SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2020

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 1:2

1:2a–b

who testifies to everything he saw. This is the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ: The Greek words are literally “who testifies to the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ(,) whatever he saw.” The phrase “everything he saw” explains the phrase “This is the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.” In other words, both phrases refer to the messages, visions, and prophecies in this book. For example:

who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
John testified about what he saw: God’s word and the testimony about Jesus Christ. (God’s Word)
-or-
who has told everything he has seen. It is the word of God; it is the message from Jesus Christ. (New Century Version)

1:2a

who testifies: This clause tells the reader more about John (1:1c). In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that there were other people named John who received this message and only this John testifies. If that is true in your language, translate this clause so that it tells more about John. For example:

John testifies
-or-

⌊and⌋ I testify

testifies: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as testifies means “to tell/report what one saw, heard, or knows.” The word is often used when the person speaking is expected to be truthful and accurate. Other ways to translate this word are:

faithfully reported (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
told…about (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
has borne witness (New Jerusalem Bible)

The Greek grammar is usually translated with the English past tense. Many English versions use the past tense here, as in the New Living Translation (2004) example above. But since John will tell his readers the revelation after this, the Berean Standard Bible uses the present tense. The present tense in English here refers generally to what he wrote in this book. Use the tense that is natural in your language. For example:

is testifying
-or-
testified

everything he saw: John implies everything that he heard as well. In some languages a literal translation would not imply that. If that is true in your language, include the implied meaning in your translation. For example:

everything he saw ⌊and heard⌋

1:2b

This is: In the Greek the phrase “everything he saw” explains the phrase “the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.” The Berean Standard Bible adds the words This is to indicate the connection between the two phrases. See the note on 1:2a–b for other ways to translate the connection between these phrases.

the word of God: The phrase the word of God here indicates that the word was from God. It is not one word but a message. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the message from God (Good News Translation)
-or-
this word from/of God
-or-
the true words of God
-or-
the things that God said ⌊to me⌋

the testimony of Jesus Christ: The word of here allows two meanings: the testimony that Jesus Christ spoke, and the testimony about Jesus.

The first meaning refers to what he said in chapters 2 and 3, his words in 22:7 to obey the words of this book, and in 22:16 he said that this book was a testimony that he sent to the churches.

The second meaning refers to what this book says about Jesus, for example 1:10–18 and 19:11–16.

Both meanings are true here. In many languages the word of allows both meanings. If that is true in your language, use of here. But some languages must choose one meaning or the other. If that is true in your language, translate the first meaning. Some ways to translate this phrase with that meaning are:

the truth revealed by Jesus Christ (Good News Translation)
-or-
the message from Jesus Christ (New Century Version)

testimony: The word testimony means “the words spoken about what one knows.” It implies that the spoken words are truthful and accurate. Other ways to translate this word are:

witness (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
true message

General Comment on 1:2a–b

In the Greek, the phrase “to everything he saw” occurs at the end of the verse. In some languages it is more natural to follow this order. For example:

John testifies to the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ, namely, everything he saw ⌊and heard⌋ .
-or-
who testifies to the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. With/By this talk, he means everything he saw ⌊and heard⌋ .

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2:15

2:15

In the same way: The people obeying the teaching of the Nicolaitans sinned in ways similar to the sinful ways of those obeying the teaching of Balaam (2:14b). For example:

Likewise (New International Version)
-or-
In a similar way (New Living Translation (2004))

some of you also hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans:
This clause indicates that some of the people in the church in Pergamum followed the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Other ways to translate this clause are:

there are also some among you who follow the teaching of the Nicolaitans (NET Bible)
-or-
You also have some who follow what the Nicolaitans teach. (God’s Word)
-or-
among your number are some who hold just as closely to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

See how you spelled the name Nicolaitans in 2:6.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 3:18

3:18a–e

Jesus advised the believers in Laodicea to buy three things: gold, white clothes, and salve. These three things are symbolic of spiritual things such as faith, righteousness, and spiritual guidance/sight.

3:18a

counsel: This word means “give advice.” Jesus told the believers what they should do to improve their weak spiritual condition. The Good News Translation translates the Greek word as:

advise

buy from Me gold refined by fire: This command symbolically refers to obtaining true, spiritual riches from God. The believers in Laodicea needed to ask Jesus for the only kind of wealth that is truly valuable. See the General Comment at the end of 3:18e.

gold: The word gold refers to a rare metal of a somewhat yellow color. It was the most expensive metal at that time. Gold is naturally shiny and beautiful.

In some languages people are not familiar with gold. If that is true in your language, you may want to describe it. For example:

⌊expensive⌋ gold
-or-

⌊valuable⌋ metal/stones ⌊called⌋ gold

See how you translated a similar word (“golden”) in 1:12.

refined by fire: When someone makes gold so hot that it melts, the impurities in the gold float to the top. Then the impurities can be removed. In that way gold is made pure, or it is refined. The verb refined is an implied passive clause. Some ways to translate it are:

• Use a passive clause. For example:

It has been refined in a fire, (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
gold made pure in fire (New Century Version)

• Use an active clause. For example:

that the fire has purified

3:18b

that you may become rich: This clause refers figuratively to having spiritual riches such as great faith. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer only to earthly riches. If that is true in your language, explain the kind of riches in your translation. For example:

you can be truly rich (New Century Version)
-or-
then you will have ⌊spiritual⌋ wealth

Another way to help readers understand this figurative speech is to translate literally but explain that meaning in a footnote. See the example footnote in the General Comment at 3:18e.

3:18c

white garments: The main clause “I counsel you to buy from me” is implied. The Greek language does not need to repeat it here. However, in some languages it is more natural to repeat some or all of the main clause. For example:

and ⌊buy from me⌋ white clothes to wear
-or-
and ⌊I counsel you to buy from me⌋ white clothes to wear

The phrase white garments probably refers figuratively to righteousness or goodness. Moral goodness (or righteousness) is sometimes symbolized by white clothes in the Bible.

In some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer only to their literal clothing. If that is true in your language, you may want to include the implied meaning in your translation. For example:

white clothes ⌊that represent righteousness/purity⌋

Another way to help readers understand this figurative speech is to translate literally but explain that meaning in a footnote. See the example footnote in the General Comment at 3:18e.

3:18d

that you may be clothed and your shameful nakedness not exposed: The Greek clause is literally “so that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed.” This is a negative purpose statement with a passive clause with “be revealed.” Some ways to translate it are:

• Use a passive clause. For example:

so…your shameful nakedness will not be exposed (NET Bible)
-or-
and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen (English Standard Version)
-or-
so you will not be shamed by your nakedness (New Living Translation (2004))

• Use an active clause. For example:

hide your shameful nakedness (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
so that you may keep your shameful, naked body from showing (God’s Word)

your shameful nakedness: The Greek phrase is literally “the shame of your nakedness” (as in the Revised Standard Version). Nakedness is a symbol for their lack of righteousness. White clothing is a symbol for righteousness. They needed to remedy their lack of righteousness (their “nakedness”). Other ways to translate this phrase are:

be shamed by your nakedness (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
the shame of being naked

3:18e

and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see: The third thing Jesus told the believers in Laodicea to accept from him was eye salve. He wanted to give them true sight, that is, spiritual understanding.

In some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer only to literal salve. If that is true in your language, you may want to include the implied meaning in your translation. For example:

and salve ⌊that represents the healing power of God to see spiritual needs⌋ to put on your eyes, so you can see

salve: This word refers to an ointment put on the eyes to help heal eye diseases. Here the salve would heal the spiritual blindness mentioned in 3:17b. Other ways to translate this word are:

ointment (Good News Translation)
-or-
medicine

to anoint your eyes: Translate this phrase by using the natural way to talk about applying medicine to eyes. For example:

to put in your eyes
-or-
for your eyes (Contemporary English Version)

General Comment on 3:17b–18e

Symbols in this long metaphor refer to spiritual conditions, so you may want to translate them literally and then explain the metaphors in a footnote. An example footnote is:

The physical conditions referred to in 3:17b–18 are symbols for a person’s spiritual condition. The faith of the believers at Laodicea was wretched and pitiful. They were spiritually poor, blind, and naked. The gold, eye salve, and clothes are symbolic remedies for being spiritually poor, blind, and naked. The physical remedies represent spiritual blessings like pure faith, knowledge of God, and righteousness.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 6:3

Paragraph 6:3–4

6:3a

the second seal: The word second refers to the next seal that the Lamb chose to open. Other ways to translate this word are:

the one after the first seal
-or-
another seal

6:3b

say, “Come!”:
The second living creature spoke here to the rider on the fiery red horse (6:4a). It is probably implied that he spoke loudly, like the first creature spoke (6:1c).

