do this, John says that he is the firstborn. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the first person to become alive again after dying”

301:5j1xprc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjτῶν νεκρῶν1

John is using the adjective dead as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “from among people who have died”

311:5ttqnrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-versebridge1

A new sentence begins here that continues through the rest of the next verse. This sentence praises Jesus. To make this clear for your readers, you could create a verse bridge for verses 56 and begin with Johns wish that would Jesus receive glory and power. A verse bridge might say something like this: “May the glory and the power forever be to Jesus because he is the one who loves us and who has released us from our sins by his blood and who has made us a kingdom, priests for his God and Father. Amen.”

321:5tqfsrc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronounsτῷ ἀγαπῶντι ἡμᾶς1

Here, the one refers to Jesus Christ. If this is not clear to your readers, you can say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “To Jesus Christ, who loves us”

331:5rvmrrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusiveἡμᾶς & ἡμᾶς & ἡμῶν1

By us and our, John means both himself and his readers. So use the inclusive form of those words in your translation if your language marks that distinction.

341:5u6v7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorλύσαντι ἡμᾶς ἐκ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ἡμῶν1

John is speaking of sins as if they were something that had held him and his readers captive and from which they needed to be released. He means that Jesus obtained forgiveness from God for peoples sins. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the one having obtained forgiveness for us for our sins”

351:5q64frc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἐν τῷ αἵματι αὐτοῦ1

John is using the word blood to refer by association to the sacrificial death of Jesus, since Jesus shed his blood when he died for our sins. Alternate translation: “by his sacrificial death”

361:6tkqkrc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronounsἐποίησεν & αὐτοῦ & αὐτῷ1

The pronouns he, his, and him all refer to Jesus. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “Jesus has made … his … to Jesus”

371:6nhfbrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorβασιλείαν, ἱερεῖς τῷ Θεῷ καὶ Πατρί αὐτοῦ1

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of a kingdom, you could express the same idea in another way. The phrase a kingdom, priests to God is an allusion to Exodus 19:6, where God tells the Israelites, “You will be to me a kingdom of priests.” This means that the Israelites will have the God as their king and that they will lead the other people of the world to worship God. Alternate translation: “people who obey God, the Father of Jesus Christ, as their king and who lead others to worship him”

381:6ne7xrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadysτῷ Θεῷ καὶ Πατρί αὐτοῦ1

This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with and. The phrase his Father tells who God is. If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this meaning with an equivalent phrase that does not use “and.” Alternate translation: “to God, who is his Father”

391:6i3jgrc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesΠατρί1

Father is an important title that describes the relationship between God and Jesus. Be sure to retain this title in your translation.

401:6nesyrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsαὐτῷ ἡ δόξα καὶ τὸ κράτος1

If your language does not use abstract nouns for glory or power, you could express these ideas in other ways. Alternate translation: “may all of creation acknowledge how glorious and powerful he is”

411:6mh4crc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomεἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας1

This expression refers to endless future time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “forever”

421:6r456rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-transliterateἀμήν1

See the discussion in the General Introduction to Revelation about how to represent the word Amen in your translation here and in its other occurrences throughout the book.

431:7ldv8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotemarksἰδοὺ, ἔρχεται μετὰ τῶν νεφελῶν, καὶ ὄψεται αὐτὸν πᾶς ὀφθαλμὸς, καὶ οἵτινες αὐτὸν ἐξεκέντησαν, καὶ κόψονται ἐπ’ αὐτὸν πᾶσαι αἱ φυλαὶ τῆς γῆς1

Behold, he is coming with the clouds is a quotation from Daniel 7:13. The phrases every eye will see him, even those who pierced him and will mourn because of him are quotations from Zechariah 12:10. It may be helpful to your readers to indicate this by setting off these Old Testament quotations with quotation marks, as the ULT does, or with whatever other punctuation or convention your language uses to indicate a quotation.

441:7mx1crc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἰδοὺ1

As the General Introduction to Revelation discusses, here John is using the term Behold to focus his listeners attention on what he is about to say. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation, in this instance and throughout the book. Alternate translation: “Listen carefully!”

451:7bbqjrc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronounsἔρχεται μετὰ τῶν νεφελῶν1

The pronoun he here refers to Jesus Christ. If this is unclear to your readers, you could express the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “Jesus is coming with the clouds”

461:7k0qorc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἔρχεται μετὰ τῶν νεφελῶν1

John is referring to Jesus returning from heaven through the sky by association with the clouds that are in the sky. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “he will return visibly in the sky”

471:7hb4irc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdocheὄψεται αὐτὸν πᾶς ὀφθαλμὸς1

John is using one part of a person, the eye, to mean all of a person in the act of seeing. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “every person will see him”

481:7ndf6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdocheοἵτινες αὐτὸν ἐξεκέντησαν1

John is using one thing that people did to Jesus when they killed him, they pierced him, to mean all that they did when they killed him. (Jesus hands and feet were pierced with nails when he was hung on the cross, and later a soldier pierced his side with a spear to see whether he was dead.) If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “those who killed him”

491:7s0rdrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletναί! ἀμήν!1

The terms Yes and Amen mean similar things. John is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “It will certainly be so!”

501:8c96prc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotationsἐγώ εἰμι τὸ Ἄλφα καὶ τὸ Ὦ, λέγει Κύριος, ὁ Θεός, ὁ ὢν, καὶ ὁ ἦν, καὶ ὁ ἐρχόμενος, ὁ Παντοκράτωρ1

Here, says the Lord God indicates that the clauses that come before and after this phrase are quotations. If it would be helpful in your language, you could move this phrase to the beginning or end of the verse. Alternate translation: “The Lord God says, I am the alpha and the omega, the one being and the one having been and the one coming, the Ruler of All

511:8t0garc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariantsτὸ Ἄλφα καὶ τὸ Ὦ, λέγει Κύριος1

Some versions add the phrase “the Beginning and the End” after this statement. If a translation of the Bible exists in your region, you may wish to use the reading that it uses. If a translation of the Bible does not exist in your region, you may wish to follow the reading of the ULT and not include the extra phrase.

521:8ufixrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorτὸ Ἄλφα καὶ τὸ Ὦ1

The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet are alpha and omega. When God says that he is these letters, he means that he is the one who was at the beginning of all things and who will be at the end of all things. If you wish to retain this image in your translation, you could use the first and last letters of your own alphabet. Alternatively, you could use plain language. See the next two notes for further possibilities. Alternate translation: “the A and the Z” or “the one who was at the beginning of all things and who will be at the end of all things”

531:8eghqrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitτὸ Ἄλφα καὶ τὸ Ὦ1

The implication of God having been at the beginning of all things may be that God created all things, and the implication of that fact that God will be at the end of all things may be that God will bring all things to their appropriate end. In other words, God may be asserting his identity as the creator of the world and the ultimate judge of the world. Alternate translation: “the creator and the ultimate judge of the world”

541:8bmbtrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merismτὸ Ἄλφα καὶ τὸ Ὦ1

God may also be using the first and last letters of the alphabet to represent two extremes of time, the beginning and end of time, in order to mean those extremes and all of the time in between. In that case, this expression would be equivalent to what God says in the rest of the quotation in this verse. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “the one who has always existed”

551:8in5erc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitὁ ὢν, καὶ ὁ ἦν, καὶ ὁ ἐρχόμενος1

See how you translated this phrase in 1:4.

561:9y5gyrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorὁ ἀδελφὸς1

John is using the term brother to indicate that he has the same faith as the people to whom he is writing. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “fellow believer”

571:9ikekrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsσυνκοινωνὸς ἐν τῇ θλίψει, καὶ βασιλείᾳ, καὶ ὑπομονῇ, ἐν Ἰησοῦ1

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of suffering, kingdom, and endurance, you could express these ideas in another way. Alternate translation: “someone who is patiently enduring while suffering just as you are because we are loyal to Jesus as our king”

581:9ow4tἐν Ἰησοῦ1

Alternate translation: “that people who follow Jesus experience”

591:9rjydrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτῇ νήσῳ τῇ καλουμένῃ Πάτμῳ1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the island that people call Patmos”

601:9c1a9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτὸν λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ1

John is using the term word to mean the message from God that he had shared by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the message from God”

611:9sim8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possessionτὴν μαρτυρίαν Ἰησοῦ1

In this possessive form, Jesus is the object rather than the subject of testimony. This does not mean testimony that Jesus himself gave; it means testimony that John gave about Jesus. Alternate translation: “the testimony that I proclaimed about Jesus”

621:10s2swrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἐγενόμην ἐν Πνεύματι1

Here, in the Spirit could mean: (1) Gods Spirit, the Holy Spirit, influenced John so that he could receive divine revelation. Alternate translation: “The Holy Spirit influenced me” (2) God caused Johns spirit to be in a state in which he could perceive revelation. Alternate translation: “God influenced my spirit”

631:10lnj2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἐν τῇ Κυριακῇ ἡμέρᾳ1

Here, the Lords day means the first day of the week, which was the day on which believers gathered to worship because that was the day on which Jesus rose from the dead. In your translation, you could use the term in your language for the first day of the week. Alternate translation: “one Sunday”

641:10fa68rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileφωνὴν μεγάλην ὡς σάλπιγγος1

The point of this comparison is not that the sound of the voice was like the sound of a trumpet but that the voice was loud like a trumpet. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “a voice as loud as a trumpet”

651:10ggphrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyφωνὴν μεγάλην1

John is referring to someone speaking by association with the voice that the person is using to speak. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “someone speaking loudly”

661:11y4abrc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotationsλεγούσης1

The word saying introduces a quotation. What follows is what the voice that John described in the previous verse said. Consider natural ways of introducing direct quotations in your language. It may be helpful to start a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “That voice said”

671:11kq6xrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-namesἜφεσον & Σμύρναν & Πέργαμον & Θυάτειρα & Σάρδεις & Φιλαδέλφιαν & Λαοδίκιαν1

The words Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea are the names of cities. See the General Notes to this chapter for more information.

681:12r89lrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτὴν φωνὴν ἥτις1

John is referring to someone speaking by association with the voice that the person is using to speak. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “what person”

691:13xmx7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileὅμοιον Υἱὸν Ἀνθρώπου1

The expression like a son of man is an allusion to Daniel 7:13. It means “like a human being.” The point of this comparison is that the figure whom John saw looked like a human. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “a figure who was human in form”

701:13wd1lrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveκαὶ περιεζωσμένον πρὸς τοῖς μαστοῖς ζώνην χρυσᾶν1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “He had wrapped a golden sash around his chest”

711:13y6qkrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownζώνην χρυσᾶν1

A sash was a strip of cloth that someone would wrap around the chest to keep a robe closed. Your language may have a term of its own for such an article that you can use in your translation, or you could use plain language. Alternate translation: “a wide strip of golden cloth”

721:14hqz1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadysἡ & κεφαλὴ αὐτοῦ καὶ αἱ τρίχες1

John is not saying that both the head (that is, the skin of the head) and the hair of this person were while. Rather, this phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with and. The word head tells where this hair was. If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this meaning with an equivalent phrase that does not use “and.” Alternate translation: “his hair”

731:14j9w4rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownλευκαὶ, ὡς ἔριον λευκόν ὡς χιών1

If your readers would not be familiar with snow or wool, in your translation you could use the names of things they would be familiar with, or you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “were white as cotton, white as egret feathers” or “were brilliantly white”

741:14mg7rrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletλευκαὶ, ὡς ἔριον λευκόν ὡς χιών1

The phrases white as wool and white as snow indicate the same thing. John is using the two phrases together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “as white as the whitest things on earth”

751:14k7h3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileοἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτοῦ ὡς φλὸξ πυρός1

The point of this comparison is that the eyes of this person were very bright, like a flame. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “his eyes were as bright as a flame of fire”

761:14vp4trc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfoφλὸξ πυρός1

It might seem that the expression a flame of fire contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you can shorten it. Alternate translation: “a flame”

771:15u551rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileοἱ πόδες αὐτοῦ ὅμοιοι χαλκολιβάνῳ ὡς ἐν καμίνῳ πεπυρωμένης1

The point of this comparison is that the feet of this person were shining brightly, as refined bronze does. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “his feet were shining brightly, as bronze does when it has been refined in a furnace”

781:15oc66rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveχαλκολιβάνῳ ὡς ἐν καμίνῳ πεπυρωμένης1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “bronze that someone had refined in a furnace”

791:15izg6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileἡ φωνὴ αὐτοῦ ὡς φωνὴ ὑδάτων πολλῶν1

The point of this comparison is that the voice of this person was very loud, like the sound of many waters. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “his voice was very loud, like the sound of many waters”

801:15pi5nrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomὑδάτων πολλῶν1

By many waters, John could mean a loud waterfall or raging floodwaters. Alternate translation: “of a waterfall” or “of raging floodwaters”

811:16qu9hrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitκαὶ ἔχων1

If it would be helpful to your readers, you could start a new sentence here and indicate the subject of having explicitly. Alternate translation: “This one who was like a son of man had”

821:16pp58rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-symlanguageἐκ τοῦ στόματος αὐτοῦ & ἐκπορευομένη1

Be sure it is clear in your translation that this means that the blade of the sword was protruding from his mouth. The sword itself was not in motion. Alternate translation: “protruding from his mouth”

831:16c0w0rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisἡ ὄψις αὐτοῦ ὡς ὁ ἥλιος φαίνει 1

John is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “his face was shining as the sun shines”

841:16cb26rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileἡ ὄψις αὐτοῦ ὡς ὁ ἥλιος φαίνει1

The point of this comparison is that the face of this person was shining as brightly as the sun shines. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “his face was shining as brightly as the sun shines”

851:16oyitrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἐν τῇ δυνάμει αὐτοῦ1

This expression refers to the greatest brightness of the sun, which occurs at noon, when the sun is highest in the sky. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “at its greatest brightness” or “when it is highest in the sky”

861:17we5brc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomπρὸς τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ1

This expression means that John fell to the ground in front of this person. It does not mean that he landed right on his feet. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “onto the ground in front of him”

871:17u7gnrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileὡς νεκρός1

The point of this comparison is that just as a dead man is lifeless, John was so overcome by fear that he did not even have the energy to keep standing up. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “because I was so overcome by fear that I lost all my energy and became like a lifeless dead man”

881:17jw5rrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symactionἔθηκεν τὴν δεξιὰν αὐτοῦ ἐπ’ ἐμὲ1

Jesus placed his right hand on John as a symbolic action to express comfort and assurance to him because he needed encouragement in this moment of fear. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: “he placed his right hand encouragingly on me”

891:17axrgrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegativesμὴ φοβοῦ1

If it would be clearer in your language, you could use a positive expression to translate this double negative that consists of the negative particle not and the negative verb be afraid. Alternate translation: “Take courage”

901:17uc3drc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merismὁ πρῶτος καὶ ὁ ἔσχατος1

This expression has the same meaning as “the alpha and the omega” in 1:8. See how you translated that expression there. Alternate translation: “the one who was at the beginning of all things and who will be at the end of all things” or “the one who created everything and who will bring all things to an end” or “the one who has always existed”

911:18zm05rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismκαὶ ὁ ζῶν1

If you translated “I am the first and the last” in the previous verse as “I am the one who has always existed,” then the phrase “and the one living” means basically the same thing. Jesus would be using repetition for emphasis. In your translation, you could connect these phrases with a word other than and in order to show that the second phrase is repeating the first one, not saying something additional. Alternate translation, following a comma at the end of the previous verse: “yes, I have always been alive”

921:18vsfrrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomεἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων1

See how you translated the similar expression in 1:6. Alternate translation: “forever”

931:18a4e2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἔχω τὰς κλεῖς τοῦ θανάτου καὶ τοῦ ᾍδου1

Jesus is speaking as if he possesses literal keys to death and Hades. He means that he has authority over the realm of the dead. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I have authority over death and Hades”

941:18ilmyrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletἔχω τὰς κλεῖς τοῦ θανάτου καὶ τοῦ ᾍδου1

In this context, the terms death and Hades mean the same thing. They both refer to the abode of the dead. Jesus is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “I have complete authority over the realm of the dead”

951:18pgqlrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἔχω τὰς κλεῖς τοῦ θανάτου καὶ τοῦ ᾍδου1

The implication is that Jesus is able to give life to those who have died and let them out of Hades. You can indicate this in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “I am able to give life to people who have died and let them out of Hades”

961:18acrxrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-transliterateτοῦ θανάτου καὶ τοῦ ᾍδου1

The word Hades is the Greek name for the abode of the dead. In your translation, you could spell this word the way it sounds in your language and then explain its meaning. Alternatively, you could use a word for the abode of the dead in your language. Alternate translation: “of Hades, the abode of the dead”

971:19eupcrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merismἃ εἶδες, καὶ ἃ εἰσὶν, καὶ ἃ μέλλει γενέσθαι μετὰ ταῦτα1

See the discussion of this phrase in the General Introduction to Revelation. Jesus may be referring to the vision John is presently having of him, the letters he will tell John to write, and the visions John will later see. If that is the case, then Jesus is describing everything he wants John to write by naming its major components. Translate this phrase in such a way that this potential meaning would be clear.

981:20tticrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisτὸ μυστήριον1

Jesus is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be helpful in your language. Alternate translation: “I will explain the mystery”

991:20eek9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἄγγελοι τῶν ἑπτὰ ἐκκλησιῶν1

In chapters 2 and 3, Jesus will dictate a letter to each of the angels of the seven churches as if those angels were the churches themselves. So in this vision in chapter 1, these angels, symbolized by the stars in Jesus right hand, seem to personify the churches. That is, the angels represent the churches as if the churches were people. These angels could be: (1) actual angels, that is, spiritual beings. Alternate translation: “angels who represent the seven churches” (2) leaders of the churches, whom Jesus is describing as angels. Alternate translation: “leaders of the seven churches” (3) messengers bringing news of the churches to John and carrying Johns letters back to the churches. Alternate translation: “messengers of the seven churches”

1002:introzps20

Revelation 2 General Notes

Structure and Formatting

  • The Letter to Ephesus (2:1-7)

  • The Letter to Smyrna (2:8-11)

  • The Letter to Pergamum (2:12-17)

  • The Letter to Thyatira (2:18-29)

You may wish to set each letter apart so that your readers can easily see that these are separate letters. You could, for example, put a blank line between these letters in your translation.

Some translations set quotations from the Old Testament farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text. The ULT does this with the words in verse 27.

Special concepts in this chapter

“the angel of the church”

Jesus addresses each of his letters to the “angel” of the church he is writing to. As a note to 1:20 discusses, the word “angel” could have a literal sense, or it could mean “leader” or “messenger.” You should translate “angel” in the introduction to these letters in the same way you decided to translate it in 1:20.

Balaam, Balak, and Jezebel

In two of the letters in this chapter, Jesus refers to people whose stories are told in the Old Testament. In the letter to Pergamum, in 2:14, he refers to Balaam and Balak, and in the letter to Thyatira, in 2:20, he refers to Jezebel. These were all people who tried to harm the Israelites by cursing them or by making them want to stop obeying God. Notes to these verses suggest ways of indicating that Jesus is referring to people whose stories are told in the Bible.

Nicolaitans

In the letter to Ephesus, in 2:6, and in the letter to Pergamum, in 2:15, Jesus refers to the “Nicolaitans.” This name describes people who followed the teachings or practices of a man named Nicolaus. It is no longer known who he was or what he taught. It is possible that he encouraged believers in Jesus, based on a misunderstanding of what it meant to be spiritual or to have Christian freedom, to take part in feasts at the temples of idols and in the immorality that happened during these feasts. In 2:1415, Jesus seems to associate the teaching of Nicolaus with the teaching of Balaam, who got the Israelites “to eat food sacrificed to idols and to be sexually immoral.” The Hebrew name Balaam has the same meaning as the Greek name Nicolas, “one who conquers the people,” so when Jesus says in 2:14 that some in Pergamum follow the teaching of Nicolaus “in the same way” that they follow the teaching of Balaam, he may be saying that the contemporary teaching of Nicolaus is the same as the ancient teaching of Balaam. However, none of this is certain, so it would be best in your translation simply to refer to “the works of the Nicolaitans” in 2:6 and to “the teaching of the Nicolaitans” in 2:15 without trying to explain those things any further.

Translation issues in this chapter

Levels of quotation

The opening of each of the letters to the seven churches is a quotation within a quotation, and the main body of each letter is a quotation within a quotation within a quotation. If your language would not put one direct quotation inside another, you can translate the opening of each letter so that its main body is a simple direct quotation. You could end the quotation that begins at 1:17 at the end of 1:20, and you could then have John resume his narrative of his encounter with Jesus at the beginning of each letter. For example, for the first letter, to Ephesus, you could translate 2:1 this way: “Jesus then told me to write to the angel of the church in Ephesus that the one holding the seven stars in his right hand, the one walking in the midst of the seven golden lampstands, said the following things.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes]])

The use of the second-person singular in letters to groups

Since each of the letters to the seven churches is addressed to an individual “angel,” the words “you” and “your” are singular and the verb forms are second-person singular. However, since the angel represents the church—Jesus is addressing the angel as if the angel were the church—“you” and “your” and the singular verbs are plural in their implied references to the believers in the churches. If singular forms would not be natural in your language in such a context, you could use plural forms in your translation. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular]])

In several places, Jesus switches to the second-person plural to speak more directly to the believers themselves. Notes indicate where this happens and suggest using the second-person plural in your translation if that would be natural in your language.

“The one … says these things”

Jesus begins each of the letters to the seven churches by identifying himself with some of the symbols from the vision that John relates in chapter 1. As he does this, he speaks of himself in the third person. If this would not be natural in your language, you could use the first person in your translation. For example, you could say in2:1, “I, Jesus, the one holding the seven stars in my right hand and walking in the midst of the seven golden lampstands, say these things.”

“I know”

At the beginning of each of the letters to the seven churches, Jesus uses the phrase “I know” to express his personal familiarity with what is happening in the churches. This phrase communicates an assurance that Jesus understands the current religious, social, and moral circumstances in which the Christians are living. While the phrase is usually positive, sometimes it expresses a critical assessment. Thus the phrase indicates more than just a knowledge of circumstances on the part of Jesus. It also implicitly asserts a claim to be in a position to make an authoritative judgment, critical if necessary, about how the believers are responding to these circumstances. To show this, you might consider translating “I know” at the start of each letter as “I am well aware of” or with some similar phrase. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

“I have against you”

In several of the letters, Jesus tells the believers in a given church, “I have” something “against you.” This phrase makes a negative, critical statement, even though it is typically found among other, positive statements. It means “there is something about you of which I disapprove.” You could translate this expression with a phrase such as “I disapprove of you because” or “I have a criticism to make of you, that.”

“you have this”

Conversely, in several of the letters Jesus makes a positive statement by telling the believers “you have this” and then naming something about them of which he approves. You could translate this expression with a phrase such as “this is to your credit” or “here is a good thing that you are doing.”

“Let the one who has an ear hear”

Toward the end of each letter, Jesus says, “Let the one having an ear hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches.” Jesus says this to emphasize that what he has just said is important and that it may take some effort to understand and put into practice. This expression presents four translation issues that could be addressed in various ways.

  • The expression uses a third-person imperative. If your language does not use that form, you could express the meaning in another way that is natural in your language. For example, you could say, “May the one having an ear hear” or “The one who has an ear should hear.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-imperative3p]])

  • The expression might seem to be speaking of a specific person, but it really means any person who fits its description. In your translation, express this in the way that would be most natural in your language. For example, you might say, “Anyone who has an ear should hear” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun]])

  • Through this expression, Jesus is addressing his audience in the third person, even though he is speaking directly to them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate the expression in the second person. You could say, for example, “If you have an ear, then hear” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

  • The phrase “having an ear” represents the willingness to understand and obey, by association with the part of the body by which people would have received the spoken teaching of Jesus. In your translation, you might say something such as, “Anyone who is willing should understand and obey” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

“to the one conquering”

At the end of each letter, Jesus makes a promise “to the one conquering.” This expression describes someone who wins a victory, such as on the battlefield or in a sports contest. In the context of the book of Revelation, it refers to a person who refuses to worship idols even at the risk of persecution and death. The expression is therefore paradoxical: The person is said to conquer or win a victory, even though it appears that his enemies have defeated him, since they have put him in prison or even killed him. In your translation, you may wish to express the meaning plainly by saying something such as “to the one who refuses to worship idols even at the risk of persecution and death.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

The expression “to the one conquering” might seem to be speaking of a specific person, but it really means any person who fits its description. In your translation, express this in the way that would be most natural in your language. For example, you might say “to anyone who conquers” or “to anyone who refuses to worship idols even at the risk of persecution and death.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun]])

1012:1g0bmrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotesτῷ ἀγγέλῳ τῆς ἐν Ἐφέσῳ ἐκκλησίας γράψον: τάδε λέγει ὁ κρατῶν τοὺς ἑπτὰ ἀστέρας ἐν τῇ δεξιᾷ αὐτοῦ, ὁ περιπατῶν ἐν μέσῳ τῶν ἑπτὰ λυχνιῶν τῶν χρυσῶν1

See the General Notes to this chapter for a discussion of how you could translate this verse so that there is not a quotation within a quotation and so that the letter that follows in verses 27 is not a quotation within a quotation within a quotation.

1022:1kq5rrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitτῷ ἀγγέλῳ τῆς ἐν Ἐφέσῳ1

As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, here and in verses 8, 12, and 18 you should translate the term angel the way you did in 1:20. Alternate translation: “To the angel who represents the church in Ephesus” or “To the leader of the church in Ephesus” or “To the messenger of the church in Ephesus”

1032:1q1ckrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitτάδε λέγει ὁ κρατῶν τοὺς ἑπτὰ ἀστέρας ἐν τῇ δεξιᾷ αὐτοῦ1

As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, Jesus is identifying himself by referring to symbols from the vision that John describes in chapter 1. As Jesus does this, he speaks of himself in the third person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this in the first person. Alternate translation: “I, Jesus, the one holding the seven stars in my right hand … say these things”

1042:2mm3qrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitοἶδα1

See the discussion of the phrase I know in the General Notes to this chapter. Alternate translation: “I am well aware of”

1052:2l6mvrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingularσου & σου & οὐ δύνῃ & ἐπείρασας & εὗρες1

See the discussion in the General Notes to this chapter of how Jesus is using the second-person singular to address the “angel” of this church. Throughout this letter and the other letters in chapters 2 and 3, it may be more natural in your language to use the plural form of second-person pronouns and verbs, since Jesus is actually addressing all of the believers in the churches.

1062:2sxbfrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjκακούς1

Jesus is using the adjective evil as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. The word is plural, and the ULT adds the word ones to show this. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this adjective with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “evil people”

1072:3muq8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyδιὰ τὸ ὄνομά μου1

Here, name represents a person by association with the way that each person has a name. Alternate translation: “because of me”

1082:3mg3zrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegativesοὐ κεκοπίακες1

If it would be clearer in your language, you could use a positive expression to translate this double negative that consists of the negative particle not and the negative verb grown weary. Alternate translation: “have remained strong”

1092:3j46drc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyοὐ κεκοπίακες1

Jesus is referring to giving up by association with the way that people who have grown weary often give up what they have been doing. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “have not given up” or “have not abandoned your faith in me”

1102:4j7gzrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἔχω κατὰ σοῦ, ὅτι1

See the discussion of the expression I have against you in the General Notes to this chapter to decide how to translate the expression here and in its other occurrences in these letters. Alternate translation: “I disapprove of you because” or “I have a criticism to make of you, that”

1112:5sfw2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorπόθεν πέπτωκας1

Jesus is speaking as if the believers in Ephesus have literally fallen from a height. He means that they are no longer devoted to him in the way they originally were. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “how much you once loved me”

1122:5cd8vrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomτὰ πρῶτα ἔργα ποίησον1

Here the word first indicates earliest in time rather than chief in importance. Alternate translation: “demonstrate your devotion to me in the way you did originally”

1132:5j8p5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorκινήσω τὴν λυχνίαν σου ἐκ τοῦ τόπου αὐτῆς1

Jesus is not speaking of a literal lampstand here; when he says that he will remove this lampstand, he means that the assembly of believers in Ephesus will no longer exist. However, since Jesus refers to the lampstands in Johns vision at the opening of this letter, it would be good to show the connection between the reference there and the reference here. In your translation, you might translate the term lampstand directly here but then explain its meaning. Alternate translation: “I will remove your lampstand from its place, yes, you will no longer be a church”

1142:6g8gnrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorτοῦτο ἔχεις, ὅτι μισεῖς1

See the discussion of the expression you have this in the General Notes to this chapter to decide how to translate the expression here and in its other occurrences in these letters. Alternate translation: “this is to your credit, that you hate” or “here is a good thing that you are doing: you hate”

1152:6cvi5rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-namesτῶν Νικολαϊτῶν1

The word Nicolaitans is the name for people who followed the teachings and practices of a man named Nicolaus. See the General Notes to this chapter for a discussion of the Nicolaitans.

1162:7tidgrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personὁ ἔχων οὖς, ἀκουσάτω1

See the discussion in the General Notes to this chapter of how to translate this third-person imperative, found here and towards the end of each of the letters, if your language does not use that form. Alternate translation: “May the one having an ear hear” or “The one who has an ear should hear”

1172:7ruh0rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnounὁ ἔχων οὖς, ἀκουσάτω1

See the discussion in the General Notes to this chapter of how to translate this expression that might seem to be speaking of a specific person but which really refers to any person who fits its description. Alternate translation: “Anyone who has an ear should hear”

1182:7a91trc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personὁ ἔχων οὖς, ἀκουσάτω1

Through this expression, Jesus is addressing his audience in the third person, even though he is speaking directly to them. As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, if it would be helpful in your language, you could translate the expression in the second person, here and in its other occurrences in chapters 2 and 3. Alternate translation: “If you have an ear, then hear”

1192:7s3qgrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyὁ ἔχων οὖς, ἀκουσάτω1

As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, the phrase “having an ear” represents the willingness to understand and obey, by association with the part of the body by which people would have received the spoken teaching of Jesus. Alternate translation: “Anyone who is willing should understand and obey”

1202:7wzg1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorτῷ νικῶντι1

As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, Jesus is speaking as if the person to whom he is making this promise will win a victory. He is actually referring to a person who refuses to worship idols even at the risk of persecution and death. In your translation, you may wish to express this meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “To the one who refuses to worship idols even at the risk of persecution and death”

1212:7t84wrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnounτῷ νικῶντι1

As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, while the expression “to the one conquering” might seem to be speaking of a specific person, it really means any person who fits its description. Alternate translation: “to anyone who conquers” or “to anyone who refuses to worship idols even at the risk of persecution and death”

1222:7ng2drc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possessionτοῦ ξύλου τῆς ζωῆς1

Jesus is using this possessive form to identify this tree not as having life but as giving life. In other words, Jesus means not a living tree but a life-giving tree. Alternate translation: “the life-giving tree”

1232:7rmf5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitτοῦ ξύλου τῆς ζωῆς1

This is a reference to the description in Genesis 2:9 of the tree of life that was in the Garden of Eden. The fruit of that tree enabled anyone who ate it to live forever. So Jesus is saying by implication that he will give everlasting life to anyone who remains faithful to him. However, since the tree of life appears in the closing vision of the book, in 22:2, it would be good to retain the image here rather than simply express its meaning in plain language. So you might translate the phrase tree of life directly but then explain its meaning. Alternate translation: “I will grant to him to eat from the tree of life that is in the paradise of God, yes, I will grant him everlasting life”

1242:8is3wrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotesκαὶ τῷ ἀγγέλῳ τῆς ἐν Σμύρνῃ ἐκκλησίας γράψον: τάδε λέγει ὁ πρῶτος καὶ ὁ ἔσχατος, ὃς ἐγένετο νεκρὸς καὶ ἔζησεν1

If you translated the letter to Ephesus in verses 17 so that its main body was a simple direct quotation, you can continue to do that with each of the letters. Alternate translation: “Then Jesus told me to write to the angel of the church in Smyrna that the first and the last, who became dead but lived, said these things”

1252:8huo8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personτάδε λέγει ὁ πρῶτος καὶ ὁ ἔσχατος, ὃς ἐγένετο νεκρὸς καὶ ἔζησεν1

If you have decided to use the second person to translate these opening statements in which Jesus refers to himself in the third person, you can continue to do that here. Alternate translation: “I, Jesus, the first and the last, who became dead but lived, say these things”

1262:8k7qkrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merismὁ πρῶτος καὶ ὁ ἔσχατος1

See how you translated the phrase The first and the last in 1:17.

1272:9lhukrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorπλούσιος εἶ1

Jesus is speaking as if the believers in Smyrna were literally rich, even though he has just acknowledged their poverty. He means that they are spiritually rich because God will reward them for their faithfulness and suffering. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “God will reward you richly”

1282:9qf9prc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ironyκαὶ οὐκ εἰσίν1

Jesus is speaking as if the people who are slandering the believers in Smyrna are literally not Jews. He means that they are acting as if they were not Jews, since they are persecuting people who sincerely worship the God of Israel. This makes them not Jews in some spiritual sense. Alternate translation: “but who are not acting in the way that Jews should”

1292:9a4yurc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorσυναγωγὴ τοῦ Σατανᾶ1

Jesus is speaking as if the synagogue where these Jews gathered was literally devoted to the worship of Satan instead of the God of Israel. He means that when these Jews gather together and slander genuine believers, they are serving Satans purposes rather than Gods. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that plainly. Alternate translation: “their gatherings really serve Satans purposes rather than Gods”

1302:10agx4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomβάλλειν & ἐξ ὑμῶν εἰς φυλακὴν1

Jesus does not mean that the devil will literally throw some of the believers in Smyrna into prison. That is, the devil will not pick them up and heave them through the air. Alternate translation: “to have some of you put in prison”

1312:10r472rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdocheβάλλειν & ἐξ ὑμῶν εἰς φυλακὴν1

Jesus is speaking of the devil as the person who will do this action, but Jesus is using the devil to represent everyone who will responsible for it. The Jews in Smyrna would actually have the believers put in prison, acting under the devils influence. Alternate translation: “to influence people to put some of you in prison”

1322:10ve3drc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive ἵνα πειρασθῆτε1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “so that he can test you”

1332:10lh11rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-goal ἵνα πειρασθῆτε1

The words so that introduce the purpose for which the devil will throw some of the believers into prison. Use a natural way in your language for introducing a purpose clause. Be sure that it is clear to your readers that this is a purpose that the devil is pursuing. Jesus is not saying that he is going to use the devil to test the believers to see if they will remain faithful. Alternate translation: “to try to get you to abandon your faith”

1342:10tlvzrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingularὑμῶν & πειρασθῆτε & ἕξετε1

The word you is plural in these instances. Jesus is speaking more directly to the believers in Smyrna to warn them about the suffering they are about to experience. If your language marks a distinction between singular and plural forms of “you” and if you have been using the singular forms of “you” and “your” in these letters because they are addressed to individual angels, you may consider using the plural form of “you” here if that would be natural in your language.

1352:10snk8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἡμερῶν δέκα1

As the General Introduction to Revelation discusses, time references such as this one may have symbolic significance. In this case, by allusion to Daniel 1:14, ten days may represent a short or limited amount of time for testing. However, as the Introduction explains, it would be appropriate to translate this as a literal period of time rather than offering an interpretation of the phrase such as “for a short time of testing.”

1362:10zhj8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorτὸν στέφανον τῆς ζωῆς1

Jesus is speaking he will literally give these believers life as a crown to wear. He is using the word crown to mean “reward.” If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “everlasting life as your reward”

1372:11g7zqrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyὁ ἔχων οὖς, ἀκουσάτω & ὁ νικῶν1

See how you translated these phrases in 2:7.

1382:11q6w2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὁ νικῶν οὐ μὴ ἀδικηθῇ ἐκ τοῦ θανάτου τοῦ δευτέρου1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “The second death will certainly not hurt anyone who conquers”

1392:11r457rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegativesοὐ μὴ1

As the General Introduction to Revelation discusses, John frequently uses a double negative for emphasis that the ULT translates with the expression “certainly not,” as in this case. The second negative does not cancel the first to create a positive meaning. If for emphasis your language uses double negatives that do not cancel one another, it would be appropriate to use that construction here and in the other instances of this double negative throughout the book.

1402:11jwlmrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinalτοῦ θανάτου τοῦ δευτέρου1

If your language does not use ordinal numbers, you can use a cardinal number here or an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “death number two” or “the next death”

1412:11ayw1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorοὐ μὴ ἀδικηθῇ ἐκ τοῦ θανάτου τοῦ δευτέρου1

Jesus is speaking as if people who had died would die a second time. By the second death, he means separation from God. That is spiritual death, just as physical death involves the separation of the human soul and spirit from the human body. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “will certainly not experience separation from God after he dies physically”

1422:12f6s5rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-symlanguageτὴν ῥομφαίαν τὴν δίστομον τὴν ὀξεῖαν1

See how you translated this phrase in 1:16.

1432:13ryn6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorὅπου ὁ θρόνος τοῦ Σατανᾶ1

Jesus is speaking as if Satan literally had a throne in the city of Pergamum. He means that Satan has great influence in that city. (This could be a reference to a giant altar to the god Zeus that existed in Pergamum at this time.) Alternate translation: “in a city where Satan has great influence”

1442:13tf7crc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyκρατεῖς τὸ ὄνομά μου1

Here, name represents a person by association with the way that each person has a name. Alternate translation: “you hold on to me”

1452:13fxztrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorκρατεῖς τὸ ὄνομά μου1

Jesus is speaking as if the believers in Pergamum were literally holding on to him. He means that they are continuing to trust him despite the suffering they are experiencing. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “you continue to trust me”

1462:13ppz3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegativesοὐκ ἠρνήσω τὴν πίστιν μου1

If it would be clearer in your language, you could use a positive expression to translate this double negative that consists of the negative particle not and the negative verb deny. Alternate translation: “you continued to believe in me”

1472:13da1qrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possessionτὴν πίστιν μου1

In this possessive form, Jesus is the object rather than the subject of faith. That is, this does not mean faith that Jesus has, it means the faith that these believers have in Jesus. Alternate translation: “your faith in me”

1482:13mlwqrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις Ἀντιπᾶς1

Jesus is using the term days to refer to a specific time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “during the time of Antipas”

1492:13lu4brc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-namesἈντιπᾶς1

The word Antipas is the name of a man.

1502:13phzkrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjὁ πιστός μου1

Jesus is using the adjective faithful as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “who was faithful to me”

1512:13xggerc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὃς ἀπεκτάνθη1

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you could state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “whom your enemies killed”

1522:13biuerc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingularὑμῖν1

The word you is plural in this instance. Jesus is speaking more directly to the believers in Pergamum because of the suffering they all experienced when Antipas was killed. If your language marks a distinction between singular and plural forms of “you” and if you have been using the singular forms of “you” and “your” in these letters, you may consider using the plural form of “you” here if that would be natural in your language.

1532:13v5lvrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorὅπου ὁ Σατανᾶς κατοικεῖ1

Jesus is speaking as if Satan literally lived in Pergamum. He means that Satan has great influence in that city. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “where Satan has such great influence”

1542:14wu6nrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἔχω κατὰ σοῦ ὀλίγα1

See how you translated the similar phrase in 2:4.

1552:14augcrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorκρατοῦντας τὴν διδαχὴν Βαλαάμ1

Jesus is speaking as if the believers in Pergamum were literally holding the teaching of Balaam. He means that they are doing what this teaching instructs them to do. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “people who are obeying the teaching of Balaam”

1562:14rd44rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyκρατοῦντας τὴν διδαχὴν Βαλαάμ1

Jesus is referring to teaching that condones practicing sexual immorality and eating food sacrificed to idols by association with the way that Balaam advised Balak to get the Israelites to do those things. (See the discussion in the General Notes to this chapter.) If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “people who teach the same things that Balaam did”

1572:14j3ncrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-namesΒαλαάμ & τῷ Βαλὰκ1

The words Balaam and Balak are the names of men. Their story is told in Numbers 22:1-24:45. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could identify them further in your translation. Alternate translation: “of the ancient prophet Balaam … Balak, the king of Moab,”

1582:14hg4grc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorβαλεῖν σκάνδαλον ἐνώπιον τῶν υἱῶν Ἰσραήλ, φαγεῖν εἰδωλόθυτα καὶ πορνεῦσαι1

Jesus is speaking as if Balak had literally thrown a stumbling block, something that would make people trip and fall, in front of the Israelites. He means that Balaak tempted them and got them to sin. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “how to tempt the sons of Israel into sinning by eating food sacrificed to idols and being sexually immoral”

1592:14ad73rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorτῶν υἱῶν Ἰσραήλ1

Here, sons figuratively means “descendants.” Jesus is identifying the Israelites as descendants of their ancestor Israel (who was also known as Jacob). If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the people of Israel”

1602:14nfxhrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownεἰδωλόθυτα1

The word translated idol-food describes food that was offered to idols. People then often ate this food as a way of worshiping the idols. Alternate translation: “food sacrificed to idols”

1612:15jmzprc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorκρατοῦντας τὴν διδαχὴν1

See how you translated the similar phrase in the previous verse. Alternate translation: “people who are obeying the teaching”

1622:15hc85rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-namesΝικολαϊτῶν1

See how you translated the word Nicolaitans in 2:6.

1632:16f8dyrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisεἰ δὲ μή1

Jesus is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You could supply these words from earlier in the sentence if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “But if you do not repent”

1642:16vguwrc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronounsαὐτῶν 1

The pronoun them refers to the “ones holding the teaching of the Nicolaitans,” whom Jesus describes in the previous verse. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “these people who obey the teachings of the Nicolaitans”

1652:16j52qrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorπολεμήσω μετ’ αὐτῶν ἐν τῇ ῥομφαίᾳ τοῦ στόματός μου1

Jesus is speaking as if he will literally wage war against the disobedient believers in Pergamum with the sword in his mouth. He likely means that he will announce a punishment against them that will become effective as soon as he speaks it. You could say that in your translation. The UST models one way to do that. However, since the symbol of the sword comes from the opening vision in the book, and since Jesus uses it to identify himself at the beginning of this letter, and since the symbol also appears in one of the last visions in the book, in 19:15-21, you may wish to retain the symbol in your translation rather than state the meaning plainly here.

1662:17ngjbrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτοῦ μάννα τοῦ κεκρυμμένου1

If your language does not use the passive form in this way for the word hidden manna, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “some manna that I have hidden”

1672:17l59rrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὄνομα καινὸν γεγραμμένον1

If your language does not use the passive form in this way for the word written, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “a new name that I have written”

1682:17ekk6rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-exceptionsοὐδεὶς οἶδεν, εἰ μὴ ὁ λαμβάνων1

If it would appear in your language that Jesus is contradicting himself by saying that no one knows the new name but then saying that the one receiving it knows this name, you could reword this to avoid using an exception clause. Alternate translation: “only the person receiving it knows”

1692:18q3w9rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ1

Son is an important title that describes the relationship between Jesus and God. Be sure to retain this title in your translation.

1702:18zbx5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileὁ ἔχων τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτοῦ ὡς φλόγα πυρός, καὶ οἱ πόδες αὐτοῦ ὅμοιοι χαλκολιβάνῳ1

See how you translated these phrases in 1:14 and 1:15.

1712:19bx33rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsτὴν ἀγάπην, καὶ τὴν πίστιν, καὶ τὴν διακονίαν, καὶ τὴν ὑπομονήν σου1

If your language would not use an abstract nouns for the ideas of love, faith, service, and endurance, you could could express the same ideas in other ways. Alternate translation: “how you have loved and trusted and served me and how you have endured”

1722:19pi0krc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisτὰ ἔργα σου, τὰ ἔσχατα πλείονα τῶν πρώτων1

Jesus is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “your last works are greater than the first works you did”

1732:20f6e8rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-namesἸεζάβελ1

The word Jezebel is the name of a woman. It is not clear whether this is the actual name of this woman or whether Jesus is calling her by this name because she is like the wicked Queen Jezebel whose story is told in the Old Testament. The UST models one way of indicating that this may be an allusion to the Old Testament rather than the actual name of this woman.

1742:20zgnhrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadysδιδάσκει καὶ πλανᾷ 1

This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with and. The word deceives tells what the result is of what Jezebel teaches. If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this meaning with an equivalent phrase that does not use “and.” Alternate translation: “she deceptively teaches”

1752:22twa2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyβάλλω αὐτὴν εἰς κλίνην1

Jesus is referring to punishing Jezebel with sickness by association with the bed that she would have to lie on because she was sick. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I will punish her by making her gravely ill”

1762:22lj36rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisτοὺς μοιχεύοντας μετ’ αὐτῆς εἰς θλῖψιν μεγάλην1

Jesus is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “I will throw the ones committing adultery with her into great tribulation”

1772:22u075rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomτοὺς μοιχεύοντας μετ’ αὐτῆς εἰς θλῖψιν μεγάλην1

Jesus does not mean that he will literally throw the disobedient believers in Thyatira into tribulation. That is, he will not pick them up and heave them through the air. Alternate translation: “I will cause the ones committing adultery with her to experience great tribulation”

1782:23cn5src://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorτὰ τέκνα αὐτῆς1

The word children could mean: (1) literal children of Jezebel and the men who, as verse 22 describes, have been “committing adultery” with her. Alternate translation: “the children she has had with her adulterous lovers” (2) the disciples of Jezebel. (However, since Jesus says in the previous verse that he will cause these disciples to experience tribulation if they do not repent, it appears that Jesus is giving them the opportunity to repent, so it seems unlikely that he would immediately pronounce a death sentence against them here.} Alternate translation: “her disciples”

1792:23zm6trc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἐγώ εἰμι ὁ ἐραυνῶν νεφροὺς καὶ καρδίας1

Here, kidneys represent peoples thoughts and hearts represent their emotions. Alternate translation: “I am able to determine exactly what each person is thinking and feeling”

1802:23fptdrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingularὑμῖν & ὑμῶν1

The word you is plural in these instances. Jesus is speaking more directly to the believers in Thyatira in order to warn them that he is going to judge them imminently. You may consider using the plural form of “you” here if that would be natural in your language.

1812:24zqpgrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingularὑμῖν & ὑμᾶς1

The word you is plural in these instances. Jesus is speaking more directly to the faithful believers in Thyatira in order to encourage them. You may consider using the plural form of “you” here if that would be natural in your language.

1822:24d5i9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorτὰ βαθέα τοῦ Σατανᾶ, ὡς λέγουσιν1

The people Jesus is quoting have been using the adjective deep as a noun to mean a certain kind of thing. The adjective is plural, and the ULT adds the word things to show this. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “the things pertaining to Satan that they call deep”

1832:24biqnrc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronounsὡς λέγουσιν1

The pronoun they is an indefinite pronoun that does not have a specific referent in the immediate context. Jesus is using this indefinite construction to focus on what is being said rather than on who is saying it. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this with a different expression that does not use an indefinite pronoun. Alternate translation: “as the people who do hold this teaching call them”

1842:24w111rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotesοὐ βάλλω ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς ἄλλο βάρος1

If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “that I do not put another burden on you”

1852:24yk3trc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegativesοὐ βάλλω ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς ἄλλο βάρος1
1862:24sgilrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorοὐ βάλλω ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς ἄλλο βάρος1

Jesus is speaking as if he might literally put a burden on the believers in Thyatira. He is referring to something he might require of them. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I do not require anything else of you”

1872:24ikkhrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἄλλο βάρος1

By another burden, Jesus means implicitly no burden other than the one he is about to mention. You can indicate this in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “any burden on you other than the following:”

1882:25uqdkrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotesπλὴν ὃ ἔχετε, κρατήσατε ἄχρι οὗ ἂν ἥξω1

If you translated the beginning of this quotation in the previous verse as an indirect quotation so that there would not be a quotation within a quotation, you can also translate the end of the quotation here as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “except to hold on to what you have until I come”

1892:25tfzkrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitὃ ἔχετε, κρατήσατε1

By what you have, Jesus means implicitly the good things that the faithful believers in Thyatira have been doing. (See the discussion of the phrase “you have” in the General Notes to this chapter.) Alternate translation: “continue to do the good things that you are doing”

1902:25vgxmrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorὃ ἔχετε, κρατήσατε1

Jesus is speaking as if he wants the believers in Pergamum literally to hold on to the good things that they have been doing. He means that he wants the believers to continue doing these things. Alternate translation: “continue to do the good things that you have been doing”

1912:25spglrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingularἔχετε, κρατήσατε1

Jesus is continuing to use the plural form of you as he speaks to the faithful believers in Thyatira in order to encourage them. You may consider using the plural form of “you” here if that would be natural in your language.

1922:26un7drc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadysὁ νικῶν καὶ ὁ τηρῶν1

Here Jesus is expressing a single idea by using two phrases connected with and. The phrase the one keeping tells how the one conquering is able to conquer. If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this meaning with an phrase that does not use “and.” Alternate translation: “the one conquering by keeping”

1932:26z5xirc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnounὁ νικῶν καὶ ὁ τηρῶν1

Jesus is not referring to a specific person who is conquering in this way. He means any person who conquers in this way. Express this in the way that would be most natural in your language. Alternate translation: “anyone conquering by keeping”

1942:26aiwsrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomὁ τηρῶν & τὰ ἔργα μου1

See the discussion in the General Introduction to Revelation of the word “keep.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning of this expression plainly. Alternate translation: “the one obediently doing what I command”

1952:26v2e0rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possessionὁ τηρῶν & τὰ ἔργα μου1

The possessive form my works describes not what Jesus does but what Jesus commands believers to do. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the one doing the works that I command”

1962:27c9gurc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotemarksκαὶ ποιμανεῖ αὐτοὺς ἐν ῥάβδῳ σιδηρᾷ, ὡς τὰ σκεύη τὰ κεραμικὰ συντρίβεται1

This verse is a quotation of Psalm 2:9. You may wish to indicate this in your translation by putting the words of this verse within quotation marks or by using some other punctuation or convention that your language uses to indicate a quotation.

1972:27iavwrc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronounsποιμανεῖ αὐτοὺς 1

The pronoun he refers to “the one conquering” and the pronoun them refers “the nations” in the previous verse. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “the one conquering will rule the nations”

1982:27e5kcrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἐν ῥάβδῳ σιδηρᾷ1

Jesus is speaking as if the one conquering will literally use an iron scepter to rule the nations. He means that he will rule with great strength, by association with the way that iron is very strong. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. However, since Jesus is quoting this image from Psalm 2, and since the image recurs in 12:5 and 19:15, you may wish to retain the image in your translation. Alternate translation: “with great strength”

1992:27ksl1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileὡς τὰ σκεύη τὰ κεραμικὰ συντρίβεται1

The point of this comparison is that the one conquering will defeat his enemies as easily as clay jars are shattered. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “defeating his enemies as easily as clay jars are shattered”

2002:27w8pprc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὡς τὰ σκεύη τὰ κεραμικὰ συντρίβεται1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “as one shatters clay jars”

2012:28n9tsrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisὡς κἀγὼ εἴληφα1

Jesus is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “as I also have received authority”

2022:28hr39rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesτοῦ πατρός μου1

Father is an important title that describes the relationship between God and Jesus. Be sure to retain this title in your translation.

2032:28g5iyrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorτὸν ἀστέρα τὸν πρωϊνόν1

Jesus is speaking as if he will literally give the faithful believers in Thyatira the morning star. This could mean: (1) confident hope about the future, just as the appearance of the morning star (that is, the planet Venus) shows that a new day is about to begin. (2) a deep and meaningful relationship with Jesus, who says in 22:16, “I am … the bright morning star.” You could say either of these things in your translation. The UST models one way to express the first possibility. However, since this image recurs later in the book, you may wish to retain it here by translating the phrase the morning star directly.

2043:introq1l90

Revelation 3 General Notes

Structure and Formatting

  • The Letter to Sardis (3:1-6)

  • The Letter to Philadelphia (3:7-13)

  • The Letter to Laodicea (3:14-22)

You may wish to set each letter apart so that your readers can easily see that these are separate letters. You could, for example, put a blank line between these letters in your translation.

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with verse 7.

Special Concepts in this Chapter

“The angel of the church”

See the discussion of this concept in the General Notes to chapter 2.

Translation issues in this chapter

See the discussion in the General Notes to chapter 2 of the translation issues in the letters to the seven churches.

2053:1xtk2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyὄνομα ἔχεις ὅτι ζῇς1

Here, name represents the reputation of a person or group. Alternate translation: “you have a reputation for being alive”

2063:1ty18rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorὅτι ζῇς, καὶ νεκρὸς εἶ1

When Jesus says that the believers in Sardis have a reputation for being alive, he does not mean literally alive, but spiritually vibrant, that is, obeying and honoring God and experiencing Gods presence and power. Similarly, when Jesus speaks as if the believers in Sardis were literally dead, he means that they are not spiritually vibrant. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “for being spiritually vibrant, but actually you are not”

2073:2l7qgrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorγίνου γρηγορῶν1

Jesus is speaking as if the believers in Pergamum were asleep and needed to wake up. He means that they are complacent and need to become concerned about their spiritual state. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Become concerned about your spiritual state”

2083:2d8cwrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorστήρισον τὰ λοιπὰ, ἃ ἔμελλον ἀποθανεῖν1

When Jesus says that there are some remaining things in Sardis that are about to die, as in the previous verse, he is speaking of the absence of spiritual vibrancy as if it were literally death. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “strengthen the few things about you that are still spiritually vibrant”

2093:2gq30rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveοὐ γὰρ εὕρηκά σου τὰ ἔργα, πεπληρωμένα1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “I have not found that you have completed your works”

2103:2jq58rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ μου1

Here the expression before my God means “in front of my God,” that is, “where my God can see them.” Sight, in turn, represents attention, perspective, and judgment. Alternate translation: “from my Gods perspective”

2113:3bi6drc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadysπῶς εἴληφας καὶ ἤκουσας1

This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with and. The word heard tells by what means the believers in Sardis learned the things about Jesus that they received (that is, believed). If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this meaning with an equivalent phrase that does not use “and.” Alternate translation: “how you received the things that you heard”

2123:3wcs4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitπῶς εἴληφας καὶ ἤκουσας1

Jesus means implicitly the things that the believers in Sardis heard and received (believed) about him. You can indicate this in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “how you believed the teaching about me when you heard it”

2133:3e324rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructureτήρει καὶ μετανόησον1

The believers in Sardis first need to repent before they can be keeping (that is, obeying) the things that they received when they first heard about Jesus, so it might be more natural to put the word “repent” before the word “keeping.” Alternate translation: “repent and be obedient”

2143:3gwk8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἐὰν & μὴ γρηγορήσῃς1

As in the previous verse, Jesus is speaking as if the believers in Pergamum were asleep and needed to wake up. Once again he means that they are complacent and need to become concerned about their spiritual state. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “if you do not become concerned about your spiritual state”

2153:3ypw4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileἥξω ὡς κλέπτης1

The point of this comparison is that just as a thief comes unexpectedly, so Jesus will come unexpectedly. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “I will come unexpectedly like a thief”

2163:4bpg5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἀλλὰ ἔχεις1

See the discussion of the phrase “you have” in the General Notes to chapter 2. Alternate translation: “But this is to your credit, that there are”

2173:4fy7frc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyὀνόματα1

Here, names represent people by association with the way that each person has a name. Alternate translation: “people”

2183:4x2ifrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegativesοὐκ ἐμόλυναν τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτῶν1

If it would be clearer in your language, you could use a positive expression to translate this double negative that consists of the negative particle not and the negative verb stained. Alternate translation: “have kept their clothes clean”

2193:4imsurc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorοὐκ ἐμόλυναν τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτῶν1

Jesus is speaking as if the disobedient believers in Sardis had literally stained their clothes while the obedient ones had not. He means that the obedient believers have not compromised their character by sinning. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. However, since Jesus continues the clothing image in the next phrase, you may wish to retain it here by translating the phrase stained their clothes directly Alternate translation: “have not compromised their character by sinning”

2203:4x48rrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomπεριπατήσουσιν μετ’ ἐμοῦ1

In this context, the word walk refers to how people live and behave. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “they will live in relationship with me”

2213:4dlgirc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjἐν λευκοῖς1
2223:4w5t9rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symactionἐν λευκοῖς1

Jesus may mean that faithful and obedient believers actually will wear white clothing when they live with him as their everlasting reward, since this is depicted several times in the course of the book. If so, wearing this white clothing would be a symbolic action indicating the purity of their lives and their devotion to Jesus. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: “in white clothing that is symbolic of their purity”

2233:5w5k4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveοὕτως περιβαλεῖται ἐν ἱματίοις λευκοῖς1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “will wear white garments in this way”

2243:5wn1xrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegativesοὐ μὴ ἐξαλείψω τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ1

If it would be clearer in your language, you could use a positive expression to translate this double negative that consists of the negative particle not and the negative verb wipe out. Alternate translation: “I will certainly keep his name in the Book of Life”

2253:5yyu5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyὁμολογήσω τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ1

Here, name represents a person by association with the way that each person has a name. Alternate translation: “I will acknowledge him” or “I will acknowledge that he belongs to me”

2263:5j165rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἐνώπιον τοῦ Πατρός μου, καὶ ἐνώπιον τῶν ἀγγέλων αὐτοῦ1

Here the word before means “in front of” or “in the presence of” another person. Alternate translation: “in the presence of my Father and in the presence of his angels”

2273:5bi3hrc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesτοῦ Πατρός1

Father is an important title that describes the relationship between God and Jesus. Be sure to retain this title in your translation.

2283:5q22src://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitτῶν ἀγγέλων αὐτοῦ1

See how you translated angel in 1:20.

2293:6zxc7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyὁ ἔχων οὖς, ἀκουσάτω τί τὸ Πνεῦμα λέγει ταῖς ἐκκλησίαις1

You can translate this statement in its three occurrences in this chapter the same way you translated it in its four occurrences in chapter 2.

2303:7rywsrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjὁ Ἅγιος, ὁ Ἀληθινός1

Jesus is using the adjectives Holy and True as nouns to describe himself as a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate these words with equivalent phrases, as the ULT does by adding the word One in each case.

2313:7ih6irc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorὁ ἔχων τὴν κλεῖν Δαυείδ1

Jesus is not referring to a literal key. Rather, he is quoting from Isaiah 22:22, where God says that he will make a man named Eliakim the administrator of the royal palace in Jerusalem and give him the “key of the house of David,” symbolizing authority over the kingdom that the dynasty of David rules. As the Messiah, Jesus now has Davids royal authority. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the one having royal authority as the Messiah”

2323:7aam6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismὁ ἀνοίγων καὶ οὐδεὶς κλείσει, καὶ κλείων καὶ οὐδεὶς ἀνοίγει1

This is a continuation of the quotation and the image of the key from Isaiah 22:22. These two phrases say the same thing in opposite ways. God, speaking through Isaiah, was using repetition to emphasize the idea that the phrases express, that he would give this new palace administrator authority that no one could defy. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could combine the phrases or express their meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “who decides definitively whether to open a door or to lock it shut” or “whose authority no one can defy”

2333:8k48crc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructureἰδοὺ, δέδωκα ἐνώπιόν σου θύραν ἠνεῳγμένην, ἣν οὐδεὶς δύναται κλεῖσαι αὐτήν1

In order to keep what Jesus says he knows about the believers in Philadelphia together with the phrase I know your works, you may wish to move this statement to the end of the verse and make it a separate sentence.

2343:8j1x7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorδέδωκα ἐνώπιόν σου θύραν ἠνεῳγμένην1

This opened door could symbolize: (1) an opportunity to proclaim the gospel or (2) entrance into everlasting life with Jesus. However, since the image of the door continues the image of the key from the previous verse, you may wish to retain the image by translating the phrase I have put before you an opened door directly.

2353:8x9uvrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveδέδωκα ἐνώπιόν σου θύραν ἠνεῳγμένην1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “I have opened a door before you”

2363:8vp9nrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitδέδωκα ἐνώπιόν σου θύραν ἠνεῳγμένην1

Here the word before means “in front of.” The implication is that the believers in Philadelphia can go through this door, since it is open right in front of them. Alternate translation: “I have opened a door in front of you that you can go through”

2373:8h90irc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfoἣν οὐδεὶς δύναται κλεῖσαι αὐτήν1

It might seem that this expression contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you can shorten it. Alternate translation: “that no one is able to shut”

2383:8wswsrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐτήρησάς μου τὸν λόγον1

Jesus is using the term word to mean the commandments he has given by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “you have obeyed my commandments”

2393:8b3kzrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyοὐκ ἠρνήσω τὸ ὄνομά μου1

Here, name represents a person by association with the way that each person has a name. Alternate translation: “you have not denied me”

2403:8meturc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegativesοὐκ ἠρνήσω τὸ ὄνομά μου1

If it would be clearer in your language, you could use a positive expression to translate this double negative that consists of the negative particle not and the negative verb denied. Alternate translation: “you have acknowledged me” or “you have acknowledged that you believe in me”

2413:9u512rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfoἰδοὺ, διδῶ ἐκ τῆς συναγωγῆς τοῦ Σατανᾶ, τῶν λεγόντων ἑαυτοὺς Ἰουδαίους εἶναι, καὶ οὐκ εἰσὶν, ἀλλὰ ψεύδονται; ἰδοὺ, ποιήσω αὐτοὺς, ἵνα ἥξουσιν1

It might seem that this sentence contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you can shorten it by saying behold just once and by saying only I will make and not also I will give. Alternate translation: “Behold, those of the synagogue of Satan, the ones saying themselves to be Jews, but they are not, rather, they are lying, I will make them so that they will come”

2423:9x78mrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἐκ τῆς συναγωγῆς τοῦ Σατανᾶ1

See how you translated the expression synagogue of Satan in 2:9. Alternate translation: “those whose gatherings really serve Satans purposes rather than Gods”

2433:9ahflrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorκαὶ οὐκ εἰσὶν, ἀλλὰ ψεύδονται1

See how you translated the similar expression in 2:9. Alternate translation: “but who are not acting in the way that Jews should”

2443:9q496rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symactionπροσκυνήσουσιν ἐνώπιον τῶν ποδῶν σου1

The enemies of the believers in Philadelphia would come and bown down at their feet as a symbolic action to show that they honored and respected these believers. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: “to bow down before your feet as a gesture of honor and respect”

2453:9ah4wrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdocheἐνώπιον τῶν ποδῶν σου1

Jesus is using one part of the believers in Philadelpha, their feet, to mean their entire beings. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “before you” or “in front of you”

2463:9hjv8rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronounsἐγὼ ἠγάπησά σε1

For emphasis, Jesus is stating the pronoun I, whose meaning is already present in the verb have loved. If your language can state implied pronouns explicitly for emphasis, you may want to use that construction here in your translation. Other languages may have other ways of expressing this emphasis. Alternate translation: “I have certainly loved you”

2473:10f9virc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἐτήρησας τὸν λόγον τῆς ὑπομονῆς μου1

Jesus is using the term word to a command he has given by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “you have kept my command of endurance”

2483:10k8mbrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possessionἐτήρησας τὸν λόγον τῆς ὑπομονῆς μου1

Jesus is using this possessive form to describe a word or statement that commands endurance, not a statement characterized by endurance (that is, one that endures). Alternate translation: “you have obeyed my command to endure”

2493:10y577rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsτὸν λόγον τῆς ὑπομονῆς μου1

If your language would not use an abstract noun for the idea of steadfastness, you could express it with the verb “to endure.” See how you translated this word in 1:9 and in 2:2. Alternate translation: “my admonition to suffer patiently”

2503:10x6lfrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἐτήρησας & κἀγώ σε τηρήσω1

See the discussion in the General Introduction to Revelation of the various ways in which the word keep is used in this book. Alternate translation: “you have obeyed … I also will protect you”

2513:10ql9yrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomτῆς ὥρας τοῦ πειρασμοῦ1

Jesus is using the term hour to refer to a specific time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the time of testing”

2523:10ydfnrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomτοὺς κατοικοῦντας ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς1

See the discussion in the General Introduction to Revelation of how to translate this phrase. Alternate translation: “worldly people”

2533:11ih12rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἔρχομαι ταχύ1

The implication is that Jesus is coming quickly to judge people for whether or not they have remained faithful to him. You can indicate this in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “I am coming quickly to judge”

2543:11n9a9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomκράτει ὃ ἔχεις1

Alternate translation: “Continue doing the things that are to your credit”

2553:11xigerc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegativesἵνα μηδεὶς λάβῃ τὸν στέφανόν σου1

If it would be clearer in your language, you could use a positive expression to translate this double negative that consists of the negative particle not and the verb that is negative in this context, take. Alternate translation: “so that you will indeed have your crown”

2563:11a4m5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorτὸν στέφανόν1

See how you translated crown in 2:10. Alternate translation: “your reward”

2573:12xiwxrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorποιήσω αὐτὸν στῦλον ἐν τῷ ναῷ τοῦ Θεοῦ μου1

Jesus is speaking as if he would literally make a faithful and victorious believer a pillar in Gods temple. This likely symbolizes that the believer will always be in Gods temple, just as a pillar is a permanent fixture. (Indeed, Jesus says specifically that this believer will not leave the temple anymore.) If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I will have him remain always in the temple of my God”

2583:12hhj1rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-namesἸερουσαλήμ1

The word Jerusalem is the name of a city.

2593:14f65vrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-transliterateὁ Ἀμήν1

See how you translated the word Amen in 1:5, and see the discussion in the General Introduction to Revelation of how to translate this word.

2603:14ac91rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletὁ πιστὸς καὶ ἀληθινός1

The terms faithful and true mean similar things. Jesus is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “entirely faithful”

2613:14btv1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possessionἡ ἀρχὴ τῆς κτίσεως τοῦ Θεοῦ1

Jesus is most likely using this possessive form to describe himself as the one who began the creation of God, that is, the one through whom God created all things. Jesus is likely using this phrase to mean the same thing as he does when he describes himself as “the alpha” or “the first.” Jesus is not saying that he was the first creature God created. Jesus is not a created being, he is the eternally begotten Son of God. Alternate translation: “the one through whom God created all things”

2623:15pf9xrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorψυχρὸς & οὔτε ζεστός & ψυχρὸς & ἢ ζεστός1

Jesus is speaking as if the believers in Laodicea were literally water that was a certain temperature. He is using the word hot to mean diligently obedient to God and the word cold to mean stubbornly resistant to God, so he means that the Laodiceans are complacent and indifferent. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “disobedient nor obedient … disobedient or obedient”

2633:16zbhlrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor χλιαρὸς & καὶ οὔτε ψυχρός, οὔτε ζεστὸς1

In this verse, Jesus continues to develop the image of water temperature that he introduced in the previous verse. Alternate translation: “complacent and neither obedient nor disobedient”

2643:16y9vtrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorμέλλω σε ἐμέσαι ἐκ τοῦ στόματός μου1

In the context of this image, when Jesus that says he will spew or spit the Laodiceans out of his mouth, he means that he will reject them. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “I am about to reject you as I would spit out lukewarm water”

2653:17guwbrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotesὅτι λέγεις, ὅτι πλούσιός εἰμι, καὶ πεπλούτηκα, καὶ οὐδὲν χρείαν ἔχω1

If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “For you say that you are rich and have become wealthy and have no need”

2663:17y59urc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjὁ ταλαίπωρος, καὶ ἐλεεινὸς, καὶ πτωχὸς, καὶ τυφλὸς, καὶ γυμνός1

Jesus is using the adjectives miserable, pitiable, poor, blind and naked as nouns to describe a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. Other languages may have other ways of showing this meaning, such as the ULT does by adding the word one. Alternate translation: “a person who is miserable, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked”

2673:17v1pjrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorὁ ταλαίπωρος, καὶ ἐλεεινὸς, καὶ πτωχὸς, καὶ τυφλὸς, καὶ γυμνός1

Jesus is speaking as if the Laodiceans were literally miserable, pitiable, poor, blind and naked. He means that this is what they are like spiritually. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “spiritually very needy and unhealthy”

2683:17hw8jrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletὁ ταλαίπωρος, καὶ ἐλεεινὸς, καὶ πτωχὸς, καὶ τυφλὸς, καὶ γυμνός1

The words miserable, pitiable, and poor mean similar things. Jesus is using these terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “extremely poor as well as blind and naked”

2693:18tmm7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἀγοράσαι παρ’ ἐμοῦ χρυσίον πεπυρωμένον ἐκ πυρὸς, ἵνα πλουτήσῃς1

Jesus is speaking as if he wants the believers in Laodicea literally to buy gold from him. He is using gold to symbolize spiritual riches, meaning things such as a profound knowledge of God and a life transformed into the image of Christ. When Jesus says that this gold is refined by fire, he means that it is pure gold, that is, genuine wealth; by contrast, the riches that the Laodiceans have are not true riches. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “to seek genuine spiritual riches from me so that you will be truly wealthy”

2703:18wy28rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveχρυσίον πεπυρωμένον ἐκ πυρὸς1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “gold that fire has refined”

2713:18n7ubrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἱμάτια λευκὰ, ἵνα περιβάλῃ, καὶ μὴ φανερωθῇ ἡ αἰσχύνη τῆς γυμνότητός σου1

Jesus is speaking as if he wants the believers in Pergamum literally to buy white garments from him. As in 3:4, white clothing symbolizes purity of life and devotion to Jesus. Accordingly, nakedness symbolizes a sinful life and indifference towards Jesus. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “to seek my help in being devoted to me so that you will live a pure life and not be shamefully disobedient”

2723:18qkryrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveμὴ φανερωθῇ1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “might not appear”

2733:18e8x9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorκολλούριον ἐγχρῖσαι τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς σου, ἵνα βλέπῃς1

Jesus is speaking as if he wants the believers in Pergamum literally to buy salve from him to anoint their eyes. He said in the previous verse that they were “blind,” and this likely symbolized their lack of spiritual discernment. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “to seek my help in becoming spiritually discerning”

2743:19nqgxrc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronounsἐγὼ ὅσους ἐὰν φιλῶ, ἐλέγχω καὶ παιδεύω1

For emphasis, Jesus is stating the pronoun I, whose meaning is already present in the verbs rebuke and discipline. If your language can state implied pronouns explicitly for emphasis, you may want to use that construction here in your translation. Other languages may have other ways of expressing this emphasis. Alternate translation: “I certainly rebuke and discipline as many as I love”

2753:19j9kerc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletἐλέγχω καὶ παιδεύω1

The terms rebuke and discipline mean similar things. Jesus is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “diligently correct”

2763:19sf66rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadysζήλευε & καὶ μετανόησον1

This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with and. The verb be zealous tells how Jesus wants the Laodiceans to repent. If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this meaning with an equivalent phrase that does not use “and.” Alternate translation: “repent zealously”

2773:20i7gyrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἕστηκα ἐπὶ τὴν θύραν καὶ κρούω; ἐάν τις ἀκούσῃ τῆς φωνῆς μου καὶ ἀνοίξῃ τὴν θύραν, καὶ εἰσελεύσομαι πρὸς αὐτὸν, καὶ δειπνήσω μετ’ αὐτοῦ, καὶ αὐτὸς μετ’ ἐμοῦ1

Jesus is speaking as if he were literally standing outside a door and seeking entrance to a house. He means that he is seeking to have personal fellowship with each of the Laodiceans to whom he is writing. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I am seeking personal fellowship with each one of you. If anyone recognizes this and wants to have fellowship with me as well, I will certainly enter into a relationship with him of the most intimate kind”

2783:20sr5yrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownκρούω1

To knock at a door means to hit it a few times to let a person inside the house know you are standing outside. You could translate this expression with the way people in your culture show that they have arrived at a house, such as “call out” or “cough” or “clap.”

2793:20m6n2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitτῆς φωνῆς μου1

The word voice could mean: (1) by implication, that in addition to knocking on the door, Jesus is also calling out to the person inside the house. Alternate translation: “me calling as I knock” (2) the sound of the knocking. Alternate translation: “the sound of me knocking”

2803:20r8grrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisδειπνήσω μετ’ αὐτοῦ, καὶ αὐτὸς μετ’ ἐμοῦ1

Jesus is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “I will eat with him and he will eat with me”

2813:20une1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorδειπνήσω μετ’ αὐτοῦ, καὶ αὐτὸς μετ’ ἐμοῦ1

Since people share table fellowship with others in their homes only if they have a close relationship, Jesus is using eating together to symbolize that he will become a good friend of the person who welcomes him. You can indicate this in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “I will eat with him and he will eat with me, as good friends do”

2823:21mn2crc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorκαθίσαι μετ’ ἐμοῦ ἐν τῷ θρόνῳ μου1

Jesus is speaking as if a victorious believer would literally sit with him on his throne. He means that the believer will share his ruling authority. He means the same thing when he says that he has sat with his Father on his throne. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I will share my ruling authority with him, as I also … have come to share my Fathers ruling authority”

2833:21un17rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesτοῦ Πατρός1

Father is an important title that describes the relationship between God and Jesus. Be sure to retain this title in your translation.

2843:22m13xrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyὁ ἔχων οὖς, ἀκουσάτω1

See how you translated this phrase in 2:7.

2853:22mjv6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personὁ ἔχων οὖς, ἀκουσάτω1

See how you translated this phrase in 2:7.

2863:22vnr6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomτὸ Πνεῦμα1

Here, the Spirit most likely refers to Gods Spirit, or simply the Holy Spirit of Gods triune nature, in contrast to the spirit of the writer or author which one finds in 1:10. In other words, the Holy Spirit addresses the messages and contents of each letter written to each of the seven churches which are addressed in chapters two and three (See: Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29: 3:6, 13, 22). See the chapter introductions for chapter 2 and for chapter 3 to read this same explanatory note.

2874:introcl9f0

Revelation 4 General Notes

Structure and Formatting

At this point in the book of Revelation, John has finished describing the letters to the churches. In this chapter he begins to describe a vision of heaven that God showed him.

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with verses 8 and 11.

Special Concepts in this Chapter

Jasper, carnelian, and emerald

These words refer to special stones that the people in Johns culture valued for their beauty. If the people in your culture do not consider stones to be valuable, in your translation you can emphasize that it was the beauty of the stones that made such an impression on John.

Twenty-four elders

John does not explain who or what he means by “elders” when he describes seeing them in the vision he relates in this chapter. These 24 elders may be symbolic of the whole people of God through the ages. There were 12 tribes of Israel in the Old Testament Israel and 12 apostles of Jesus in the New Testament church. In chapter 21, John describes seeing the names of the 12 tribes of Israel on the gates of the New Jerusalem and the names of the 12 apostles on the foundations of that city. However, it is not necessary to offer an explanation in your translation of who these elders might be. If your language has a word for a distinguished older person who is a leader in the society, it would be appropriate to use it without any further explanation.

Giving glory to God

Gods glory is the great beauty and radiant majesty that God has because he is God. Other Bible writers describe it as if it were a light so bright that no one can look at it. No one can give God this kind of glory, because it is already his. When people give glory to God or when God receives glory, people say that God has the glory that is his, that it is right for God to have that glory, and that people should worship God because he has that glory. In your translation, be sure that it is clear that when people “give glory” to God, they are not giving God something that he does not already have. Instead, people are acknowledging that God is already glorious. (See: [[rc:///tw/dict/bible/kt/glory]] and [[rc:///tw/dict/bible/kt/worthy]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/worship]])

Other Possible Translation Difficulties in this Chapter

Difficult images

Such things as bolts of lightning coming from the throne, lamps that are spirits, and a sea in front of the throne may be difficult to imagine. However, John is describing what he actually saw and heard in his visions, so you can translate his descriptions directly. See the discussion of this in the General Introduction to Revelation. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-apocalyptic]])

2884:1w1rqrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis θύρα ἠνεῳγμένη ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ, καὶ ἡ φωνὴ ἡ πρώτη1

John is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “I saw a door opened in heaven and I heard the first voice”

2894:1uvw3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveθύρα ἠνεῳγμένη ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “an open door in heaven”

2904:1z8r8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorθύρα ἠνεῳγμένη ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ1

John is speaking as if there were literally a door leading into heaven through which he could see. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I could see through an opening into heaven”

2914:1a49src://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileὡς σάλπιγγος1

The point of this comparison is not that the sound of the voice was like the sound of a trumpet but that the voice was loud like a trumpet. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “that had been loud like the sound of a trumpet”

2924:2ie3wrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἐγενόμην ἐν Πνεύματι1

See how you translated this expression in 1:10. Alternate translation: “the Holy Spirit influenced me”

2934:2ls1krc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisἐπὶ τὸν θρόνον καθήμενος1

John is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “on the throne there was one sitting” or “someone was sitting on the throne”

2944:3aap1rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownὅμοιος ὁράσει λίθῳ, ἰάσπιδι καὶ σαρδίῳ & ὅμοιος ὁράσει σμαραγδίνῳ1

The point of these comparisons is that the one sitting on the throne and the rainbow were dazzling in their appearance, like the gemstones John describes. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “was dazzling in appearance, like a jasper stone and a carnelian … dazzling in appearance like an emerald”

2954:3m4mirc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownλίθῳ, ἰάσπιδι καὶ σαρδίῳ & σμαραγδίνῳ1

The terms jasper, carnelian, and emerald describe gemstones. Jasper is often red, carnelian is often orange, and emerald is usually brilliant green. If your readers would not be familiar with these precious stones, in your translation you could use the name of comparable gems that they would recognize, or you could use general expressions. Alternate translation: “to a red or orange gemstone … to a brilliant green gemstone”

2964:4b695rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveπεριβεβλημένους ἐν ἱματίοις λευκοῖς1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “wearing white garments”

2974:5u1daφωναὶ, καὶ βρονταί1

The word translated sounds could mean: (1) noises, in which case sounds and thunders might be a phrase that expresses a single idea by using two words connected with and. The word thunders would tell what kind of noises these are. Alternate translation: “rumblings of thunder” (2) voices. Alternate translation: “voices and thunders”

2984:5od7src://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possessionλαμπάδες πυρὸς 1

This possessive form does not mean that the lamps were made of fire but that they burned with fire. Alternate translation: “flaming lamps”

2994:5e1jmrc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-symlanguageτὰ ἑπτὰ πνεύματα1

See how you translated this expression in 1:4.

3004:6ja33rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorὡς θάλασσα ὑαλίνη, ὁμοία κρυστάλλῳ1

The point of these comparisons could be that the sea was (1) clear or (2) sparkling, like glass and crystal. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “was a sea that was as clear as glass or crystal” or “was a sea that was sparkling like glass or crystal”

3014:6a882rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merismἔμπροσθεν καὶ ὄπισθεν1

John is using two sides of the body, the front and the back (what is before and behind a being), to mean the whole body. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “over their whole bodies”

3024:8mrvjrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merismκυκλόθεν καὶ ἔσωθεν1

John is using two sides of the body, the top and the bottom (what is around and underneath a being), to mean the whole body. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “over their whole bodies”

3034:8c74prc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegativesοὐκ ἔχουσιν ἡμέρας καὶ νυκτὸς λέγοντες1

If it would be clearer in your language, you could use a positive expression to translate this double negative that consists of the negative particle not and the verb rest, which in this context means to “stop.” Alternate translation: “saying continuously night and day”

3044:8vytdrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merismἡμέρας καὶ νυκτὸς 1

The living creatures are using the two main components of time, night and day, to mean all the time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “at any time”

3054:9yae6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsδώσουσιν & δόξαν, καὶ τιμὴν, καὶ εὐχαριστίαν, τῷ καθημένῳ1

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of glory, honor, and thanks, you could express the same ideas in another way. Alternate translation: “glorify and honor and thank the one sitting”

3064:9xj6brc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomεἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων1

See how you translated the same expression in 1:18.

3074:10c2vgrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symactionπεσοῦνται1

Be sure that it is clear in your translation that the elders do not fall down accidentally. They bow down in front of the throne as a gesture to honor God. Alternate translation: “will bow down respectfully”

3084:10sly8rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symactionβαλοῦσιν τοὺς στεφάνους αὐτῶν ἐνώπιον τοῦ θρόνου1

The elders respectfully place their crowns on the ground to show that they are submitting to Gods authority over them. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: “they will lay their crowns on the ground in front of God's throne to show that they are submitting to him”

3094:11q91lrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsἄξιος εἶ, ὁ Κύριος καὶ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, λαβεῖν τὴν δόξαν καὶ τὴν τιμὴν καὶ τὴν δύναμιν1

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the idea of glory, honor, and power, you could express the same ideas in another way. The UST models one way to do this.

3104:11hzqbrc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronounsσὺ ἔκτισας1

For emphasis, the elders are stating the pronoun you, whose meaning is already present in the verb have created. If your language can state implied pronouns explicitly for emphasis, you may want to use that construction here in your translation. Other languages may have other ways of expressing this emphasis. Alternate translation: “it was you who created”

3114:11uluorc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletἦσαν, καὶ ἐκτίσθησαν1

The expressions existed and were created mean similar things. The elders are using the two expressions together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “they came into being”

3125:introg7ey0

Revelation 5 General Notes

Structure and Formatting

In this chapter, John continues to describe a vision of heaven that God showed him.

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this in verses 9-13.

Special Concepts in this Chapter

Sealed scroll

Kings and important people in Johns time wrote important documents on large pieces of paper or animal skin. They then rolled them up and sealed them with wax so they would stay closed. Only the person to whom the document was written had the authority to open it by breaking the seal. In this chapter, “the one who was seated on the throne” had written the scroll. Only the person called “the Lion of the tribe of Judah,” “the Root of David” and “the Lamb” had the authority to open it. (See: [[rc:///tw/dict/bible/other/scroll]] and [[rc:///tw/dict/bible/kt/authority]])

Twenty-four elders

The 24 elders whom John introduced in chapter 4 appear in this chapter as well. In your translation, you can use the same term for them here as you did there.

3135:1yhm3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveγεγραμμένον ἔσωθεν καὶ ὄπισθεν1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “with writing on the front and the back”

3145:1aj7mrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveκατεσφραγισμένον σφραγῖσιν ἑπτά1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, the context suggests that it was God. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “God had sealed the scroll with seven seals”

3155:2lgrxεἶδον1

It may be more natural in your language to say “heard” rather than saw in this context. Alternate translation: “I heard”

3165:2fpewrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-eventsἀνοῖξαι τὸ βιβλίον, καὶ λῦσαι τὰς σφραγῖδας αὐτοῦ1

Since someone would need to break the seals in order to open the scroll, in your translation you may wish to relate these events in the order in which they would have to happen. Alternate translation: “to break the seals and open the scroll”

3175:3lj9urc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merismἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ, οὐδὲ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, οὐδὲ ὑποκάτω τῆς γῆς1

John is using the main components of creation—heaven, earth, and the underworld—to mean all of creation. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “anywhere in creation”

3185:4sf9lrc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-resultἔκλαιον πολὺ, ὅτι οὐδεὶς ἄξιος εὑρέθη ἀνοῖξαι τὸ βιβλίον, οὔτε βλέπειν αὐτό1

If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: “because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to read it, I was weeping much”

3195:4sc7vrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveοὐδεὶς & εὑρέθη1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the angel did not find anyone”

3205:4gwzgrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomοὐδεὶς & εὑρέθη1

Here the expression no one was found could simply mean “there was no one.” You could say that as an alternate translation.

3215:3llo6rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-goalοὔτε βλέπειν αὐτό1

The word or introduces the purpose for which someone would open the scroll. Use a natural way in your language for introducing a purpose clause. Alternate translation: “in order to read it”

3225:5j67wrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorὁ λέων ὁ ἐκ τῆς φυλῆς Ἰούδα1

This elder is alluding to the prophecy in Genesis 49:8-10 in which Jacob says that a ruler for Israel will come from the tribe of Judah and in which Jacob compares that ruler to a strong Lion. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the promised ruler from the tribe of Judah”

3235:5z3vwrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἡ ῥίζα Δαυείδ1

This elder is also alluding to the prophecy in Isaiah 11:1 that speaks of the Messiah as if he were a “shoot” from the “stump of Jesse” (the father of King David), a “branch from his roots.” In that prophecy Isaiah then refers to this “shoot” as the “root of Jesse” itself. The elder is speaking similarly here. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the Descendant of David” or “the Messiah descended from David”

3245:5yiukrc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-resultἐνίκησεν & ἀνοῖξαι1

The words has conquered introduce the reason for the result that the words to open describe. Use a natural way in your language for introducing a result clause. Alternate translation: “has conquered so as to be worthy to open”

3255:6o15qrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὡς ἐσφαγμένον1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. The meaning is that the Lamb, although he was alive, had marks or cuts that indicated that at one point others had killed him with violence. Alternate translation: “who had marks that showed that others had once killed him violently”

3265:6t7d1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτοῦ Θεοῦ, ἀπεσταλμένοι1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “whom God has sent”

3275:7egp6rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronounsἦλθεν1

The pronoun he refers to the Lamb, not to the elder who was speaking with John. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “the Lamb came”

3285:8s613rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symactionἔπεσαν ἐνώπιον1

Be sure that it is clear in your translation that the living creatures and elders did not fall down accidentally. They bowed down in front of the Lamb as a gesture to honor him. Alternate translation: “bowed down respectfully to”

3295:8uv6wrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἔχοντες ἕκαστος1

It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. This could mean: (1) that each of the elders had a harp and golden bowls of incense. Alternate translation: “Each of the elders had” (2) that each of the living creatures and elders had a harp and golden bowls of incense. Alternate translation: “Each of the living creatures and elders had”

3305:8vhcurc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyαἵ εἰσιν αἱ προσευχαὶ τῶν ἁγίων1

When John says that these golden bowls are the prayers of the saints, he likely means by association that the incense in the bowls represents the prayers, since prayers ascend to God in heaven similarly to the way that incense rises through the air and pleasantly attracts attention. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this by using a singular verb that would refer to the incense rather than a plural verb that would refer to the bowls. Alternate translation: “which is the prayers of the saints”

3315:8r458rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτῶν ἁγίων1

As the General Introduction to Revelation discusses, John often uses the term saints to describe people who believe in Jesus and obey him faithfully. John uses the term by association with the way these people are set apart as holy for God. Your language may have a term or expression of its own that would convey this meaning that you could use throughout the book. You could also use plain language. Alternate translation: “of the disciples of Jesus” or “of believers in Jesus”

3325:9yu7hrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐσφάγης, καὶ ἠγόρασας τῷ Θεῷ ἐν τῷ αἵματί σου1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “you allowed people to slaughter you so that with your blood you could buy people for God”

3335:9qtv5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐν τῷ αἵματί σου1

This could mean: (1) the actual blood that Jesus offered as a sacrifice for sin. In that case, you could use the word for “blood” in your language with literal meaning and say “with your blood” as the ULT does. (2) the sacrificial death of Jesus, by association with the blood that Jesus shed when he died. Alternate translation: “through your sacrificial death”

3345:9r067rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἠγόρασας1

The living creatures and elders are speaking as if the Lamb literally bought people for God. They mean that through his sacrificial death, the Lamb saved them by setting them free from the guilt and power of sin. Your language may have a term that you can use in your translation that describes someone paying a price or making a sacrifice to set someone else free. Alternate translation: “you redeemed people”

3355:9zzc7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletἐκ πάσης φυλῆς, καὶ γλώσσης, καὶ λαοῦ, καὶ ἔθνους1

The terms tribe, language, people, and nation mean similar things. John is using the four terms together to make a comprehensive statement. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “from every different people group”

3365:10wn87βασιλείαν καὶ ἱερεῖς1

See how you translated the similar phrase in 1:6.

3375:10oyzerc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐπὶ τῆς γῆς1

John is using the term earth to mean by association the people who live on the earth. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “over the people of the earth”

3385:11wk9brc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructureμυριάδες μυριάδων καὶ χιλιάδες χιλιάδων1

Since myriads are larger than thousands and John wants to convey what a great number of angels he saw and heard, it might be more natural to put the smaller number first and build up to the larger number. Alternate translation: “thousands of thousands and myriads of myriads”

3395:11z74urc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitμυριάδες μυριάδων καὶ χιλιάδες χιλιάδων1

John may be using these multiples of large numbers to indicate implicitly that the number of angels was too great to count. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “too great to count”

3405:11xuy1rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbersμυριάδες μυριάδων1
3415:12gnv1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτὸ ἐσφαγμένον1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “who allowed others to slaughter him”

3425:12w0dvrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsλαβεῖν τὴν δύναμιν, καὶ πλοῦτον, καὶ σοφίαν, καὶ ἰσχὺν, καὶ τιμὴν, καὶ δόξαν, καὶ εὐλογίαν1

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of power, wealth, wisdom, strength**, honor, glory, and praise, you could express the same ideas in other ways. See how you translated the similar expression in 4:11.

3435:13sedxrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismπᾶν κτίσμα ὃ ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ, καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, καὶ ὑποκάτω τῆς γῆς, καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης, καὶ τὰ ἐν αὐτοῖς πάντα1

The phrase everything in them means basically the same thing as the phrase every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea. The second phrase emphasizes the meaning of the first phrase by repeating the same idea with different words. John is describing his vision in a way reminiscent of Hebrew poetry, which was based on this kind of repetition. It would be good to show this to your readers by including both phrases in your translation rather than combining them. However, if the repetition might be confusing, you could connect the phrases with a word other than and in order to show that the second phrase is repeating the first one, not saying something additional. Alternate translation: “every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, yes, everything in them”

3445:13sad6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merismἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ, καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, καὶ ὑποκάτω τῆς γῆς1

John is using the main components of creation—heaven, earth, the underworld, and the sea—to mean all of creation. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. See how you translated the similar expression in 5:3. Alternate translation: “everywhere in creation”

3455:13to6krc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsτῷ καθημένῳ ἐπὶ τῷ θρόνῳ καὶ τῷ Ἀρνίῳ ἡ εὐλογία, καὶ ἡ τιμὴ, καὶ ἡ δόξα, καὶ τὸ κράτος1

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the idea of praise, honor, glory, and power, you could express the same ideas in another way. See how you translated the similar expressions in 4:11 and 5:12.

3465:13x05rrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomεἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων1

See how you translated the same expression in 1:18. Alternate translation: “forever”

3475:14r459rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariantsοἱ πρεσβύτεροι ἔπεσαν καὶ προσεκύνησαν1

Some ancient manuscripts read the elders fell down and worshiped. ULT follows that reading. Other ancient manuscripts add “the one who lives to the ages of the ages.” If a translation of the Bible exists in your region, you may wish to use the reading that it has. If a translation of the Bible does not exist in your region, you may wish to use the reading of ULT.

3485:14j2f3rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-symlanguageἀμήν!1

See how you translated Amen in 1:6.

3495:14r5a3rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symactionἔπεσαν1

Alternate translation: “bowed down respectfully”

3506:introzkn70

Revelation 6 General Notes

Structure and Formatting

This chapter describes what John saw happen when the Lamb opened each of the first six seals on the scroll that God gave him. (The Lamb does not open the seventh seal until chapter 8.)

  • The first seal (6:12)
  • The second seal (6:34)
  • The third seal (6:56)
  • The fourth seal (6:78)
  • The fifth seal (6:911)
  • The sixth seal (6:1216)

Special Concepts in this Chapter

Seven seals

See the discussion in the General Notes to chapter 5 of the seals that kept important documents secure in this culture.

Four horsemen

As the Lamb opens each of the first four seals, John describes seeing horsemen riding differently colored horses. The colors of the horses may symbolize how each rider will affect the earth. However, it is not necessary to suggest the meaning of these colors in your translation. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-apocalyptic]])

Translation issues in this chapter

Ordinal numbers

John uses the ordinal numbers “second” through “sixth” in verses 3, 5, 7, 9, and 12. If your language does not use ordinal numbers, you can use cardinal numbers or equivalent expressions in your translation. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])

Similes

In verses 1214, John makes several comparisons in order to describe the images he saw in his vision. He compares these images to everyday things. Notes to these verses suggest ways you might indicate the points of these comparisons in your translation. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])

3516:1v9tdrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileὡς φωνῇ βροντῆς1

The point of this comparison is that just as thunder is loud, so the voice of this living creature was loud. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “in a voice that was as loud as thunder”

3526:2t2qgrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐδόθη αὐτῷ στέφανος1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “he received a crown” or “God gave him a crown”

3536:2vie0rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetryἐξῆλθεν νικῶν, καὶ ἵνα νικήσῃ1

John may mean that the rider on the white horse went out “as a conquering one,” that is, with all the capacity of a conqueror. In that case, for emphasis he would be using a construction in which a subject and its verb come from the same root. You may be able to use the same construction in your language to express the meaning here. Alternatively, your language may have another way of showing the emphasis. Alternate translation: “he went out as a conqueror who was going to conquer”

3546:3zk1rrc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronounsἤνοιξεν1

The pronoun he refers to the Lamb. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers, here and in verses 5, 7, 9, and 12. Alternate translation: “the Lamb opened”

3556:3bs66rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinalτὴν σφραγῖδα τὴν δευτέραν & τοῦ δευτέρου ζῴου1

As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, if your language does not use ordinal numbers, you can use cardinal numbers or equivalent expressions in these instances. Alternate translation: “seal number two … living creature number two”

3566:4w57mrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτῷ καθημένῳ ἐπ’ αὐτὸν, ἐδόθη αὐτῷ1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God allowed the one sitting on it”

3576:4a4torc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsλαβεῖν τὴν εἰρήνην ἐκ τῆς γῆς1

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of peace, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “to keep the earth from being peaceful”

3586:4pa3irc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyλαβεῖν τὴν εἰρήνην ἐκ τῆς γῆς1

John is using the term earth to mean by association the people who live on the earth. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “to keep the people living on the earth from being peaceful”

3596:4zsi7rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronounsσφάξουσιν1

The pronoun they refers generally to the people living on the earth. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “people will slaughter”

3606:4je64rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐδόθη αὐτῷ μάχαιρα μεγάλη1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God gave him a great sword”

3616:5rm4yrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownζυγὸν1

The word balance describes an instrument for determining the weight of an object or comparing the weight of two objects. It consists of a central post with a crossbar from which two pans are hung. An object may be placed in one pan and known weights placed in the other pan until the crossbar remains level, meaning that both pans contain an equal weight. Or one object may be placed in one pan and a different object in the other pan; the pan that hangs lower contains the heavier object. Since John is describing what he saw, it would be appropriate to use the name or a description of the ancient tool rather than use the name of a modern device for weighing things. Alternate translation: “a balancing scale” or “a weighing instrument”

3626:6hap3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitλέγουσαν1

This voice is giving instructions to the rider on the black horse. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “saying to the rider on the black horse”

3636:6znv4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitχοῖνιξ σίτου δηναρίου, καὶ τρεῖς χοίνικες κριθῶν δηναρίου1

The implication is that there would be famine, so that wheat and barley, the staple crops in this culture, would become scarce and very expensive. (The balance that John describes the third rider holding in the previous verse may symbolize weighing grain for sale.) You could indicate this in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “Create famine that will cause grain to become so scarce that a choenix of wheat will cost a denarius and three choenices of barley will cost a denarius”

3646:6b5rrrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bvolumeχοῖνιξ σίτου & τρεῖς χοίνικες κριθῶν1

A choenix was a measure equivalent to about one liter or one quart. The plural of choenix is choenices. Alternate translation: “one liter of wheat … three liters of barley” or “one quart of wheat … three quarts of barley”

3656:6v3snrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoneyδηναρίου & δηναρίου1

The denarius was a silver coin that was worth a days wages for a laborer. You could try to express this amount in terms of current monetary values, but that might cause your Bible translation to become outdated and inaccurate, since those values can change over time. So instead you could use a general expression or give the equivalent in wages. Alternate translation, in each instance: “for one silver coin” or “for the pay for one day of work”

3666:6c5ikrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegativesμὴ ἀδικήσῃς1

If it would be clearer in your language, you could use a positive expression to translate this double negative that consists of the negative particle not and the negative verb harm. Alternate translation: “be careful to preserve”

3676:7ugy9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdocheἤκουσα φωνὴν τοῦ τετάρτου ζῴου λέγοντος1

John is using one part of the fourth living creature, its voice, to mean all of it in the act of speaking. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I heard the fourth living creature saying”

3686:8t7y4rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-transliterateὁ ᾍδης1

See how you translated the term Hades in 1:18.

3696:8qllyrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐδόθη αὐτοῖς ἐξουσία1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God gave authority to them”

3706:8df32rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτὸ τέταρτον τῆς γῆς1

Here, the earth represents the people of the earth. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your language or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “one fourth of the people on the earth”

3716:8aj1hrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-fractionτὸ τέταρτον τῆς γῆς1

Here, one fourth means one part out of four equal parts. Alternate translation: “one out of every four people on the earth”

3726:8tjw8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyῥομφαίᾳ1

John is using the term sword to mean warfare by association with the way the people of his time used swords as weapons in warfare. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “warfare”

3736:8o6hyrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdocheθανάτῳ1

John is likely using the general term death to mean one specific cause of death, disease. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “disease”

3746:9qbr2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitτοῦ θυσιαστηρίου1

John mentions an altar here without having described it previously while relating what he saw in this vision. He seems to mean a golden altar that was in front of Gods throne, as he later describes in 8:3 and 9:13. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “a golden altar that was in front of Gods throne”

3756:9b2kprc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτῶν ἐσφαγμένων1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the ones whom people had slaughtered”

3766:9za66rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismδιὰ τὸν λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ , καὶ διὰ τὴν μαρτυρίαν ἣν εἶχον1

These two phrases mean similar things. John is using repetition to emphasize the idea that the phrases express. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could combine them. Alternate translation: “because they testified to the word of God”

3776:9v8pjrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyδιὰ τὸν λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ1

John is using the term word to mean the message that God communicated to believers by using words and that God wants believers to share by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “because they shared the message from God”

3786:9x1yrrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsδιὰ τὴν μαρτυρίαν ἣν εἶχον1

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of testimony, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “because they testified about Jesus”

3796:10r4v6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion ἕως πότε ὁ Δεσπότης ὁ ἅγιος καὶ ἀληθινός, οὐ κρίνεις καὶ ἐκδικεῖς τὸ αἷμα ἡμῶν, ἐκ τῶν κατοικούντων ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς?1

The souls are using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “Holy and true Ruler, we want you to judge and avenge our blood from the ones living on the earth without any further delay!”

3806:10s8borc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructureοὐ κρίνεις καὶ ἐκδικεῖς τὸ αἷμα ἡμῶν, ἐκ τῶν κατοικούντων ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς1

Since the souls actually want God to judge the ones living on the earth and avenge their blood, it may be more natural to present the phrases in that order . Alternate translation: “do you not judge the ones living on the earth and avenge our blood from them”

3816:10qz1irc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐκδικεῖς τὸ αἷμα ἡμῶν, ἐκ τῶν κατοικούντων ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς1

The souls are using the term blood by association to mean their deaths. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “punish the ones living on the earth to avenge our deaths”

3826:10copurc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitτῶν κατοικούντων ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς1

The souls are implicitly saying that they want God to judge and punish the ones living on the earth who killed them. See how you translated this expression in 3:10. Alternate translation: “the worldly people who killed us”

3836:11x3a9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐδόθη αὐτοῖς ἑκάστῳ στολὴ λευκή, καὶ ἐρρέθη αὐτοῖς1

If your language does not use these passive forms, you could express the ideas in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God gave each of them a white robe and told them”

3846:11bq1prc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveπληρωθῶσιν καὶ1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “people had killed all of”

3856:11e4s5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletκαὶ οἱ σύνδουλοι αὐτῶν, καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ αὐτῶν1

The terms fellow servants and brothers mean similar things. The two terms are being used together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “all of those who believed in Jesus as they did”

3866:11p615rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorοἱ ἀδελφοὶ1

Here the term brothers describes people who share the same faith. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “fellow believers”

3876:11r473rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotationsοἱ ἀδελφοὶ1

Although the term brothers is masculine, here the word has a generic sense that includes both men and women. If you wish to retain the expression in your translation, you could word it in a way that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “brothers and sisters”

3886:12g9dmrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownσεισμὸς μέγας1

An earthquake is a natural disaster in which the ground shakes, often destroying buildings, bridges, and other structures. Your language and culture may have a term for an earthquake that you can use in your translation. You could also use a general expression. Alternate translation: “a great shaking of the ground”

3896:12xu8lrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownὡς σάκκος τρίχινος1

The word sackcloth describes clothing for mourning that in this culture was woven from black goat hair. In this culture, the color black was associated with death. Alternate translation: “like mourning clothing” or “like the feathers of a raven”

3906:12g7rtrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileἡ σελήνη ὅλη ἐγένετο ὡς αἷμα1

The point of this comparison is that just as blood is red, the full moon turned read. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “the full moon became red like blood”

3916:13h912rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfoοἱ ἀστέρες τοῦ οὐρανοῦ 1

It might seem that the expression the stars of the sky contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you can shorten it. Alternate translation: “the stars”

3926:13qmw6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileἔπεσαν1

The point of this comparison is that just as all the fruit on a fig tree might fall at once if a great wind shook the tree, so John saw all of the stars fall at once. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “all fell at once”

3936:13s137rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὑπὸ ἀνέμου μεγάλου σειομένη1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation, with no comma preceding: “when a great wind shakes it”

3946:13lkffrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownὡς συκῆ βάλλει τοὺς ὀλύνθους αὐτῆς1

If your readers would not be familiar with a fig tree, you could use the name of a fruit tree that they would recognize or you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “as a fruit tree drops its late-ripening fruit”

3956:13r477rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownτοὺς ὀλύνθους1

The term unripe describes fruit that normally remains on a tree and ripens later. Alternate translation: “later-ripening fruit”

3966:14xzn5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὁ οὐρανὸς ἀπεχωρίσθη ὡς βιβλίον ἑλισσόμενον1

If your language does not use these passive forms, you could express the ideas in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the sky rolled up as a scroll does when it splits”

3976:14jyb7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileὁ οὐρανὸς ἀπεχωρίσθη ὡς βιβλίον ἑλισσόμενον1

The point of this comparison is that the sky went away, just as a scroll would roll away to the two sides of a surface if it split while someone had it spread out on that surface. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “the sky rolled away and disappeared, just as a scroll rolls up in two pieces if it splits”

3986:14ic4prc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐκ τῶν τόπων αὐτῶν ἐκινήθησαν1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “moved from their places”

3996:14isr6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἐκ τῶν τόπων αὐτῶν ἐκινήθησαν1

The implication is that the mountains and islands disappeared when they were removed from their places. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “moved from their places and disappeared”

4006:15m6j6rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownχιλίαρχοι1

The word chiliarchs describes officers in the Roman army who were in charge of groups of 1,000 soldiers. If your readers would not recognize this term, in your translation you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “military officers”

4016:15uo2erc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjοἱ πλούσιοι, καὶ οἱ ἰσχυροὶ1

John is using the adjectives rich and powerful as nouns to mean certain kinds of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate these words with equivalent phrases. Alternate translation: “rich people and powerful people”

4026:15n984rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merismκαὶ πᾶς δοῦλος καὶ ἐλεύθερος1

John may not be mentioning people who were slave and free in addition to all of the preceding people on this list. Instead, he may be using the two main civil statuses in his culture, slave and free, to mean all people. So this would be a summary of everyone on the list. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this in plain language. Alternate translation, preceded by a comma: “indeed, all people, regardless of their status,”

4036:16zov5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostropheλέγουσιν τοῖς ὄρεσιν καὶ ταῖς πέτραις, πέσετε ἐφ’ ἡμᾶς, καὶ κρύψατε ἡμᾶς1

The people are addressing things that they know cannot hear them, the mountains and the rocks, in order to express in a strong way what they are feeling. If your readers might not recognize what the people are doing, you could translate this in a way that would make that clear. Alternate translation: “they were saying that they wished the mountains and rocks would fall on them and hide them”

4046:16f4bjrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyπροσώπου1

The people are using the word face to mean by association the area in front of the one sitting on the throne where he can see people and things. Alternate translation: “the view”

4056:17bd8vrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἡ ἡμέρα ἡ μεγάλη τῆς ὀργῆς αὐτῶν1

While this was happening on a certain day, the people may be using the word day to mean a specific time, the time when God had chosen to judge the world. Alternate translation: “the momentous time when they will punish sin”

4066:17pmn6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionτίς δύναται σταθῆναι?1

The people are using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “no one is able to stand!”

4076:17r1tarc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτίς δύναται σταθῆναι?1

Here the word stand means to be declared innocent when judged, as in Psalm 130:3, “If you, Yahweh, would mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand?” which means, “If you, Yahweh, kept a record of sins, no one would be declared innocent.” Alternate translation: “and everyone will be punished, because no one is innocent!”

4087:introf27i0

Revelation 7 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The events of this chapter take place after the Lamb opens the sixth seal but before he opens the seventh seal. John describes a vision of 144,000 servants of God whom angels mark with a seal. John then describes a second vision about a great multitude praising God.

  • The 144,000 servants (7:18)
  • The great multitude (7:917)

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with verses 58 and 1517.

Translation issues in this Chapter

Large numbers

Translate the large numbers in verses 58 in the way that would be most natural in your language. Some languages may need to supply a noun after the number to express the meaning. For example, in verse 5 you might say “144,000” or “one hundred forty-four thousand people.” In verses 68 you might say “12,000” or “twelve thousand people.”

The order of the tribes

Translators should be aware that the tribes of the people of Israel are not listed in this chapter in the same order as they are generally listed in the Old Testament. This seems to be intentional, and scholars have offered various interpretations for it. In your translation, it would be appropriate to list the tribes in the order in which John presents them here, rather than listing them in the usual Old Testament order.

4097:1id3yrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἑστῶτας ἐπὶ τὰς τέσσαρας γωνίας τῆς γῆς, κρατοῦντας τοὺς τέσσαρας ἀνέμους τῆς γῆς1

John is speaking as if the earth had four corners. He is referring from his own standpoint to locations to the north, south, east, and west of him. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could state the meaning plainly, using your own language's words for these primary directions. Alternate translation: “at places on the earth where they could hold back the north, south, east, and west winds”

4107:1l088rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, μήτε ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης, μήτε ἐπὶ πᾶν δένδρον1

After John says that the wind would not blow on the land or on the sea, he may add or on any tree for emphasis, perhaps alluding to his reference in 6:13 to a great wind shaking a tree. In that case the two phrases would mean similar things, as the next two notes explain. John would be using the repetition for emphasis. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could combine the two phrases. Alternate translation: “on any place on the land or in the sea”

4117:1smkvrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merismἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, μήτε ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης1

John seems to be using the two main components of the world, the land and the sea, to mean everywhere in the world. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “anywhere in the world”

4127:1ln01rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdocheμήτε ἐπὶ πᾶν δένδρον1

John may be using one place where the wind might blow, against a tree, to mean every place where the wind might blow. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation, preceded by a comma: “no, not anywhere at all”

4137:2scy2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἀνατολῆς ἡλίου1

This expression refers to a specific direction. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly, using your own languages term for that direction. Alternate translation: “the east”

4147:2sgq7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitσφραγῖδα Θεοῦ ζῶντος1

In this case the word seal refers to a tool that a person would use to compress and mark wax in order to create a “seal” in the sense in which John uses that word in chapters 5 and 6. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “the sealing tool that belongs to the living God”

4157:2emz7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveοἷς ἐδόθη αὐτοῖς1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “whom God had allowed”

4167:2vu7trc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἀδικῆσαι τὴν γῆν καὶ τὴν θάλασσαν1

The implication is that these angels would harm the earth and the sea by not allowing any winds to blow on them. This would, for example, prevent any rainstorms from forming and watering crops. You could indicate this in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “to harm the earth and the sea by holding back the winds”

4177:3jlkcrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegativesμὴ ἀδικήσητε τὴν γῆν, μήτε τὴν θάλασσαν μήτε τὰ δένδρα1

If it would be clearer in your language, you could use a positive expression to translate this double negative that consists of the negative particle not and the negative verb harm. Alternate translation: “allow the winds to blow on the earth and the sea and the trees”

4187:4m58vrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτῶν ἐσφραγισμένων1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the ones whom the angels sealed”

4197:4lh7hrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbersἑκατὸν τεσσεράκοντα τέσσαρες χιλιάδες1

As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, you may translate the large number here and the large numbers in verses 68 in the way that would be most natural in your language. Some languages may need to supply a noun after the number to express the meaning. Alternate translation: “144,000” or “one hundred forty-four thousand people”

4207:4iundrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐσφραγισμένοι1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “The angels had sealed them”

4217:4oc2yrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorυἱῶν Ἰσραήλ1

Here the word sons could mean: (1) the literal sons of Israel (that is, Jacob) who were the ancestors of the 12 tribes. If this is the meaning, it would be appropriate to retain the term “sons” in your translation. (2) the descendants of Israel (Jacob), who formed 12 tribes. Alternate translation: “of the descendants of Israel”

4227:5p3m9rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-namesἸούδα & Ῥουβὴν & Γὰδ1

The words Judah, Reuben, and Gad are the names of men.

4237:5lyz8rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbersδώδεκα χιλιάδες1

Alternate translation: “12,000” or “twelve thousand people”

4247:5b784rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveδώδεκα χιλιάδες ἐσφραγισμένοι1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the angels sealed 12 thousands”

4257:6qkaqrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-namesἈσὴρ & Νεφθαλεὶμ & Μανασσῆ1

The words Asher, Naphtali, and Manasseh are the names of men.

4267:7v810rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-namesΣυμεὼν & Λευεὶ & Ἰσσαχὰρ1

The words Simeon, Levi, and Issachar are the names of men.

4277:8pwl0rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-namesΖαβουλὼν & Ἰωσὴφ & Βενιαμεὶν1

The words Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin are the names of men.

4287:8tzt6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveδώδεκα χιλιάδες ἐσφραγισμένοι1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the angels sealed 12 thousands”

4297:9kfhirc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-extrainfoὃν ἀριθμῆσαι αὐτὸν οὐδεὶς ἐδύνατο1

It might seem that this expression contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you can shorten it. Alternate translation: “that no one was able to number”

4307:9vqmsrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletἐκ παντὸς ἔθνους, καὶ φυλῶν, καὶ λαῶν, καὶ γλωσσῶν1

See how you translated the similar expression in 5:9. Alternate translation: “from every different people group”

4317:9s31krc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveπεριβεβλημένους στολὰς λευκάς1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “wearing white robes”

4327:9npserc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symactionστολὰς λευκάς1

See how you translated the similar expression in 3:4.. Alternate translation: “white robes symbolic of their purity”

4337:9rvffrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symactionφοίνικες1

In this culture, people would wave palm branches on special occasions, especially to celebrate a victory. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: “palm branches for a victory celebration”

4347:10vlv1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsἡ σωτηρία τῷ Θεῷ ἡμῶν, τῷ καθημένῳ ἐπὶ τῷ θρόνῳ καὶ τῷ Ἀρνίῳ1

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of Salvation, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “Our God, who is the one sitting on the throne, and the Lamb are the ones who have saved us”

4357:10k4mhrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτῷ καθημένῳ ἐπὶ τῷ θρόνῳ1

The people in the great multitude are describing Gods supreme ruling power and authority by association with the way he is sitting on the throne, a symbol of that power and authority. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the ruler of all”

4367:11aja9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἔπεσαν & ἐπὶ τὰ πρόσωπα αὐτῶν1

Be sure that it is clear in your translation that the angels and elders and living creatures did not fall down accidentally. They bowed down in front of the throne as a gesture to honor God. Alternate translation: “they bowed down with their faces to the ground”

4377:12lf1mἡ εὐλογία, καὶ ἡ δόξα, καὶ ἡ σοφία, καὶ ἡ εὐχαριστία, καὶ ἡ τιμὴ, καὶ ἡ δύναμις, καὶ ἡ ἰσχὺς, τῷ Θεῷ ἡμῶν1

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of Praise, glory, wisdom, thanks**, honor, power, and strength, you could express the same ideas in other ways. See how you translated the similar expression in 4:11. Alternate translation: “May everyone praise, glorify, thank, and honor our God and acknowledge how wise, powerful, and strong he is”

4387:12d74frc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomεἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων1

See how you translated the same expression in 1:18. Alternate translation: “forever”

4397:13kgmbrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadysἀπεκρίθη & λέγων μοι1

This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with and. The word responded indicates that this elder was saying these things to John in response to what John was seeing in this vision. If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this meaning with an equivalent phrase that does not use “and.” Alternate translation: “asked me”

4407:13vwwdrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionοὗτοι, οἱ περιβεβλημένοι τὰς στολὰς τὰς λευκὰς, τίνες εἰσὶν καὶ πόθεν ἦλθον1

This elder is using the question form to introduce something he wants to make sure John understands. Since John answers the question in the next verse, it would be appropriate to retain the question form in your translation, but if it would be helpful to your readers, you could word the question in a way that would show its purpose. Alternate translation: “Do you know who these people are who are wearing white robes and where they have come from”

4417:13wz8zrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveπεριβεβλημένοι τὰς στολὰς τὰς λευκὰς1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the ones wearing white robes”

4427:14p6enrc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-politenessκύριέ μου, σὺ οἶδας1

John is answering the elder politely. You may translate this the way someone would respond politely in your language to a question whose answer they did not know. Alternate translation: “I do not know, please tell me”

4437:14ygtirc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsτῆς θλίψεως τῆς μεγάλης1

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of tribulatron, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “the time when believers in Jesus will be greatly persecuted”

4447:14b7mirc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἔπλυναν τὰς στολὰς αὐτῶν, καὶ ἐλεύκαναν αὐτὰς ἐν τῷ αἵματι τοῦ Ἀρνίου1

As in 3:4 and other passages in the book, robes that are white represent purity of life and devotion to Jesus. The blood of the Lamb is the blood that Jesus shed when he died on the cross as the Savior. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. The UST models one way to do this.

4457:15us3irc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merismἡμέρας καὶ νυκτὸς1

The elder is using the two main components of time, day and night, to mean all the time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “constantly”

4467:15k9f2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorσκηνώσει ἐπ’ αὐτούς1

The elder is speaking as if God would literally tabernacle over these believers, that is, set up a tent in which he lives so that it shelters them as well. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “will live with them and keep them safe”

4477:16leuerc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegativesοὐ πεινάσουσιν ἔτι, οὐδὲ διψήσουσιν ἔτι1

If it would be clearer in your language, you could use a positive expression to translate these double negatives that consist of the negative particle not and the negative verbs hunger and thirst. The UST models one way to do this.

4487:16t45hrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorοὐδὲ μὴ πέσῃ ἐπ’ αὐτοὺς ὁ ἥλιος, οὐδὲ πᾶν καῦμα1

This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with or. The word sun tells where this heat comes from. If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this meaning with an equivalent phrase that does not use “or.” Alternate translation: “nor will the heat of the sun fall on them at all”

4497:16gk5zrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyοὐδὲ μὴ πέσῃ ἐπ’ αὐτοὺς ὁ ἥλιος, οὐδὲ πᾶν καῦμα1

By referring to the sun and its heat, this elder may mean by association that these people will never again have to work hard in the hot sun to make a living. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and they will no longer have to work hard in the hot sun to make a living”

4507:17bi5irc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorποιμανεῖ αὐτούς1

The elder is speaking as if Jesus would literally shepherd these believers. He means that Jesus will care for them, as a shepherd cares for sheep. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “will take care of them”

4517:17f001rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotemarksὁδηγήσει αὐτοὺς ἐπὶ ζωῆς πηγὰς ὑδάτων & ἐξαλείψει ὁ Θεὸς πᾶν δάκρυον ἐκ τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν αὐτῶν1

These are quotations from the Old Testament, from Isaiah 49:10 and Isaiah 25:8. Since they occur within Johns quotation of what this elder told him, they are second-level quotations. You may be able to indicate this by using second-level quotation marks or some other punctuation or convention of your language. You may also wish to use special formatting to set off these quotations, as the ULT does.

4527:17m6m8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorὁδηγήσει αὐτοὺς ἐπὶ ζωῆς πηγὰς ὑδάτων1

The elder is speaking as if Jesus would literally guide these believers to springs of water. He is using water to represent the everlasting life that Jesus gives believers. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “will give them everlasting life”

4537:17g3d2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐξαλείψει ὁ Θεὸς πᾶν δάκρυον ἐκ τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν αὐτῶν1

The elder is using the word tear to mean by association the sorrow that people feel that leads them to shed tears. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “God will comfort their every sorrow” or “God will comfort them for every sorrow that they have experienced”

4548:introma7f0

Revelation 8 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This chapter begins to show what happens when the Lamb opens the seventh seal. God uses the prayers of all believers to cause dramatic things to happen on earth. John then describes what happens when angels sound the first four of seven trumpets.

  • The Lamb opens the seventh seal (8:15)
  • The first trumpet (8:67)
  • The second trumpet (8:89)
  • The third trumpet (8:1011)
  • The fourth trumpet (8:1213)

Translation issues in this chapter

Ordinal numbers

John uses the ordinal numbers “first” through “fourth” in verses 7, 8, 10, and 12. If your language does not use ordinal numbers, you can use cardinal numbers or equivalent expressions in your translation. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])

The fraction “one third”

Many times in this chapter John uses the expression “one third.” This means one part out of three equal parts. Translate this in the way that would be most natural in your language. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction]])

4558:1n6a6rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronounsἤνοιξεν1

The pronoun he refers to the Lamb. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “the Lamb opened”

4568:1mh2brc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinalτὴν σφραγῖδα τὴν ἑβδόμην1

If your language does not use ordinal numbers, you can use a cardinal number here or an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “seal number seven” or “the last seal”

4578:1unv9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitὡς ἡμιώριον1

An hour was the shortest interval of time that this culture measured. So half an hour may implicitly mean just a short time. You could indicate this in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “for a moment”

4588:2o7x5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἐνώπιον & ἑστήκασιν1

In this context, while these angels may indeed position themselves in front of God's throne, the phrase stand before means to stay in the presence of another person in order to serve that person whenever and however needed. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “who remain ready to serve”

4598:2fri9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐδόθησαν αὐτοῖς ἑπτὰ σάλπιγγες1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God gave each of them a trumpet”

4608:3f9g9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐστάθη & ἐδόθη αὐτῷ θυμιάματα πολλὰ1

If your language does not use these passive forms, you could express the ideas in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “stationed himself … God gave him much incense”

4618:4lq1qrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐκ χειρὸς τοῦ ἀγγέλου1

Here, hand refers to the censer in the angels hand. Alternate translation: “from the censer that the angel was holding”

4628:5l79wrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐγέμισεν αὐτὸν ἐκ τοῦ πυρὸς τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου1

This is probably a reference to coals that were on fire on the altar. Alternate translation: “filled it with burning coals from the fire on the altar”

4638:5g6forc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronounsἔβαλεν1

While the pronoun it refers to the censer in its first instance, in its second instance it refers to the fire from the altar. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “threw the fire” or “threw the burning coals”

4648:6qhj9rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetryσάλπιγγας & σαλπίσωσιν1

John is using a construction in which a verb and its object come from the same root. The verb translated trumpet has the same root as the word translated trumpets. The repetition of the sounds may be intended to have a musical effect. You may be able to use the same construction in your translation if your language has similar words for this kind of instrument and for the action of playing it.

4658:7ucb7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitὁ πρῶτος ἐσάλπισεν1

The word first implicitly means the first angel, and the word sounded implicitly means that he sounded his trumpet. You could indicate this in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “the first angel sounded his trumpet”

4668:7idu7rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinalὁ πρῶτος1

As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, if your language does not use ordinal numbers, you can use cardinal numbers or equivalent expressions here and in verses 8, 10, and 12. Alternate translation: “angel number one”

4678:7g5gprc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐβλήθη & κατεκάη & κατεκάη & κατεκάη1

If your language does not use these passive forms, you could express the ideas in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the angel threw it … burned up … burned up … burned up”

4688:7ga1rrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτὸ τρίτον τῆς γῆς κατεκάη, καὶ τὸ τρίτον τῶν δένδρων κατεκάη, καὶ πᾶς χόρτος χλωρὸς κατεκάη1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could state this in active form. Alternate translation: “it burned up a third of the earth, a third of the trees, and all the green grass”

4698:7r460rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariantsκαὶ τὸ τρίτον τῆς γῆς κατεκάη1

Some ancient manuscripts include the phrase and a third of the earth was burned up. The ULT follows that reading. Other ancient manuscripts do not include that phrase. If a translation of the Bible exists in your region, you may wish to use the reading that it uses. If a translation of the Bible does not exist in your region, you may wish to use the reading of ULT.

4708:8uw2hrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὡς ὄρος μέγα πυρὶ καιόμενον, ἐβλήθη1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the angel threw something like a great mountain burning with fire”

4718:8ev7grc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-fractionἐγένετο τὸ τρίτον τῆς θαλάσσης αἷμα1

As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, the expression one third means one part out of three equal parts. Here and throughout the chapter, translate the expression in the way that would be most natural in your language.

4728:9vgf4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτὸ τρίτον τῶν πλοίων διεφθάρησαν1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the bloody water destroyed a third of the ships”

4738:11nlohrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfoτὸ ὄνομα τοῦ ἀστέρος λέγεται ὁ Ἄψινθος1

It might seem that this expression contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you can shorten it. Alternate translation: “the name of the star is Wormwood”

4748:11as2nrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownὁ Ἄψινθος1

Wormwood is a woody shrub that tastes bitter. Because of its bitter taste, people in this culture believed that the shrub was poisonous. Your language may have a term for this shrub or for a similar one that you can use in your translation. You could also use a general expression. Alternate translation: “Bitter Shrub”

4758:11gei4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐγένετο & ἄψινθον1

John means by association that the water became bitter and poisonous, as if it were the bitter wormwood shrub that people in his culture believed was poisonous. Alternate translation: “became poisonous like wormwood”

4768:11g4q5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnounπολλοὶ τῶν ἀνθρώπων1

John is not referring to a specific group of men. He means people in general. Express this in the way that would be most natural in your language. Alternate translation: “many people”

4778:12z936rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisἐπλήγη τὸ τρίτον τοῦ ἡλίου, καὶ τὸ τρίτον τῆς σελήνης, καὶ τὸ τρίτον τῶν ἀστέρων1

John is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “a third of the sun was struck, and a third of the moon and a third of the stars were struck”

4788:12dfm7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐπλήγη τὸ τρίτον τοῦ ἡλίου, καὶ τὸ τρίτον τῆς σελήνης, καὶ τὸ τρίτον τῶν ἀστέρων; ἵνα σκοτισθῇ τὸ τρίτον αὐτῶν1

If your language does not use these passive forms, you could express the ideas in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God struck a third of the sun and a third of the moon and a third of the stars so that a third of them turned dark”

4798:12ukh6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorσκοτισθῇ τὸ τρίτον αὐτῶν1

The phrase a third of them were darkened could mean: (1) one third of the time, the sun, moon, and stars were dark, or (2) one third of the sun, one third of the moon, and one third of the stars became dark. You could say either of these things as an alternate translation.

4808:12t1agrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἡ ἡμέρα μὴ φάνῃ τὸ τρίτον αὐτῆς1

When John says of a third of the day that it did not shine, he means by association that the sun did not shine during a third of the day. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the sun did not shine during one third of the day”

4818:12x2bwrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisκαὶ ἡ νὺξ ὁμοίως1

John is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “and likewise a third of the night did not shine” or “and likewise the moon and the stars did not shine during one third of the night”

4828:13r461rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariantsἀετοῦ1

Some ancient manuscripts read eagle. ULT follows that reading. Other ancient manuscripts read “angel.” If a translation of the Bible exists in your region, you may wish to use the reading that it uses. If a translation of the Bible does not exist in your region, you may wish to use the reading of ULT.

