The four angels disappear from the vision; in their place appear two hundred million cavalry troops. It seems implied that the four angels were in charge of these troops, but the text does not specifically say so. For the troops of cavalry something like “cavalry troops” (New American Bible, Revised) or “mounted troops” (New Jerusalem Bible), or even “soldiers who ride on horses” may be better. Those who ride these war horses are not identified; if possible, a neutral term such as troops should be used, which avoids saying they are human beings. But this may not be possible.

In some languages it may be difficult, if not impossible, to speak precisely of two hundred million mounted horses. Where such is the case, some superlative such as “a very large number” or “too many to count” may be used (as in 5.11; see also 7.9).

I heard their number: see 7.4. Another way of saying this is “Someone told me….”

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 .