13:2a

The beast I saw was like a leopard: In some languages it may not be necessary to repeat the phrase I saw. For example:

This beast looked like a leopard. (New Century Version)

leopard: A leopard is a big cat like a jaguar, tiger, or panther, but smaller. It has tan skin with black spots. They are about 1.5 meters (5 feet) long, excluding the tail. They weigh between 40 and 70 kilograms (90–150 pounds). They eat other animals.

In some languages people are not familiar with leopards. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Use the major language word for leopard and perhaps add a descriptive word or phrase. For example:

⌊fierce⌋ leopard/jaguar

• Describe a leopard. For example:

a fierce animal ⌊called a leopard⌋
-or-
a spotted puma/panther/tiger
-or-
a large, fierce cat ⌊called a leopard⌋

But using the word “cat” should not imply that it is about the size of a house cat.

13:2b

with the feet of a bear: A bear’s foot is big and hairy with long claws.

In some languages people are not familiar with bears. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Add a description of the feet. For example:

⌊big, hairy feet with long claws⌋ like those of a bear

• Describe the feet without referring to a bear. For example:

big, hairy feet with long claws

Then you may want to indicate the literal words in a footnote, using the major language word for bear. For example:

Literally: “feet like bear’s feet.”
-or-
Literally: “feet like bear’s feet.” A bear’s foot is big and hairy with long claws.

feet: In some languages it is more natural to use a word that refers to the feet of animals. For example:

paws (New Jerusalem Bible)

13:2c

the mouth of a lion: A lion has a large mouth with sharp teeth. In some languages people are not familiar with lions. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Add a description of the mouth. For example:

⌊large⌋ mouth ⌊with sharp teeth⌋ like that of a lion

• Describe the mouth without referring to a lion. For example:

large mouth with sharp teeth

You may want to explain the literal words in a footnote, using the major language word for lion. For example:

Literally: “a mouth like a lion’s mouth.”
-or-
Literally: “a mouth like a lion’s mouth.” A lion has a large mouth with sharp teeth.

13:2d

And the dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority: The dragon shared his power, throne, and authority with the beast. For example:

The dragon gave the beast his own power, his throne, and his vast authority (Good News Translation)

power: This word refers to the ability to do something. The dragon was strong and powerful. He caused the beast to become strong and powerful too.

throne: This word refers to the official chair of a king. When the king is seated on his throne, he rules over his people and his country. Therefore, the throne is a symbol for authority to rule. The dragon ruled as king, and he caused the beast to rule also. Other ways to translate this word are:

chair of ruling people
-or-
leader’s place to rule

See how you translated this word at 1:4.

authority: This word refers to having the right and power to control or rule over someone or something. Here the word is general. The dragon had the right and power to do as he wanted. He shared this right and power with the beast.

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
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