SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2020

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2:6

2:6a

But you have this to your credit: The Greek clause is literally “But you have this.” Here it introduces something good that the believers in Ephesus were doing. So the Berean Standard Bible and some English versions add the phrase to your credit or a similar phrase. Other ways to translate this clause are:

Yet this you do have (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
But you have this in your favor: (New International Version)
-or-
But a good thing you have/do is this:

2:6b

hate: The word hate indicates that the believers in Ephesus strongly disliked and avoided the practices of the Nicolaitans. Other ways to translate this word are:

detest (Revised English Bible)
-or-
are angry with

works of the Nicolaitans: The word works refers to deeds that the Nicolaitans did because of the beliefs of their group. Very little is known about the Nicolaitans and what wrong beliefs they had. Perhaps they claimed to follow Jesus but also followed pagan practices and sexual immorality. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the deeds of the Nicolaitans (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
what the Nicolaitans do (Good News Translation)
-or-
the ⌊evil/immoral⌋ ways of the Nicolaitans

the Nicolaitans: The name Nicolaitans probably means “followers of Nicolaus.” However, it is not certain who this Nicolaus was. The English ending “–ans” means “the people of.” You should spell the name of the group as your language allows. For example:

the people/followers of Nicolaus
-or-
the Nicolait group

2:6c

which I also hate: This clause indicates that Jesus also hated the practices of the Nicolaitans. Other ways to translate these words are:

the way I do too
-or-
as I hate what they do

This clause tells the reader more about the Nicolaitans. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that there are other groups called Nicolaitans and Jesus only hated this group. If that is true in your language, translate this clause so that it tells more about the Nicolaitans. One way to do that is to start a new sentence here. For example:

I also hate what they’re doing. (God’s Word)

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
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SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 3:10

3:10a–b

have kept…will…keep: The same Greek verb occurs twice here. However, the phrase have kept (3:10a) means “obeyed” and the phrase will…keep (3:10b) means “will protect.” The same Greek verb is used to emphasize the reason-result connection between the two clauses.

Some languages need to use different verbs in order to indicate the correct meaning in both clauses. If that is true in your language, you may want to emphasize the reason-result connection in some other way. For example:

Since you have obeyed my command to endure patiently, indeed, I will protect you during the time/hour of trial
-or-
You obeyed my message and endured. So I will protect you from the time of trouble that everyone in all the world must go through. (Contemporary English Version)

3:10a

Because: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Because here introduces a reason for what is said in 3:10b. In some languages it is more natural to introduce 3:10b as a result. For example:

10a You have kept my command to endure patiently, 10b so I will also keep…

you have kept My command to persevere: The believers in Philadelphia had continued to follow Jesus faithfully in spite of suffering. Jesus had commanded them to do that. Other ways to translate this clause are:

you have obeyed my command to persevere
-or-
You have obeyed my teaching about not giving up your faith (New Century Version)

command: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as command is literally “word.” This word may refer to a command given in a prophecy to the believers in Philadelphia. Or it may refer to a command that Jesus gave during his lifetime to all believers.

persevere: The Greek word here is the same word that is translated as “perseverance” in 2:19b. Jesus wanted the believers to continue to follow him faithfully even though they suffered because of it. See how you translated this Greek word in 2:19 or 2:2.

3:10b

I will also keep you from the hour of testing: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as from :

(1) It means from. For example:

I will keep you from the hour of trial (Revised Standard Version)

(2) It means during. For example:

I will keep you safe in the time of trial (New Jerusalem Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the Greek word means “out of,” and a different Greek word means “during.” See the note below for more information about the meaning of the word from.

I will also keep you from: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as from refers to removing something from something else. Here Jesus will remove the believers in Philadelphia from the hour of trial. Other ways to translate this word are:

I will remove you out of
-or-
I will also keep you safe from (Good News Translation)

keep you: Here the word keep refers to Jesus protecting his followers in some way. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

protect you
-or-
preserve you

the hour of testing: This phrase refers to a time of hardship. It is a time when people will suffer greatly. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the time of trouble (Good News Translation)
-or-
the great time of testing (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
the ordeal (Revised English Bible)

hour: The word hour refers figuratively to a specific period of time. But here is not clear if it is hours, days, months, or years. Use a word or phrase that allows that general meaning.

testing: This word can mean “testing” or “trial” or “hardship.” God will test people with hardship to see if they will obey or trust him. You may want to see how you translated this word in 2:10 (“to test”), Luke 8:13, or James 1:2, or refer to the notes there.

3:10c

that is about to come upon the whole world: The Greek words are literally “that will happen to everyone in the world.” Other ways to translate this phrase are:

that will come to the whole world (New Century Version)
-or-
that is to fall upon the whole world (Revised English Bible)

come upon the whole world: Here the phrase come upon means “happen to.” All the words here indicate that the whole world will experience something difficult. Other ways to translate this are:

occur in all the world
-or-
that the whole world will experience

3:10d

to test those who dwell on the earth: This clause indicates the purpose of “the hour of testing” mentioned in 3:10b. Its purpose is to test people, to see if they really obey or trust God. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

indeed, to test/try those living on the earth
-or-
in order to test all those on this earth

In some languages explaining the purpose of the test is more natural. For example:

to test ⌊the faith of⌋ those who live on the earth

test: The Greek word here has the same basic meaning as “testing” in 3:10b. The Greek word here is a verb, but the Greek word in 3:10b is a noun. See the examples above.

General Comment on 3:10a–d

In the Greek and the Berean Standard Bible, this verse is one long sentence. In some languages it is more natural to translate it as two or more sentences. For example:

10a You have kept my command to endure patiently. 10b So I will also keep you from the hour of trial 10c that is coming upon the whole world. 10d It will test ⌊the faith of⌋ those who live on earth.
-or-

10a You have obeyed my teaching about not giving up your faith. 10b So I will keep you from the time of trouble 10c that will come to the whole world 10d to test those who live on earth. (New Century Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 5:9

5:9a

they sang a new song: The word new here indicates that no one had sung this song before. It was a song for this occasion. Other ways to translate this clause are:

they sang a newly composed song
-or-
they sang a song that had never been sung before

they: This pronoun refers to the four living beings and the twenty-four leaders (5:8).

5:9b–10b

These words are a song praising the Lamb. If possible, translate and print them in a way that shows that they are a song or poetry.

5:9b

Worthy: The word Worthy indicates that it was right and proper for the Lamb to open the seals. He deserved this privilege. See how you translated this word in 5:2.

Here the word Worthy is emphasized in the Greek. If possible, emphasize the word Worthy naturally in your language. For example:

Worthy are You (Berean Standard Bible, New American Standard Bible)
-or-
You are indeed worthy

open its seals: This phrase refers to breaking the seals on the scroll so that the scroll can be unrolled. You may want to use the same verb that you used for “break the seals” in 5:2.

5:9c

You were slain: The word slain means “killed” (as in the Good News Translation). This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. In this verse, the exact people who killed Jesus is not important. For example:

⌊they/people⌋ killed you

5:9d

and: This conjunction indicates that the living creatures and the elders continue to tell why the Lamb was worthy.

by Your blood You purchased for God those:
This clause indicates that the Lamb died as a sacrifice. He willingly shed his blood on the cross. That was the price he paid to redeem people from the penalty of sin. By believing in him they could belong to God. Other ways to translate this clause are:

by your blood you ransomed for God saints (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
You bought people with your blood to be God’s own (God’s Word)
-or-
by dying as a sacrifice, you paid ⌊for the way⌋ for people to belong to God

by Your blood: This phrase refers to dying as a sacrifice. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

at the cost of your own blood (NET Bible)
-or-
with the blood of your death (New Century Version)
-or-
by ⌊shedding/spilling⌋ your life blood

purchased: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as purchased refers to acquiring or obtaining something by giving something in exchange for it. Other ways to translate this word are:

bought (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
ransomed (English Standard Version)

those: Here the word those refers to people who were “purchased.” Another way to translate this word is:

people (Good News Translation)

from every tribe and tongue and people and nation: As indicated by the Berean Standard Bible, the Greek word every only occurs before the word tribe. The word tribe applies to each of the four groups. In some languages it is more natural to repeat it for each group. For example:

from every tribe, every language, every people, and every nation
-or-
from all tribes, from all languages, from all places and from all kingdoms

tribe: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as tribe can refer to a whole people group. It can also refer to a subgroup within the people group, like the English word “clan” does.

tongue: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as tongue here refers to all of the people who speak a certain language. In some languages it is more natural to refer to the people directly. For example:

people speaking every different language

people: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as people here refers to a large group of people. But it is sometimes used to refer to a whole country, which may have many people groups in it.

nation: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as nation here refers to a group of people who share a common culture. But it is sometimes used to refer to a whole country, which may have many people groups in it. It is similar in meaning to “people” above, but here it probably refers to a group of people under one government.