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 8:4

8:4a

And the smoke of the incense: As the incense burned, it produced sweet-smelling smoke. For example:

The smoke coming from the incense (NET Bible)

8:4b

from the hand of the angel: This phrase indicates that the angel used his hand to put the incense on the altar. The smoke came from the incense on the coals on the altar.

In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that the smoke came from the hand of the angel. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain the meaning in your translation. For example:

from ⌊the incense that came from⌋ the angel’s hand
-or-
when the angel placed it there
-or-
from the altar where the angel had poured them out (New Living Translation (2004))

General Comment on 8:4a–b

In some languages it is more natural to place the phrase “together with the prayers of the saints” at the end of the sentence. For example:

4a–b and the smoke of the incense from the angel’s hand went up before God with his people’s prayers. (Revised English Bible)

General Comment on 8:3b–4b

It is implied that the angel offered the incense. In some languages it is more natural to include the implied information in the translation. For example:

3b He was given much incense to offer 3c with the prayers of all God’s holy people. 3d The angel put this offering on the golden altar before the throne. 4a–b The smoke from the incense went up from the angel’s hand to God with the prayers of God’s people. (New Century Version)
-or-

3b He was given a lot of incense to offer 3d on the gold altar in front of the throne. He offered it 3c with the prayers of all of God’s people. 4a–b The smoke from the incense went up from the angel’s hand to God along with the prayers of God’s people. (God’s Word)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 10:3

10:3a

he cried out in a loud voice: The angel probably shouted without using words, as when a lion roars. But he may have shouted words. Translate the words loud voice in a way that allows for either possibility. Other ways to translate this clause are:

he shouted in a loud voice (God’s Word)
-or-
he shouted loudly (New Century Version)

like the roar of a lion: The word roar refers to the very loud noise that animals such as oxen and lions make. A lion’s roar can be heard far away. It causes people to be afraid.

In some languages people are not familiar with lions. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Describe the meaning. For example:

the ⌊very⌋ loud bellowing of a fierce/angry animal

• Use the name of an animal in your area that makes a very loud, frightening noise. For example:

the bellowing of a bull

You may then want to indicate the literal words in a footnote, using the major language word for lion. An example footnote is:

Literally: “the roar of a lion.”

• Use the major language word for lion.

10:3b

the seven thunders sounded their voices: The Greek clause is literally “the seven thunders spoke their voices.” It refers to speaking actual words. Other ways to translate this clause are:

the seven peals of thunder uttered their voices (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
the seven thunders spoke with voices of their own (God’s Word)
-or-
the seven thunders spoke (Revised English Bible)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 12:5

12:5a

a son, a male child: The Greek words are literally “a son, a male.” The phrase a male child emphasizes the fact that the child was male. Some languages have another way to emphasize the meaning. For example:

a son, indeed, a boy

In some languages son and male child are translated in the same way. If that is true in your language, translate with only one phrase. For example:

a son (Good News Translation)

If possible, translate the emphasis in another way. See General Comment on 12:5a–b for other ways to translate the emphasis.

12:5b

who will rule all the nations with an iron scepter: This clause tells the reader more about the son. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that the woman gave birth to other sons and only this one will rule all the nations with an iron scepter. If that is true in your language, translate this clause so that it tells more about the son. One way to do that is to start a new sentence here. For example:

He will rule all the nations with an iron scepter.

will rule all the nations with an iron scepter: Translate these words as you did in 2:27. They have the same meaning here. If you are unclear as to the meaning, see the notes there. Here these words refer to the son (12:5a), not believers.

nations: Here the word nations can refer to language groups as well as groups under one government. If possible, use a word or phrase that allows either meaning.

