And the beast that I saw: the relative clause that I saw is another example of needless redundancy in this book and may be omitted in translation in many languages.

A leopard: where this animal is unknown, it may be necessary to speak of a tiger, or a jaguar, or another of the large cats, with the exception of a lion, which also appears in this verse. In cultures where such large cats are unknown, a picture for the readers will be helpful.

Its feet were like a bear’s: instead of feet, “paws” is more naturally used of a bear (so New Jerusalem Bible). Where the bear is unknown, the text may have to describe the beast’s feet as big and hairy, with long, sharp claws. In such cultures a generic term for bear may be used; for example, “a wild animal named ‘bear.’ ” In such a case a picture and a description in the glossary should also be used. An alternative translation of this sentence is “Its feet were big and hairy, with long, sharp claws like those of the wild animal named ‘bear.’ ”

Its mouth was like a lion’s mouth: a large, powerful mouth, with sharp teeth.

The dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority: all three describe the vast authority of the dragon, which he confers on the beast. For power see 3.8; throne, 1.4; 2.13; authority, 2.26, where it is translated “powers.” If the statement that he gave … his throne might be taken literally, it will be necessary to express the idea of his power and his throne by “his royal power” or “his power as king (or, ruler).” Perhaps one may combine these three terms and say “The dragon let the beast have his own power and great authority to rule as king.”

The concept of the transfer of power and authority must not be stated in such terms as to imply that from then on the dragon had no power. So in some instances it may be helpful to say “The dragon shared with the beast his royal power and his great authority,” or “The dragon caused the beast to have as much royal power and great authority as he himself had,” or “The dragon let the beast have as much power to rule and great authority as….” From now on the beast is the dragon’s deputy, his lieutenant, with authority to speak and to act in the name of the dragon.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on The Revelation to John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1993. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .