Section 19:1–10
A huge crowd praised God
In this section, a huge crowd praised God because God had punished Babylon. The twenty-four elders in heaven and the four living creatures around the throne in heaven worshiped God in response.
Then a voice from the throne urged all who follow God to praise him. Another crowd (or possibly the same crowd as in 19:1–3) praised God for gathering believers to Jesus. This gathering was referred to as a wedding. An angel told John a message for him to write.
Other examples of headings for this section are:
Crowds/Multitudes sang songs of victory and praise
-or-
Various groups sang songs of ⌊victory and⌋ praise
-or-
Rejoicing in Heaven (English Standard Version)
Paragraph 19:1–3
19:1a
After this: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as this is literally “these (things).” It refers to what John had already seen and heard. This clause introduces a new scene in heaven. For example:
After those things
-or-
After that
I heard a sound like the roar of a great multitude: This clause probably indicates that John only heard the shouting. He did not see who made this sound. So he described what he thought it sounded like. For example:
I heard what seemed to be the great sound of a huge crowd (New Jerusalem Bible)
the roar of a great multitude: The Greek is literally “a great voice/sound of a large crowd.” The crowd said the words of 19:1b–2d together.
great multitude: John did not say whether this great multitude consisted of angels, people, or both. Your translation should allow this phrase to refer to either people or angels, or both.
heaven: Here the word heaven refers to the place where God lives.
19:1b
shouting: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as shouting is literally “saying.” The Berean Standard Bible uses the word shouting because John indicated it was loud (19:1a). Use the verb that is natural in your language to describe people talking loudly.
Hallelujah: This Hebrew word means “praise Yah(weh).” Yahweh is God’s name based on Exodus 3:14. The word occurs often in Psalms 113–118. For example, see Psalm 113:1, where the Berean Standard Bible translates it as “Praise the Lord.” Other ways to translate this word are:
• Spell the Hebrew word as people in your language would say it. People in your area may already use this word. For example:
Alleluia (New Jerusalem Bible)
You may then want to explain the meaning of the word in a footnote. An example footnote is:
This Hebrew word means “praise Yah(weh).” Yahweh is God’s name based on Exodus 3:14.
-or-
This Hebrew word means “praise God.”
• Translate only the meaning of this word. For example:
Praise God! (Good News Translation)
-or-
Let us praise God!
19:1c
Salvation and glory and power belong to our God:
The Greek phrase is literally “Salvation and glory and power of our God.” It acknowledges God’s Salvation and glory and power. God has saved his people, and he has glory and power. Other ways to translate this clause are:
Our(incl.) God has brought ⌊us⌋ salvation! Our God has glory and power!
-or-
Let us acknowledge our God who is glorious, ⌊who is⌋ powerful, and ⌊who⌋ saved ⌊his people⌋
Salvation: This word refers to rescuing someone from hell, death, harm, or danger. Here God has rescued his people from Babylon. The word Salvation is a noun that refers to an event. In some languages it is more natural to use a verb here. For example:
saving/freeing by God ⌊of his people⌋
-or-
for God to save mankind/us(incl.)
-or-
saving from death
See how you translated this word in 7:10 or 12:10.
glory: This word refers to brightness. It symbolizes greatness, power, splendor, and majesty. Other ways to translate this word are:
splendor
-or-
radiance
In some languages it is more natural to translate this noun as an adjective. For example:
Our(incl.) God is glorious!
See how you translated this word in 4:9.
power: This word refers to the ability to cause things to happen. It does not refer only to physical strength. In some languages it will be more natural to translate this word as an adjective. For example:
Our(incl.) God is powerful!
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