6–7
In some languages it may be helpful to use an introductory phrase at the start of verse 6, and maybe also verse 7. This phrase would be similar to “I want to remind you” in 5a. For example:
6
And remember the angels…. 7Also remember the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah…. (New Century Version)
Several other English versions, including the New Living Translation (2004 Revision), Revised English Bible, and Good News Translation, have a phrase like this.
6
In verse 6, Jude gave his second example of a group that sinned against God, and as a result, suffered terrible punishments.
6a
the angels: Here Jude referred to angels who had rebelled against the Lord. He did not refer to all angels, but only to those who rebelled.
Many other angels have always obeyed God. In some languages, it may be necessary to make it clear that Jude was not referring to all angels. For example, it might be helpful to say:
some angels
-or-
certain angels
In other languages, it may be better to put this information in a footnote.
Translators should avoid using a term that implies that angels are the spirits of human beings, either alive or dead.
In the Greek text there is no definite article (the) before the word for angels. Some scholars believe that this emphasizes the high status of angels. (Several commentaries understand “angels” without the definite article in this case to be qualitative, emphasizing their high status, or contrasting them with the human beings described in the examples before and after (verses 5 & 7). The meaning seems to be that the Lord punishes even angels who rebel against him. If a translator wanted to include this, then verse 6 could be started like this: “And the Lord has punished even certain angels….”) For example:
And the very angels… (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
who did not stay within their own domain:
Jude frequently used the Greek verb, tēreō, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as stay. He used a form of tēreō in 1f, 6a, 6c, 13d (where the Berean Standard Bible uses the verb “reserved”), and 21a. Though it was possible for Jude to use one verb in all these places, the meanings translated into natural English require the use of more than one English verb.) Here Jude described the way in which these angels had sinned. God had given authority to the angels by giving each of them certain responsibilities. The angels whom Jude mentioned here rebelled. They left their own domains, refusing to fulfill the responsibilities which God had assigned to them. Some other ways to say this include:
didn’t do their work (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
refused to do their duty
Jude did not say why these angels left their positions of authority. (Most English versions also do not state the reason (Berean Standard Bible, Contemporary English Version, God’s Word, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, New Century Version, New International Version (2011 Revision), New Jerusalem Bible, New Revised Standard Version, Revised Standard Version).) A few English versions have indicated that they abandoned these positions because they were not content or felt limited in some way. (English versions that indicate a reason why these angels abandoned their positions of authority are: NET Bible, New Living Translation (2004 Revision), Revised English Bible and Good News Translation.) For example:
who did not stay within the limits of their proper authority (Good News Translation)
-or-
who were not content to maintain the dominion assigned to them, (Revised English Bible)
their own domain: In this context the Greek word archē, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as domain means “rule” or “positions of authority.” It indicates that these angels were in charge of something. However, they had received each domain from God, and they were accountable to him. You may be able to use a term that describes the kind of authority that a king or chief gives to someone else to manage his wealth or property.
6b
but: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as but marks contrast. The contrast is:
6a
having their own domain
but
6b
abandoned the places where they have that domain
In some languages, it may be more natural to connect 6a and 6b in a different way. A conjunction like “and” would indicate connection and similarity between:
6a
not keeping their own domain
“and”
6b
abandoning the places where they have that domain
For example:
didn’t do their work and left their proper places. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
failed in their high duties and abandoned their proper sphere (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
abandoned their proper dwelling: The Greek word oikētērion occurs only twice in the New Testament. (The only other use of oikētērion in the New Testament is by Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:2. There the Berean Standard Bible translates this word as “dwelling.” The context in 2 Corinthians is talking about the resurrection body.) Here it includes two ideas:
(a) Its literal meaning is home. In this verse, it implies that the angels left their place of residence. For example:
abandoned their own place of residence (NET Bible)
-or-
abandoned their own dwelling place (Good News Translation)
(b) It has an extended meaning that includes the activities that should occur at a home or place. In this context, these angels abandoned their places, including the activities that God had assigned to them to do. (Louw and Nida, classify oikētērion as one of the Greek words that imply “abandoned their proper dwelling.” (Subdomain E, starting at 85.67, footnote 864.)) For example:
abandoned their assigned place. (God’s Word)
-or-
abandoned their proper sphere (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
The second meaning is more in focus in this context. In your translation, it will be helpful to use an expression that includes this idea. (If your language has a word or phrase which, like oikētērion, can mean home or place of residence, but also implies the activities that happen there, you may be able to use it here.) Such an expression will also help to indicate that both 6a and 6b describe the way that these angels rebelled against God.
abandoned: In this context, the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as abandoned means “left completely.” These angels left permanently. Try to avoid using a verb that would cause your readers to think that these angels left but intended to return later.
6c
these: The word these refers to the angels about whom Jude wrote in 6a–b. The Berean Standard Bible has supplied the word these in order to help clarify that the actions in 6c–d happened to these angels.
He has kept in eternal chains under darkness:
The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as
under can mean that these angels were under the control of darkness, that is, unable to escape it.) Jude did not explain what he meant by darkness. However, it is clear that the Lord put these angels in some kind of dark prison/place and kept them there. This agrees with what Jude mentioned about eternal chains in this verse.
In some languages, it may be necessary to mention first that the Lord put the angels under darkness before saying that he kept them there. For example:
He put them in darkness, and he has kept them there.
-or-
The Lord put these angels in a dark place where he still keeps them.
He:
The Greek text of this verse does not contain either “God” or “Lord.” The English versions refer to the agent, i.e. who it was who “kept” the angels in darkness, in three different ways.
He (Berean Standard Bible, God’s Word, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, NET Bible, New International Version (2011 Revision), New Jerusalem Bible, New Revised Standard Version). The pronoun He refers back to “Jesus” in 5b. If it is not natural or not clear to use the pronoun He here, then you may say “the Lord.” For example:
The Lord has kept these angels in darkness. (New Century Version)
has kept:
Jude frequently used the Greek verb, tēreō, that the Berean Standard Bible translates as kept. He used a form of tēreō in 1f, 6a, 6c, 13d (where the Berean Standard Bible uses the verb “reserved”), and 21a. Though it was possible for Jude to use one verb in all these places, the meanings translated into natural English require the use of more than one English verb.) In this verse, Jude used a play on words. The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as has kept is a form of the verb that was translated “stay” in 6a. In this way, Jude used a type of irony: the angels would not “keep” their proper places so the Lord has kept them in a place of punishment.
In some languages, it may be possible to express the irony in a similar way. However, in some languages it may not be natural to use the same verb in both of these contexts. If that is true in your language, you may express the irony in another way or let it be implied by the context. (If it is not natural to do this through the verb, the translator may be able to express irony through the use of “place,” that is, “abandoned their place” (6b) versus “place of darkness” (6c).)
in eternal chains: When Jude wrote this letter, it was common to restrain prisoners. Jude used this practice to describe a spiritual reality. These angels were deprived of freedom. It was impossible for them to escape.
chains: The chains used in Jude’s time were made of strong metal. In some cultures people may not be familiar with the practice of using chains to bind or restrain someone. If that is true in your culture, it may be better to use a more general expression. For example:
restrained
-or-
imprisoned
-or-
bound with steel
-or-
tied securely
6d
bound: The Berean Standard Bible has supplied the verb bound. When talking about chains, bound is a more natural verb in English than “has kept” in 6c. The verb “has kept” in 6c applies also to 6d.
For some languages, it is more natural to use an active verb and specify who imprisoned the angels. The note for “he” in 6c explains that the Lord imprisoned them in this way. For example:
he has bound them…
for judgment on that great day: The Lord has imprisoned these angels in darkness until the time comes for them to be judged. This will happen on what Jude called that great day.
The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as for can refer to time. In this case, it can mean until the great Day. For example:
until the judgment of the great day. (Revised Standard Version, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English) (The New Jerusalem Bible has the same wording, but capitalizes the D of Day, that is, “the great Day.”)
-or-
until the great day of judgment. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
waiting for the day of judgment. (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
judgment: The outcome of this judgment was not in doubt. The judgment which Jude referred to here included condemnation and punishment for rebelling against God. In some languages, it may be better to use a more specific word, like “condemned.” For example:
that great Day on which they will be condemned. (Good News Translation)
that great day: The phrase that great day refers to the day when Christ will deliver the final judgment on angels and people. In other places in the Bible, this day is referred to as, “the great and glorious day of the Lord” (Acts 2:20), and “the great day of God Almighty” (Revelation 16:14).
General Comment on 6a–e
In some languages it may be clearer to reorder this verse. For example:
6aAnd the Lord punished certain angels. 6cHe has put them in a dark place, and he keeps them there in everlasting chains, 6dwaiting to be judged on the great Day. 6aThese are the angels who did not keep their positions of authority. 6bInstead they abandoned their place. (In 6c, the note on “has kept” explains that Jude expressed irony through his use of the same Greek verb. If it is not natural to do this through the verb, the translator may be able to express irony through use of “place,” that is, “abandoned their place” (6b) versus “place of darkness” (6c).)
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