4838:13mkd3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplicationοὐαὶ, οὐαὶ, οὐαὶ1

The eagle may be repeating the word woe for emphasis. If it would not be natural in your language to repeat a word in that way, you could express the emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “What great woe the ones living on the earth will experience” or see the next note for another possibility.

4848:13hfjarc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitοὐαὶ, οὐαὶ, οὐαὶ1

Since 9:12 and 11:14 speak of a first, second, and third “woe,” the eagle may be announcing implicitly that three terrible events are about to occur. The UST models a way to express this possible meaning of the phrase woe, woe, woe.

4858:13t954rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitτῶν λοιπῶν φωνῶν τῆς σάλπιγγος τῶν τριῶν ἀγγέλων τῶν μελλόντων σαλπίζειν1

This does not mean that the three angels only have one trumpet among them. Alternate translation: “the blasts that the remaining three angels will make on their trumpets when they blow them”

4869:introsq5c0

Revelation 9 General Notes

Structure and Formatting

In this chapter, John continues to describe what happens when angels sound seven trumpets. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-apocalyptic]])

  • The Fifth Trumpet (9:1-12)
  • The Sixth Trumpet (9:13-21)

Special Concepts in this Chapter

Woe

John describes several “woes” in the book of Revelation. This chapter begins to describe the three “woes” announced at the end of Chapter 8. Woes signify calamity, disaster, or terrible events.

Animal imagery

This chapter includes several animals: locusts, scorpions, horses, lions, and snakes. Animals convey different qualities or traits. For example, a lion is powerful and dangerous. Translators should use the same animals in their translation if possible. If the animal is unknown, use a familiar one with similar qualities or traits.

Abaddon and Apollyon

“Abaddon” is a Hebrew word. “Apollyon” is a Greek word. Both words mean “Destroyer.” John used the sounds of the Hebrew word and wrote them with Greek letters. The ULT and UST write the sounds of both words with English letters. Translators are encouraged to transliterate these words using the letters of their own language. The original Greek readers would have understood “Apollyon” to mean “Destroyer.” So translators may also indicate this meaning in the text or in a footnote. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-transliterate]])

Important Figures of Speech in this Chapter

Simile

John uses many similes in this chapter. They help to describe the images that he sees in his vision. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])

Generic Sense

Several times in this chapter John uses the masculine word “men” in a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use a term in your language that is clearly inclusive of both men and women such as “people” or “humanity.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations]])

4879:1d26crc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinalὁ πέμπτος ἄγγελος1

If your language does not use ordinal numbers, you can use a cardinal number here or an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “angel number five”

4889:1s6j9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐδόθη αὐτῷ ἡ κλεὶς τοῦ φρέατος τῆς Ἀβύσσου1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the star received the key to the shaft of the abyss”

4899:2tp79rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileἀνέβη καπνὸς ἐκ τοῦ φρέατος, ὡς καπνὸς καμίνου μεγάλης1

The point of this comparison is that a large quantity of smoke came from the shaft, just as a great furnace would give off a large quantity of smoke. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “a large quantity of smoke went up from the shaft, as does from a huge furnace”

4909:2off8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐσκοτώθη ὁ ἥλιος καὶ ὁ ἀὴρ ἐκ τοῦ καπνοῦ τοῦ φρέατος1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the smoke from the shaft darkened the sun and the air”

4919:3va04rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐδόθη αὐταῖς ἐξουσία1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God gave them power”

4929:3a4e7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileἐδόθη αὐταῖς ἐξουσία, ὡς ἔχουσιν ἐξουσίαν οἱ σκορπίοι τῆς γῆς1

The point of this comparison is that just as scorpions of the earth have the power to hurt people by stinging them, so these locusts from the abyss had the power to hurt people in that same way. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “to hurt people by stinging them, just as scorpions on earth do”

4939:3mjf1rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownσκορπίοι1

A scorpion is an insect with a poisonous stinger at the end of its long tail. The sting can cause severe pain or even death. If your readers would not be familiar with what a scorpion is, in your translation you could use the name of a comparable insect or animal in your area. Alternate translation: “deadly stinging insects”

4949:4cl6prc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐρρέθη αὐταῖς1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God commanded them”

4959:4mou1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotationsἐρρέθη αὐταῖς, ἵνα μὴ ἀδικήσουσιν τὸν χόρτον τῆς γῆς, οὐδὲ πᾶν χλωρὸν, οὐδὲ πᾶν δένδρον, εἰ μὴ τοὺς ἀνθρώπους οἵτινες οὐκ ἔχουσι τὴν σφραγῖδα τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐπὶ τῶν μετώπων1

It may be more natural in your language to have a direct quotation here. Alternate translation: “And they were told, Do not harm the grass of the earth or any green plant or any tree, but only the men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads

4969:4tz3frc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotationsτοὺς ἀνθρώπους1

As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, here and in several other places in this chapter John uses the masculine word men in a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use a term in your language that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “the people”

4979:5rui1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐδόθη αὐτοῖς ἵνα μὴ ἀποκτείνωσιν αὐτούς, ἀλλ’ ἵνα βασανισθήσονται1

If your language does not use these passive forms, you could express the ideas in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: Alternate translation: “God did not allow the locusts to kill these people but to torment them for five months

4989:5k428rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronounsἐδόθη αὐτοῖς ἵνα μὴ ἀποκτείνωσιν αὐτούς1

The them refers in its first instance to the locusts John describes in 9:3 and in its second instance the people John describes in 9:4 who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “it was given to the locusts that they should not kill these people”

4999:5u29src://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileὁ βασανισμὸς αὐτῶν ὡς βασανισμὸς σκορπίου, ὅταν παίσῃ ἄνθρωπον1

The point of this comparison is that just as the sting of a scorpion is very painful, the torment that people would experience after these locusts stung them would be very painful. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “their torment when the locusts stung them would be very painful, as the sting of a scorpion is very painful for a person”

5009:6ggwlrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ἐκείναις1

John is using the term days to refer to a specific time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “at that time”

5019:6rj6src://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismζητήσουσιν οἱ ἄνθρωποι τὸν θάνατον, καὶ οὐ μὴ εὑρήσουσιν αὐτόν, καὶ ἐπιθυμήσουσιν ἀποθανεῖν, καὶ φεύγει ὁ θάνατος ἀπ’ αὐτῶν1

These two phrases mean similar things. John is using repetition to emphasize the idea that the phrases express. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could combine the phrases. Alternate translation: “even though people will want very much to die, they will not be able to die”

5029:6p4mbrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsτὸν θάνατον1

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of death, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “to die”

5039:6f1b4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personificationφεύγει ὁ θάνατος ἀπ’ αὐτῶν1

John is speaking figuratively of death as if it were a living thing that could run away or flee. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “they will not be able to die”

5049:7zh82rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἡτοιμασμένοις εἰς πόλεμον1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “wearing armor for war”

5059:8r436rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileτρίχας ὡς τρίχας γυναικῶν1

In this culture women typically wore their hair long. So the point of this comparison is that the locusts had long hair. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “hair that was long like the hair of women”

5069:8r437rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisοἱ ὀδόντες αὐτῶν ὡς λεόντων ἦσαν1

John is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “their teeth were as the teeth of lions”

5079:8r438rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileοἱ ὀδόντες αὐτῶν ὡς λεόντων ἦσαν1

The point of this comparison is that the locusts had teeth that were sharp, large, and strong, like the teeth of lions. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “their teeth were sharp, large, and strong like lions teeth”

5089:9r439rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorεἶχον θώρακας ὡς θώρακας σιδηροῦς1

John is speaking as if these locusts literally had breastplates. He probably means that the skin on the front of their bodies was very hard. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the hard skin on the front of their bodies was like iron breastplates”

5099:9r440rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileεἶχον θώρακας ὡς θώρακας σιδηροῦς1

The point of this comparison is that the skin on the front of the locusts bodies was very strong, as if it were made of iron. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “the hard skin on the front of their bodies was very strong, like an iron breastplate”

5109:9r441rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownθώρακας σιδηροῦς1

A breastplate was a piece of armor that covered and protected the chest. If your readers would not be familiar with what a breastplate is, in your translation you could use the name of a comparable object in your culture, or you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “pieces of armor made of iron to protect a soldiers chest”

5119:9r442rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileἡ φωνὴ τῶν πτερύγων αὐτῶν ὡς φωνὴ ἁρμάτων ἵππων πολλῶν1

The point of this comparison is that the wings of all the locusts flying around made a very loud sound, like the sound of chariots. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “the sound of their wings was very loud, like the sound of many chariots of horses”

5129:9r443rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possessionἁρμάτων ἵππων1

John is using this possessive form to describe chariots that horses pull into battle. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this meaning without using a possessive form. Alternate translation: “horse-drawn chariots”

5139:9r444rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorτρεχόντων εἰς πόλεμον1

John is speaking as if these chariots were themselves literally running into battle, though it is the horses pulling the chariots which would be running and the drivers of the chariots who would be hurrying to get into the battle. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “whose drivers are hurrying them into battle”

5149:10qdc3rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownσκορπίοις1
5159:10lim1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitμῆνας πέντε1

This could mean implicitly: (1) that the locusts had power for five months to harm people. Alternate translation: “over a period of five months” (2) that the locusts could sting people and the people would be in pain for five months. Alternate translation: “with a sting that will cause them pain for five months”

5169:11fiu6rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownτῆς Ἀβύσσου1

See how you translated the term abyss in 9:1.

5179:11bkg6rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-transliterateτὸν ἄγγελον τῆς Ἀβύσσου; ὄνομα αὐτῷ Ἑβραϊστὶ, Ἀβαδδών, καὶ ἐν τῇ Ἑλληνικῇ ὄνομα ἔχει, Ἀπολλύων1

The word Abaddon is a Hebrew name that John spells out using Greek letters so that his readers will know how it sounds. John then tells his readers a Greek name, Apollyon, with the same meaning, so that his readers will know what it means. Both names mean Destroyer. In your translation you can spell both names the way they sound in your language and then explain their meaning. Alternate translation: “His Hebrew name is Abaddon and his Greek name is Apollyon; both names mean Destroyer”

5189:12gmxtrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit ἡ οὐαὶ ἡ μία ἀπῆλθεν1

See how you translated the term woe in 8:13. Alternate translation: “One terrible event is over”

5199:12r445rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinalἡ οὐαὶ ἡ μία1

If your language does not use ordinal numbers, you could use a cardinal number here or an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “woe number one”

5209:12r446rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomοὐαὶ1

See how you translated the term woe in 8:13. Alternate translation: “terrible event”

5219:13r447rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinalὁ ἕκτος ἄγγελος1

If your language does not use ordinal numbers, you could use a cardinal number here or an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “angel number six”

5229:13x4mdrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdocheφωνὴν μίαν1

John is using one part of a person, his voice, to represent all of the person in the act of speaking. John does not say who the speaker was, but it may have been God. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your culture or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “someone speaking”

5239:13q3a3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyκεράτων1

John is referring to the horn-shaped extensions that were at each of the four corners of the top of the altar. He calls them horns by association with their shape. If it would be clearer for your readers, in your translation you could just refer to the “corners” of the altar, as UST does.

5249:13r448rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorτοῦ ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ1

Here the word before means “in front of” or “in the presence of” another person. The Jews believed that God was especially present at his altar. Alternate translation: “that is in the presence of God”

5259:14r449rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinalτῷ ἕκτῳ ἀγγέλῳ1

If your language does not use ordinal numbers, you can use a cardinal number here or an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “to angel number six”

5269:14su17rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτοὺς δεδεμένους1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. The text does not say who bound these four angels, but it implies that God did it or commanded his own angels to do it. Alternate translation: “whom God had bound” or “whom God had commanded his own angels to bind

5279:14r450rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-namesΕὐφράτῃ1

The word Euphrates is the name of a river.

5289:15ijx2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐλύθησαν οἱ τέσσαρες ἄγγελοι, οἱ ἡτοιμασμένοι εἰς τὴν ὥραν, καὶ ἡμέραν, καὶ μῆνα, καὶ ἐνιαυτόν1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the sixth angel released the four angels whom God had prepared for the hour and day and month and year”

5299:15b3d6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletτὴν ὥραν, καὶ ἡμέραν, καὶ μῆνα, καὶ ἐνιαυτόν1

These words all refer to specific periods of time. John is using them together to emphasize that this is a very specific time. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “that specific time”

5309:15r451rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-fractionτὸ τρίτον τῶν ἀνθρώπων1

A third means one part out of three equal parts. Alternate translation: “one out of every three men”

5319:16r452rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructureὁ ἀριθμὸς τῶν στρατευμάτων τοῦ ἱππικοῦ δύο μυριάδες μυριάδων; ἤκουσα τὸν ἀριθμὸν αὐτῶν.1

John typically says I heard or “I saw” before describing what he heard or saw, so it might be more natural to put that information first. Alternate translation: “I heard the number of the horse soldiers; it was two myriads of myriads”

5329:16ays5rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbersδύο μυριάδες μυριάδων1

A myriad is a hundred hundreds, or ten thousand. Express this number in the way that would be most natural in your language. See how you translated a similar large number in 5:11. Alternate translation: “200,000,000” or see next note for another possibility.

5339:17j5n9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyθώρακας πυρίνους, καὶ ὑακινθίνους, καὶ θειώδεις1

John is describing the colors of the breastplates by association with other things that are those colors. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use objects from your own culture that are these colors or express the meaning plainly. See, for example, how you translated the word “fiery” in 6:3. Alternate translation: “breastplates that were fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow” or “bright red, dark blue, and brilliant yellow breastplates”

5349:17r453rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownὑακινθίνους1

A hyacinth is a plant in the lily family that has dark blue flowers on spikes. If your readers would not be familiar with what a hyacinth is, in your translation you could use the name of a plant or other object in your culture that is the same color as hyacinth flowers, or you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “dark blue”

5359:18r454rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἀπὸ τῶν τριῶν πληγῶν τούτων ἀπεκτάνθησαν τὸ τρίτον τῶν ἀνθρώπων ἐκ τοῦ πυρὸς, καὶ τοῦ καπνοῦ, καὶ τοῦ θείου, τοῦ ἐκπορευομένου ἐκ τῶν στομάτων αὐτῶν.1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “These three plagues of fire and of smoke and of sulfur coming out from their mouths killed a third of men”

5369:20xf3trc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveοἳ οὐκ ἀπεκτάνθησαν ἐν ταῖς πληγαῖς ταύταις1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the ones whom these plagues did not kill”

5379:20r455rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdocheἐκ τῶν ἔργων τῶν χειρῶν αὐτῶν1

John is using one part of these people, their hands, to represent all of each person in the act of doing works. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your culture or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “of the works they were doing”

5389:20d3vnrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletἃ οὔτε βλέπειν δύνανται, οὔτε ἀκούειν, οὔτε περιπατεῖν1

The terms see and hear and walk all describe things that living beings are able to do. John is using the three terms together to emphasize that idols are not alive and cannot do anything for those who worship them. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “which are not alive at all”

53910:introys3l0

Revelation 10 General Notes

Structure and Formatting

In this chapter John begins to describe a vision he had of a mighty angel holding a scroll. John is viewing what is happening from the perspective of earth, which is why he speaks of this angel “coming down from heaven.” This vision takes place between the blowing of the sixth and seventh trumpets.

Special Concepts in this Chapter

Seven thunders

In this chapter John describes seven thunders making sounds that he could understand as words. However, translators should use their normal word for “thunder” when translating these verses. (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-personification]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/writing-apocalyptic]])

“The mystery of God”

This refers to some aspect of the hidden plan of God. It is not necessary to know what this mystery is when translating this phrase. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/reveal]])

Important Figures of Speech in this Chapter

Simile

In this chapter John uses similes to help him describe the face, legs, and voice of a mighty angel. Translators should represent other objects in this chapter, such as the rainbow and the cloud, with their normal meanings. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])

54010:1r345rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveπεριβεβλημένον νεφέλην1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “whose clothing was a cloud”

54110:1jj2erc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorπεριβεβλημένον νεφέλην1

John speaks of the angel as if he were wearing a cloud as his clothing. This expression could be understood as figurative. However, because very unusual things were often seen in visions, it could also be understood as a literally true statement in its context. Alternate translation: “in the midst of a cloud”

54210:1qax6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileκαὶ τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ ὡς ὁ ἥλιος, καὶ οἱ πόδες αὐτοῦ ὡς στῦλοι πυρός1

The point of these comparisons is that the angels face was very bright, like the sun, and that the angels feet were glowing like fire. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make these points explicitly. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “The angels face was very bright, like the sun, and his feet were glowing as if they were on fire”

54310:1p81xrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyοἱ πόδες αὐτοῦ1

Since John compares the feet of the angel to pillars, it is likely that by feet he means “legs” by association. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “his legs”

54410:2r346rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveβιβλαρίδιον ἠνεῳγμένον1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “a little scroll that he had opened”

54510:2r347rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjτὸν δὲ εὐώνυμον1

John is using the adjective left as a noun to mean a certain one of the angels feet. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “and his left foot”

54610:3r348rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileφωνῇ μεγάλῃ ὥσπερ λέων μυκᾶται1

The point of this comparison is probably that the loud voice of the angel commanded attention like the roar of a lion. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “in a loud voice that commanded attention as does a lions roar”

54710:3r349rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἐλάλησαν αἱ ἑπτὰ βρονταὶ1

John speaks of these seven thunders as if he assumes that his readers will know what or who they are, but he has not introduced or explained them earlier in the book and interpreters are not certain of their identity. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could introduce them in such a way as to indicate that John has not identified them previously. Alternate translation: “seven thunders spoke”

54810:3r350rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἐλάλησαν αἱ ἑπτὰ βρονταὶ1

This expression could mean that thunder spoke or sounded seven times, rather than that seven different thunders spoke. You could say that in your translation or indicate this possibility in a footnote. Alternate translation: “thunder spoke seven times” or “thunder sounded seven times”

54910:3r351rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfoἐλάλησαν & τὰς ἑαυτῶν φωνάς 1

It might seem that the expression spoke their own voices contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you could shorten it. Alternate translation: “spoke”

55010:4r352rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἤμελλον γράφειν1

The implication is that John was going to write down what the seven thunders had said. You can provide this information in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “I was going to write down what they had said”

55110:4r353rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorσφράγισον ἃ ἐλάλησαν αἱ ἑπτὰ βρονταί, καὶ μὴ αὐτὰ γράψῃς1

The voice spoke as if John should literally seal what the thunders said. However, since the voice then specified that John was not to write anything down, the voice meant that John should keep secret what the thunders said. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Keep secret what the seven thunders said by not writing it down”

55210:5l5xyrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symactionἦρεν τὴν χεῖρα αὐτοῦ τὴν δεξιὰν εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν1

The angel raised his right hand to heaven as a symbolic action to show that he was swearing an oath by God. If this would not be clear to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: “raised his right hand to heaven to show that he swearing an oath by God”

55310:6gmm8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitτῷ ζῶντι εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων1

John assumes that his readers will understand that the angel is referring to God with this expression. You can indicate that explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “by the eternal God”

55410:6t2f6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomεἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων1

This expression refers to endless future time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “for all eternity”

55510:6r354rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merismτὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ τὰ ἐν αὐτῷ, καὶ τὴν γῆν καὶ τὰ ἐν αὐτῇ, καὶ τὴν θάλασσαν καὶ τὰ ἐν αὐτῇ1

The angel is using the three parts of creation to mean all of creation. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “the entire creation”

55610:6egm1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomχρόνος οὐκέτι1

In this context, the word time means a delay. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “no further delay”

55710:7r355rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismἀλλ’ ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις τῆς φωνῆς τοῦ ἑβδόμου ἀγγέλου, ὅταν μέλλῃ σαλπίζειν1

These two phrases mean similar things. The angel is using repetition to emphasize the idea that the phrases express. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could combine them. Alternate translation: “but in the days when the seventh angel is going to sound a trumpet”

55810:7r356rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possessionτῆς φωνῆς τοῦ ἑβδόμου ἀγγέλου1

This possessive form does not describe what the seventh angel sounds like. Instead, it describes a sound that the seventh angel will make. Alternate translation: “when the seventh angel makes a sound”

55910:7r357rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις τῆς φωνῆς1

The angel is using the term days idiomatically to refer to a specific time. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “at the time of the sound”

56010:7c5gyrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐτελέσθη τὸ μυστήριον τοῦ Θεοῦ1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God will accomplish his mystery”

56110:8r358rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτὸ βιβλίον τὸ ἠνεῳγμένον ἐν τῇ χειρὶ τοῦ ἀγγέλου, τοῦ ἑστῶτος ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the scroll that the angel standing on the sea and on the land has opened and is holding in his hand”

56210:10r359rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐπικράνθη ἡ κοιλία μου1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “it made my stomach bitter”

56310:11r360rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronounsλέγουσίν μοι1

The pronoun they is an indefinite pronoun that does not have a specific referent in the immediate context. John is using this indefinite construction to focus on what he was told rather than on who told it to him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this with a different expression that does not use an indefinite pronoun. Alternate translation: “I was told”

56410:11r506rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletλαοῖς, καὶ ἔθνεσιν, καὶ γλώσσαις, καὶ βασιλεῦσιν πολλοῖς1

In this context, the terms peoples, nations, languages, and kings mean similar things. John is using the four terms together to make a comprehensive statement. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “every different people group”

56510:11ahb4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyλαοῖς, καὶ ἔθνεσιν, καὶ γλώσσαις, καὶ βασιλεῦσιν πολλοῖς1

The angel is referring to speakers of various languages by association with the languages themselves, and John is referring to the subjects of various kingdoms by association with their kings. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “many peoples and nations and speakers of many languages and subjects of many kingdoms”

56611:intros1170

Revelation 11 General Notes

Structure and Formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with verses 15 and 1718.

Woes

In 8:13, an angel announced three “woes” that the people living on the earth would suffer. Chapter 9 described the first woe. This chapter describes a second one.

Special Concepts in this Chapter

Gentiles

The word “Gentiles” here refers to ungodly people groups and not Gentile Christians. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/godly]])

Two witnesses

This chapter describes two witnesses. Scholars have many different ideas about who they are. Translators do not need to understand their exact identities in order to translate this chapter accurately. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/prophet]])

56711:1lkn6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐδόθη μοι κάλαμος ὅμοιος ῥάβδῳ λέγων1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, the context suggests that it was Jesus, since the same person speaks of “my two witnesses” in verse 3. Alternate translation: “Jesus gave me a reed like a measuring rod and said”

56811:1r362rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileκάλαμος ὅμοιος ῥάβδῳ1

The point of this comparison is that this reed was long and straight and John could use it to mark off distances as he could with a measuring rod. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “a reed that was long and straight so that I could use it to mark off distances, as I could with a measuring rod”

56911:2r363rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismτὴν αὐλὴν τὴν ἔξωθεν τοῦ ναοῦ, ἔκβαλε ἔξω καὶ μὴ αὐτὴν μετρήσῃς1

These two phrases mean similar things. John is using repetition to emphasize the idea that the phrases express. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could combine them. Alternate translation: “do not include the courtyard outside the temple in your measurements”

57011:2r364rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorτὴν αὐλὴν τὴν ἔξωθεν τοῦ ναοῦ, ἔκβαλε ἔξω1

The person who is giving John these instructions is speaking as if John should literally cast out the courtyard, that is, fling it away through the air. He means that John should exclude the courtyard from his measurements. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “exclude the courtyard outside the temple”

57111:2r365rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐδόθη τοῖς ἔθνεσιν1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, the context suggests that it was God. Alternate translation: “God has given it to the Gentiles”

57211:2r366rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitπόλιν τὴν ἁγίαν1

The person speaking with John assumes that he will understand that by the holy city he means Jerusalem. You could say that explicitly if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “the city of Jerusalem”

57311:3r367rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisδώσω1

The person speaking with John is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “I will grant authority”

57411:3r368rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveπεριβεβλημένοι σάκκους1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “wearing sackcloth”

57511:3h8vhrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symactionσάκκους1

See how you translated the word sackcloth in 6:12. These witnesses wore sackcloth while prophesying in order to show their sorrow and grief over the sins that people were committing against God. If this would not be clear to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: “sackcloth to show their grief and sorrow over sin”

57611:4pa44rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-symlanguageοὗτοί εἰσιν αἱ δύο ἐλαῖαι καὶ αἱ δύο λυχνίαι, αἱ ἐνώπιον τοῦ Κυρίου τῆς γῆς ἑστῶτες1

The two olive trees and the two lampstands symbolize these witnesses, but they are not literally the witnesses. Alternate translation: “The two olive trees and the two lampstands that stood before the Lord of the earth represent these witnesses”

57711:4p6mirc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitοὗτοί εἰσιν αἱ δύο ἐλαῖαι καὶ αἱ δύο λυχνίαι, αἱ ἐνώπιον τοῦ Κυρίου τῆς γῆς ἑστῶτες1

John assumes that his readers will understand that he is alluding to the vision had by the prophet Zechariah, who saw two olive trees and two lampstands in Zechariah 4:26. In that vision, the trees and lampstands represented the governor, Zerubbabel, and the high priest, Joshua, who led the rebuilding of the temple despite opposition. In the same way, the two witnesses in Johns vision will faithfully call people to obey God despite opposition. You could indicate that explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “These two witnesses will serve God faithfully despite opposition just as Zerubbabel and Joshua did, whom the prophet Zechariah saw depicted as two olive trees and two lampstands in a vision that God gave him”

57811:4r369rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorαἱ ἐνώπιον & ἑστῶτες1

In this context, the phrase stand before means to stay in the presence of another person in order to serve them whenever needed. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “who faithfully serve”

57911:5r370rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-goπῦρ ἐκπορεύεται ἐκ τοῦ στόματος αὐτῶν1

In a context such as this, your language might say “goes” instead of comes. Alternate translation: “fire goes out from their mouth”

58011:5r371rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenounsτοῦ στόματος αὐτῶν1

Since John is referring to two people, it might be more natural in your language to use the plural form of mouth or the dual form if your language has it. Alternate translation: “their mouths”

58111:5ab6brc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorκατεσθίει τοὺς ἐχθροὺς αὐτῶν1

John is speaking as if fire literally devours or eats up anyone who would wish to harm these witnesses. He means that the fire destroys them completely. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “destroys their enemies completely”

58211:5r372rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismκαὶ εἴ τις θελήσῃ αὐτοὺς ἀδικῆσαι, οὕτως δεῖ αὐτὸν ἀποκτανθῆναι1

This clause is essentially a repetition of the first clause in the verse. John is speaking in something like Hebrew poetry, which was based on this kind of repetition. It would be good to show this to your readers by including both phrases in your translation rather than combining them. However, if such repetition would not be natural in your language, you could connect the clauses with a word other than and in order to show that the second clause is repeating the first one, not saying something additional. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “Yes, if anyone should wish to harm them, he must be killed in this way”

58311:5r373rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveδεῖ αὐτὸν ἀποκτανθῆναι1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “he must die”

58411:6cac1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorκλεῖσαι τὸν οὐρανόν, ἵνα μὴ ὑετὸς βρέχῃ1

John is speaking as if these witnesses could literally close up the sky. As he goes on to say, he means that they will be able to prevent it from raining. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “to keep any rain from falling from the sky”

58511:6r374rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomτὰς ἡμέρας1

John is using the term days to refer to a specific time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “during the time”

58611:7r375rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-extrainfoτὸ θηρίον τὸ ἀναβαῖνον ἐκ τῆς Ἀβύσσου1

John describes this beast starting in 13:1, so you do not need to explain anything about it here.

58711:8r376rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitτῆς πόλεως τῆς μεγάλης1

John assumes that his readers will understand that by the great city he means Jerusalem. You could say that explicitly if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “Jerusalem”

58811:8r377rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἥτις καλεῖται πνευματικῶς1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “which we may spiritually call”

58911:8r378rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileἥτις καλεῖται πνευματικῶς, Σόδομα καὶ Αἴγυπτος1

The point of these comparisons is that God once destroyed Jerusalem because its people were so wicked, like Sodom, and that Jerusalem oppressed people who belonged to God, like Egypt. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “which God destroyed for wickedness as he destroyed Sodom and which oppressed Gods people as did Egypt”

59011:8r379rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-politenessὁ Κύριος αὐτῶν1

John is referring to Jesus by a respectful title. Use a form for addressing someone respectfully in your language. Alternate translation: “their Lord Jesus”

59111:8r380rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐσταυρώθη1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “suffered crucifixion”

59211:9r381rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet βλέπουσιν ἐκ τῶν λαῶν, καὶ φυλῶν, καὶ γλωσσῶν, καὶ ἐθνῶν1

The terms people, tribe, language, and nation mean similar things. John is using the four terms together to make a comprehensive statement. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “those from many different people groups look at”

59311:9r382rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy βλέπουσιν ἐκ τῶν λαῶν, καὶ φυλῶν, καὶ γλωσσῶν, καὶ ἐθνῶν1

John is referring to speakers of various languages by association with the language that each one speaks. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “those from different people groups and tribes, speakers of various languages, and those from other nations look at”

59411:9r383rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτὰ πτώματα αὐτῶν οὐκ ἀφίουσιν τεθῆναι εἰς μνῆμα1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “they do not permit anyone to place their corpses in a tomb”

59511:9bp61rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symactionτὰ πτώματα αὐτῶν οὐκ ἀφίουσιν τεθῆναι εἰς μνῆμα1

Leaving the corpses of the witnesses in the street, rather than burying them, is a symbolic action by which the people of Jerusalem show how much they hated the witnesses. If this would not be clear to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: “out of hatred they do not permit anyone to place their corpses in a tomb”

59611:10h4pqrc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-resultκαὶ οἱ κατοικοῦντες ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς χαίρουσιν ἐπ’ αὐτοῖς, καὶ εὐφραίνονται, καὶ δῶρα πέμψουσιν ἀλλήλοις, ὅτι οὗτοι οἱ δύο προφῆται ἐβασάνισαν τοὺς κατοικοῦντας ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς.1

If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: “Because these two prophets tormented the ones living on the earth, the ones living on the earth rejoice over them and celebrate and send gifts to one another”

59711:10r384rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitχαίρουσιν ἐπ’ αὐτοῖς, καὶ εὐφραίνονται1

The implication is that people rejoice over these witnesses because they are dead. You can provide this information in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “rejoice that they are dead, and they celebrate”

59811:10trs2rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symactionδῶρα πέμψουσιν ἀλλήλοις1

The people will send gifts to one another as a symbolic action to show how happy they are that the witnesses are dead. If this would not be clear to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: “send gifts to one another to show how happy they are that the witnesses are dead”

59911:11al5wrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personificationπνεῦμα ζωῆς ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ εἰσῆλθεν εἰς αὐτούς1

John is speaking of this breath as if it were a living thing that entered into the bodies of these witnesses on its own. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “God enabled them to live and breathe again”

60011:11r385rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfoἔστησαν ἐπὶ τοὺς πόδας αὐτῶν1

It might seem that this expression contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you could shorten it. Alternate translation: “they stood up”

60111:11u265rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personificationφόβος μέγας ἐπέπεσεν ἐπὶ τοὺς θεωροῦντας αὐτούς1

John is speaking figuratively of fear as if it were a living thing that actively fell on people who saw the witnesses alive again. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the ones seeing them became greatly afraid”

60211:12r386rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronounsἤκουσαν & αὐτοῖς & ἀνέβησαν & αὐτοὺς & αὐτῶν1

The pronouns they, their and them all refer to the witnesses, not to the people who were seeing them alive again. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “the witnesses heard … to them … the witnesses went up … their … them”

60311:12r387rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youdualἀνάβατε ὧδε1

Since the voice is speaking to two people, the implied “you” in the imperative Come up would be dual if your language uses that form. Otherwise, it would be plural.

60411:13r388rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ὥρᾳ1

John is using the term hour to refer to a specific time. He does not mean that the earthquake lasted for a full hour. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “at that time”

60511:13r389rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomτὸ δέκατον τῆς πόλεως ἔπεσεν1

John is not speaking of this tenth of the city as if it were a living thing that could fall down accidentally. He means that one tenth of the buildings in the city collapsed. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “one tenth of the buildings in the city collapsed”

60611:13r390rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἀπεκτάνθησαν ἐν τῷ σεισμῷ, ὀνόματα ἀνθρώπων χιλιάδες ἑπτά1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the earthquake killed the names of seven thousand men”

60711:13r391rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyὀνόματα ἀνθρώπων χιλιάδες ἑπτά1

Here, names represents people by association with the way that each person has a name. Alternate translation: “seven thousand men”

60811:13r392rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotationsἀνθρώπων1

Although the term men is masculine, John is using the word in a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use a term in your language that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “of people”

60911:13f4r2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἔδωκαν δόξαν τῷ Θεῷ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ1

This expression does not imply that God lacks glory in any way or that people have glory that they can give to God. It means the people in the city honored God, acknowledging that God was just to punish them with the earthquake for killing the two witnesses. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “honored the God of heaven” or “acknowledged that the God of heaven had done the right thing”

61011:14l7jprc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἡ οὐαὶ ἡ δευτέρα ἀπῆλθεν1

See how you translated “The first woe is past” in 9:12. Alternate translation: “The second terrible event is over”

61111:15sxx9rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinalὁ ἕβδομος ἄγγελος1

If your language does not use ordinal numbers, you could use a cardinal number here or an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “angel number seven”

61211:15en51rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἐγένετο ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ κόσμου τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν καὶ τοῦ Χριστοῦ αὐτοῦ1

The kingdom of the world could mean: (1) the system of sinful interests and institutions all over the world that is opposed to God. Alternate translation: “The kingdom of our Lord and his Christ will now replace the world-wide system that formerly opposed them” (2) the right to rule the people of the world. Alternate translation: “The kingdom of our Lord and his Christ will now include all the people in the world”

61311:15jsm2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsἐγένετο ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ κόσμου τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν καὶ τοῦ Χριστοῦ αὐτοῦ1

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of a kingdom, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: (1) “Our Lord and his Christ will now rule in place of the world-wide system that formerly opposed them” or (2) “Our Lord and his Christ will now rule over all the people of the world”

61411:15r393rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomεἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων1

This expression refers to endless future time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “for all eternity”

61511:16r394rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ1

Here the word before means “in front of” or “in the presence of” another person. Alternate translation: “in the presence of God”

61611:16r505rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἔπεσαν ἐπὶ τὰ πρόσωπα αὐτῶν1

This expression means that the elders lay down facing the ground. See how you translated the similar expression in 7:11. Alternate translation: “bowed down to the ground”

61711:17r462rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariantsὁ ὢν, καὶ ὁ ἦν1

Some ancient manuscripts read the one being and the one having been. ULT follows that reading. Other ancient manuscripts add “and who is to come.” If a translation of the Bible exists in your region, you may wish to use the reading that it uses. If a translation of the Bible does not exist in your region, you may wish to use the reading of ULT.

61811:18r396rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτὰ ἔθνη ὠργίσθησαν1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the nations were furious”

61911:18iv5krc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personificationἦλθεν ἡ ὀργή σου, καὶ ὁ καιρὸς τῶν νεκρῶν κριθῆναι1
62011:18r397rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisἦλθεν ἡ ὀργή σου, καὶ ὁ καιρὸς1

John is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “your wrath has come and the time has come”

62111:18h833rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτῶν νεκρῶν κριθῆναι1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “for you to judge the dead”

62211:18zk1urc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjτῶν νεκρῶν1

John is using the adjective dead as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “people who have died”

62311:18k3barc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτοῖς φοβουμένοις τὸ ὄνομά σου1

Here, name represents a person by association with the way that each person has a name. Alternate translation: “the ones fearing you”

62411:18r398rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorτοὺς μικροὺς καὶ τοὺς μεγάλους1

The elders are speaking as if unimportant people were literally small and as if important people were literally large or great. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the unimportant and the important”

62511:18r399rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjτοὺς μικροὺς καὶ τοὺς μεγάλους1

The elders are using the adjectives small and great as nouns to mean certain kinds of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate these words with equivalent phrases. Alternate translation: “both unimportant people and important people”

62611:18r400rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merismτοὺς μικροὺς καὶ τοὺς μεγάλους1

The elders are using two extremes of people, small and great, to mean them and everyone in between. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “whatever their status”

62711:19c7pdrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἠνοίγη ὁ ναὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ ὁ ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ, καὶ ὤφθη ἡ κιβωτὸς τῆς διαθήκης τοῦ Κυρίου ἐν τῷ ναῷ αὐτοῦ1

If your language does not use these passive forms, you could express the ideas in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God opened his temple in heaven and I could see the ark of the covenant of the Lord in his temple”

62811:19r401rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἠνοίγη ὁ ναὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ ὁ ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ1

By this expression, John likely means by association that in his vision, God created some opening that allowed him to see into the temple of God in heaven. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “God allowed me to look into his temple in heaven”

62912:introcq7x0

Revelation 12 General Notes

Structure and Formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with verses 1012.

Special Concepts in this Chapter

Serpent

The book of Revelation uses imagery from the Old Testament. In this chapter, John refers to Satan as the serpent. This image comes from the account of the Garden of Eden when Satan tempted Eve. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

63012:1r040rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveσημεῖον μέγα ὤφθη ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “people saw a great sign in heaven”

63112:1j9ylrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveπεριβεβλημένη τὸν ἥλιον1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “whom the sun was clothing”

63212:2r000rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἐν γαστρὶ ἔχουσα1

This expression means that the woman had a child in her womb, that is, she was pregnant. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “being pregnant”

63312:2r001rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-tenseκράζει1

To call attention to a development in the story, here John uses the present tense in past narration. If it would not be natural to do that in your language, you could use the past tense in your translation. Alternate translation: “she cried out”

63412:2r002rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὠδίνουσα, καὶ βασανιζομένη τεκεῖν1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “suffering birth pains that tormented her as she gave birth”

63512:2r003rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletὠδίνουσα, καὶ βασανιζομένη1

These two phrases mean similar things. John is using them together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “suffering terrible birth pains”

63612:3r041rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὤφθη ἄλλο σημεῖον1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “people saw another sign”

63712:3s1j6rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownδράκων πυρρός μέγας1

A dragon is a mythical monster that looks like a giant reptile. As 12:9 explains, in this book the dragon represents the devil. If your readers would not be familiar with what a dragon is, you could use a general expression in your translation. Alternate translation: “a large red monster”

63812:4r004rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-tenseσύρει1

To call attention to a development in the story, here John uses the present tense in past narration. If it would not be natural to do that in your language, you could use the past tense in your translation. Alternate translation: “swept”

63912:4ii1krc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-fractionτὸ τρίτον1

See how you translated this in 8:7. Alternate translation: “one third”

64012:5r005rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletυἱόν ἄρρενα1

The terms son and male mean similar things. John is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “a boy”

64112:5r006rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjἄρρενα1

John is using the adjective male as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “a male child”

64212:5zr5qrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐν ῥάβδῳ σιδηρᾷ1

John is speaking as if this child will literally use an iron scepter to rule all the nations. He means that the child will rule with great strength by association with the way that iron is very strong. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. See how you translated the similar phrase in 2:27. Alternate translation: “with great strength” or “with irresistible power”

64312:5r007rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownῥάβδῳ σιδηρᾷ1

A scepter was an ornamental staff or wand that rulers carried or held as a symbol of their authority. If your readers would not be familiar with what a scepter is, in your translation you could use the name of a comparable object in your culture or you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “a royal staff made of iron”

64412:5kfr1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἡρπάσθη τὸ τέκνον αὐτῆς πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν, καὶ πρὸς τὸν θρόνον αὐτοῦ1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God snatched away her child to his throne”

64512:5r008rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadysπρὸς τὸν Θεὸν, καὶ πρὸς τὸν θρόνον αὐτοῦ1

This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with and. The word God tells whose throne this is. If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this meaning with an equivalent phrase that does not use “and.” Alternate translation: “to Gods throne”

64612:6r010rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfoὅπου ἔχει ἐκεῖ τόπον ἡτοιμασμένον ἀπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ1

It might seem that this expression, which says both where and there, contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you could shorten it. Alternate translation: “where she has a place prepared by God”

64712:6r011rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὅπου ἔχει ἐκεῖ τόπον ἡτοιμασμένον ἀπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “where God has prepared a place for her”

64812:6r012rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronounsτρέφωσιν αὐτὴν1

The pronoun they is an indefinite pronoun that does not refer to anyone in the immediate context. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this with a different expression that does not use an indefinite pronoun. Alternate translation: “she might receive nourishment”

64912:8r013rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronounsοὐκ ἴσχυσαν1

The pronoun he refers to the dragon, not to Michael. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “the dragon was not strong enough”

65012:8r014rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyοὐκ ἴσχυσαν1

John means by association that the dragon was not strong enough to prevail against Michael and his army. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “he was not able to prevail”

65112:8r015rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτόπος εὑρέθη αὐτῶν1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “could anyone find a place for them”

65212:9r016rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐβλήθη ὁ δράκων ὁ μέγας1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. This could mean: (1) that God threw the dragon down after his angels defeated him. Alternate translation: “God threw down the dragon” (2) that Michael threw the dragon down to earth after defeating him in the war that they fought. Alternate translation: “Michael threw down the dragon”

65312:9r017rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitὁ ὄφις ὁ ἀρχαῖος, ὁ καλούμενος1

John assumes that his readers will understand that he is alluding to the way the devil appeared in the form of a serpent when he tempted Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. This story is told in Genesis 3:1-15. You can include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “who tempted Adam and Eve in the form of a serpent, who is called”

65412:9r038rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownὁ ὄφις ὁ ἀρχαῖος1

A serpent is the same animal that is also called a “snake.” It is a reptile that has no legs and so slithers along the ground. If your readers would not be familiar with what a serpent or snake is, you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “that ancient slithering reptile”

65512:9r009rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὁ καλούμενος1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “whom people call”

65612:9r018rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-namesΔιάβολος1

The word Diabolos is a name for the devil. Diabolos means “accuser” in Greek.

