The woman fled into the wilderness: this wilderness or “desert” is presented as a definite place; however, as with other geographical indications, it is not to be identified with any location on earth. This desert is for her a place of refuge, of safety. A wilderness or “desert” in the Mideast refers to a desolate area that has no permanent human inhabitants. The only vegetation in such dry and arid places are small bushes or grassy patches where animals can graze. In areas where wildernesses are unknown, one may say, for example, “place where no people live,” “the area far away from where people stay,” or “rocky place with little vegetation.”

Where she has a place prepared by God: the language is vague and general, and the place is not to be identified as a house or anything else that specific. The text says quite clearly that God had prepared this place; but it may be understood to mean “a place that God had commanded to be prepared for her.” For the verb translated prepared see its use in 9.7 (“arrayed”), 15 (“held ready”).

In which to be nourished: in Greek the verb is the third plural present of the active voice, “they nourish her.” This is the same as an impersonal passive (as the verb appears in verse 14). The verb means not only to provide food, to feed, but in a more general sense “to take care of,” “to sustain,” “to provide for.” In languages that do not use the passive, one may say “where they (unknown agents) will take care of her.”

For the time period—1,260 days—see 11.2-3.

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 .