General Comment on 12:5a–b

In 12:5a the baby is described as both a son and a male child to emphasize the fact that the child was male. In some languages it is more natural to make the phrase “male child” the subject of the following clause (12:5b). For example:

5a She gave birth to a son. This boy 5b will rule all nations…
-or-

5a The woman was delivered of a boy, 5b the son who was to rule all the nations… (New Jerusalem Bible)

12:5c

This sentence resumes describing the vision from 12:5a.

And: There is some contrast between what the dragon wanted to do (12:4c) and what happened here. In some languages translating the contrast is more natural. For example:

but (Revised Standard Version)

her child was caught up: Here the word caught up refers to taking the child away quickly and forcefully. He was caught up in order to rescue him from danger. Here the word does not refer to stealing or taking him wrongfully.

This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. Probably God commanded someone to snatch her child. For example:

⌊God caused/commanded someone to⌋ snatch her child
-or-

⌊someone⌋ quickly took her child

to God and to His throne: In some languages it is more natural to add another verb or verbs here. For example:

and taken to God and to his throne (God’s Word)
-or-
He was taken to God and placed on his throne (Contemporary English Version)

His throne: The pronoun His probably refers to God, but may refer to the child. You should not explain in your translation to whom the word His refers here.

throne: This word refers to the official chair of a king. It is a symbol of his power to rule. Here the word throne indicates that God rules heaven and earth.

See how you translated this word in 1:4.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 14:1

Section 14:1–5

The 144,000 men/believers sang a new song

In this section, John saw Jesus with 144,000 men (this group may represent all believers) who dedicated their whole lives to following him. John heard them sing a new song.

Other examples of headings for this section are:

John saw the Lamb with 144,000 men/believers
-or-
The one hundred and forty-four thousand men/people who followed the Lamb completely ⌊sing a new song⌋

Paragraph 14:1–5

14:1a

Then I looked: John had just finished talking about the second beast. This clause indicates that he saw a new part of the vision. Other ways to translate this clause are:

I looked again (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
Next in my vision I saw (New Jerusalem Bible)

and saw the Lamb: The Greek words are literally “and look, the Lamb.” The word “look” emphasizes or calls attention to the words that follow. The word is not a command to look at something. Other ways to translate these words are:

and indeed/hey, the Lamb
-or-
and suddenly/unexpectedly I saw the Lamb

the Lamb: This is a title for Jesus. Jewish people killed a lamb at the Passover as a sacrifice to God. The lamb has symbolic meaning as a special sacrifice and is a symbol for the Christ. See how you translated this title in 5:6 or 13:8.

Mount Zion: Zion is the name of the hill in Jerusalem southwest of the temple. In the Old Testament, Mount Zion was symbolic of God’s holy city, Jerusalem. Here also, the name Mount Zion probably represents Jerusalem.

In some languages people do not know where Mount Zion is. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain it in a footnote. For example:

Mount Zion is a hill in the city of Jerusalem. It is a symbol for God’s holy city, Jerusalem.

• Explain it in your translation. For example:

Mount Zion ⌊in God’s holy city⌋
-or-
Mount Zion ⌊in Jerusalem⌋

Zion: This name is Greek is spelled Siōn.

14:1b

144,000: The Greek phrase uses number words: “one hundred forty-four thousands.” Some languages do not have large number words such as “thousand.” If that is true in your language, you may want to use the number from the major language. This may be numerals such as 144,000 or number words such as “one hundred forty-four thousand.” See how you translated this number in 7:4.

This number may refer to the number of men that John saw (14:4a). In some languages it is more natural to include the noun “men” with the number. For example:

144,000 men

However, some scholars think that the 144,000 refers to both men and women. They interpret 14:4a as referring to both men and women sincerely following Jesus. For example:

144,000 people (God’s Word)

14:1c

who had His name and His Father’s name written on their foreheads:
This clause tells the reader more about the 144,000 men/believers. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that there are other groups of 144,000 men/believers, and only this group had these names written on their foreheads. If that is true in your language, translate this clause so that it tells more about the 144,000. One way to do that is to start a new sentence here. For example:

They had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.

who had His name and His Father’s name written: The clause is passive. Some languages must use an active or intransitive clause. For example:

who had his name and his Father’s name which ⌊angels/someone⌋ wrote
-or-
upon whose foreheads was his name and his Father’s name

If you translate this second example, it should imply that someone wrote the name.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2020