65712:9r019rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-transliterateὁ Σατανᾶς1

The word Satan is a Hebrew name that means “accuser.” So his readers will know how it sounds, John spells it out using Greek letters after giving the Greek equivalent, Diabolos, so that his readers will know what it means. In your translation you could spell Satan the way it sounds in your language and use the word for “accuser” in your own language in place of Diabolos so that your readers will know what it means.

65812:9r020rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτὴν οἰκουμένην ὅλην1

Here the term world refers to the people who live in the world. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “all the people of the world”

65912:9v1tprc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐβλήθη εἰς τὴν γῆν, καὶ οἱ ἄγγελοι αὐτοῦ μετ’ αὐτοῦ ἐβλήθησαν1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. This could mean: (1) that God threw the dragon down after his angels defeated him. Alternate translation: “God threw the dragon down to the earth and he threw his angels down with him” (2) that Michael threw the dragon and his angels down to earth after defeating them in the war that they fought. Alternate translation: “Michael threw the dragon down to the earth and he threw his angels down with him”

66012:10i112rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἤκουσα φωνὴν μεγάλην ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ λέγουσαν1

John is referring to someone speaking by association with the voice that the person is using to speak. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I heard someone saying loudly from heaven”

66112:10r021rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsἄρτι ἐγένετο ἡ σωτηρία, καὶ ἡ δύναμις, καὶ ἡ Βασιλεία τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡμῶν, καὶ ἡ ἐξουσία τοῦ Χριστοῦ αὐτοῦ1

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of salvation, power, kingdom, and authority, you could express the same ideas in other ways. It may be helpful to make this more than one sentence. Alternate translation: “Now our God has begun to save people. He has acted powerfully to establish his reign. His Christ is reigning with him”

66212:10r255rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive ἡμῶν & ἡμῶν & ἡμῶν1

This voice is addressing believers, since he refers to our brothers, so by our in each instance, the person speaking means himself and his addressees. So use the exclusive form of that word in your translation if your language marks that distinction.

66312:10r022rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐβλήθη ὁ κατήγορος τῶν ἀδελφῶν ἡμῶν1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, the context suggests that it was God. Alternate translation: “God has thrown down the accuser of our brothers”

66412:10a9wfrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorτῶν ἀδελφῶν ἡμῶν1

John is using the term brothers figuratively to mean people who share the same faith. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation, as in UST: “of our fellow believers”

66512:10r474rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotationsτῶν ἀδελφῶν ἡμῶν1

Although the term brothers is masculine, here the word has a generic sense that includes both men and women. If you wish to retain the figurative expression in your translation, you could word it in a way that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “our brothers and sisters”

66612:10jn6qrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merismἡμέρας καὶ νυκτός1

The voice is using the two parts of a full day, day and night, to mean all the time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “all the time”

66712:11zt7vrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτὸ αἷμα1

This could mean: (1) the actual blood that Jesus offered as a sacrifice for sin. In that case, you could use the word for “blood” in your language with literal meaning. (2) the sacrificial death of Jesus by association with the blood that Jesus shed when he died. Alternate translation: “the sacrificial death”

66812:11r024rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτὸν λόγον τῆς μαρτυρίας αὐτῶν1

The voice is using the term word to indicate that these believers gave their testimony to Jesus by speaking words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the testimony that they spoke”

66912:11lht6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsτὸν λόγον τῆς μαρτυρίας αὐτῶν1

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of word, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “by what they said when they testified to others about Jesus”

67012:11n6wkrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomοὐκ ἠγάπησαν τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτῶν ἄχρι θανάτου1

This expression means that these believers did not love their lives so much they would refuse death even if they needed to die in order to remain faithful to Jesus. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “they did not love their lives so much that they would not die for Jesus”

67112:12r023rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personificationεὐφραίνεσθε οὐρανοὶ, καὶ οἱ ἐν αὐτοῖς σκηνοῦντες1

The voice is speaking to the heavens as if they were a living thing that could rejoice. This may be something that readers could understand literally within the world of this vision. However, if it would be helpful to your readers, you could state the meaning differently. Alternate translation: “all of you who live in the heavens, rejoice in a way that can be heard throughout the heavens”

67212:12r037rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personificationοὐαὶ τὴν γῆν καὶ τὴν θάλασσαν1

The voice is speaking of the earth and the sea as if they were living things that could suffer Woe. This may be something that readers could understand literally within the world of this vision. However, if it would be helpful to your readers, you could state the meaning differently. Alternate translation: “Woe to all the creatures who live on the earth and in the sea”

67312:12r025rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitὀλίγον καιρὸν ἔχει1

The voice implicitly means that the devil knows that God will soon judge and punish him, and so he has little time left in which to resist God and try to turn people away from God. You can provide this information in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “he has little time left in which to keep resisting God”

67412:13x7strc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐβλήθη1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, the context suggests that it was God. Alternate translation: “God had thrown him down”

67512:13r026rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjτὸν ἄρσενα1

John is using the adjective male as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “the male child”

67612:14r027rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐδόθησαν τῇ γυναικὶ δύο πτέρυγες τοῦ ἀετοῦ τοῦ μεγάλου1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, the context suggests that it was God. Alternate translation: “God gave two wings of a great eagle to the woman”

67712:14r028rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfoὅπου τρέφεται ἐκεῖ1

It might seem that this expression, which says both where and there, contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you could shorten it. Alternate translation: “where she is nourished”

67812:14r029rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youdualκαιρὸν, καὶ καιροὺς, καὶ ἥμισυ καιροῦ1

Since the vision describes the approximate number of days in three and a half years (1,260) in 12:6 and the number of months in three and a half years (42) in 13:5, it is probable that this number is also three and a half, so times means “two times.” If your language uses the dual form, you could use that form for the word times. Otherwise, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “for a time and two times and half a time”

67912:14r030rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitκαιρὸν, καὶ καιροὺς, καὶ ἥμισυ καιροῦ1

Since this length of time during which the woman is nourished seems to be the same as in 12:6, it seems that three and a half years is intended. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “for a year and two years and half a year” or “for three and a half years”

68012:14r031rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyπροσώπου τοῦ ὄφεως1

Here the word face represents the presence of a person by association with the way people can see the face of someone who is present. Alternate translation: “the presence of the serpent”

68112:15y5mlrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileὕδωρ ὡς ποταμόν1

John says that this water was like a river to emphasize how much water there was. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “a very large volume of water”

68212:15r032ἵνα αὐτὴν ποταμοφόρητον ποιήσῃ1

Alternate translation: “in order to create a flood that would carry her away”

68312:16i4u5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personificationἐβοήθησεν ἡ γῆ τῇ γυναικί1

John is speaking of the earth as if it were a living thing that helped this woman. This may be something that readers could understand literally within the world of this vision. However, if it would be helpful to your readers, you could state the meaning differently. Alternate translation: “something happened on the earth that helped the woman”

68412:16r033rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἤνοιξεν ἡ γῆ τὸ στόμα αὐτῆς1

John is speaking as if the earth literally had a mouth and swallowed this river. He means that some kind of chasm opened up in the earth and the river flowed down into it. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “a chasm opened up in the earth and the river flowed down into it”

68512:17r034rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὠργίσθη ὁ δράκων1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “this put the dragon in a rage”

68612:17r035rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorτοῦ σπέρματος αὐτῆς1

Here the term seed means offspring. It is a word picture. Just as plants produce seeds that grow into many more plants, so people can have many offspring. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “of her descendants”

68712:17f754rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomτηρούντων1

See how you translated the word keeping in 1:3 and in 2:26. Alternate translation: “obeying”

68812:17t6jfrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsἐχόντων τὴν μαρτυρίαν Ἰησοῦ1

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of testimony, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “testifying to their faith in Jesus”

68912:18s5dwrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτὴν ἄμμον τῆς θαλάσσης1

John is referring to the shore of the sea by association with the sand that is along the shore on the beach. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the shore of the sea”

69013:introc9mw0

Revelation 13 General Notes

Structure and Formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the words of verse 10, which are from the Old Testament.

Important Figures of Speech in this Chapter

Similes

John uses many similes in this chapter. They help to describe the images that he sees in his vision. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])

Other Possible Translation Difficulties in this Chapter

Special Concepts in this Chapter

Leopard, bear, and lion

The book of Revelation uses imagery from the Old Testament. In this chapter, John describes a beast that looked like a leopard, a bear, and a lion. This image comes from the book of Daniel. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

Unknown animals

John uses different animals to try to describe what he saw. Some of these animals may not be known in the target language. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])

69113:2r039rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownπαρδάλει & ἄρκου & λέοντος1

A leopard is a large, fierce cat that lives in the jungle. A bear is a large, heavy, powerful mammal that can be very dangerous if it feels threatened. A lion is a large, fierce cat that often lives on the plains. If your readers would not be familiar with these animals, in your translation you could the names of comparable animals that they would recognize, or you could use general descriptions.

69213:2gyv9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτὴν δύναμιν αὐτοῦ, καὶ τὸν θρόνον αὐτοῦ1

John is referring to the dragons right to rule by association with the throne on which a ruler would sit. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “his power and his right to rule”

69313:2c4wxrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadysτὴν δύναμιν αὐτοῦ, καὶ τὸν θρόνον αὐτοῦ1

This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with and. The word throne tells what kind of power the dragon gave to this beast. If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this meaning with an equivalent phrase that does not use “and.” Alternate translation: “his ruling power” or “his power to rule”

69413:3r042rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfoἐσφαγμένην εἰς θάνατον1

It might seem that the expression slain unto death contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you could shorten it. Alternate translation: “it had been slain”

69513:3r043rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐσφαγμένην εἰς θάνατον1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “someone had slain it”

69613:3yt22rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἡ πληγὴ τοῦ θανάτου αὐτοῦ ἐθεραπεύθη1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “it had recovered from its wound of death”

69713:3ba2zrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possessionἡ πληγὴ τοῦ θανάτου1

John is using a possessive form to describe a wound that led to death. Alternate translation: “deadly wound”

69813:3r044rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐθαυμάσθη ὅλη ἡ γῆ1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “this astonished the whole earth”

69913:3jc7xrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyὅλη ἡ γῆ1

Here the term earth refers to the people who live on the earth. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “all the people on earth”

70013:3r045rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisὀπίσω τοῦ θηρίου1

John is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “and they followed after the beast” or, if you retain the term earth, “and it followed after the beast”

70113:3xx3hrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomὀπίσω τοῦ θηρίου1

This expression, which is short for “followed after the beast,” means that the people on earth accepted the beast as their ruler. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and they accepted the beast as their ruler” or, if you retain the term earth, “and it accepted the beast as its ruler”

70213:4ep4nrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionτίς ὅμοιος τῷ θηρίῳ, καὶ τίς δύναται πολεμῆσαι μετ’ αὐτοῦ?1

The people of the earth are using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “No one is like the beast, and no one is able to war with it!”

70313:4r046rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismτίς ὅμοιος τῷ θηρίῳ, καὶ τίς δύναται πολεμῆσαι μετ’ αὐτοῦ?1

These two phrases mean similar things. The people are using repetition to emphasize the idea that the phrases express. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could combine them. Alternate translation: “Who is strong enough to war with the beast?” or “No one is strong enough to war with the beast!”

70413:5p2n5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐδόθη αὐτῷ1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, the context suggests that it was the dragon. Alternate translation: “the dragon gave it”

70513:5y29erc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyστόμα λαλοῦν1

John is referring to the capacity to speak by association with the mouth that people use to speak. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the capacity to speak, and it spoke”

70613:5r047rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitμεγάλα1

The implication is that the beast spoke great things about itself. You can provide this information in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “great things about itself” or “boasts”

70713:5r048rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐδόθη αὐτῷ ἐξουσία1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, the context suggests that it was the dragon. Alternate translation: “the dragon gave it authority”

70813:6r049rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἤνοιξε τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ εἰς1

John is referring to the beast speaking by association with it opened its mouth in order to speak. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “it spoke”

70913:6r050rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ1

Here the word name stands for the reputation of a person. Alternate translation: “his reputation”

71013:7r051rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐδόθη αὐτῷ1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. This could mean: (1) that the dragon enabled the beast to do this. Alternate translation: “the dragon enabled it” (2) that God allowed the beast to do this. Alternate translation: “God allowed it”

71113:7fyp6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐδόθη αὐτῷ ἐξουσία1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, the context suggests that it was the dragon. Alternate translation: “the dragon gave it authority”

71213:7f5rlrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletπᾶσαν φυλὴν, καὶ λαὸν, καὶ γλῶσσαν, καὶ ἔθνος1

The terms tribe, people, language, and nation mean similar things. John is using the four terms together to make a comprehensive statement. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “every different people group”

71313:7r165rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyπᾶσαν φυλὴν, καὶ λαὸν, καὶ γλῶσσαν, καὶ ἔθνος1

John is referring to speakers of various languages by association with the languages themselves. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “every tribe and people and speakers of every language and every nation”

71413:8r052rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitὧν οὐ γέγραπται τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ἐν τῷ βιβλίῳ τῆς ζωῆς τοῦ Ἀρνίου, τοῦ ἐσφαγμένου ἀπὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου1

This could mean implicitly: (1) that the Lamb was slain from the foundation of the world, that is, Gods purpose from before all time was for Jesus to give his life as a sacrifice. Alternate translation: “all whose names are not written in the Book of Life that belongs to the Lamb whom God appointed from the foundation of the world to die as a sacrifice” (2) that if a person worships the beast, this means that his name was not written in the Book of Life … from the foundation of the world. Alternate translation: “all whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb having been slain from the foundation of the world”

71513:8r053rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenounsὧν οὐ γέγραπται τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ1

Since John is referring to a group of people, it might be more natural in your language to use the plural form of name. Alternate translation: “those whose names have not been written”

71613:8vyy8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὧν οὐ γέγραπται τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, the context suggests that it was God. Alternate translation: “those whose names God has not written”

71713:8bcu5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτοῦ ἐσφαγμένου1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “whom God appointed to die as a sacrifice”

71813:8r164rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsἀπὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου1

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of foundation, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “since God founded the world”

71913:9tx89rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personεἴ τις ἔχει οὖς, ἀκουσάτω1

John is addressing his listeners in the third person. It may be clearer in your language to use the second person. Alternate translation: “If any of you has an ear, you should hear”

72013:9rr9arc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyεἴ τις ἔχει οὖς1

John is referring to the ability to hear by association with the way having an ear enables people to hear. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “If anyone is able to hear”

72113:9r054rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-imperative3pἀκουσάτω1

If your language does not use the third-person imperative in this way, you could state this in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “may he hear” or “he should hear”

72213:10ilzzrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsεἴ τις εἰς αἰχμαλωσίαν1

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of captivity, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “If anyones enemies are going to take him captive”

72313:10mtu9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveεἴ τις ἐν μαχαίρῃ ἀποκτενεῖ, δεῖ αὐτὸν ἐν μαχαίρῃ ἀποκτανθῆναι1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “if anyones enemies will kill him by the sword, it is necessary for them to kill him by the sword”

72413:10cdi9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyεἴ τις ἐν μαχαίρῃ ἀποκτενεῖ, δεῖ αὐτὸν ἐν μαχαίρῃ ἀποκτανθῆναι1

John is referring to execution by association with the way the Romans used a sword to execute people. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “if anyone will be executed, it is necessary for him to be executed” or “if anyones enemies will execute him, it is necessary for them to execute him”

72513:10pk8rrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomὧδέ ἐστιν ἡ ὑπομονὴ καὶ ἡ πίστις τῶν ἁγίων1

The expression Here is introduces something that the speaker is calling for. Alternate translation: “This calls for endurance and faith on the part of the saints”

72613:10r055rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsὧδέ ἐστιν ἡ ὑπομονὴ καὶ ἡ πίστις τῶν ἁγίων1

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of endurance and faith, you could express the same ideas in other ways. Alternate translation: “This calls for the saints to endure and to be faithful”

72713:11e7awrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileἐλάλει ὡς δράκων1

The point of this comparison is that this beast was speaking in a way that showed it was evil, like the dragon that is a symbol of evil in this book. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “it was speaking in a way that showed it was evil, like a dragon”

72813:12r056rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ1

Here the word before means “in front of” or “in the presence of” another person. Alternate translation: “in its presence”

72913:12ys3nrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveοὗ ἐθεραπεύθη ἡ πληγὴ τοῦ θανάτου αὐτοῦ1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “who had recovered from his wound of death”

73013:12jc77rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possessionἡ πληγὴ τοῦ θανάτου1

John is using a possessive form to describe a wound that led to death. Alternate translation: “deadly wound”

73113:13r124rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomσημεῖα1

John is not using the word signs here and in the next verse to mean the same thing that he does when he speaks of signs in 12:1 and 12:3. Here he does not mean significant sights, but miracles. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “miracles”

73213:13r057rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἐνώπιον τῶν ἀνθρώπων1

The term before here means “in front of.” Alternate translation: “in front of men” or “where men could see them”

73313:13r058rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotationsτῶν ἀνθρώπων1

Although the term man is masculine, John is using the word in a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use a term in your language that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “people”

73413:14r059rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτὰ σημεῖα ἃ ἐδόθη αὐτῷ ποιῆσαι1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, the context suggests that it was the dragon. Alternate translation: “the signs that the dragon has granted it to do”

73513:14r060rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἐνώπιον τοῦ θηρίου1

Here the word before means “in front of” or “in the presence of” another person. Alternate translation: “in the presence of the beast”

73613:14r061rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitτῷ θηρίῳ1

While John says in the next verse that this was an image “of the beast,” that is, an image that looked like the beast, here the expression to the beast means “in honor of the beast.” You can provide this information in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “in honor of the beast”

73713:15dl87rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐδόθη αὐτῷ1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, the context suggests that it was the dragon. Alternate translation: “the dragon enabled it”

73813:15cw55rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyδοῦναι πνεῦμα τῇ εἰκόνι τοῦ θηρίου1

John is referring to the image of the beast coming alive by association with the breath that creatures breathe when they are alive. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “to make the image of the beast come alive”

73913:15ruk5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveποιήσῃ ὅσοι ἐὰν μὴ προσκυνήσωσιν τῇ εἰκόνι τοῦ θηρίου ἀποκτανθῶσιν1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “might cause people to kill whoever does not worship the image of the beast”

74013:16h9u9rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronounsποιεῖ1

The pronoun it refers to the second beast, not to the image of the first beast. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “the second beast causes”

74113:16r062rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjτοὺς μικροὺς καὶ τοὺς μεγάλους, καὶ τοὺς πλουσίους καὶ τοὺς πτωχούς, καὶ τοὺς ἐλευθέρους καὶ τοὺς δούλους1

John is using the adjectives small, great, rich, poor, free, and slave as nouns to mean certain kinds of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate these words with equivalent phrases. Alternate translation: “small people and great people and rich people and poor people and free people and slaves”

74213:16r063rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merismτοὺς μικροὺς καὶ τοὺς μεγάλους, καὶ τοὺς πλουσίους καὶ τοὺς πτωχούς, καὶ τοὺς ἐλευθέρους καὶ τοὺς δούλους1

John is using two extremes of importance, small and great, to mean people across the entire range of importance. John is using two extremes of wealth, rich and poor, to mean people across the entire range of wealth. John is using two extremes of status, free and slave, to mean people across the entire range of status. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use equivalent expressions or plain language. Alternate translation: “no matter what their importance and no matter what their wealth and no matter what their status”

74313:16r064rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismτοὺς μικροὺς καὶ τοὺς μεγάλους, καὶ τοὺς πλουσίους καὶ τοὺς πτωχούς, καὶ τοὺς ἐλευθέρους καὶ τοὺς δούλους1

These three phrases mean similar things. John is using repetition to emphasize the idea that the phrases express. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could combine them. Alternate translation: “people of every different kind”

74413:16r256rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorτοὺς μικροὺς καὶ τοὺς μεγάλους,1

John is speaking as if unimportant people were literally small and as if important people were literally large or great. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the unimportant and the important” or “unimportant people and important people”

74513:16r065rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronounsδῶσιν αὐτοῖς1

The pronoun they is an indefinite pronoun that does not refer to anyone in the immediate context. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this with a different expression that does not use an indefinite pronoun. Alternate translation: “they might have to receive”

74613:17r066rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitτὸν ἀριθμὸν τοῦ ὀνόματος αὐτοῦ1

In this culture, people used the letters of the alphabet as symbols for numbers as well. As a result, it was possible to add up the values of the letters in someones name to get the number of that name. That is what John means implicitly here. If your readers would not be familiar with this practice, you could explain it in your translation. Alternate translation: “the sum of the numerical values of the letters in its name”

74713:18uk74rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomὧδε ἡ σοφία ἐστίν1

The expression Here is introduces something that the speaker is calling for. Alternate translation: “This calls for wisdom”

74813:18ri1yrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-imperative3pψηφισάτω1

If your language does not use the third-person imperative in this way, you could state this in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “may he calculate” or “he should calculate”

74913:18bbn2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitτὸν ἀριθμὸν τοῦ θηρίου1

See the note about “the number of its name” in 13:17. Here John means implicitly that this number is the sum of the numerical values of the letters in the name of a certain man. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “the sum of the numerical values of the letters in the name of a certain man”

75014:introq71v0

Revelation 14 General Notes

Important Figures of Speech in this Chapter

Harvest

Harvest is when people go out to gather ripe food from plants. Jesus used this as a metaphor to teach his followers that they need to go and tell other people about him so those people can be part of Gods kingdom. This chapter speaks symbolically of two harvests. The first is a harvest of grain. This may mean the time when Jesus gathers in his people from the whole earth. The second harvest is of grapes. This may mean the time when God gathers in wicked people to punish them. (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]] and [[rc:///tw/dict/bible/kt/faith]])

75114:1r068rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-namesτὸ Ὄρος Σιών1

The word Zion is the name of the mountain on which the city of Jerusalem is located.

75214:1r069rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbersἑκατὸν τεσσεράκοντα τέσσαρες χιλιάδες1

See how you translated this in Revelation 7:4. Alternate translation: “one hundred forty-four thousand”

75314:1z963rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἔχουσαι τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ, καὶ τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ Πατρὸς αὐτοῦ, γεγραμμένον ἐπὶ τῶν μετώπων αὐτῶν1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “His name and the name of his Father appeared in writing on their foreheads”

75414:1rf47rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesτοῦ Πατρὸς1

Father is an important title that describes the relationship between God and Jesus. Be sure to retain this title in your translation.

75514:2r070rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileὡς φωνὴν ὑδάτων πολλῶν, καὶ ὡς φωνὴν βροντῆς μεγάλης1

The point of these comparisons is that the sound John heard was loud and powerful. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “that was loud and powerful, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of booming thunder”

75614:2r071rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomὑδάτων πολλῶν1

By sound of many waters, John could mean a loud waterfall or raging floodwaters. See how you translated the similar expression in 1:15. Alternate translation: “of a waterfall” or “of raging floodwaters”

75714:2r072rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileὡς κιθαρῳδῶν κιθαριζόντων ἐν ταῖς κιθάραις αὐτῶν1

The point of this comparison is that the sound that John heard was also beautiful and melodious. (John explains in the next verse that it was the sound of a great number of people singing.) If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “beautiful and melodious, like harpists harping on their harps”

75814:2r073rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetryὡς κιθαρῳδῶν κιθαριζόντων ἐν ταῖς κιθάραις αὐτῶν1

Johns repetitive use of three words with the root “harp” seems to imitate the sound of music. You may wish to use three similar words in your translation if that is possible in your language.

75914:3sz1frc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronounsᾄδουσιν1
76014:3r074rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-exceptionsοὐδεὶς ἐδύνατο μαθεῖν τὴν ᾠδὴν, εἰ μὴ αἱ ἑκατὸν τεσσεράκοντα τέσσαρες χιλιάδες1

If it would appear in your language that John was contradicting himself by saying that no one could learn the song and then naming people who could learn the song, you could reword this to avoid using an exception clause. Alternate translation: “the only ones who were able to learn the song were the 144 thousands”

76114:3r075rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveοἱ ἠγορασμένοι1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, 5:9 indicates that it was the Lamb. Alternate translation: “whom the Lamb bought”

76214:3r076rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorοἱ ἠγορασμένοι1

John is speaking as if the Lamb literally bought these people. He means that through his sacrificial death, the Lamb saved them by setting them free from the guilt and power of sin. Your language may have a term that you can use in your translation that describes someone paying a price or making a sacrifice to set someone else free. See what you did in 5:9. Alternate translation: “whom the Lamb redeemed”

76314:3r077rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἀπὸ τῆς γῆς1

John is referring to the inhabitants of the earth by association with the earth on which they live. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “from among the inhabitants of the earth”

76414:4jet6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorοὗτοί εἰσιν οἳ μετὰ γυναικῶν οὐκ ἐμολύνθησαν, παρθένοι γάρ εἰσιν1

John is speaking as if the people who are singing have literally never had sexual relations. In context, he most likely means that they have not worshiped idols. Having sexual relations outside of marriage, or not waiting until marriage to have sexual relations, is a common Old Testament image for idol worship. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “These are they who have not worshiped idols, for they are faithful to God”

76514:4r078rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveμετὰ γυναικῶν οὐκ ἐμολύνθησαν1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. John is not saying that women make men defiled. He is saying that sexual relations outside of marriage are sinful. In your translation, be sure that this is clear to your readers. Alternate translation: “have not committed immoral acts with women”

76614:4q3hgrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomοἱ ἀκολουθοῦντες τῷ Ἀρνίῳ ὅπου ἂν ὑπάγει1

This statement may be one that readers could understand literally within the world of this vision. However, in the New Testament, following someone often means being that persons disciple and obeying his teaching. That could be what John means here. Alternate translation: “the ones who obey the Lamb no matter what he asks”

76714:4r079rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveοὗτοι ἠγοράσθησαν1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. See what you did in 14:3. Alternate translation: “The Lamb bought them”

76814:4r104rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorοἱ ἠγορασμένοι1

See how you translated this in 14:3. Alternate translation: “whom the Lamb redeemed”

76914:4r080rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotationsἀπὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων1

Although the term man is masculine, John is using the word in a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use a term in your language that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “from among humanity”

77014:4mlw3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἀπαρχὴ τῷ Θεῷ καὶ τῷ Ἀρνίῳ1

John is speaking as if these people were literally the first fruits of a harvest. He means that they are the first of many people who will eventually believe in Jesus. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “as the first of many people who will believe in God and Jesus”

77114:5r081rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenounsἐν τῷ στόματι αὐτῶν οὐχ εὑρέθη ψεῦδος1

Since John is referring to a group of people, it might be more natural in your language to use the plural form of mouth. Alternate translation: “no lie has been found in their mouths”

77214:5r082rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἐν τῷ στόματι αὐτῶν οὐχ εὑρέθη ψεῦδος1

Here the expression has been found means “could be found” or “was there.” Alternate translation: “there was no lie in their mouths”

77314:5ga8prc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐν τῷ στόματι αὐτῶν οὐχ εὑρέθη ψεῦδος1

John is referring to people speaking by association with the way that a person speaks with his mouth. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “they have told no lies”

77414:5r083rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegativesἐν τῷ στόματι αὐτῶν οὐχ εὑρέθη ψεῦδος1

If it would be clearer in your language, you could use a positive expression to translate this double negative that consists of the negative particle no and the negative word lies. Alternate translation: “they have always told the truth”

77514:5r084rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἐν τῷ στόματι αὐτῶν οὐχ εὑρέθη ψεῦδος1

The implication is that these people have told no lie about who Jesus is, despite the pressure they have been facing to deny that he is Lord and Savior. You can provide this information in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “they have always told the truth about who Jesus is”

77614:5r463rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariantsἄμωμοί γὰρ εἰσιν1

Some ancient manuscripts read for they are blameless. ULT follows that reading. Other ancient manuscripts add “before the throne of God.” If a translation of the Bible exists in your region, you may wish to use the reading that it uses. If a translation of the Bible does not exist in your region, you may wish to use the reading of ULT.

77714:6pp1lrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletἐπὶ πᾶν ἔθνος, καὶ φυλὴν, καὶ γλῶσσαν, καὶ λαόν1

The terms nation, tribe, language, and people mean similar things. John is using the four terms together to make a comprehensive statement. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “every different people group”

77814:7reu7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsἦλθεν ἡ ὥρα τῆς κρίσεως αὐτοῦ1

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of judgment, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “the hour has come when he will judge”

77914:7cj5zrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἦλθεν ἡ ὥρα τῆς κρίσεως αὐτοῦ1

The angel is using the word hour by association to mean a specific time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the time of his judgment has come” or “the time has come when he will judge”

78014:7r085rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merismτὸν οὐρανὸν, καὶ τὴν γῆν, καὶ θάλασσαν, καὶ πηγὰς ὑδάτων1

The angel is using four main components of creation to mean all of creation. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “everything that exists”

78114:8b18src://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἔπεσεν, ἔπεσεν, Βαβυλὼν ἡ μεγάλη1

This second angel is speaking as if Babylon has literally fallen down. He means that the city has been destroyed. The repetition of the word fallen is emphatic and indicates complete destruction. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Babylon the Great has been completely destroyed” or “God has completely destroyed Babylon the Great”

78214:8r086rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-namesΒαβυλὼν ἡ μεγάλη1

The word Babylon is the name of an ancient city that founded an empire whose armies destroyed Jerusalem and the temple in 586 B.C.

78314:8jh3rrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorΒαβυλὼν ἡ μεγάλη1

Since the ancient city of Babylon was destroyed centuries earlier, the angel is not speaking literally of that city. The angel is using Babylon to symbolize some other city or empire. The specific identity of that city or empire is a matter of interpretation rather than translation. Alternate translation: “the great city that is like Babylon” or “the great empire that is like Babylon”

78414:8kg1irc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personificationἣ & πεπότικεν πάντα τὰ ἔθνη1

The angel is speaking of the city of Babylon as if it were a living thing that caused the nations to drink from a certain cup. The angel means that the rulers of the city did this, symbolically (See: next note). If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “whose rulers caused all the nations to drink”

78514:8r111rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperboleπάντα τὰ ἔθνη1

The angel says all here as a generalization for emphasis. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a different way to express the emphasis. Alternate translation: “nations throughout the world”

78614:8ldz2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἐκ τοῦ οἴνου τοῦ θυμοῦ τῆς πορνείας αὐτῆς, πεπότικεν πάντα τὰ ἔθνη1

This second angel is speaking as if Babylon has literally caused the nations to drink a certain kind of wine. This means, in the first instance, that Babylon led the nations to commit sexual immorality with her. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “caused all the nations to give in to passions that led them to commit sexual immorality with her”

78714:8bey2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἐκ τοῦ οἴνου τοῦ θυμοῦ τῆς πορνείας αὐτῆς1

In the second instance, as in 14:3, having immoral sexual relations is a symbolic image for worshiping idols. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “to worship idols as she did”

78814:10qw28rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorκαὶ αὐτὸς πίεται ἐκ τοῦ οἴνου τοῦ θυμοῦ τοῦ Θεοῦ, τοῦ κεκερασμένου ἀκράτου ἐν τῷ ποτηρίῳ τῆς ὀργῆς αὐτοῦ1

The angel is speaking as if anyone who worships the beast will literally drink a certain kind of wine from a certain cup. He means symbolically that God will make such a person experience the just consequences of his actions. Within this image, the fact that the wine is undiluted means that God will not show him mercy as he judges him. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “God will make him experience the just consequences of his actions and in his anger God will not show him any mercy”

78914:10fe83rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive τοῦ Θεοῦ, τοῦ κεκερασμένου1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “that God has poured”

79014:10r087rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveβασανισθήσεται1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God will torment him”

79114:10r088rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadysπυρὶ καὶ θείῳ1

This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with and. The word fire describes the state of the sulfur. If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this meaning with an equivalent phrase that does not use “and.” Alternate translation: “fiery sulfur”

79214:10r089rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἐνώπιον ἀγγέλων ἁγίων καὶ ἐνώπιον τοῦ Ἀρνίου1

Here the word before means “in front of” or “in the presence of” another person. Alternate translation: “in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb”

79314:11dds6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτοῦ βασανισμοῦ αὐτῶν1

The third angel is referring to the burning sulfur with which God is tormenting these people by association with the torment itself. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “of the burning sulfur with which God is tormenting them”

79414:11r090rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomεἰς αἰῶνας αἰώνων1

This expression refers to endless future time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “for all eternity”

79514:11r091rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merismἡμέρας καὶ νυκτός1

The angel is using the two parts of a full day, day and night, to mean all the time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “at any time”

79614:11r092rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomεἴ τις λαμβάνει1

The angel is using a characteristic expression of the Greek language. Alternate translation: “anyone who receives”

79714:12me1jrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomὧδε ἡ ὑπομονὴ τῶν ἁγίων ἐστίν1

The expression Here is introduces something that the speaker is calling for. Alternate translation: “This calls for endurance on the part of the saints”

79814:12wo34rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomτηροῦντες τὰς ἐντολὰς τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ τὴν πίστιν Ἰησοῦ1

See how you translated the word keeping in 1:3 and in 2:26. Alternate translation: “obeying the commandments of God and maintaining their faith in Jesus”

79914:12r093rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possessionτὴν πίστιν Ἰησοῦ1

In this possessive form, Jesus is the object rather than the subject of faith. That is, this does not mean the faith that Jesus has, it means the faith that people have in Jesus. Alternate translation: “faith in Jesus”

80014:13r094rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyφωνῆς ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ λεγούσης1

John is referring to someone speaking by association with the voice that the person is using to speak. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation, as in UST: “I heard someone speaking from heaven and saying”

80114:13r095rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotesλεγούσης, γράψον, μακάριοι οἱ νεκροὶ οἱ ἐν Κυρίῳ ἀποθνῄσκοντες ἀπ’ ἄρτι1

If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “that told me to write, Blessed are the dead dying in the Lord from now on

80214:13x62qrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjοἱ νεκροὶ & ἀποθνῄσκοντες1

The person speaking is using the adjective dead as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “people who die if they die”

80314:13hy1arc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomοἱ ἐν Κυρίῳ ἀποθνῄσκοντες ἀπ’ ἄρτι1

The expression dying in the Lord means to die while still maintaining faith in Jesus. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “who die from now on while still maintaining their faith in Jesus”

80414:13r096rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-politenessἐν Κυρίῳ1

The person speaking is referring to Jesus by a respectful title. Use a form for addressing someone respectfully in your language. Alternate translation: “in the Lord Jesus”

80514:13r097rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-resultἵνα1

The word translated so introduces a result of the action that the previous sentence describes. If it would be helpful in your language, you could refer back to that action. Alternate translation: “because they are blessed as a result of dying in the Lord,”

80614:13v4xzrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personificationτὰ & ἔργα αὐτῶν ἀκολουθεῖ μετ’ αὐτῶν1

John is speaking of the deeds of these people who have died in the Lord as if those deeds could follow the people as they come into the presence of God. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “God will acknowledge as they come into his presence that they have served him diligently”

80714:14r098rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjὅμοιον1

John is using the adjective like as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. ULT adds the word one to show that. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “a person who looked like a son of man”

80814:14gvw8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomΥἱὸν Ἀνθρώπου1

This could mean: (1) a human being, in a characteristic Hebrew expression that John would be borrowing. Alternate translation, as in UST: “a human being” (2) the Messiah, since “the Son of Man” is a title for the Messiah. Alternate translation: “the Messiah, the Son of Man”

80914:14l89crc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownδρέπανον ὀξύ1

A sickle is a tool with a curved blade that agricultural workers use to cut down standing crops in order to harvest them. If your readers would not be familiar with what a sickle is, you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “a sharp harvesting tool”

81014:15r099rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐξηράνθη1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “has ripened”

81114:16nt7krc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐθερίσθη ἡ γῆ1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “he harvested the earth”

81214:18jp7lrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitὁ ἔχων ἐξουσίαν ἐπὶ τοῦ πυρός1

John is referring implicitly to the fire that burned up sacrifices on the altar. You can provide this information in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “the one responsible for maintaining the altar fire”

81314:19r100rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownληνὸν1

A winepress a large basin made of stone or wood. Workers put grapes in this basin and, with bare feet, trample on the grapes to extract their juice. If your readers would not be familiar with what a winepress is, you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “large basin”

81414:20r101rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐπατήθη ἡ ληνὸς1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “workers trampled the winepress”

81514:20r102rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐπατήθη ἡ ληνὸς1

John is referring to the grapes in the winepress by association with the winepress itself. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “workers trampled the grapes in the winepress”

81614:20r103rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyαἷμα1

John is referring to a stream of blood by association with the blood that ran out of the winepress. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “a stream of blood”

81714:20m2i9rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownἄχρι τῶν χαλινῶν τῶν ἵππων1

The word bridles describes sets of headgear that riders use to control horses. If your readers would not be familiar with what bridles are, you could use an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “as high as horses heads”

81814:20dbz1rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bdistanceσταδίων χιλίων ἑξακοσίων1

The word stadia is the plural form of “stadium,” which was a distance of about 185 meters. If it would be helpful in your language, you could give the equivalent in modern measurements. Alternate translation: “about 300 kilometers” or “about 200 miles”

81915:introzxt70

Revelation 15 General Notes

Structure and Formatting

In this chapter, John describes events and pictures that occur in heaven.

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with verses 34.

Special Concepts in this Chapter

“Victorious over the beast”

These people are spiritually victorious. While most spiritual battles cannot be seen, the book of Revelation pictures spiritual battles as occurring openly. (See: [[rc:///tw/dict/bible/kt/spirit]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/writing-apocalyptic]])

“The temple having the tent of witness was open in heaven”

Scripture elsewhere indicates the earthly temple copied Gods perfect dwelling place in heaven. Here John seems to refer to Gods heavenly dwelling place or temple. (See: [[rc:///tw/dict/bible/kt/heaven]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/writing-apocalyptic]])

Songs

The book of Revelation often describes heaven as a place where people sing. People there worship God with songs. This illustrates that heaven is a place where God is always worshiped.

82015:1l345rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletμέγα καὶ θαυμαστόν1

The terms great and marvelous mean similar things. John is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “amazing”

82115:1w6lfrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἔχοντας πληγὰς ἑπτὰ τὰς ἐσχάτας1

John is speaking of these plagues as if they were something that the seven angels had in their possession. He means that God had made these angels responsible for administering the plagues. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “who would be responsible for administering seven final plagues”

82215:1r122rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐτελέσθη ὁ θυμὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ1

John is referring to Gods punishments for sin by association with the wrath that God feels because of sin. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the punishments of God were finished”

82315:1ij3drc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐτελέσθη ὁ θυμὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God finished punishing all wrongdoing”

82415:2n9yjrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileὡς θάλασσαν ὑαλίνην1

The point of this comparison is that the large object made of glass looked like a sea. That is, it was wide and spacious and level. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. See how you translated the similar expression in 4:6. Alternate translation: “a large glass surface”

82515:2r105rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileμεμιγμένην πυρί1

The point of this further comparison seems to be that the glass sea was sparkling with light or reflecting the flashes of light that came from the nearby throne, as John describes in 4:5. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “that looked as if it was flashing with fire”

82615:2pt8vrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitτοὺς νικῶντας ἐκ τοῦ θηρίου, καὶ ἐκ τῆς εἰκόνος αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐκ τοῦ ἀριθμοῦ τοῦ ὀνόματος αὐτοῦ1

John means implicitly that these people were victorious because they did not worship the beast and his image and did not accept the number of his name on their right hands or foreheads. You can provide this information in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “who had not worshiped the beast or his image and who had not accepted the number of his name as a mark on their right hands or foreheads”

82715:3r194rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronounsᾄδουσιν τὴν ᾠδὴν Μωϋσέως, τοῦ δούλου τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ τὴν ᾠδὴν τοῦ Ἀρνίου1

This could mean implicitly: (1) that these victorious believers sing one song. Alternate translation: “they sing a song that Moses, the servant of God, sang and that the Lamb now sings” (2) that these victorious believers sing two songs. Alternate translation: “they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and they also sing the song of the Lamb”

82815:3r107rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletμεγάλα καὶ θαυμαστὰ τὰ ἔργα σου1

The terms Great and marvelous mean similar things. The victorious believers are using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “Your deeds are amazing”

82915:3r108rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletδίκαιαι καὶ ἀληθιναὶ αἱ ὁδοί σου1

The terms Righteous and true mean similar things. The victorious believers are using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “Your ways are completely righteous”

83015:3r109rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorαἱ ὁδοί σου1

The victorious believers are singing about Gods actions as if they were ways or paths that God was walking on. Alternate translation: “are your actions”

83115:3r110rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possessionὁ Βασιλεὺς τῶν αἰώνων1

The believers are using a possessive form to describe not what God rules over but for how long God will rule. Alternate translation: “you who will be king for all eternity”

83215:3r464rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariantsὁ Βασιλεὺς τῶν αἰώνων1

Some ancient manuscripts read King of the Ages. ULT follows that reading. Other ancient manuscripts read “King of the Nations.” If a translation of the Bible exists in your region, you may wish to use the reading that it uses. If a translation of the Bible does not exist in your region, you may wish to use the reading of ULT.

