The description of the figure’s head and eyes is like that of Dan 7.9; 10.6.

His head and his hair: this is a way of saying “the hair on his head”; it is not to be thought that the skin of his head was white as snow; see Translator’s New Testament, New American Bible, Revised “The hair of his head”; but in most languages one may say simply “hair.”

White as white wool, white as snow: this is unnecessarily wordy, and something like “as white as wool, as white as snow” is sufficient; or, as Revised English Bible has it, “as white as snow-white wool”; Biblia Dios Habla Hoy “were white as wool, or as snow.” In a given language the appropriate model for whiteness must be used (see the Handbook on Matthew, 28.3). In some languages “egret’s feathers” will be appropriate; in others, “cotton” or “cotton-wool.” If no such model exists, something like “very, very white” may be used, or an ideophone.

His eyes were like a flame of fire: this can be said “his eyes blazed (or, shone) like fire.” Translator’s New Testament “his eyes were blazing like fire.” The figure is probably related to Dan 10.6 (see the figure also in 2.18; 19.12). As commentators note, this is generally understood to represent fierce opposition to enemies.

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 .