17:7a

“Why are you so amazed?”: This is a rhetorical question. It emphasizes that John did not need to be surprised at seeing the woman. The rhetorical question may also be a slight rebuke. Translate this clause in a way that emphasizes that John did not need to be surprised. Some ways are:

• Use a rhetorical question. For example:

Why are you surprised? (God’s Word)
-or-
How is it that you are so amazed?

• Use a statement. For example:

You should not be surprised.

17:7b

I will tell you the mystery of the woman: The word mystery indicates that the angel would reveal something to John. He told John the secret meaning of the symbol of the prostitute. See how you translated the word mystery in 17:5, where the Berean Standard Bible translates it as “mysterious.” You may want to translate it the same way here. For example:

I will interpret for you the mystery of the woman (NET Bible)
-or-
I will tell you the secret of this woman (New Century Version)
-or-
I will tell you the secret meaning of the woman (Good News Translation)

17:7c

and of the beast that carries her: The angel would also explain the mystery of the beast. This implies that the beast also had a secret or hidden meaning.

carries: Here the word carries refers to the woman sitting on the back of the beast.

which has the seven heads and ten horns: The information from 17:3d is repeated here in order to make clear which beast was meant.

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