83315:4hh87rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionτίς οὐ μὴ φοβηθῇ, Κύριε, καὶ δοξάσει τὸ ὄνομά σου & ?1

The victorious believers are using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “Everyone should fear you, Lord, and glorify your name”

83415:4j9gjrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyδοξάσει τὸ ὄνομά σου1

Here, name represents the character and reputation of person by association with the way that each person has a name. Alternate translation: “praise you for your excellent character”

83515:4r112rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἐνώπιόν σου1

Here the word before means “in front of” or “in the presence of” another person. Alternate translation: “in your presence”

83615:4ei9krc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτὰ δικαιώματά σου ἐφανερώθησαν1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “you have manifested your righteous deeds”

83715:5r113rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἠνοίγη ὁ ναὸς τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, the context suggests that it was God. Alternate translation: “God had opened the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven”

83815:5r114rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyὁ ναὸς 1

When John says that the temple had been opened, he means by association that the doors of the temple had been opened and he could see inside. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the doors of the temple”

83915:5r115rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possessionὁ ναὸς τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ1

John seems to be using this possessive form to indicate that this temple was the equivalent in heaven of the tabernacle of the testimony on earth. Alternate translation: “the temple, that is, the tabernacle of the testimony, in heaven”

84015:5r116rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsὁ ναὸς τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου1

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of testimony, you could express the same idea in another way. The phrase “the tabernacle of the testimony” is a common Old Testament description of the tent that held the ark of the covenant. John describes in 11:19 how the ark was now in the temple in heaven. Alternate translation: “the temple, that is, the tent holding the ark of the covenant”

84115:6f9gqrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy οἱ ἔχοντες τὰς ἑπτὰ πληγὰς1

See how you translated the similar expression in 15:1. Alternate translation: “who would be responsible for administering the seven plagues”

84215:6r117rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐνδεδυμένοι λίθον καθαρὸν λαμπρὸν, καὶ περιεζωσμένοι περὶ τὰ στήθη ζώνας χρυσᾶς1

If your language does not use these passive forms, you could express the ideas in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “They were wearing clean, bright linen clothes and they had wrapped golden sashes around their chests”

84315:6r118rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyλίθον1

John is referring to linen clothes by association with the linen from which this clothing is made. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “linen clothes”

84415:6nei2rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownλίθον1

The word linen is the name for a fine, expensive cloth that people make from the strong fibers of the inner bark of the flax plant. If your readers would not be familiar with what linen is, you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “clothes made from fine, expensive fabric”

84515:7r123rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyγεμούσας τοῦ θυμοῦ τοῦ Θεοῦ1

John is referring to Gods punishments for sin by association with the wrath that God feels because of sin. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “being full of punishments from God”

84615:7r119rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomτοῦ ζῶντος εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων1

This expression refers to endless future time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “who lives for all eternity”

84715:8r120rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐγεμίσθη ὁ ναὸς καπνοῦ ἐκ τῆς δόξης τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ ἐκ τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “smoke from the glory of God and from his power filled the temple”

84815:8r121rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsἐκ τῆς δόξης τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ ἐκ τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ1

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of glory and power, you could express the same ideas in other ways. Alternate translation: “because God was so glorious and powerful”

84915:8s67rrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτελεσθῶσιν αἱ ἑπτὰ πληγαὶ τῶν ἑπτὰ ἀγγέλων1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the seven angels had completed their seven plagues”

85016:introv1cm0

Revelation 16 General Notes

Structure and Formatting

This chapter continues the vision that John began to describe in chapter 15. Together these two chapters describe the seven plagues that complete the wrath of God. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/wrath]])

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with verses 57.

Special Concepts in this Chapter

Seven bowls of Gods wrath

This chapter reveals severe judgments. John pictures the execution of these judgments as angels pouring out seven bowls of Gods wrath. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

Possible Translation Issues in this Chapter

  • When John says that an angel “poured out his bowl,” he means that the angel poured out what was in his bowl. You can say that in your translation each time. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

  • In this chapter, John uses adjectives “first” through “seventh” as nouns to identify the angels who pour out the bowls of Gods wrath. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate these words with equivalent phrases, for example, “the first angel,” “the second angel,” and so forth. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj]])

  • If your language does not use ordinal numbers, you could use cardinal numbers for these angels, for example, “angel number one,” “angel number two,” and so forth. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])

85116:1r125rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyμεγάλης φωνῆς ἐκ τοῦ ναοῦ, λεγούσης1

John is referring to someone speaking by association with the voice that the person is using to speak. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “someone speaking loudly from the temple and saying”

85216:1k2nqrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτοῦ θυμοῦ τοῦ Θεοῦ1

John is referring to Gods punishments for sin by association with the wrath that God feels because of sin. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “that hold the punishments from God”

85316:2r126rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjὁ πρῶτος1

As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, John is using the adjective first as a noun to identify this particular angel. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate this word with an equivalent phrase, and you could do the same with the similar expressions that describe the other six angels. Alternate translation: “the first angel”

85416:2r127rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinalὁ πρῶτος1

As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, if your language does not use ordinal numbers, here and for the other six angels you could use a cardinal number or an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “angel number one”

85516:2r128rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenounsἕλκος κακὸν καὶ πονηρὸν1

Since John is referring to what happened to each person in a group of people, it might be more natural in your language to use the plural form of sore. Alternate translation: “bad and harmful sores”

85616:2r129rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletκακὸν καὶ πονηρὸν1

The terms bad and harmful mean similar things. John is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “very severe”

85716:2r130rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotationsτοὺς ἀνθρώπους1

Although the term men is masculine, John is using the word in a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use a term in your language that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “the people”

85816:3r131rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileὡς νεκροῦ1

The point of this comparison is that the sea turned into blood that was foul and smelled bad, like the blood of a corpse. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “that was foul and smelled bad”

85916:3r132rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyπᾶσα ψυχὴ ζῶσα1

John is referring to living creatures by association with the soul or vital breath that keeps them alive. (Sea creatures do not breathe air, but they circulate water comparably to the way land creatures circulate air.) If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “every living creature”

86016:4r133rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronounsἐγένετο1

The pronoun it refers to the water in the rivers and springs. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “the water in them became”

86116:5f35arc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possessionτοῦ ἀγγέλου τῶν ὑδάτων1

John is using this possessive form to indicate that God had given this angel authority over the waters (the rivers and springs) and responsibility for maintaining them. The angel is affirming that God has done the right thing even though this has damaged the waters. Alternate translation: “the angel who was responsible for the waters”

86216:5r134rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personὁ ὢν, καὶ ὁ ἦν, ὁ Ὅσιος1

Even though the angel is addressing God, the angel is speaking about God in the third person. You could make this clear by using the word “you” in your translation. Alternate translation: “you who are and who were, you who are holy”

86316:5r465rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariantsὁ ὢν, καὶ ὁ ἦν, ὁ Ὅσιος1

Some ancient manuscripts read the one being and the one who was, the Holy One. ULT follows that reading. Other ancient manuscripts read “O Lord, the one being and the one who was and who is to be.” If a translation of the Bible exists in your region, you may wish to use the reading that it uses. If a translation of the Bible does not exist in your region, you may wish to use the reading of ULT.

86416:5r135rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjὁ Ὅσιος1

The angel is using the adjective Holy as a noun. He is referring to God by one of his essential attributes. ULT adds the word One to show that. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “the Holy God”

86516:5r136rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronounsταῦτα1

The pronoun these refers to the people who have killed the saints and prophets, as the angel describes in the next verse. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “these people”

86616:6b6warc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyαἷμα ἁγίων καὶ προφητῶν ἐξέχεαν1

The angel is referring to the fact that these people killed the saints and prophets by association with the way they shed their *blood when they killed them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “they shed the blood of the saints and prophets when they killed them”

86716:6r137rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἄξιοί εἰσιν1

The angel of the waters means implicitly that the people who killed the saints and prophets are worthy of this punishment, that is, they deserve it. You can provide this information in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “They deserve this punishment”

86816:7p4c5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personificationἤκουσα τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου λέγοντος1

John is describing the altar as a living thing that can speak. As the General Introduction to Revelation discusses, within the world of this vision, this is not a figure of speech and so you can translate it literally even if your language does not use figures of speech.

86916:7r138rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletἀληθιναὶ καὶ δίκαιαι1

The terms true and righteous mean similar things. The altar is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “entirely righteous”

87016:8jf31rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐδόθη αὐτῷ1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, the context suggests that it was God. Alternate translation: “God permitted it”

87116:8l6n2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personificationἐδόθη αὐτῷ1

John is speaking of the sun as if it were a living thing that could receive permission to do something. As the General Introduction to Revelation discusses, within the world of this vision, this may not be a figure of speech, and so you could translate it literally even if your language does not use figures of speech. However, if it would be clearer in your language, you could consider it a figure of speech and provide an equivalent translation. Alternate translation: “God caused it”

87216:8r139rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotationsτοὺς ἀνθρώπους1

Although the term men is masculine, John is using the word in a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use a term in your language that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “people”

87316:8r140rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorπυρί1

John is speaking as if the sun were literally scorching people with fire. He means that the suns rays became so hot that they burned people just as badly as fire burns people. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the heat of its rays”

87416:8r141rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotationsοἱ ἄνθρωποι1

Although the term men is masculine, John is using the word in a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use a term in your language that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “people”

87516:9i2durc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐκαυματίσθησαν οἱ ἄνθρωποι καῦμα μέγα1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the sun scorched men greatly”

87616:9pr4erc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐβλασφήμησαν τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ Θεοῦ1

Here, name represents the character and reputation of person by association with the way that each person has a name. Alternate translation: “they maligned the character of the God”

87716:9r142rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomοὐ μετενόησαν δοῦναι αὐτῷ δόξαν1

In the Bible, a person giving God glory often means that person acknowledging that he has sinned and that God is justly punishing him. Alternate translation: “they did not repent of their sin and acknowledge that God was punishing them for it justly”

87816:9r143rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsδοῦναι αὐτῷ δόξαν1

If you wish to retain the biblical idiom in your translation but your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of glory, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “and glorify him”

87916:10hit6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐγένετο ἡ βασιλεία αὐτοῦ ἐσκοτωμένη1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, the context suggests that it was God. Alternate translation: “God darkened its kingdom”

88016:10r144rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἐγένετο ἡ βασιλεία αὐτοῦ ἐσκοτωμένη1

John does not say specifically how God darkened the entire area where the beast ruled and so you may not wish to offer any explicit explanation in your translation. However, if your language would not describe something like this without saying how it happened, you could suggest an explanation. Alternate translation: “God made thick clouds cover the sun in order to darken its kingdom” or “God caused an eclipse of the sun in order to darken its kingdom”

88116:10r145rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsἡ βασιλεία αὐτοῦ1

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of a kingdom, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “the area that the beast ruled as king”

88216:10pb1urc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronounsἐμασῶντο τὰς γλώσσας αὐτῶν1

The pronoun they refers to the people whom God afflicted with painful sores, as John describes in 16:2 and as he makes clear in the next verse. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “the people whom God had punished with sores were chewing their tongues”

88316:11r146rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadysἐκ τῶν πόνων αὐτῶν, καὶ ἐκ τῶν ἑλκῶν αὐτῶν1

This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with and. The word pain tells what kind of sores these were. If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this meaning with an equivalent phrase that does not use “and.” Alternate translation: “because of their painful sores”

88416:12r147rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-namesτὸν Εὐφράτην1

The word Euphrates is the name of a river. See how you translated it in 9:14.

88516:12amf1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐξηράνθη τὸ ὕδωρ αὐτοῦ, ἵνα ἑτοιμασθῇ ἡ ὁδὸς τῶν βασιλέων τῶν ἀπὸ ἀνατολῆς ἡλίου 1

If your language does not use these passive forms, you could express the ideas in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, the context suggests that it was God. Alternate translation: “God dried up its water in order to prepare the way for the kings from the rising of the sun”

88616:12r148rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomτῶν ἀπὸ ἀνατολῆς ἡλίου1

This expression refers to a particular direction from the perspective of the speaker. Your language may have its own way of referring to this direction. Alternate translation: “from the east”

88716:13bb6drc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileὡς βάτραχοι1

John does not seem to be drawing a comparison between these unclean spirits and frogs in order to indicate something about the character of the spirits. Rather, he seems to be describing the appearance of the spirits. This appearance may have some symbolic significance, but that is a matter of interpretation rather than translation. Alternate translation: “that looked like frogs”

88816:14r149rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomσημεῖα1

John is using the word signs here in the same sense as in 13:13. See how you translated the word there. Alternate translation: “miracles”

88916:15l16grc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit0

In this verse, Jesus breaks into Johns narrative of his vision to address the believers who are listening to it or reading it. ULT puts the verse in parentheses to show this. There may be a comparable convention in your language that you can use in your translation. You can also state explicitly that the Lord Jesus said this, as UST does.

89016:15lgi6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileἔρχομαι ὡς κλέπτης1

The point of this comparison is that Jesus is coming at a time when people will not be expecting him, just as a thief comes when people are not expecting him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “I am coming at a time when you are not expecting me”

89116:15an84rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorτηρῶν τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ, ἵνα μὴ γυμνὸς περιπατῇ, καὶ βλέπωσιν τὴν ἀσχημοσύνην αὐτοῦ1

As the General Introduction to Revelation discusses, here the term “keeping” means “preserving,” that is, maintaining the garments in good repair. This represents living in a way that pleases God. Walking around naked similarly stands for living in a way that displeases God, that is, committing sins. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “continuing to live in a way that pleases God and not committing sins that others can see”

89216:15b6f4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomτηρῶν τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ1

This expression means to keep ones garments on, that is, to continue to wear clothes. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “continuing to wear clothes”

89316:15qwa2rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronounsκαὶ βλέπωσιν τὴν ἀσχημοσύνην αὐτοῦ1

The pronoun they is an indefinite pronoun that does not refer to anyone in the immediate context. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this with a different expression that does not use an indefinite pronoun. Alternate translation: “so that people can see his indecency”

89416:15r150rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsτὴν ἀσχημοσύνην1

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of indecency, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “indecent behavior”

89516:16m2v7rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronounsσυνήγαγεν αὐτοὺς1

The pronoun they refers to the spirits of demons that John describes in 16:14 and the pronoun them refer to the kings John describes in that same verse. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “the spirits of demons brought the kings together”

89616:16r151rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτὸν καλούμενον1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “that people call”

89716:16r152rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-transliterateἉρμαγεδών1

The word Armageddon is a Hebrew word that John spells out using Greek letters so his readers will know how it sounds. In your translation you can spell it the way it sounds in your language.

89816:16x6ffrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-namesἉρμαγεδών1

The word Armageddon is the name of a valley.

89916:17a15prc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐξῆλθεν φωνὴ μεγάλη ἐκ τοῦ ναοῦ ἀπὸ τοῦ θρόνου λέγουσα1

John is referring to someone speaking by association with the voice that the person is using to speak. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I heard the one who was sitting on the throne in the temple say loudly”

90016:17r153rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomγέγονεν1

This expression means that the speaker has accomplished what he intended to do. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly, indicating that God is the one sitting on the throne in the temple. Alternate translation: “I, God, have accomplished what I intended to do”

90116:18r154rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadysφωναὶ, καὶ βρονταί1

This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with and. The word sounds describes what the thunder produced. If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this meaning with an equivalent phrase that does not use “and.” Alternate translation: “crashes of thunder”

90216:18r155rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotationsἄνθρωπος1

Although the term man is masculine, John is using the word in a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use a term in your language that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “humanity”

90316:19r156rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἡ πόλις ἡ μεγάλη1

John assumes that his readers will understand that by the great city he means Babylon the Great, as he says later in the verse. You can use the name here as well if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “Babylon the Great”

90416:19r157rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdocheαἱ πόλεις1

John is using these cities as a whole to mean the individual parts of them, that is, their buildings. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the buildings in the cities”

90516:19r158rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἔπεσαν1

John is not speaking of these cities or their buildings as if they were living things that could fall down accidentally. He means that the buildings in the cities collapsed. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “collapsed”

90616:19r159rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveΒαβυλὼν ἡ μεγάλη ἐμνήσθη ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ, δοῦναι αὐτῇ1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God remembered Babylon the Great to give to her”

90716:19r2vhrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomΒαβυλὼν ἡ μεγάλη ἐμνήσθη ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ, δοῦναι αὐτῇ1

John is not suggesting that God had forgotten about Babylon the Great but now remembered the city. He is using a common biblical expression that means that God took action with regard to a person or entity of which he was already aware, either to help or to punish. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “God punished Babylon the Great by giving her”

90816:19r507rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyΒαβυλὼν ἡ μεγάλη ἐμνήσθη1

John is referring to the people who live in the city of Babylon by association with that city itself. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the people who lived in the great city of Babylon were remembered”

90916:19g6s8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorδοῦναι αὐτῇ τὸ ποτήριον τοῦ οἴνου τοῦ θυμοῦ τῆς ὀργῆς αὐτοῦ1

John is alluding to what the angel said in 14:10 about the “wine of the wrath” of Gods “anger” that was in his “cup.” It is likely that he is therefore referring symbolically, as the angel was, to God making people and entities experience the just consequences of their actions. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “to make her experience the just consequences of her actions that have made God so angry”

91016:20r160rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitκαὶ πᾶσα νῆσος ἔφυγεν, καὶ ὄρη οὐχ εὑρέθησαν1

John means implicitly that these things also happened as a result of the earthquake. You can provide this information in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. UST models one way to do that.

91116:20r161rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personificationἔφυγεν1

John is speaking of each island as if it were a living thing that fled. He means that the islands disappeared beneath the surface of the ocean. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “sank into the ocean”

91216:20byn4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomὄρη οὐχ εὑρέθησαν1

Here the expression were not found means “could not be found” or “were not there.” Alternate translation: “there were no mountains anymore”

91316:21r162rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisχάλαζα μεγάλη, ὡς ταλαντιαία1

John is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “great hail, in hailstones weighing about a talent each”

91416:21i43rrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bweightὡς ταλαντιαία1

A talent was a weight of about 33 kilograms or about 70 pounds. If it would be helpful in your language, you could give the equivalent in modern measurements. Alternate translation: “in hailstones weighing about 33 kilograms each” or “in hailstones weighing about 70 pounds each”

91516:21r163rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotationsτοὺς ἀνθρώπους & οἱ ἄνθρωποι1

Although the term men is masculine, John is using the word in a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use a term in your language that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “people”

91617:introysn10

Revelation 17 General Notes

Structure and Formatting

This chapter begins to describe how God will destroy the entity that the book of Revelation calls Babylon.

Special Concepts in this Chapter

The great prostitute

Those who have sex with prostitutes are unfaithful to Gods purposes for sexual relations to take place within marriage. The “great prostitute” in this chapter may therefore represent some person or entity that leads people to be unfaithful to God spiritually. But it is not necessary to try to identify this person or entity in your translation. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-apocalyptic]])

Seven hills

An angel tells John in 17:9, “The seven heads are seven hills where the woman is sitting.” This could mean that the woman represents the city of Rome, which is known as the City of Seven Hills. However, since this is a matter of interpretation rather than translation, it would not be appropriate to say explicitly in your translation that the seven hills indicate the city of Rome. br>

Important Figures of Speech in this Chapter

Metaphors

John uses many different metaphors in this chapter. He explains some of their meanings, but allows them to remain relatively unclear. The translator should do the same. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

Other Possible Translation Difficulties in this Chapter

“The beast that you saw was and is not but is about to come up”

This and similar phrases in this chapter contrast the beast with Jesus. Jesus is called “the one who is and who was and who is to come” elsewhere in the book of Revelation. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

Paradox

A paradox is a statement that asserts as true two things that seemingly cannot both be true at the same time. This sentence in 17:11 is a paradox: “the beast … is itself also an eighth, but it is from the seven.” The translator should not attempt to explain how both of these things can be true; that should remain a paradox.

91717:1c6f4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsτὸ κρίμα τῆς πόρνης τῆς μεγάλης1

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of judgment, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “how God will judge the great prostitute”

91817:1f7ryrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-extrainfoτῆς πόρνης τῆς μεγάλης τῆς καθημένης ἐπὶ ὑδάτων πολλῶν,1

Since the angel explains the meaning of the great prostitute in verse 18 and the meaning of the waters in verse 15, you do not need to say anything in your translation about their meaning here.

91917:1crs4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτῆς καθημένης ἐπὶ ὑδάτων πολλῶν1

The angel is using the word waters to mean a specific body of water by association. The phrase sitting on many waters is an allusion to Jeremiah 51:13, where the same phrase describes the ancient city of Babylon and its location on the great Euphrates River. (The Hebrew word that Jeremiah uses can mean both “sit” and “dwell.”) If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “who lives next to a great river”

92017:2r166rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorμεθ’ ἧς ἐπόρνευσαν οἱ βασιλεῖς τῆς γῆς1

The angel is speaking as if the kings of the earth had literally committed sexual immorality with this prostitute. But that is not literally the case even within the world of this vision, since the angel explains in verse 18 that the prostitute symbolizes a city. So the sexual immorality likely symbolizes idolatry and, in light of chapter 18, greed. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “The kings of the earth joined her in being idolatrous and greedy”

92117:2paa4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἐμεθύσθησαν οἱ κατοικοῦντες τὴν γῆν ἐκ τοῦ οἴνου τῆς πορνείας αὐτῆς1

The angel is speaking as if the sexual immorality of the prostitute had been wine and that the ones inhabiting the earth had literally been intoxicated by that wine. But once again these things are not literally the case even within the world of this vision. The sexual immorality likely represents idolatry and greed and the intoxication likely represents deception. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “she deceived the ones inhabiting the earth to make them indulge in idolatry and greed”

92217:2r167rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐμεθύσθησαν οἱ κατοικοῦντες τὴν γῆν ἐκ τοῦ οἴνου τῆς πορνείας αὐτῆς1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the wine of her sexual immorality intoxicated the ones inhabiting the earth”

92317:3hf43rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἀπήνεγκέν με εἰς ἔρημον ἐν Πνεύματι1

See how you translated the expression in the Spirit in 1:10 and 4:2. Alternate translation: “as he carried me away to a wilderness, the Holy Spirit inspired me so that I could receive further revelation”

92417:3r168rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomγέμοντα ὀνόματα βλασφημίας1

This expression means that blasphemous names were written all over this beast. Your language may have its own way of stating this. Alternate translation: “covered with blasphemous names”

92517:4r169rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἡ γυνὴ ἦν περιβεβλημένη πορφυροῦν καὶ κόκκινον, καὶ κεχρυσωμένη χρυσῷ, καὶ λίθῳ τιμίῳ, καὶ μαργαρίταις1

John is referring to the clothing and jewelry that the woman was wearing by association with the materials out of which they were made. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the woman was clothed in purple and scarlet robes and adorned with gold jewelry in which precious stones and pearls were set”

92617:4r170rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἡ γυνὴ ἦν περιβεβλημένη πορφυροῦν καὶ κόκκινον, καὶ κεχρυσωμένη χρυσῷ, καὶ λίθῳ τιμίῳ, καὶ μαργαρίταις1

If your language does not use these passive forms, you could express the ideas in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the woman was wearing purple and scarlet clothing and she had adorned herself with gold jewelry in which precious stones and pearls were set”

92717:4r257rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownλίθῳ τιμίῳ1

The term precious stone refers to a beautiful and valuable piece of mineral or rock, such as is often used in jewelry. It may be more natural in your language to use a plural form here. Alternate translation: “gemstones”

92817:4r171rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownμαργαρίταις1

The word pearls describes beautiful and valuable white beads that form inside the shell of a certain kind of small animal that lives in the ocean.

92917:4r172rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadysβδελυγμάτων καὶ τὰ ἀκάθαρτα1

This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with and. The word abominations describes the impurities of the womans conduct. If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this meaning with an equivalent phrase that does not use “and.” Alternate translation: “the abominable impurities”

93017:5az5brc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐπὶ τὸ μέτωπον αὐτῆς & γεγραμμένον1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “someone had written on her forehead”

93117:5r173rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadysὄνομα & Μυστήριον1

This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words together. The word mystery tells what kind of name was written on the womans forehead. If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this meaning with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “a mysterious name” or “a name that had a symbolic meaning”

93217:5l75trc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-namesὄνομα & Μυστήριον1

Some interpreters consider the word mystery to be part of the name of this woman. Alternate translation: “a name: Mystery,”

93317:6r174rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismἐκ τοῦ αἵματος τῶν ἁγίων, καὶ ἐκ τοῦ αἵματος τῶν μαρτύρων Ἰησοῦ1

These two phrases mean similar things. John is using repetition to emphasize the idea that the phrases express. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could combine them. Alternate translation: “from the blood of the saints who had borne witness to Jesus”

93417:6ydi9rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetryἐθαύμασα & θαῦμα μέγα1

John is using a construction in which a verb and its object come from the same root. You may be able to use the same construction in your language to express the meaning here. Alternatively, your language may have its own way of expressing the same meaning. Alternate translation: “I wondered greatly”

93517:7j412rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionδιὰ τί ἐθαύμασας?1

The angel is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “You do not need to wonder!”

93617:8usl4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsεἰς ἀπώλειαν ὑπάγει1

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of destruction, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “is going to be destroyed”

93717:8r6h4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveοὐ γέγραπται1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, the context suggests that it was God. Alternate translation: “God has not written”

93817:8r175rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsἀπὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου1

See how you translated this expression in 13:8. Alternate translation: “since God founded the world”

93917:9r176rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomὧδε ὁ νοῦς ὁ ἔχων σοφίαν1

The expression Here is introduces something that the speaker is calling for. Alternate translation: “This calls for a mind that has wisdom”

94017:9p6lrrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsὧδε ὁ νοῦς ὁ ἔχων σοφίαν1

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of wisdom, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “This calls for a wise mind”

94117:9r177rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfoὅπου ἡ γυνὴ κάθηται ἐπ’ αὐτῶν1

It might seem that this expression contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you could shorten it. Alternate translation: “where the woman is sitting”

94217:10r178rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjοἱ πέντε & ὁ εἷς & ὁ ἄλλος1

John is using the adjectives five, one, and other as nouns to mean these kings. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate these words with equivalent phrases. Alternate translation: “the first five kings … one more of the kings … the other king”

94317:10yk93rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἔπεσαν1

The angel is speaking of these five kings as if they have literally fallen. He means that they have died. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “have died”

94417:10r179rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjὀλίγον1

The angel is using the adjective little as a noun to mean a certain length of time. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “for a little while”

94517:11r180rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjὄγδοός & τῶν ἑπτά1

The angel is using the adjectives eighth and seven as nouns to mean these kings. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “an eighth king … the seven kings”

94617:11r181rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinalὄγδοός1

If your language does not use ordinal numbers, you could use a cardinal number here or an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “king number eight”

94717:11r182rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsεἰς ἀπώλειαν ὑπάγει1

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of destruction, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “is going to be destroyed”

94817:12r183rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsβασιλείαν1

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of a kingdom, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “authority to rule as kings”

94917:12n2rdrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomμίαν ὥραν1

In the ancient world, an hour was the shortest time span that people envisioned. In this context, the term does not mean a literal hour of 60 minutes. It means the shortest time imaginable. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “for just a little while”

95017:13w7jbrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomοὗτοι μίαν γνώμην ἔχουσιν1

This expression means to be in complete agreement. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “These kings are in complete agreement”

95117:13r184rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletτὴν δύναμιν καὶ τὴν ἐξουσίαν αὐτῶν1

The terms power and authority mean similar things. The angel is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “all of their authority”

95217:14abb5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveοἱ μετ’ αὐτοῦ, κλητοὶ, καὶ ἐκλεκτοὶ, καὶ πιστοί1

The words called and chosen are not passive verbal forms, they are adjectives. However, if your language does not use passive forms, it might be clearer for your readers to use expressions that do not seem to be passive verbal forms. Alternate translation: “God has called and chosen the ones with him and they are faithful”

95317:15r185rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletλαοὶ καὶ ὄχλοι εἰσὶν, καὶ ἔθνη καὶ γλῶσσαι1

The terms peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages mean similar things. John is using the four terms together to make a comprehensive statement. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “every different people group”

95417:15r186rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyγλῶσσαι1

The angel is referring to speakers of various languages by association with the languages themselves. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “speakers of various languages”

95517:16j157rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletἠρημωμένην ποιήσουσιν αὐτὴν καὶ γυμνήν1

The terms desolated and naked mean similar things. John is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “they will take away everything she has”

95617:16r187rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἠρημωμένην1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “desolate”

95717:16f9asrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorτὰς σάρκας αὐτῆς φάγονται1

The angel is speaking as if these horns (that is, these kings) and the beast will literally consume the flesh of the prostitute. But even within the world of this vision, that is not literally true. This is a common biblical image for destroying someone. If it would be clearer in your language, and especially if it would be helpful to your readers to know that cannibalism has no part in Gods judgments against evil, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “they will destroy her”

95817:16r188rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfoαὐτὴν κατακαύσουσιν πυρί1

It might seem that this expression contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you could shorten it. Alternate translation: “they will burn her up completely”

95917:17sb1drc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyὁ & Θεὸς ἔδωκεν εἰς τὰς καρδίας αὐτῶν1

Here the heart represents the desires. Alternate translation: “God has put into their desires”

96017:17j0tsrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorὁ & Θεὸς ἔδωκεν εἰς τὰς καρδίας αὐτῶν1

The angel is speaking as if God has literally put something into the hearts of these kings. He means that God has led them to want to do something. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “God has led them to have the desire”

96117:17r189rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadysποιῆσαι τὴν γνώμην αὐτοῦ, καὶ ποιῆσαι μίαν γνώμην, καὶ1

This phrase expresses a single idea by using two shorter phrases connected with and. The phrase to do one purpose tells how the kings will do his purpose, that is, Gods purpose. If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this meaning with an equivalent phrase that does not use “and.” Alternate translation: “to do Gods purpose by agreeing”

96217:17r190rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomποιῆσαι μίαν γνώμην1

This expression means to be in complete agreement. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “to be in complete agreement”

96317:17ku6mrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsτὴν βασιλείαν αὐτῶν1

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of a kingdom, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “their authority to rule as kings”

96417:17r191rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenounsτὴν βασιλείαν αὐτῶν1

Since the angel is referring to things that belong to several people, it might be more natural in your language to use the plural form of kingdom. Alternate translation: “their kingdoms”

96517:17el9yrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἄχρι τελεσθήσονται οἱ λόγοι τοῦ Θεοῦ1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “until God has fulfilled his words”

96617:17r192rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἄχρι τελεσθήσονται οἱ λόγοι τοῦ Θεοῦ1

The angel is using the term words to mean things that God has spoken by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “until God has fulfilled what he has spoken”

96717:18uy1mrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἡ πόλις ἡ μεγάλη, ἡ ἔχουσα βασιλείαν ἐπὶ1

The angel is referring to the king who rules from the great city by association with that city itself. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the great city whose king has a kingdom over”

96817:18r193rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsἡ πόλις ἡ μεγάλη, ἡ ἔχουσα βασιλείαν ἐπὶ1

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of kingdom, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “the great city that rules over” or “the great city whose king rules over”

96918:introj5qc0

Revelation 18 General Notes

Structure and Formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with all or part of verses 18, 10, 1617, and 1924.

Translation Issues in this Chapter

“in one hour”

Characters in the narrative use the expression “in one hour” in verses 10, 17, 19. In the ancient world, an “hour” was the shortest time span that people envisioned. In this context, the term does not mean a literal hour of 60 minutes. It means the shortest time imaginable. You may wish to translate this phrase with a comparable phrase in your language such as “in such a short time.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

“woe, woe”

In verses 10, 16, and 19, kings and merchants repeat the word “woe” for emphasis. If it would not be natural in your language to repeat a word like that, you could express the emphasis in another way, for example, by using a different expression and including the word “very,” as the UST does.

“she,” “her”

People in this culture conventionally referred to cities by using feminine pronouns. Accordingly, throughout this chapter, various speakers refer to the city of Babylon as “she” and “her.” Your language may use a different gender, so you might say “it” and “its” in your translation. You could also use a noun and say “that city.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])

“will not be see/heard/found anymore”

In verses 21, 22, and 23, an angel speaks a series of similar phrases describing what will not be “found” or “heard” or “seen” in Babylon “anymore.” The repetition of such phrases is a figure of speech for emphasis. The angel is emphasizing how thoroughly God will destroy Babylon. If possible, use similar statements in your own translation. You may also wish to make each of these verses a separate paragraph, as ULT does, or use formatting in some other way to highlight the repeated phrases. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litany]])

97018:1r195rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἡ γῆ ἐφωτίσθη ἐκ τῆς δόξης αὐτοῦ1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “his glory illuminated the earth”

97118:2a2f5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἔπεσεν, Βαβυλὼν ἡ μεγάλη1

See how you translated the similar expression in 14:8. Alternate translation: “Babylon the Great has been destroyed” or “God has destroyed Babylon the Great”

97218:2r466rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariantsἔπεσεν, Βαβυλὼν ἡ μεγάλη1

Some ancient manuscripts read, Babylon the Great has fallen. ULT follows that reading. Other ancient manuscripts read, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the Great.” If a translation of the Bible exists in your region, you may wish to use the reading that it uses. If a translation of the Bible does not exist in your region, you may wish to use the reading of ULT.

97318:2r196rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronounsἐγένετο1

As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, the pronoun she refers to the city of Babylon. People in this culture conventionally referred to cities with feminine pronouns. Your language may use a different gender. You could also use a noun. Alternate translation: “it has become” or “that city has become”

97418:2r197rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismκατοικητήριον δαιμονίων, καὶ φυλακὴ παντὸς πνεύματος ἀκαθάρτου1

These two phrases mean basically the same thing. The second emphasizes the meaning of the first by repeating the same idea with different words. The angel is speaking in a Hebrew style of poetry, and Hebrew poetry was based on this kind of repetition. It would be good to show this to your readers by including both phrases in your translation rather than combining them. However, if such repetition would not be natural in your language, you could connect the phrases with a word other than and in order to show that the second phrase is repeating the first one, not saying something additional. Alternate translation: “an abode of demons, yes, a hold of every unclean spirit”

97518:2r198rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperboleφυλακὴ παντὸς πνεύματος ἀκαθάρτου , καὶ φυλακὴ παντὸς ὀρνέου ἀκαθάρτου, καὶ μεμισημένου1

The angel says every here as a generalization for emphasis. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a different way to express the emphasis. Alternate translation: “she has become overrun with unclean spirits and with unclean and detested birds”

97618:2r254rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorφυλακὴ παντὸς πνεύματος ἀκαθάρτου , καὶ φυλακὴ παντὸς ὀρνέου ἀκαθάρτου, καὶ μεμισημένου1

The angel is speaking as if these spirits and birds were literally in a hold, that is, a prison or other place where they were watched or guarded and could not leave. He means that the spirits and birds are now able to linger in the ruins of Babylon. Your language may have terms for places where animals and birds stay. Alternate translation: “a den of every unclean spirit and a roost of every unclean and detested bird”

97718:2r199rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletὀρνέου ἀκαθάρτου, καὶ μεμισημένου1

The terms unclean and detested mean similar things. The angel is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “loathsome bird”

97818:2r200rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitὀρνέου ἀκαθάρτου, καὶ μεμισημένου1

The angel assumes that his listeners will understand that these birds are unclean and detested according to the law of Moses because they eat dead animals. You can say that explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “unclean and detested bird that eats dead animals” or “loathsome bird that eats dead animals”

97918:2r201rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveμεμισημένου1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “detestable”

98018:3kpp1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἐκ τοῦ οἴνου τοῦ θυμοῦ τῆς πορνείας αὐτῆς, πέπτωκαν πάντα τὰ ἔθνη1

See how you translated the similar expression in 17:2. Here, as there, this statement is not intended literally even within the world of this vision. Alternate translation: “all the nations have indulged in idolatry and greed with her”

98118:3r202rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperboleπάντα τὰ ἔθνη1

The angel says all here as a generalization for emphasis. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a different way to express the emphasis. Alternate translation: “nations throughout the world”

98218:3kp3prc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorοἱ βασιλεῖς τῆς γῆς μετ’ αὐτῆς ἐπόρνευσαν1

See how you translated the similar expression in 17:2. This statement too is not intended literally. Alternate translation: Alternate translation: “the kings of the earth have joined her in being idolatrous and greedy”

98318:4nz77rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἤκουσα ἄλλην φωνὴν ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ λέγουσαν1

John is referring to someone speaking by association with the voice that the person is using to speak. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I heard someone speaking from heaven and saying”

98418:5r203rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐκολλήθησαν αὐτῆς αἱ ἁμαρτίαι ἄχρι τοῦ οὐρανοῦ1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. This could mean: (1) Alternate translation: “the heap of her sins is as high as heaven” (2) Alternate translation: “the heap of her sins is as high as the sky”

98518:5e32wrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἐκολλήθησαν αὐτῆς αἱ ἁμαρτίαι ἄχρι τοῦ οὐρανοῦ1

The voice is speaking as if the sins of Babylon were literally in a very high pile. He means that Babylon has committed very many sins. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “she has committed very many sins”

98618:5u2yurc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἐμνημόνευσεν ὁ Θεὸς τὰ ἀδικήματα αὐτῆς1

The voice is not suggesting that God had forgotten about Babylon but has now remembered the citys offenses. The angel is using a common biblical expression that means that God has taken action with regard to a person or entity of which he was already aware, either to help or to punish. See how you translated the similar expression in 16:19. Alternate translation: “God has punished her for her offenses”

98718:6r204rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismἀπόδοτε αὐτῇ ὡς καὶ αὐτὴ ἀπέδωκεν, καὶ διπλώσατε τὰ διπλᾶ, κατὰ τὰ ἔργα αὐτῆς1

The voice from heaven is using a characteristic form of Hebrew speech. The voice is naming a number and then, for emphasis, naming the next higher number. An example of this is in Amos 1:3, “For three sins of Damascus, even for four, I will not turn away punishment.” If it might seem to your readers that the voice from heaven was contradicting itself, first saying to punish Babylon one way (just as much as the city hurt others) and then saying to punish Babylon a different way (twice as much as the city hurt others), you could show in your translation that this is actually a progression for emphasis. UST models one way to do this.

98818:6r205rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingularἀπόδοτε & διπλώσατε & κεράσατε1

All of these imperatives are plural. (They seem to address the angels whom God has appointed to punish Babylon, as UST indicates.) So use plural imperatives in your translation if your language marks that distinction.

98918:6r206rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismδιπλώσατε τὰ διπλᾶ, κατὰ τὰ ἔργα αὐτῆς; ἐν τῷ ποτηρίῳ ᾧ ἐκέρασεν, κεράσατε αὐτῇ διπλοῦν,1

These two phrases mean similar things. The voice from heaven is using repetition to emphasize the idea that the phrases express. The first phrase expresses it literally and the second phrase expresses it figuratively. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could combine the two phrases. UST models one way of doing this.

99018:6r207rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetryδιπλώσατε τὰ διπλᾶ1

The voice is using a construction in which a verb and its object come from the same root. You may be able to use the same construction in your language to express the meaning here. Alternatively, your language may have its own way of expressing the same meaning. Alternate translation: “repay her double”

99118:6xba5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἐν τῷ ποτηρίῳ ᾧ ἐκέρασεν, κεράσατε αὐτῇ διπλοῦν1

The voice is speaking as if Babylon had literally mixed a cup of wine for others to drink. This is a reprise of the image in 14:8. However, the emphasis here is on how drinking too much wine makes a person stagger. This is an image of how Babylon will stagger from Gods punishments. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “punish her in a way that will make her stagger twice as much as she made others stagger”

99218:7r208rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotesἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτῆς λέγει, ὅτι κάθημαι βασίλισσα & καὶ χήρα οὐκ εἰμί καὶ πένθος οὐ μὴ ἴδω1

If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “she says in her heart that she sits as a queen and that she is not a widow and that she will not see mourning at all”

99318:7yt32rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτῆς λέγει1

Here the heart figuratively represents the thoughts and motives. Alternate translation: “she thinks to herself”

99418:7r209rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomκάθημαι βασίλισσα1

Here the word sit means “to be.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I am a queen”

99518:7dy5krc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyχήρα οὐκ εἰμί1

Babylon is referring to herself as not being dependent on anyone by association with the way that a widow in this culture likely would be dependent on others. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I am not dependent on anyone”

99618:7eh5rrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomπένθος οὐ μὴ ἴδω1

Here the word see means “to experience.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I will not experience any mourning at all”

99718:8r210rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἐν μιᾷ ἡμέρᾳ1

The voice is using the term day to mean a short time. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “in just a short time”

99818:8tjd9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐν πυρὶ κατακαυθήσεται1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “fire will consume her”

99918:9r211rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotemarks1

Some versions continue the quotation of the voice from heaven that begins in verse 4 through to the end of this chapter. If a translation of the Bible exists in your region, you may wish to punctuate the quotation the way it does. If a translation of the Bible does not exist in your region, you may wish to punctuate the quotation the way ULT does and end it with verse 8.

100018:9wk13rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorοἱ & πορνεύσαντες1

Here as in 14:3, committing sexual immorality is a symbolic image for worshiping idols. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the ones having worshiped idols”

100118:9r212rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletκλαύσονται καὶ κόψονται1

The terms weep and wail mean similar things. John is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “will weep bitterly”

100218:9r213rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτὸν καπνὸν τῆς πυρώσεως αὐτῆς1

John is referring to the fire that will burn Babylon by association with the burning itself. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the smoke from the fire that is burning her”

100318:10j3lnrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyδιὰ τὸν φόβον τοῦ βασανισμοῦ αὐτῆς1

John is referring to the fire that is burning up and tormenting Babylon by association with the torment itself. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “because they are afraid of the fire that is tormenting her”

100418:10r467rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplicationοὐαὶ, οὐαί1

As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, the speakers are repeating the word woe for emphasis. If it would not be natural in your language to repeat a word like that, you could express the emphasis in another way, for example, by using a different expression and including the word “very,” as the UST does.

100518:10r214rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostropheὅτι μιᾷ ὥρᾳ ἦλθεν ἡ κρίσις σου1

The kings are speaking directly to the city of Babylon even though they know that the city cannot hear them. They are doing this to show in a very strong way to the people who can hear them, their fellow kings, how they feel about what is happening to Babylon. If someone speaking your language would not do this, you could translate this as the merchants speaking to one another about Babylon rather than to Babylon. Alternate translation: “For in one hour her judgment has come”

100618:10r215rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomμιᾷ ὥρᾳ1

As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, in the ancient world, an hour was the shortest time span that people envisioned. In contexts such as this one, the term does not mean a literal hour of sixty minutes. It means the shortest time imaginable. Alternate translation: “in such a short time”

100718:10r216rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsἦλθεν ἡ κρίσις σου1

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of judgment, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “God has judged you”

100818:11r217rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletκλαίουσιν καὶ πενθοῦσιν1

The terms weep and mourn mean similar things. John is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “weep bitterly”

100918:12krs3rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownλίθου τιμίου1

See how you translated the term precious stone in 17:4. Alternate translation: “gemstones”

101018:12xm9urc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownβυσσίνου, καὶ πορφύρας, καὶ σιρικοῦ, καὶ κοκκίνου1

See how you translated fine linen, the term for an expensive cloth made from flax, in 15:6; purple cloth is a dark red-blue cloth that was very expensive at this time; silk is a soft, strong cloth made from the fine string that silkworms make when they form their cocoons; scarlet cloth was an expensive red cloth. If some or all of these terms might be unfamiliar to your readers, you could use a general expression in your translation. Alternate translation: “many kinds of expensive cloth”

101118:12hir4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperboleπᾶν ξύλον θύϊνον, καὶ πᾶν σκεῦος ἐλεφάντινον, καὶ πᾶν σκεῦος ἐκ ξύλου τιμιωτάτου, καὶ χαλκοῦ, καὶ σιδήρου, καὶ μαρμάρου1

John says every in these cases as a generalization for emphasis. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a different way to express the emphasis. Alternate translation: “many kinds of fragrant wood and many kinds of ivory vessels and many kinds of vessels made from precious wood and bronze and iron and marble”

101218:12r218rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownπᾶν ξύλον θύϊνον1

The wood of the citron tree is desirable because it is fragrant. If your readers would not be familiar with citron wood, you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “every fragrant wood”

101318:12r219rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyπᾶν ξύλον θύϊνον1

Since there is only one kind of citron tree, by every citron wood, John means by association many kinds of wood that are fragrant like citron wood. Alternate translation: “every fragrant wood”

101418:12yri7rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownσκεῦος ἐλεφάντινον1

The word ivory describes a beautiful, hard, white material that people get from the tusks or teeth of very large animals such as elephants and walruses. Alternate translation: “beautiful containers made from tusks” or “containers made from valuable animal teeth”

101518:12b8xcrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownμαρμάρου1

The word marble describes a beautiful, valuable stone that people use in buildings and to make statues, furniture, and many other things. If your readers might not be familiar with marble, you could use a general expression in your translation. Alternate translation: “beautiful stone”

101618:13z894rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitκιννάμωμον, καὶ ἄμωμον1

Since cinnamon is one kind of spice, John means implicitly that cinnamon was one example of the spices that the merchants sold. You can indicate this your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “cinnamon and other spices”

101718:13gz3vrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownκιννάμωμον, καὶ ἄμωμον1

The word cinnamon describes a fragrant spice that people make from the bark of a certain tree. If your readers would not be familiar with what cinnamon is, you could use a general term. Alternate translation: “spice from tree bark and other spices”

101818:13r220rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitθυμιάματα, καὶ μύρον, καὶ λίβανον1

Since myrrh and frankincense are two kinds of incense, John means implicitly that these are two examples of the incense that the merchants sold. You can indicate this your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “myrrh and frankincense and other kinds of incense”

101918:13r221rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletσωμάτων, καὶ ψυχὰς ἀνθρώπων1

In this context, the expressions bodies and souls of men mean the same thing. John is using the two terms together for emphasis. He is first stating how things look on the outside: The bodies of the slaves whom the merchants are trading appear to be just another physical cargo. But John is then stating the real truth: This traffic in slaves is a traffic in human souls. You could indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “slaves, that is, the souls of men”

102018:13r222rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotationsψυχὰς ἀνθρώπων1

Although the term men is masculine, John is using the word in a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use a term in your language that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “human souls”

102118:14r223rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostropheἡ ὀπώρα σου τῆς ἐπιθυμίας τῆς ψυχῆς ἀπῆλθεν ἀπὸ σοῦ, καὶ πάντα τὰ λιπαρὰ καὶ τὰ λαμπρὰ ἀπώλετο ἀπὸ σοῦ1

As John relates this vision, here he addresses something that he knows cannot hear him, the city of Babylon in the vision, in order to show his readers in a strong way how he feels about it. If someone speaking your language would not do this, you could translate this as John speaking about Babylon rather than to Babylon. Alternate translation: “her autumn fruit, the desire of her soul, has gone away from her, and all the luxurious and the splendid has perished from her”

102218:14r224rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possessionἡ ὀπώρα σου τῆς ἐπιθυμίας τῆς ψυχῆς1

In this possessive form, fruit is the object of desire rather than the result of desire. That is, this does not mean fruit that the souls desire has borne, but it means fruit that the soul desires to have. Alternate translation: “the autumn fruit that your soul desires to have”

102318:14a1aarc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἡ ὀπώρα σου τῆς ἐπιθυμίας τῆς ψυχῆς ἀπῆλθεν1

Here the term soul represents the whole person by association with the way that each person has a soul. Alternate translation: “the autumn fruit that you desired has gone away”

102418:14x3klrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἡ ὀπώρα1

John is referring to ripe fruit by association with the way fruit ripens in the autumn. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “ripe fruit”

102518:14r225rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἡ ὀπώρα & ἀπῆλθεν1

John is using autumn fruit to represent the rich pleasures that Babylon desired. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “rich pleasures … have gone away”

102618:14r226rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismπάντα τὰ λιπαρὰ καὶ τὰ λαμπρὰ ἀπώλετο ἀπὸ σοῦ, καὶ οὐκέτι οὐ μὴ αὐτὰ εὑρήσουσιν1

These two phrases mean similar things. John is using repetition to emphasize the idea that the phrases express. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could combine them. Alternate translation: “all the luxurious and the splendid has perished from you forever”

102718:14r227rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjπάντα τὰ λιπαρὰ καὶ τὰ λαμπρὰ1

John is using the adjectives luxurious and splendid as nouns to mean certain kinds of goods. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate this phrase with an equivalent one. Alternate translation: “all the luxurious and splendid goods” or “everything that is luxurious and splendid”

102818:14r228rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletπάντα τὰ λιπαρὰ καὶ τὰ λαμπρὰ1

The terms luxurious and splendid mean similar things. John is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “all the very luxurious goods”

102918:14p7f7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomοὐκέτι οὐ μὴ αὐτὰ εὑρήσουσιν1

Here the expression will not be found means “will not be able to be found” or “will not be there.” Alternate translation: “they will not be there any longer”

103018:14t9qarc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegativesοὐκέτι οὐ μὴ αὐτὰ εὑρήσουσιν1

The merchants are actually using a double negative here, “they will not be found at all no longer.” The second negative does not cancel the first to create a positive meaning. If for emphasis your language uses double negatives that do not cancel one another, it would be appropriate to use that construction here in your translation.

103118:14z9rvrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveοὐ μὴ αὐτὰ εὑρήσουσιν1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “certainly no one will find them”

103218:15s4iqrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyδιὰ τὸν φόβον τοῦ βασανισμοῦ αὐτῆς1

See how you translated this same expression in 18:10. Alternate translation: “because they are afraid of the fire that is tormenting her”

103318:15ii7vrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletκλαίοντες καὶ πενθοῦντες1

The terms weeping and mourning mean similar things. John is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “weeping bitterly”

103418:16i7iprc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἡ περιβεβλημένη βύσσινον, καὶ πορφυροῦν, καὶ κόκκινον, καὶ κεχρυσωμένη ἐν χρυσίῳ, καὶ λίθῳ τιμίῳ, καὶ μαργαρίτῃ1

The merchants are speaking as if the city of Babylon had literally been dressed in expensive clothing and adorned with jewels. They mean that the people of the city lived in luxury. Even if your language does not ordinarily use figures of speech, you may wish to preserve this figure of speech in your translation so that your readers can see how the merchants were speaking about Babylon. One way to do that would be to translate it as a simile, as UST does.

103518:16nji6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἡ περιβεβλημένη βύσσινον, καὶ πορφυροῦν, καὶ κόκκινον, καὶ κεχρυσωμένη1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “that dressed in fine linen and purple and scarlet and adorned herself”

103618:16i5uyrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownβύσσινον, καὶ πορφυροῦν, καὶ κόκκινον & χρυσίῳ, καὶ λίθῳ τιμίῳ, καὶ μαργαρίτῃ1

See how you translated each of these terms in 18:12.

103718:17r229rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἠρημώθη ὁ τοσοῦτος πλοῦτος1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, the context suggests that it was God. Alternate translation: “God has destroyed so much wealth”

103818:17r230rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownκυβερνήτης1

The word shipmaster refers to a particular member of a ships crew. In this context, this could mean: (1) the captain of a ship. Alternate translation, as in UST: “ship captain” (2) the person who steers a ship. Alternate translation: “navigator”

103918:17ap3vrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomὅσοι τὴν θάλασσαν ἐργάζονται1

John is using this general expression to mean anyone else who, like the previous three kinds of people he mentions in this verse, earns a living from the sea in some way. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “as many others as earn their living from the sea”

104018:18r231rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτὸν καπνὸν τῆς πυρώσεως αὐτῆς1

See how you translated the same expression in 18:9. Alternate translation: “the smoke from the fire that is burning her”

104118:18v7qerc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionτίς ὁμοία τῇ πόλει τῇ μεγάλῃ?1

The sea workers are using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “Nothing is like the great city!”

104218:18r232rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitτίς1

By What, the sea workers implicitly mean “What city.” You can say this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “What city” or, in an exclamation, “No other city”

104318:19r233rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symactionἔβαλον χοῦν ἐπὶ τὰς κεφαλὰς αὐτῶν1

The sea workers threw dust on their heads as a symbolic action to show how distressed they were that Babylon had been destroyed. If this would not be clear to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: “they threw dust on their heads to show how distressed they were”

104418:19r234rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletκλαίοντες καὶ πενθοῦντες1

The terms weeping and mourning mean similar things. John is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “weeping bitterly”

104518:19r235rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfoτὰ πλοῖα ἐν τῇ θαλάσσῃ1

It might seem that the expression ships in the sea contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you could shorten it. Alternate translation: “ships”

104618:19r236rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἠρημώθη1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, the context suggests that it was God. Alternate translation: “God has destroyed her”

104718:20r237rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotemarksεὐφραίνου1

The sea workers finish speaking at the end of verse 19. Someone else begins speaking here. It would be appropriate to show this in your translation by using whatever punctuation or convention your language uses to show the end of one quotation and the beginning of another.

104818:20r238rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitεὐφραίνου1

In this verse, someone breaks into Johns narrative of his vision to speak directly to the audience in heaven and on earth. ULT puts the verse in parentheses to show this. There may be a comparable convention in your language that you can use in your translation. You can also state explicitly who is speaking, as UST does. That speaker could be: (1) the voice from heaven that spoke in 18:48 or another voice from heaven. (2) Jesus, as in 16:15. (3) John himself.

104918:20r239rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingularεὐφραίνου1

The implied “you” in the imperative Rejoice is singular here because this imperative addresses heaven. The pronoun you is plural because it addresses the saints and apostles and prophets. So use a singular imperative and a plural pronoun in your translation if your language marks that distinction.

105018:20r240rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyοὐρανέ1

The speaker is referring to everyone who lives in heaven by association with heaven itself. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “all of you who live in heaven”

105118:20ld6crc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsἔκρινεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸ κρίμα ὑμῶν ἐξ αὐτῆς1

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of judgment, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “God has judged her for what she did to you”

105218:20r241rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetryἔκρινεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸ κρίμα ὑμῶν ἐξ αὐτῆς1

The speaker is using a construction in which a verb and its object come from the same root. You may be able to use the same construction in your language to express the meaning here. Alternatively, your language may have its own way of describing this. Alternate translation: “she deserved to be judged for what she did to you, and God has indeed judged her”

105318:21r242rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileλίθον ὡς μύλινον μέγαν1

The point of this comparison is that the stone that the angel took up was very large and heavy and so it made a tremendous, dramatic splash when it hit the sea. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “a stone that was very large and heavy like a great millstone”

105418:21el4erc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownμύλινον1

A millstone is a large, flat, round stone that people use to crush kernels of grain against a second millstone, processing the grain into food for humans. If your readers would not be familiar with what a millstone is, in your translation you could use the name of a comparable object in your culture or you could use a general expression.

105518:21kwsyrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveοὕτως ὁρμήματι βληθήσεται Βαβυλὼν ἡ μεγάλη πόλις1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, the context suggests that it was God. Alternate translation: “God will throw down Babylon, the great city”

105618:21dlp4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorοὕτως ὁρμήματι βληθήσεται Βαβυλὼν ἡ μεγάλη πόλις1

The angel is speaking as if Babylon will literally be thrown down as if from a height. He means that the city will be completely destroyed. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “God will completely destroy Babylon, the great city”

105718:21r243rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsὁρμήματι1

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of violence, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “violently”

105818:21r244rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveοὐ μὴ εὑρεθῇ ἔτι1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “no one at all will see her anymore”

105918:22j6aqrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveκαὶ φωνὴ κιθαρῳδῶν, καὶ μουσικῶν, καὶ αὐλητῶν, καὶ σαλπιστῶν, οὐ μὴ ἀκουσθῇ1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “and no one at all will hear the sound of harpists and musicians and flutists and trumpeters”

106018:22da3hrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostropheἐν σοὶ & ἐν σοὶ & ἐν σοὶ1

The angel is speaking directly to the city of Babylon even though he knows that the city cannot hear him. He is doing this to show in a very strong way to the people who can hear them, probably “heaven” and the “saints and apostles and prophets” from verse 20, how he feels about what is happening to Babylon. If someone speaking your language would not do this, you could translate this as the angel speaking about Babylon rather than to Babylon. Alternate translation: “in her … in her … in her”

106118:22r246rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveπᾶς τεχνίτης οὐ μὴ εὑρεθῇ1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “no one at all will find a craftsman”

106218:22cu19rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomπᾶς τεχνίτης οὐ & εὑρεθῇ1

Here the expression will not be found means “will not be able to be found” or “will not be there.” Alternate translation: “no craftsman will be there”

106318:22r247rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveφωνὴ μύλου οὐ μὴ ἀκουσθῇ1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “no one at will will hear the sound of a mill”

106418:23r248rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostropheἐν σοὶ & ἐν σοὶ1

As in verse 22, for emphasis the angel is speaking directly to the city of Babylon even though he knows that the city cannot hear him. If someone speaking your language would not do this, you could translate this as the angel speaking about Babylon rather than to Babylon. Alternate translation: “in her … in her”

106518:23d67irc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveφωνὴ νυμφίου καὶ νύμφης οὐ μὴ ἀκουσθῇ1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “no one at all will hear the voice of a bridegroom and a bride”

106618:23r508rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenounsφωνὴ1

Since the angel is referring to two people, it might be more natural in your language to use the plural form of voice or the dual form if your language marks that distinction. Alternate translation: “the voices”

106718:23j3iyrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐν τῇ φαρμακείᾳ σου ἐπλανήθησαν πάντα τὰ ἔθνη1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “you deceived all the nations by your sorcery”

106818:23r249rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἐν τῇ φαρμακείᾳ σου ἐπλανήθησαν πάντα τὰ ἔθνη1

The angel is speaking as if these Babylon had literally used sorcery to deceive the nations. He likely means that Babylon made living in excessive luxury seem attractive and acceptable. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “you influenced all the nations to try to live in luxury”

106918:23r250rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperboleπάντα τὰ ἔθνη1

The angel says all here as a generalization for emphasis. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a different way to express the emphasis. Alternate translation: “nations throughout the world”

107018:24r251rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomεὑρέθη1

Here the expression was found means “could be found” or “was there.” Alternate translation: “was”

107118:24r252rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἐν αὐτῇ αἷμα & εὑρέθη προφητῶν1

The implication is that this blood is evidence that Babylon is guilty of killing the prophets and saints. You can provide this information in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “she was clearly guilty of killing prophets”

107218:24r253rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperboleπάντων τῶν ἐσφαγμένων ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς1

This could mean: (1) that the angel is saying all here as a generalization for emphasis. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a different way to express the emphasis. Alternate translation: “of ones having been slain throughout the earth” (2) that the angel is using a passive verbal form (See: next note) to refer to all the other ones, besides prophets and saints, whom Babylon slew. Alternate translation: “of all the other ones she slew on the earth”

107318:24btz5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveπάντων τῶν ἐσφαγμένων1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “of all the ones she slew”

107419:introh7850

Revelation 19 General Notes

Structure and Formatting

  • Verses 14 conclude the topic of the destruction of Babylon.
  • Verses 510 introduce the topic of the wedding of the Lamb.
  • Verses 1121 describe the destruction of the beast and the false prophet.

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with verses 1-8.

Special Concepts in this Chapter

Songs

The book of Revelation often describes heaven as a place where people sing. They worship God with songs. This illustrates that heaven is a place where God is always worshiped. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/heaven]])

Wedding celebration

The wedding celebration or feast is an important image in Scripture. Jewish culture often pictured paradise, or life with God after death, as a feast. Here, the wedding feast is for the Lamb, who is Jesus, and his bride, meaning all his people.

Translation Issues in this Chapter

“Hallelujah”

The word Hallelujah occurs in verses 1, 3, 4, and 6. This is a Hebrew word that John spells out using Greek letters so that his readers will know how it sounds. The word is a plural imperative that means, “Praise Yahweh!” In your translation, you could spell this word the way it sounds in your language, or you could translate its meaning by using a phrase such as, “Praise God.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-transliterate]])

“us/our”

In verses 1, 5, and 6, speakers say “our,” and in verse 7 a speaker says “us.” In each case the speaker is referring to himself and to his addressees, so use the inclusive form of those words in your translation if your language marks that distinction. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])

107519:1r258rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsἡ σωτηρία, καὶ ἡ δόξα, καὶ ἡ δύναμις, τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡμῶν1

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of salvation, glory, and power, you could express the same ideas in another way. Alternate translation: “Worship God as the one who saves us and who is glorious and powerful”

107619:1r259rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusiveἡμῶν1

As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, here and throughout the chapter it would be appropriate to use the inclusive form of our and “us” in your translation if your language marks that distinction.

107719:2r509rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletἀληθιναὶ καὶ δίκαιαι1

The terms true and righteous mean similar things. John may be using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “entirely righteous”

107819:2d9j7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτὸ αἷμα1

John is referring to the death of Gods servants by association with the *blood that they shed when they were killed. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the death”

107919:2cj3trc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdocheτῶν δούλων αὐτοῦ ἐκ χειρὸς αὐτῆς1

John is using one part of the great prostitute, her hand, to represent all of her in the act of killing or shedding the blood of Gods servants. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your culture or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “of his servants, whom she killed”

108019:3r510rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjδεύτερον1

John is using the adjective second as a noun to mean a certain time. ULT adds the word time to show that. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “again”

108119:3zy6erc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyὁ καπνὸς αὐτῆς1

See how you translated the similar expression in 18:9. Alternate translation: “the smoke from the fire that is burning her”

108219:3r511rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomεἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων1

This expression refers to endless future time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “for all eternity”

108319:4r512rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symactionἔπεσαν & καὶ προσεκύνησαν τῷ Θεῷ1

Be sure that it is clear in your translation that the elders and living creatures did not fall down accidentally. Rather, bowing or lying down in front of God was a sign of humility and respect. Alternate translation: “bowed down in front of God to worship him”

108419:5r480rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personπάντες οἱ δοῦλοι αὐτοῦ, καὶ οἱ φοβούμενοι αὐτόν1

The voice is actually not speaking in the third person about the people whom he wants to Praise … God. The voice is using a vocative form. However, if your language does not have a vocative form and it might appear as if the voice is using the third person for people whom he is addressing, you could use the second person in your translation. Alternate translation: “you his servants and you who fear him”

108519:5cck3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomοἱ φοβούμενοι αὐτόν1

In this context, the word fearing does not mean to be afraid but to show respect and reverence. Alternate translation: “the ones who revere him” or “you who revere him”

108619:5r481rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorοἱ μικροὶ καὶ οἱ μεγάλοι1

The voice is speaking as if unimportant people were literally small and as if important people were literally large or great. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the unimportant and the important”

108719:5rr23rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjοἱ μικροὶ καὶ οἱ μεγάλοι1

The voice is using the adjectives small and great as nouns to mean certain kinds of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate these words with equivalent phrases. Alternate translation: “both unimportant people and important people”

108819:5qdb3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merismοἱ μικροὶ καὶ οἱ μεγάλοι1

The voice is using two extremes of people, small and great, to mean them and everyone in between. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “whatever your status”

108919:6kq7nrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileὡς φωνὴν ὄχλου πολλοῦ, καὶ ὡς φωνὴν ὑδάτων πολλῶν, καὶ ὡς φωνὴν βροντῶν ἰσχυρῶν1

The point of this comparison is that the sound was very loud. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “a sound that was very loud, like the sound of a great crowd or many waters or powerful thunder”

109019:6r482rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomὑδάτων πολλῶν1

By many waters, John could mean a loud waterfall or raging floodwaters. See how you translated the similar expression in 1:15. Alternate translation: “of a waterfall” or “of raging floodwaters”

109119:6r483rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusiveἡμῶν1

The person speaking here is likely continuing to address those who serve and fear God. So by our, the speaker means himself and them, so use the inclusive form of that word in your translation if your language marks that distinction.

109219:7r484rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletχαίρωμεν καὶ ἀγαλλιῶμεν1

The terms rejoice and exult mean similar things. The sound is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “Let us rejoice greatly”

109319:7m5avrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomδῶμεν τὴν δόξαν αὐτῷ1

The expression give glory to him does not mean that God lacks glory in any way or that people have glory that they can give to God. It means to honor God. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “honor him”

109419:7j6d7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἦλθεν ὁ γάμος τοῦ Ἀρνίου1

If you would not speak in your language of an event as if it has come, you could express this in the way that is most natural in your language. Alternate translation: “it is time for the wedding of the Lamb”

109519:8oz7xrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐδόθη αὐτῇ ἵνα περιβάληται1

If your language does not use these passive forms, you could express the ideas in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who has done the action, the context suggests that it was God. Alternate translation: “God has granted to her that she might dress”

109619:8r485rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-backgroundτὸ γὰρ βύσσινον τὰ δικαιώματα τῶν ἁγίων ἐστίν1

Here John provides some background information about the symbolism in his vision in order to help his readers understand what he is describing. ULT shows that this is background information by putting it in parentheses. This information is helpful for understanding the symbolic significance of fine linen and for understanding the symbolism of the book generally. See what you did with the similar background information in 1:20. Alternate translation: “The bride in my vision dressed in fine linen because that bright, clean fabric symbolically represents the righteous acts of the saints”

109719:9ayc4rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronounsλέγει1

The pronoun he probably refers to the same angel who began to speak to John in 17:1. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “The angel who told me he would show me the judgment of the great prostitute said”

109819:9r486rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotesγράψον, μακάριοι οἱ εἰς τὸ δεῖπνον τοῦ γάμου τοῦ Ἀρνίου κεκλημένοι1

If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “Write that the ones having been invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb are blessed”

109919:9l72prc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveοἱ & κεκλημένοι1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, the context suggests that it was God. Alternate translation: “the ones whom God has called”

110019:9r487rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyοὗτοι οἱ λόγοι ἀληθινοὶ εἰσιν τοῦ Θεοῦ1

The angel is using the term words to mean the saying that he told John to Write by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “This is something that God has truly said”

110119:10uq6hrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symactionἔπεσα ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ποδῶν αὐτοῦ1

Be sure that it is clear in your translation that John did not fall down accidentally. Rather, bowing or lying down in front of this angel was a sign of humility and respect. Alternate translation: “I bowed down at his feet” or “I bowed down to the ground in front of him”

110219:10r488rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisὅρα μή1

The angel is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “See that you do not do that”

110319:10r489rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyὅρα μή1

The angel is using the term See to mean by association that John should give careful attention to what he is doing. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Watch out! Do not do that!” or “Be careful not to do that”

110419:10i2yqrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorτῶν ἀδελφῶν σου1

The angel is using the term brothers figuratively to mean people who share the same faith. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “your fellow believers”

110519:10r475rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotationsτῶν ἀδελφῶν σου1

Although the term brothers is masculine, here the word has a generic sense that includes both men and women. If you wish to retain the figurative expression in your translation, you could word it in a way that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “your brothers and sisters”

110619:10r490rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsτῶν ἐχόντων τὴν μαρτυρίαν Ἰησοῦ1

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of testimony, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “who testify to their faith in Jesus”

110719:10r491rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possessionτῶν ἐχόντων τὴν μαρτυρίαν Ἰησοῦ1

In this possessive form, Jesus is the object rather than the subject of testimony. That is, this does not mean testimony that Jesus himself gives; it means testimony that believers give about their faith in Jesus. Alternate translation: “who testify to their faith in Jesus”

110819:10rku2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personificationἡ & μαρτυρία Ἰησοῦ ἐστιν τὸ πνεῦμα τῆς προφητείας1

The angel is speaking of prophecy as if it were a living thing that had a spirit. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the impulse to testify to Jesus is what inspires prophecy”

110919:11m1qnrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyεἶδον τὸν οὐρανὸν ἠνεῳγμένον1

When John says that heaven had been opened, he likely means by association that in his vision, God created some opening that allowed him to see into heaven. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “God allowed me to look into heaven”

111019:11r492rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτὸν οὐρανὸν ἠνεῳγμένον1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, the context suggests that it was God. Alternate translation: “that God had opened heaven”

111119:11r493rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὁ καθήμενος ἐπ’ αὐτὸν, Πιστὸς καλούμενος καὶ Ἀληθινός1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the one whom people call Faithful and True riding on it”

111219:11r494rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-namesὁ καθήμενος ἐπ’ αὐτὸν, Πιστὸς καλούμενος καὶ Ἀληθινός1

This could mean: (1) that Faithful and True are two names by which people call Jesus. Alternate translation: “the one riding on it, two of whose names are Faithful and True” (2) that “faithful” and “true” are two qualities that people ascribe to Jesus. Alternate translation: “the one riding on it, whom people acknowledge to be faithful and true”

111319:11r495rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletΠιστὸς & καὶ Ἀληθινός1

The terms Faithful and True mean similar things. John is mentioning the two names together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “Supremely Faithful” or “Entirely True”

111419:11lp9arc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsἐν δικαιοσύνῃ1

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of righteousness, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “righteously”

111519:12p9akrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorοἱ δὲ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτοῦ φλὸξ πυρός1

John is speaking as if the eyes of the one riding on the white horse were actually a flame of fire. This is something that could be taken literally within the world of the vision, but it is more likely that John means this as a comparison, as in 1:14 and 2:18. In that case, the point of the comparison would be that Jesus has eyes that are so bright and lively that they resemble a burning flame. See how you translated this earlier in the book. Alternate translation: “whose eyes also glow like a flame of fire”

111619:12r496rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfoφλὸξ πυρός1

It might seem that the expression a flame of fire contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you could shorten it. Alternate translation: “flames”

111719:12yhr7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveγεγραμμένον1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “in writing”

111819:12kk9xrc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-exceptionsὃ οὐδεὶς οἶδεν, εἰ μὴ αὐτός1

If it would appear in your language that John was contradicting himself by saying that no one knows this name and then saying that someone does know this name, you could reword this to avoid using an exception clause. Alternate translation: “that only he knows”

111919:12r497rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyὃ οὐδεὶς οἶδεν, εἰ μὴ αὐτός1

It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. This could mean: (1) that no one except Jesus knows the meaning of the name. Alternate translation: “Only he knows the meaning of that name” (2) that no one except Jesus knows what the name is. Alternate translation: “Only he knows what that name is”

112019:13vny3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveπεριβεβλημένος ἱμάτιον βεβαμμένον αἵματι1

If your language does not use these passive forms, you could express the ideas in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “wearing a robe that he had dipped in blood”

112119:13r498rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfoκέκληται τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ1

It might seem that the expression his name is called contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you could shorten it. Alternate translation: “his name is” or “he is called”

112219:13p7tsrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveκέκληται τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “people call him”

112319:14r499rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐνδεδυμένοι βύσσινον1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “wearing fine linen”

112419:15m9ynrc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-symlanguageἐκ τοῦ στόματος αὐτοῦ ἐκπορεύεται ῥομφαία ὀξεῖα 1

Be sure it is clear in your translation, here and for the similar expression in verse 21, that this means that the blade of the sword was sticking out of his mouth. The sword itself was not in motion. See how you translated the similar phrase in 1:16.

112519:15uq4zrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐν ῥάβδῳ σιδηρᾷ1

See how you translated the similar phrase in 2:27 and 12:5. Alternate translation: “with great strength” or “with irresistible power”

112619:15nb4yrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyαὐτὸς πατεῖ τὴν ληνὸν τοῦ οἴνου1

John is referring to the grapes in the winepress by association with the winepress itself. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “he tramples the grapes in the winepress to make the wine”

112719:15r500rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletτοῦ θυμοῦ τῆς ὀργῆς1

The terms wrath and fury mean similar things. John is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “of the great wrath”

112819:16a61arc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἔχει & ὄνομα γεγραμμένον1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “he has written a name”

112919:16r501rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadysἐπὶ τὸ ἱμάτιον καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν μηρὸν αὐτοῦ1

This phrase expresses a single idea by using two phrases connected with and. The phrase on his thigh tells where on his robe this name is written. If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this meaning with an equivalent phrase that does not use “and.” Alternate translation: “on his robe at his thigh”

113019:17r502rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐν τῷ ἡλίῳ1

John is referring to the light of the sun by association with the sun itself. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “in bright sunlight”

113119:17r503rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveσυνάχθητε1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “gather together”

113219:18r504rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownχιλιάρχων1

The word chiliarchs describes officers in the Roman army who were in charge of groups of 1,000 soldiers. Alternate translation: “commanders”

113319:18r260rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjἰσχυρῶν & ἐλευθέρων & μικρῶν & μεγάλων1

John is using these adjectives as nouns to mean a certain kinds of persons. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. (All of these adjectives are plural.) If not, you could translate these words with equivalent phrases. Alternate translation: “of mighty people … of free people … of small people … of great people”

113419:18khs9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merismπάντων, ἐλευθέρων τε καὶ δούλων, καὶ μικρῶν καὶ μεγάλων1

John is using two extremes of status, whether people are free or slaves, to mean people across the entire range of status. John is using two extremes of importance, whether people are small or great, to mean people across the entire range of importance. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use equivalent expressions or plain language. Alternate translation: “of all people, no matter what their status and no matter what their importance”

113519:18r261rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismπάντων, ἐλευθέρων τε καὶ δούλων, καὶ μικρῶν καὶ μεγάλων1

These two phrases mean similar things. John is using repetition to emphasize the idea that the phrases express. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could combine them. Alternate translation: “of people of every different kind”

113619:18r262rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorμικρῶν καὶ μεγάλων1

John is speaking as if unimportant people were literally small and as if important people were literally large or great. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “of the unimportant and of the important” or “of unimportant people and of important people”

113719:19r263rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveεἶδον τὸ θηρίον, καὶ τοὺς βασιλεῖς τῆς γῆς, καὶ τὰ στρατεύματα αὐτῶν, συνηγμένα1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “I saw that the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies had gathered”

113819:20q83vrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐπιάσθη τὸ θηρίον1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the army of the one sitting on the horse captured the beast”

113919:20r264rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ1

Here the word before means “in front of” or “in the presence of” another person. Alternate translation: “in his presence”

114019:20ht8grc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐβλήθησαν οἱ δύο1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the one riding on the horse threw the two”

114119:20r265rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjοἱ δύο1

John is using the adjective two as a noun to mean two particular beings. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “The beast and the false prophet”

114219:21h6earc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveοἱ λοιποὶ ἀπεκτάνθησαν ἐν τῇ ῥομφαίᾳ τοῦ καθημένου ἐπὶ τοῦ ἵππου, τῇ ἐξελθούσῃ ἐκ τοῦ στόματος αὐτοῦ1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the one sitting on the horse killed the rest with the sword coming out from his mouth”

114319:21r266rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitοἱ λοιποὶ1

By the rest, John implicitly means the rest of the beasts soldiers. You can provide this information in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “the rest of the beasts soldiers”

114419:21r267rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐχορτάσθησαν ἐκ τῶν σαρκῶν αὐτῶν1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “gorged themselves on their flesh”

114520:introc7eh0

Revelation 20 General Notes

Special Concepts in this Chapter

The thousand-year reign of Christ

In this chapter, Jesus is said to reign for a thousand years, at the same time when Satan is bound. Some scholars believe that this refers to a future period of time, while others believe that it refers to Jesus reigning now from heaven. It is not necessary to decide between these options in order to translate this passage accurately. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/prophet]])

Final rebellion

This chapter also describes what happens after the thousand years. At that time, Satan and many people will attempt to rebel against Jesus. This will result in Gods ultimate and final victory over sin and evil. (See: [[rc:///tw/dict/bible/kt/sin]] and [[rc:///tw/dict/bible/kt/evil]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/eternity]])

Great white throne

This chapter ends with a vision of God sitting on a “great white throne” and judging all the people who have ever lived. God separates people who believe in Jesus from those who do not believe in him. (See: [[rc:///tw/dict/bible/kt/judge]] and [[rc:///tw/dict/bible/kt/heaven]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/faith]])

Important Figures of Speech in this Chapter

The Book of Life

This symbolically represents eternal life. Those possessing eternal life are said to have their names written in this Book of Life. However, since this is something that John actually saw in his vision, it would be appropriate to preserve this image in your translation. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

Other Possible Translation Difficulties in this Chapter

Hades and the lake of fire

These appear to be two distinct places. Hades appears to be the place where souls go after physical death, while the lake of fire appears to be the place where people experience spiritual death. The translator should be careful to choose appropriate language to describe each place, showing that these are not both the same place. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/hell]])

114620:2r269rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitτὸν ὄφιν τὸν ἀρχαῖον, ὅς ἐστιν Διάβολος καὶ ὁ Σατανᾶς1

John assumes that his readers will understand that the phrase the ancient serpent is an allusion to the way the devil appeared in the form of a serpent to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, as Genesis 3:115 describes. You can indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “who appeared in the form of a serpent to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, who is the devil and Satan”

114720:2r270rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructureτὸν ὄφιν τὸν ἀρχαῖον, ὅς ἐστιν Διάβολος καὶ ὁ Σατανᾶς1

It may be easier for your readers to recognize the allusion that John is making if you put the information that the dragon represents the devil and Satan before the information that this is also the ancient serpent. Alternate translation: “who is the devil and Satan, who appeared in the form of a serpent to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden”

114820:2r271rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletΔιάβολος καὶ ὁ Σατανᾶς1

The word devil and the name Satan refer to the same person. John is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “the devil himself”

114920:3r272rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἄχρι τελεσθῇ τὰ χίλια ἔτη1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “until the thousand years had ended”

115020:3y9xdrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveδεῖ αὐτὸν λυθῆναι1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who will do the action, the context suggests that it may be the angel who has “the key to the abyss,” as 20:1 describes. Alternate translation: “God will command the angel to release him”

115120:4r273rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronounsἐκάθισαν ἐπ’ αὐτούς, καὶ κρίμα ἐδόθη αὐτοῖς,1

The pronouns they and them refer to people whom John describes in the rest of the verse. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “and these are the ones who sat on them and to whom judgment was given:”

115220:4qzt1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveκρίμα ἐδόθη αὐτοῖς1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, the context suggests that it was God. Alternate translation: “God gave judgment to them”

115320:4r274rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsκρίμα ἐδόθη αὐτοῖς1

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of judgment, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “God gave them authority to judge”

115420:4u3u8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτῶν πεπελεκισμένων1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “of the ones whom the Roman government had beheaded”

115520:4tut2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismδιὰ τὴν μαρτυρίαν Ἰησοῦ, καὶ διὰ τὸν λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ1

These two phrases mean similar things. John is using repetition to emphasize the idea that the phrases express. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could combine them. Alternate translation: “for proclaiming the message from God about Jesus”

115620:4r275rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possessionτὴν μαρτυρίαν Ἰησοῦ1

In this possessive form, Jesus is the object rather than the subject of testimony. That is, this does not mean testimony that Jesus gives; it means testimony that people give about their faith in Jesus. Alternate translation: “testifying to Jesus”

115720:4xz5lrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτὸν λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ1

John is using the term word to mean the message that these believers had shared by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “sharing the message from God”

115820:4r276rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenounsἐπὶ τὸ μέτωπον, καὶ ἐπὶ τὴν χεῖρα αὐτῶν1

In this verse, the words forehead and hand are singular in form, but they refer to all of them as a group. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this plainly. Alternate translation: “on their foreheads or on their hands”

115920:5r277rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-backgroundοἱ λοιποὶ τῶν νεκρῶν οὐκ ἔζησαν, ἄχρι τελεσθῇ τὰ χίλια ἔτη1

With this sentence, John is providing background information that will help readers understand what happens next in the story. ULT puts the sentence in parentheses to show that. In your translation, present this information in a way that would be natural in your own language and culture.

116020:5r278οἱ λοιποὶ τῶν νεκρῶν οὐκ ἔζησαν, ἄχρι τελεσθῇ τὰ χίλια ἔτη1

It may be more natural in your language to state this positively. Alternate translation: “The rest of the dead only lived again once the thousand years had ended”

116120:5cw4jrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjτῶν νεκρῶν1

John is using the adjective dead as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “the people who had died”

116220:5e1pmrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἄχρι τελεσθῇ τὰ χίλια ἔτη1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “until the thousand years had ended”

116320:5r279rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinalἡ ἀνάστασις ἡ πρώτη1

If your language does not use ordinal numbers, you could use a cardinal number here or an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “resurrection number one”

116420:6r280rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnounμακάριος καὶ ἅγιος ὁ ἔχων μέρος ἐν τῇ ἀναστάσει τῇ πρώτῃ1

Here, the one having a part in the first resurrection does not refer to a specific person. It refers to anyone whom God restores to life at this time. Express this in the way that would be most natural in your language. Since John says these in the next sentence, it may be helpful to use a plural form in this sentence as well. Alternate translation: “Blessed and holy are all those who have a part in the first resurrection”

116520:6f3gzrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personificationἐπὶ τούτων ὁ δεύτερος θάνατος οὐκ ἔχει ἐξουσίαν1

John is speaking of the second death as if it were a living thing which could have power over someone, that is, as if it could make someone do what it wanted that person to do. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “These people will not experience the second death”

116620:6v4z3rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinalὁ δεύτερος θάνατος1

If your language does not use ordinal numbers, you could use a cardinal number here or an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “death number two”

116720:7r281rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὅταν τελεσθῇ τὰ χίλια ἔτη1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “at the end of the thousand years”

116820:7y1vwrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveλυθήσεται ὁ Σατανᾶς 1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. See how you translated the similar expression in 20:3. Alternate translation: “God will command the angel who has the key to the abyss to release Satan”

116920:8r282rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorτὰ ἐν ταῖς τέσσαρσι γωνίαις τῆς γῆς1

John is speaking as if the earth literally had four corners. He means the most distant places on the earth. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “at the most distant places on the earth”

117020:8r283rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merismτὰ ἐν ταῖς τέσσαρσι γωνίαις τῆς γῆς1

John is using the most distant places on the earth to mean those places and everything between them and his location. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “everywhere in the world”

117120:8r284rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-namesτὸν Γὼγ καὶ Μαγώγ1

The word Gog is the name of a ruler whom the prophet Ezekiel addresses in Ezekiel 38:139:20. The word Magog is the name of the land that he ruled.

117220:8r285rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorτὸν Γὼγ καὶ Μαγώγ1

John is using the ruler named Gog and his land of Magog symbolically to represent the nations whom the devil will deceive. He means that these nations will form a great army together and attack the people of God, just as Ezekiel described Gog gathering a great coalition of peoples against Israel. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “forming a great coalition of peoples”

117320:8r286rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfoὧν ὁ ἀριθμὸς αὐτῶν1

It might seem that the expression of whom their number contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you could shorten it. Alternate translation: “whose number”

117420:8g429rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileὡς ἡ ἄμμος τῆς θαλάσσης.1

The point of this comparison is that the number of soldiers in this army will be very large, just as the number of grains of sand on the shore of the sea is very large. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “will be very large, like the number of grains of sand on the seashore”

117520:9r287rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτὴν πόλιν τὴν ἠγαπημένην1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation, as in UST: “the city that God loves”

117620:9f4t7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitτὴν πόλιν τὴν ἠγαπημένην1

John assumes that his readers will understand that by the beloved city he means Jerusalem. You can use that name in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “the city of Jerusalem”

117720:9jhq8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personificationκατέβη πῦρ ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καὶ κατέφαγεν αὐτούς1

John is speaking of this fire as if it were a living thing that came down from heaven and devoured this army by itself. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “God sent fire down from heaven, and it devoured them”

117820:9r288rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorκατέφαγεν αὐτούς1

John is speaking as if this fire literally devoured or ate up the nations that attacked the saints. He means that the fire destroyed them completely. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “destroyed them completely”

117920:10pif3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὁ διάβολος, ὁ πλανῶν αὐτοὺς, ἐβλήθη1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, the context suggests that it was God. Alternate translation: “God threw the devil who was deceiving them”

118020:10r289rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadysτοῦ πυρὸς καὶ θείου1

This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with and. The word fire describes the state of the sulfur. If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this meaning with an equivalent phrase that does not use “and.” Alternate translation: “of fiery sulfur”

118120:10r290rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronounsαὐτοὺς1

The pronoun them refers to the nations whom the devil deceived. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “the nations”

118220:10t5h2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveβασανισθήσονται1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who will do the action, the context suggests that it will be God. Alternate translation: “God will torment them”

118320:10r291rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merismἡμέρας καὶ νυκτὸς1

John is using the two parts of a full day, day and night, to mean all the time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “all the time”

118420:10r292rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomεἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων1

This expression refers to endless future time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “for all eternity”

118520:11r293rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyοὗ ἀπὸ τοῦ προσώπου1

Here the word face represents the presence of a person by association with the way people can see the face of someone who is present. Alternate translation: “from whose presence”

118620:11r294rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismἔφυγεν ἡ γῆ καὶ ὁ οὐρανός, καὶ τόπος οὐχ εὑρέθη αὐτοῖς1

These two phrases mean similar things. John is using repetition to emphasize the idea that the phrases express. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could combine them. Alternate translation: “earth and heaven vanished entirely”

118720:11pm1zrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personificationἔφυγεν ἡ γῆ καὶ ὁ οὐρανός1

John is speaking of earth and heaven as if they were living things that fled. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “earth and heaven disappeared”

118820:11slhmrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτόπος οὐχ εὑρέθη αὐτοῖς1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “no one found a place for them”

118920:11r295rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomτόπος οὐχ εὑρέθη αὐτοῖς1

This expression means “no place could be found for them” or “they were no longer there.” Alternate translation: “they were no longer there”

119020:12r296rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjτοὺς νεκρούς & οἱ νεκροὶ1

John is using the adjective dead as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “the people who had died … the people who had died”

119120:12r297rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorκαὶ μεγάλους καὶ τοὺς μικρούς1

The voice is speaking as if important people were literally large or great and as if unimportant people were literally small. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “both the important and the unimportant”

119220:12r298rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjκαὶ μεγάλους καὶ τοὺς μικρούς1

The voice is using the adjectives great and small as nouns to mean certain kinds of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate these words with equivalent phrases. Alternate translation: “both important people and unimportant people”

119320:12r299rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merismκαὶ μεγάλους καὶ τοὺς μικρούς1

The voice is using two kinds of people, great and small, to mean all kinds of people. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “people of every status”

119420:12gap2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveβιβλία ἠνοίχθησαν; καὶ ἄλλο βιβλίον ἠνεῴχθη1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, the context suggests that it was God. Alternate translation: “God opened books, and God opened another book”

119520:12lt7krc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐκρίθησαν οἱ νεκροὶ ἐκ τῶν γεγραμμένων ἐν τοῖς βιβλίοις1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, the context suggests that it was God. Alternate translation: “God judged the dead from the things he had written in the books”

119620:12r300rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjτοὺς νεκρούς & οἱ νεκροὶ1

John is using the adjective dead as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “the people who had died … the people who had died”

119720:13ea2hrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personificationἔδωκεν ἡ θάλασσα τοὺς νεκροὺς τοὺς ἐν αὐτῇ, καὶ ὁ θάνατος καὶ ὁ ᾍδης ἔδωκαν τοὺς νεκροὺς τοὺς ἐν αὐτοῖς1

John is speaking of the sea and of Death and Hades as if these were living things that actively gave up the people who had died and who were in them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the people who had died who were in the sea and in Death and Hades were not able to hide in those places”

119820:13r301rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjτοὺς νεκροὺς τοὺς ἐν αὐτῇ & τοὺς νεκροὺς τοὺς ἐν αὐτοῖς1

John is using the adjective dead as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “the people who had died who were in it … the people who had died who were in them”

119920:13r302rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletὁ θάνατος καὶ ὁ ᾍδης ἔδωκαν τοὺς νεκροὺς τοὺς ἐν αὐτοῖς1

In this context, Death and Hades are two names for the same place. John is using the names together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “the underworld gave up every single person who had died who was in it” or “not a single person who had died who was in the underworld was able to hide there”

120020:13bg4urc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐκρίθησαν1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, the context suggests that it was God. Alternate translation: “God judged them”

120120:14lw6brc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὁ θάνατος καὶ ὁ ᾍδης ἐβλήθησαν1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, the context suggests that it was God. Alternate translation: “God threw Death and Hades”

120220:14r303rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletὁ θάνατος καὶ ὁ ᾍδης ἐβλήθησαν1

In this context, Death and Hades are two names for the same place. John is using the names together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “the entire underworld was thrown” or “God threw the entire underworld”

120320:14qv55rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinalὁ θάνατος ὁ δεύτερός1

If your language does not use ordinal numbers, you could use a cardinal number here or an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “death number two”

120420:15c9pbrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveκαὶ εἴ τις οὐχ εὑρέθη ἐν τῇ βίβλῳ τῆς ζωῆς γεγραμμένος, ἐβλήθη1

If your language does not use these passive forms, you could express the ideas in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, the context suggests that in each case it was God. Alternate translation: “if God did not find that he had written someone in the Book of Life, he threw him”

120520:15r304rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτις1

John is using the term anyone by association to mean “anyones name.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “anyones name” or “someones name”

120621:intropai80

Revelation 21 General Notes

Structure and Formatting

This chapter gives a detailed picture of the new Jerusalem.

Special Concepts in this Chapter

Second death

Death is a type of separation. The first death is physically dying, when the soul is separated from the body. The second death is being eternally separated from God. (See: [[rc:///tw/dict/bible/other/death]] and [[rc:///tw/dict/bible/kt/soul]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/eternity]])

Important Figures of Speech in this Chapter

Book of Life

This is a metaphor for eternal life. Those possessing eternal life are said to have their names written in this Book of Life. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

Other Possible Translation Difficulties in this Chapter

New heaven and new earth

It is unclear whether this is an entirely new heaven and earth or something remade out of the present heaven and earth. The same is also true of the new Jerusalem. It is possible that this will affect translation in some languages.

“her”

People in this culture conventionally referred to cities by using feminine pronouns. John says “her” throughout his description of the new Jerusalem in order to mean that city. Your language may use a different gender, for example, you might say “it” and “its” instead of “her.” You could also use a noun and say “that city.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])

“every precious stone”

In verses 19 and 20, John lists the precious stones that were the foundations of the city. In some cases, it is not certain exactly which precious stones these names describe. When the reference of a name is uncertain, ULT spells out the name using English letters. If your readers would not be familiar with some of the precious stones listed here, or if you are not certain what stone a name describes, in your translation you can spell the names the way they sound in your language. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-transliterate]])

120721:1r305rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinalὁ & πρῶτος οὐρανὸς καὶ ἡ πρώτη γῆ1

If your language does not use ordinal numbers, you could use cardinal numbers here or equivalent expressions. Alternate translation: “heaven number one and earth number one” or “the former heaven and the former earth”

120821:1r306rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personificationἀπῆλθαν1

John is speaking of the first heaven and the first earth as if they were living things that had gone away on their own. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “no longer existed”

120921:2r307rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἡτοιμασμένην ὡς νύμφην, κεκοσμημένην τῷ ἀνδρὶ αὐτῆς1

If your language does not use these passive forms, you could express the ideas in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, the context suggests that it was God. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “God had prepared the city the way a bride adorns herself for her husband”

121021:2er4urc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileἡτοιμασμένην ὡς νύμφην, κεκοσμημένην τῷ ἀνδρὶ αὐτῆς1

The point of this comparison is that the city looked beautiful, just as a bride makes herself beautiful to please her husband on their wedding day. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “God had made the city beautiful, just as a bride makes herself beautiful for her husband on their wedding day”

121121:3hpt1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismἡ σκηνὴ τοῦ Θεοῦ μετὰ τῶν ἀνθρώπων, καὶ σκηνώσει μετ’ αὐτῶν1

These two phrases mean similar things. John is using repetition to emphasize the idea that the phrases express. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could combine them. Alternate translation: “God will now tabernacle right in the midst of men”

121221:3r308rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetryἡ σκηνὴ τοῦ Θεοῦ μετὰ τῶν ἀνθρώπων, καὶ σκηνώσει μετ’ αὐτῶν1

John is using a noun and a verb from the same root together for emphasis. You may be able to do the same thing in your own language. Alternate translation: “The dwelling of God is with men, and he will dwell with them”

121321:3r309rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotationsτῶν ἀνθρώπων1

Although the term men is masculine, John is using the word in a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use a term in your language that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “people”

121421:3r468rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariantsαὐτὸς ὁ Θεὸς ἔσται μετ’ αὐτῶν1

Some ancient manuscripts read, God himself will be with them. ULT follows that reading. Other ancient manuscripts add “as their God.” If a translation of the Bible exists in your region, you may wish to use the reading that it uses. If a translation of the Bible does not exist in your region, you may wish to use the reading of ULT.

121521:4w39grc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdocheἐξαλείψει πᾶν δάκρυον ἐκ τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν αὐτῶν1

By using one thing that a person might do to console another person, John is representing all that someone might do to console someone else. If it would be helpful in your language, you could name something that someone might do similarly in your culture, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “God will console them”

121621:4r310rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisὁ θάνατος οὐκ ἔσται ἔτι, οὔτε πένθος, οὔτε κραυγὴ, οὔτε πόνος1

John is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “death will not be any longer, and grieving will not be any longer, and crying will not be any longer, and pain will not be any longer”

121721:4r311rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjτὰ πρῶτα1

John is using the adjective first as a noun to mean a certain kind of thing. ULT adds the word things to show that. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “the things that existed first”

121821:4r312rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinalτὰ πρῶτα1

If your language does not use ordinal numbers, you could use a cardinal number here or an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “the former things”

121921:4r313rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personificationἀπῆλθαν1

John is speaking of the first things as if they were living things that have gone away on their own. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “no longer exist”

122021:5rq2qrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyοὗτοι οἱ λόγοι & εἰσιν1

God is using the term word to mean the statement that he has just made by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “what I have just said is”

122121:5r314rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletπιστοὶ καὶ ἀληθινοί 1

The terms trustworthy and true mean similar things. God on the throne is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “entirely trustworthy”

122221:6dq8nrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismτὸ Ἄλφα καὶ τὸ Ὦ, ἡ ἀρχὴ καὶ τὸ τέλος1

These two phrases mean similar things. John is using repetition to emphasize the idea that the phrases express. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could combine them. Alternate translation: “the very beginning and the very end”

122321:6mfc7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merismτὸ Ἄλφα καὶ τὸ Ὦ, ἡ ἀρχὴ καὶ τὸ τέλος1

God is using two pairs of extremes, the Alpha and the Omega and the beginning and the end, to mean those extremes and everything in between. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “the one who began everything and who will finish everything”

122421:6li7src://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorτὸ Ἄλφα καὶ τὸ Ὦ1

God is speaking as if he were literally two letters of the alphabet. Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet and Omega is the last letter, so God means that he has existed from all eternity and will exist to all eternity. If your language uses figures of speech, you could use the first and last letters of your own alphabet. Alternatively, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the A and the Z” or “the First and the Last”

122521:6wk2crc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἐγὼ τῷ διψῶντι δώσω ἐκ τῆς πηγῆς τοῦ ὕδατος τῆς ζωῆς δωρεάν.1

God is speaking as if he would literally give water to someone who was thirsting. He is using thirst to represent a persons desire for everlasting life and he is using drinking life-giving water to represent that person receiving everlasting life. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I will give everlasting life to the one who eagerly desires to have it”

122621:7r315rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnounὁ νικῶν1

The one conquering does not refer to a specific person. It refers to anyone who conquers in the sense that Jesus uses that term in the letters to the seven churches and as John uses it in 20:11. Express this in the way that would be most natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Everyone who conquers”

122721:7r316rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotationsἔσομαι αὐτῷ Θεὸς, καὶ αὐτὸς ἔσται μοι υἱός1

Although the term son is masculine, God is using the word in a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use a term in your language that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “I will be the God of that person, and that person will be my child”

122821:8r317rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjτοῖς δὲ δειλοῖς, καὶ ἀπίστοις1

John is using the adjectives cowardly and unbelieving as nouns to mean certain kinds of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate these words with equivalent phrases. Alternate translation: “for cowardly people and unbelieving people”

122921:8r318rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveἐβδελυγμένοις1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “those who do things that make God abhor them”

123021:8zu27rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadysπυρὶ καὶ θείῳ1

This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with and. The word fire describes the state of the sulfur. If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this meaning with an equivalent phrase that does not use “and.” Alternate translation: “with fiery sulfur”

123121:8k1hlrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinalὁ θάνατος ὁ δεύτερος.1

If your language does not use ordinal numbers, you could use a cardinal number here or an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “death number two”

123221:9cf2mrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorτὴν νύμφην, τὴν γυναῖκα τοῦ Ἀρνίου1

The angel is speaking as if the new Jerusalem were literally a bride who was going to marry the Lamb. He means that Gods people will now be united forever with Jesus their Savior. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “how the people of God will be united forever with Jesus”

123321:10czp2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἀπήνεγκέν με ἐν Πνεύματι ἐπὶ ὄρος μέγα καὶ ὑψηλόν1

See how you translated the expression in the Spirit in 1:10 and 4:2. Alternate translation: “as he carried me away to a great and high mountain, the Holy Spirit inspired me so that I could receive further revelation”

123421:10r319rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletμέγα καὶ ὑψηλόν1

The terms great and high mean similar things. John is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation, as in UST: “very high”

123521:11r320rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileὁ φωστὴρ αὐτῆς ὅμοιος λίθῳ τιμιωτάτῳ1

The point of this comparison is that the brilliance or luster of the city was bright and beautiful. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “its brilliance was bright and beautiful, like that of a most precious stone”

123621:11xvg6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismὅμοιος λίθῳ τιμιωτάτῳ, ὡς λίθῳ ἰάσπιδι1

These two phrases mean the same thing. The first is a general statement and the second is a specific example. John is using repetition to emphasize the idea that the phrases express. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could combine them. Alternate translation: “like a very precious jasper stone”

123721:11vvq1rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownἰάσπιδι κρυσταλλίζοντι1

See how you translated the word jasper in 4:3 and the word crystal in 4:6.

123821:12r321rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletἔχουσα τεῖχος μέγα καὶ ὑψηλόν1

The terms great and high mean similar things. John is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “The city had a very high wall”

123921:12r322rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisὀνόματα ἐπιγεγραμμένα, ἅ ἐστιν τῶν δώδεκα φυλῶν1

John is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “names having been written on the gates that are the names of the 12 tribes”

124021:12qgh3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveὀνόματα ἐπιγεγραμμένα1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, the context suggests that it was God. Alternate translation: “names that God had written”

124121:12r323rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorυἱῶν Ἰσραήλ1

Here, sons figuratively means “descendants.” John is identifying the Israelites as descendants of their ancestor Israel (who was also known as Jacob). If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “of the people of Israel”

124221:15r324rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronounsτοὺς πυλῶνας αὐτῆς, καὶ τὸ τεῖχος αὐτῆς1

As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, people in this culture conventionally referred to cities by using feminine pronouns. Your language may use a different gender. You could also use a noun and say “that city.” Alternate translation: “its gates and its wall” or “the gates and wall of that city”

124321:16fs8zrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bdistanceσταδίων δώδεκα χιλιάδων1

The word stadia is the plural form of “stadium,” which was a distance of about 185 meters. If it would be helpful in your language, you could give the equivalent in modern measurements. However, you might also wish to retain the ancient measurement, since there may be some symbolic significance to the number 12,000. Alternate translation: “about 2,200 kilometers” or “about 1,300 miles”

124421:17r325rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisἐμέτρησεν τὸ τεῖχος αὐτῆς, ἑκατὸν τεσσεράκοντα τεσσάρων πηχῶν1

John is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “he measured her wall and found it to be 144 cubits”

124521:17r326rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἑκατὸν τεσσεράκοντα τεσσάρων πηχῶν1

This could be the measurement: (1) of the height of the wall. Alternate translation: “144 cubits high” (2) of the thickness of the wall. Alternate translation: “144 cubits thick”

124621:17eut1rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bdistanceἑκατὸν τεσσεράκοντα τεσσάρων πηχῶν1

A cubit was the measurement of the distance from a persons elbow to his longest fingertip, typically about half a meter or about 18 inches. If it would be helpful in your language, you could give the equivalent in modern measurements. However, you might also wish to retain the ancient measurement, since there may be some symbolic significance to the number 144. Alternate translation: “about 70 meters” or “about 200 feet”

124721:17r327rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitμέτρον ἀνθρώπου ὅ ἐστιν ἀγγέλου1

Since cubits were the distance from an elbow to a fingertip, John needs to specify from what size person the angel determined this measurement. This could mean: (1) that the angel appeared to John in human form and so the distance from his elbow to his fingertip was the same as that of a human. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “The angel appeared in human form, and so he used an ordinary human cubit to measure” (2) that the angel may have been a giant compared with humans, but the angel still used a human-sized cubit. Alternate translation: “The angel used the cubit measure that people ordinarily use”

124821:18n3hurc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileχρυσίον καθαρὸν, ὅμοιον ὑάλῳ καθαρῷ1

The point of this comparison is that the gold from which the city was made was clear and bright, just as pure glass has no imperfections that keep it from reflecting light or letting light through. Alternate translation: “is gold that is as clear and bright as pure glass”

124921:19ick5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveοἱ θεμέλιοι τοῦ τείχους τῆς πόλεως & κεκοσμημένοι1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, the context suggests that it was God. Alternate translation: “God had adorned the foundations of the wall of the city”

125021:19r328rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperboleπαντὶ λίθῳ τιμίῳ1

John says every here as a generalization for emphasis. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a different way to express the emphasis. Alternate translation: “with many different precious stones”

125121:19r329rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisὁ δεύτερος σάπφειρος, ὁ τρίτος χαλκηδών, ὁ τέταρτος σμάραγδος1

John is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “the second foundation was sapphire, the third foundation was chalcedony, the fourth foundation was emerald”

125221:19r330rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinalὁ θεμέλιος ὁ πρῶτος ἴασπις, ὁ δεύτερος σάπφειρος, ὁ τρίτος χαλκηδών, ὁ τέταρτος σμάραγδος1

If your language does not use ordinal numbers, you could use cardinal numbers here or equivalent expressions. Alternate translation: “Foundation number one was jasper, foundation number two was sapphire, foundation number three was chalcedony, foundation number four was emerald”

125321:19ke4brc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-transliterateἴασπις & σάπφειρος & χαλκηδών & σμάραγδος1

As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, in some cases it is not certain what precious stones the names in this verse and the next verse describe. When the reference of a name is uncertain, ULT spells out the name using English letters. If your readers would not be familiar with some of the precious stones listed here, in your translation you can spell their names the way they sound in your language.

125421:20r331rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisὁ πέμπτος σαρδόνυξ, ὁ ἕκτος σάρδιον, ὁ ἕβδομος χρυσόλιθος, ὁ ὄγδοος βήρυλλος, ὁ ἔνατος τοπάζιον, ὁ δέκατος χρυσόπρασος, ὁ ἑνδέκατος ὑάκινθος, ὁ δωδέκατος ἀμέθυστος.1

John is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “the fifth foundation was sardonyx, the sixth foundation was carnelian, the seventh foundation was chrysolite, the eighth foundation was beryl, the ninth foundation was topaz, the tenth foundation was chrysoprase, the eleventh foundation was jacinth, the twelfth foundation was amethyst”

125521:20r332rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinalὁ πέμπτος σαρδόνυξ, ὁ ἕκτος σάρδιον, ὁ ἕβδομος χρυσόλιθος, ὁ ὄγδοος βήρυλλος, ὁ ἔνατος τοπάζιον, ὁ δέκατος χρυσόπρασος, ὁ ἑνδέκατος ὑάκινθος, ὁ δωδέκατος ἀμέθυστος.1

If your language does not use ordinal numbers, you could use cardinal numbers here or equivalent expressions. Alternate translation: “foundation number five was sardonyx, foundation number six was carnelian, foundation number seven was chrysolite, foundation number eight was beryl, foundation number nine was topaz, foundation number ten was chrysoprase, foundation number eleven was jacinth, foundation number twelve was amethyst”

125621:21r333rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfoἀνὰ εἷς ἕκαστος τῶν πυλώνων1

It might seem that this phrase contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you could shorten it. Alternate translation: “each of the gates”

125721:21vp22rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simileχρυσίον καθαρὸν ὡς ὕαλος διαυγής.1

See how you translated the similar expression in 21:18. Alternate translation: “was gold that was as clear and bright as transparent glass”

125821:22r334rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructureὁ & Κύριος ὁ Θεός ὁ Παντοκράτωρ ναὸς αὐτῆς ἐστιν, καὶ τὸ Ἀρνίον1

It may be more natural to put the information about the Lamb with the information about the Lord God. Alternate translation: “the Lord God, the Ruler of All, and the Lamb are her temple”

125921:22m2ewrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorὁ & Κύριος ὁ Θεός ὁ Παντοκράτωρ ναὸς αὐτῆς ἐστιν, καὶ τὸ Ἀρνίον1

Since John has just said that there is no temple in the city, he does not mean that the Lord God and the Lamb are literally a temple. Rather, he means that the people in the city can be in Gods presence all the time without having to go to a temple. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the Lord God, the Ruler of All, and the Lamb are always present in the city”

126021:23r335rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisοὐδὲ τῆς σελήνης1

John is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “nor does the city have need of the moon”

126121:23v2m9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorὁ λύχνος αὐτῆς τὸ Ἀρνίον1

John is speaking as if the Lamb were literally a lamp that lit up the city. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “her light is the Lamb” or “its light is the Lamb” or “the light of that city is the Lamb”

126221:24ma5nrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorπεριπατήσουσιν τὰ ἔθνη διὰ τοῦ φωτὸς αὐτῆς1

John is speaking as if the nations would literally know where to walk because they would see well by the light from the city. In this context, the word walk figuratively means how people live and behave, and so the word light represents good guidance about how to live and behave. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the people in the city will live in such a way as to guide the nations about how to live as God wishes”

126321:24r469rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariantsτὰ ἔθνη1

Some ancient manuscripts read the nations. ULT follows that reading. Other ancient manuscripts read “the nations that are saved.” If a translation of the Bible exists in your region, you may wish to use the reading that it uses. If a translation of the Bible does not exist in your region, you may wish to use the reading of ULT.

126421:24r336rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyοἱ βασιλεῖς τῆς γῆς φέρουσιν τὴν δόξαν αὐτῶν εἰς αὐτήν1

By their glory, John may mean by association symbols of royal power, such as crowns, scepters, and robes. He may be describing a situation like the one in 4:10, where he saw the 24 elders “lay their crowns before the throne” to acknowledge God as the Supreme Ruler. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the kings of the earth will come into the city and lay their royal crowns, scepters, and robes before Gods throne to acknowledge him as the Supreme Ruler”

126521:25lq1zrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveοἱ πυλῶνες αὐτῆς οὐ μὴ κλεισθῶσιν1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “no one at all will shut her gates”

126621:25r337rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegativesοἱ πυλῶνες αὐτῆς οὐ μὴ κλεισθῶσιν1

If it would be clearer in your language, you could use a positive expression to translate this double negative that consists of the negative particle not and the negative verb shut. Alternate translation: “her gates will always be open”

126721:26r338rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronounsοἴσουσιν τὴν δόξαν καὶ τὴν τιμὴν τῶν ἐθνῶν1

The pronoun they seems to refer to people from the nations. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “the people of the nations will bring their glory and honor”

126821:26r339rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyοἴσουσιν τὴν δόξαν καὶ τὴν τιμὴν τῶν ἐθνῶν1

John is likely referring to wealth, by association with the way wealth is stored in things that are considered to have glory and honor. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. This could mean: (1) that the nations will send valuable gifts to God in the city as expressions of their devotion. Alternate translation: “they will bring valuable gifts from the nations” (2) that the nations will send tribute payments to God. Alternate translation: “they will bring tribute from the nations”

126921:26r340rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletτὴν δόξαν καὶ τὴν τιμὴν1

The terms glory and honor mean similar things. John is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “the splendor”

127021:27r341rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructureοὐ μὴ εἰσέλθῃ εἰς αὐτὴν πᾶν κοινὸν, καὶ ὁ ποιῶν βδέλυγμα καὶ ψεῦδος1

It may be more natural to put the information about the one doing abomination and falsehood with the information about the everything unclean. Alternate translation: “everything unclean and the one doing abomination and falsehood will not at all enter into her”

127121:27r342rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsὁ ποιῶν βδέλυγμα καὶ ψεῦδος1

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of abomination and falsehood, you could express the same ideas in other ways. Alternate translation: “anyone who does abominable things and tells lies”

127221:27r343rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomεἰ μὴ1

This expression limits the meaning of enter to the people it introduces. Your language may have its own way of expressing this idea. Alternate translation: “but only”

127321:27g7frrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyοἱ γεγραμμένοι1

John is referring to the names of people by association with the people themselves. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the ones whose names have been written”

127421:27r344rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveοἱ γεγραμμένοι1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, the context suggests that it was God. Alternate translation: “the ones whom God has written” or “the ones whose names God has written”

127522:introe1ya0

Revelation 22 General Notes

Structure and Formatting

This chapter emphasizes that Jesus is coming soon.

Special Concepts in this Chapter

Tree of life

There is probably an intended connection between the tree of life in the Garden of Eden and the tree of life mentioned in this chapter. The curse that began in Eden will end at this time.

Other Possible Translation Difficulties in this Chapter

Alpha and omega

These are the names of the first and last letters in the Greek alphabet. The ULT spells out their names in English. This strategy can serve as a model for translators. Some translators, however, may decide to use the first and last letters in their own alphabet. That would be A and Z in English.

127622:1r403rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronounsἔδειξέν1

The pronoun he refers to the angel who had one of the seven bowls, who began speaking to John in 21:9 and who was showing him the new Jerusalem. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “the angel who had been showing me the city showed”

127722:1r404rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisἐκ τοῦ θρόνου τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ τοῦ Ἀρνίου1

John is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. That may help clarify that God and the Lamb do not share a single throne. Alternate translation: “from the throne of God and from the throne of the Lamb”

127822:2r405rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἐν μέσῳ τῆς πλατείας αὐτῆς καὶ1

This phrase could refer implicitly to: (1) where the river flowed. That is the interpretation that ULT and UST follow. (2) where the tree of life was. In that case this would be the beginning of a new sentence. Alternate translation: “In the middle of its public square and”

127922:3r406rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisὁ θρόνος τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ τοῦ Ἀρνίου1

John is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. That may help clarify that God and the Lamb do not share a single throne. Alternate translation: “the throne of God and the throne of the Lamb”

128022:4zy4xrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdocheτὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ1

John is using one part of God, his face, to represent all of God as his servants see him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your culture or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “him”

128122:5r407rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomεἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων1

This expression refers to endless future time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “for all eternity”

128222:6r408rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronounsεἶπέν1

The pronoun he refers to the same angel as in verse 1. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “the angel said”

128322:6xaw8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyοὗτοι οἱ λόγοι1

The angel is using the term words to mean what he has been telling John by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “What I have been telling you is”

128422:6r409rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletπιστοὶ καὶ ἀληθινοί1

The terms trustworthy and true mean similar things. The angel is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “entirely trustworthy”

128522:7p72hrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitκαὶ ἰδοὺ1

John assumes that his readers will understand that Jesus is speaking in this verse. You could say that explicitly if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “Then Jesus said, And behold”

128622:7r410rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτοὺς λόγους τῆς προφητείας τοῦ βιβλίου τούτου1

Jesus is using the term words to mean what John has written in this book, using words, to describe the prophecies that God gave to him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “what you have said in this book about the prophecies God gave you”

128722:8uvk3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἔπεσα1

This expression means that John lay down facing the ground. See how you translated the similar expression in 7:11. Alternate translation: “I bowed down”

128822:9r411rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsisὅρα μή1

The angel is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “See that you do not do that”

128922:9r412rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyὅρα μή1

The angel is using the term See to mean by association that John should give careful attention to what he is doing. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Watch out! Do not do that!” or “Be careful not to do that”

129022:9r413rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorτῶν ἀδελφῶν σου, τῶν προφητῶν1

The angel is using the term brothers figuratively to mean fellow prophets. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “of your fellow prophets”

129122:9r476rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotationsτῶν ἀδελφῶν σου, τῶν προφητῶν1

Although the term brothers is masculine, here the word has a generic sense that includes both men and women. If you wish to retain the figurative expression in your translation, you could word it in a way that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “of your brothers and sisters the prophets”

129222:9r414rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτοὺς λόγους τοῦ βιβλίου τούτου1

The angel is using the term words to mean what John has said in this book by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “what you have said in this book”

129322:10r415rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegativesμὴ σφραγίσῃς1

If it would be clearer in your language, you could use a positive expression to translate this double negative that consists of the negative particle not and the negative verb seal. Alternate translation: “Leave open”

129422:10ct48rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorμὴ σφραγίσῃς1

The angel is speaking as if John might literally seal his book closed once he has written it. The angel means that John should tell others what he has written in the book and not keep those things to himself. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Widely proclaim”

129522:10xc15rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτοὺς λόγους τῆς προφητείας τοῦ βιβλίου τούτου1

The angel is using the term words to mean what John has said in this book by using words to describe the prophecy that God gave him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “what you have said in this book about the prophecy God gave you”

129622:11r416rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-imperative3pὁ ἀδικῶν, ἀδικησάτω ἔτι; καὶ ὁ ῥυπαρὸς, ῥυπανθήτω ἔτι; καὶ ὁ δίκαιος, δικαιοσύνην ποιησάτω ἔτι; καὶ ὁ ἅγιος, ἁγιασθήτω ἔτι1

If your language does not use third-person imperatives in this way, you make these statements in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “May the one being unrighteous still be unrighteous, and may the filthy one still be filthy, and may the righteous one still do righteousness, and may the holy one still be holy” or “The one being unrighteous should still be unrighteous, and the filthy one should still be filthy, and the righteous one should do righteousness, and the holy one should still be holy”

129722:11r417rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litanyὁ ἀδικῶν, ἀδικησάτω ἔτι1

In this verse, the angel is using a series of similar phrases in order to emphasize the idea that the phrases express. Try to translate each of these phrases in such a way as to show their similarity. You may also wish to summarize the idea behind the phrases beforehand, if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “The time is so near that it is too late for people to change the way they are living. So let the one being unrighteous still be unrighteous”

129822:11r418rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnounὁ ἀδικῶν & ὁ ῥυπαρὸς & ὁ δίκαιος & ὁ ἅγιος1

These phrases do not refer to specific people. They refer to anyone who has the quality that they name. Express this in the way that would be most natural in your language. Alternate translation: “anyone who is unrighteous … anyone who is filthy … anyone who is righteous … anyone who is holy”

129922:11r419rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjὁ ῥυπαρὸς & ὁ δίκαιος & ὁ ἅγιος1

John is using the adjectives filthy, righteous, and holy as nouns to mean certain kinds of people. ULT adds one in each case to show that. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate these words with equivalent phrases. Alternate translation: “the person who is filthy … the person who is righteous … the person who is holy”

130022:11r420rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorὁ ῥυπαρὸς, ῥυπανθήτω ἔτι1

The angel is speaking as if someone who does wrong were literally filthy or dirty. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “let the person who is wicked still be wicked”

130122:11r421rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsδικαιοσύνην1

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of righteousness, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “what is right”

130222:12r422rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitἰδοὺ1

John assumes that his readers will understand that Jesus begins speaking in this verse. He continues speaking through verse 16.You could indicate that explicitly if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “Then Jesus said, Behold”

130322:13f5jlrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismτὸ Ἄλφα καὶ τὸ Ὦ, ὁ πρῶτος καὶ ὁ ἔσχατος, ἡ ἀρχὴ καὶ τὸ τέλος.1

These three phrases mean similar things. Jesus is using repetition to emphasize the idea that the phrases express. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could combine them. Alternate translation: “the very beginning and the very end”

130422:13uup6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merismτὸ Ἄλφα καὶ τὸ Ὦ, ὁ πρῶτος καὶ ὁ ἔσχατος, ἡ ἀρχὴ καὶ τὸ τέλος.1

Jesus is using three pairs of extremes, the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, and the beginning and the end, to mean those extremes and everything in between. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “the one who began everything and who will finish everything”

130522:13c9e8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorτὸ Ἄλφα καὶ τὸ Ὦ1

See how you translated this in 21:6.

130622:14r478rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorοἱ πλύνοντες τὰς στολὰς αὐτῶν1

Jesus is speaking as if people who repent of their sins and start living in a way that pleases God are literally washing their robes. See how you translated the similar expression in 7:14.

130722:14r470rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariantsοἱ πλύνοντες τὰς στολὰς αὐτῶν1

Some ancient manuscripts read the ones washing their robes. ULT follows that reading. Other ancient manuscripts read “the ones doing his commandments.” If a translation of the Bible exists in your region, you may wish to use the reading that it uses. If a translation of the Bible does not exist in your region, you may wish to use the reading of ULT.

130822:14r423rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomἔσται ἡ ἐξουσία αὐτῶν ἐπὶ τὸ ξύλον τῆς ζωῆς1

If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning of this expression plainly. Alternate translation: “they will have the right to eat from the tree of life”

130922:15tkd7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitοἱ κύνες1

In this culture, people considered dogs to be dirty and bothersome animals. So this is not a positive statement, as it would be in some other cultures where dogs are cherished as household pets and as helpful workers and companions. It may be helpful to use an expression in your translation that will clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “dirty animals”

131022:15h0ihrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorοἱ κύνες1

Jesus is speaking as if wicked people were literally dogs. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “wicked people”

131122:15r424rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjοἱ πόρνοι1

Jesus is using the adjective sexual immoral as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “people who are sexually immoral”

131222:15r425rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadysφιλῶν καὶ ποιῶν1
131322:15r426rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsψεῦδος1

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of falsehood, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “what is false” or “what is wrong”

131422:16pu85rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youμαρτυρῆσαι ὑμῖν ταῦτα ἐπὶ ταῖς ἐκκλησίαις1

Here the word you is plural. Alternate translation: “to testify to all of you in the churches about these things that concern you”

131522:16afw1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἡ ῥίζα καὶ τὸ γένος Δαυείδ1

Jesus is speaking as if here were literally the root of a tree. He means that David came from him, just as a tree comes from its roots. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “both the source and the offspring of David”

131622:16g9ujrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorὁ ἀστὴρ ὁ λαμπρός, ὁ πρωϊνός1

Jesus is also speaking of himself as if he were the bright star that sometimes appears early in the morning and indicates that a new day is about to begin. Alternate translation: “the sign that God is beginning a new era”

131722:17lt8jrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἡ νύμφη1

In keeping with the symbolism of his vision, John is speaking of the church as if it were literally the Bride of Jesus. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the church”

131822:17m9atrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingularλέγουσιν, ἔρχου & ὁ ἀκούων εἰπάτω, ἔρχου!1

In both cases, the implied “you” in the imperative Come is singular, so use a singular form if your language marks that distinction. If it does not, you could indicate the addressee in another way. The addressee could be: (1) Jesus, who says in verses 12 and 20, “I am coming quickly,” and to whom John says explicitly in v. 20, “Come, Lord Jesus!” Alternate translation: “say to Jesus, Come! … let the one hearing say to Jesus, Come!’” (2) the one thirsting, whom John mentions in the next sentence. Alternate translation: Alternate translation: “say to the one thirsting, Come! … let the one hearing say to the one thirsting, Come!’”

131922:17r427rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-imperativeἔρχου & ἔρχου1
132022:17r428rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-imperative3pὁ ἀκούων εἰπάτω & ὁ διψῶν ἐρχέσθω & ὁ θέλων λαβέτω1

If your language does not use the third-person imperative in this way, you could state this in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “may the one hearing say … may the one thirsting come … may the one desiring take” or “the one hearing should say … the one thirsting should come … the one desiring should take”

132122:17r429rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnounὁ ἀκούων & ὁ διψῶν & ὁ θέλων1

These phrases do not refer to specific people. They refer to anyone who has the quality that they name. Express this in the way that would be most natural in your language. Alternate translation: “anyone who hears … anyone who thirsts … anyone who desires”

132222:17e2m5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorκαὶ ὁ διψῶν ἐρχέσθω; ὁ θέλων λαβέτω ὕδωρ ζωῆς δωρεάν1

In 21:6, God spoke as if he would literally give “water” to someone who was “thirsting.” He was using thirst to represent a persons desire for everlasting life and he was using drinking life-giving water to represent that person receiving everlasting life. John is echoing the same image here. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Let the one who wants to have everlasting life come. Let the one who desires everlasting life receive it freely”

132322:17r430rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismκαὶ ὁ διψῶν ἐρχέσθω; ὁ θέλων λαβέτω ὕδωρ ζωῆς δωρεάν1

These two sentences mean basically the same thing. John is speaking in something like Hebrew poetry, which was based on this kind of repetition. It would be good to show this to your readers by including both phrases in your translation rather than combining them. However, if such repetition would not be natural in your language, you could connect the clauses with a word other than and in order to show that the second clause is repeating the first one, not saying something additional. Alternate translation: “Let the one who is thirsting come, yes, let the one desiring take the water of life freely” or “Let the one who wants to have everlasting life come, yes, let the one who desires everlasting life receive it freely”

132422:18d95jrc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronounsἐγὼ1

The pronoun I refers to John. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “I, John,”

132522:18s36mrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἀκούοντι τοὺς λόγους τῆς προφητείας τοῦ βιβλίου τούτου & ἐπ’ αὐτά1

John is using the term words to mean what he has written about in this book by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the prophecy I have written about in this book … to what I have written”

132622:18r431rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτὰς γεγραμμένας1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “that I have written about”

132722:19d4scrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτῶν λόγων τοῦ βιβλίου τῆς προφητείας ταύτης1

John is using the term words to mean what he has written about in this book by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the prophecy I have written about in this book”

132822:19r471rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariantsτοῦ ξύλου τῆς ζωῆς1

Some ancient manuscripts read the tree of life. ULT follows that reading. Other ancient manuscripts read “the Book of Life.” If a translation of the Bible exists in your region, you may wish to use the reading that it uses. If a translation of the Bible does not exist in your region, you may wish to use the reading of ULT.

132922:19r432rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτῶν γεγραμμένων1

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “that I have written about”

133022:20y9p2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitὁ μαρτυρῶν ταῦτα1

John assumes that his readers will understand that by the one testifying he means Jesus. You could say that explicitly if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “Jesus, the one who testifies these things,”

133122:20r433rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-transliterateἀμήν1

See how you translated the term Amen in 1:6.

133222:21sz61rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-blessing ἡ χάρις τοῦ Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ μετὰ τῶν ἁγίων1
133322:21r434rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsἡ χάρις τοῦ Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ μετὰ1

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of grace, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “May the Lord Jesus be gracious to”

13342:4kx98τὴν ἀγάπην σου τὴν πρώτην ἀφῆκες1

To stop doing something is spoken of as leaving it behind. Here the expression you have left behind your first love represents love as an object that can be forsaken. Alternate translation: “you have stopped loving me as you did at the beginning”

13354:9rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-symlanguageτὰ ζῷα1

See how you translated living creatures in 4:6.