General Comment on 5:9e

In some languages it is more natural to list these groups in a different order. For example:

from every language, tribe, people, and nation
-or-
from every tribe, people, nation, and every language ⌊on earth⌋

The four words “tribe,” “tongue,” “people,” and “nation” refer to various kinds of people groups. All four words are used to emphasize that Jesus will purchase people from all over the world for God. Some languages do not have three similar words like “tribe,” “people,” and “nation.” If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Use fewer words. For example:

from every people and language and nation

• Use slightly different words to represent the different categories of people. For example:

from every clan and language and land and nation

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 7:13

Paragraph 7:13–17

7:13a

one of the elders addressed me: The Greek words are literally “one of the elders answered and said to me.” The word “answered” probably indicates that the elder responded to the praise of the angels (7:12). He responded by speaking to John. Other ways to translate these words are:

one of the elders responded and asked me
-or-
one of the elders asked me (New International Version)
-or-
One of the elders turned to me and asked (Revised English Bible)

7:13b–c

“These in white robes,” he asked, “who are they, and where have they come from?”: This is a leading question. It causes someone to think about what the answer might be. The elder knew the answer to this question and he also knew that John did not know the answer. He asked John this question to cause John to think about the people in white robes. Since John replied, you should translate these words as a question.

These in white robes…who are they…?: The words These in white robes are emphasized in the Greek and the Berean Standard Bible by being first in the clause. Some languages will not be able to emphasize those words in that way. For example:

who are these in white robes…?

If possible emphasize the words These in white robes in another way. For example:

⌊Look at⌋ these ⌊people⌋ ⌊dressed⌋ in white robes. Who are they…?
-or-

⌊What about⌋ those ⌊people⌋ ⌊dressed⌋ in white robes? Who are they…?

who are they, and where have they come from?: These clauses are two questions. In some languages it is more natural to separate the questions. For example:

Who are they? Where have they come from?

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 9:16

9:16a–b

The words here imply that the four angels controlled the army. In some languages a literal translation would not imply that the four angels controlled the army. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain the implied information in a footnote. An example footnote is:

The four angels controlled this vast army of two hundred million soldiers, because both 9:15 and 9:18 refer to killing one third of mankind.

9:16a

mounted troops: This phrase refers to soldiers riding horses. At that time, these soldiers fought using swords, spears, or bows. They fought while sitting on the backs of the horses. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

troops of cavalry (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
soldiers on ⌊war⌋ horses

In some languages people are not familiar with soldiers riding horses. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain what cavalry is in a footnote. For example:

Soldiers on horses were a very strong fighting part of an army at that time.

two hundred million: The Greek phrase is literally “twice ten thousand of ten thousand.” This may refer to a huge but indefinite number of soldiers. But all English reference versions translate according to the calculation of “twice ten thousand of ten thousand,” which is two hundred million.

In some languages combinations of number words such as two hundred million are not known. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Follow the literal Greek phrase. For example:

twice ten thousand times ten thousand (Revised Standard Version)

• Use both numerals and number words. For example:

200 million

• Use only numerals. For example:

200,000,000

• Use a combination of smaller number words that equal two hundred million. For example:

two hundred thousands of thousands

• Use the major language word for “million.” For example:

200 milien
-or-
two hundred miliens

9:16b

I heard their number: The word heard implies that someone said how many soldiers there were. John heard what he said. In some languages it is more natural to refer to the person speaking. For example:

I heard ⌊someone tell⌋ the number of soldiers
-or-
I heard ⌊someone say⌋ how many of them there were

Having this clause after the number (9:16a) emphasizes the number. Another example of emphasizing the number is:

this was the number I heard (Revised English Bible)

General Comment on 9:16a–b

In some languages it is more natural to have the clause about hearing the number first. If possible, then emphasize the number naturally. For example:

16b I heard 16a the number of the mounted troops, and ⌊indeed,⌋ it was two hundred million!

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 11:16

Paragraph 11:16–18

11:16a

elders: Here the word elders refers to those who have authority. These elders are the same ones as in 4:4. These twenty-four people (or angels) were leaders. They had God as their leader. For example:

leaders (God’s Word)

These verses do not say whether the elders were people or angels. So use a word like “elder” or “leader” that could refer to either people or angels. See how you translated this word in 4:4 or 7:11.

thrones: A throne usually refers to the official chair of a king. Here the word thrones refers to special chairs for the elders. These thrones show that the elders have authority or a special place before God.

See how you translated this word in 1:4 or 4:4.

11:16b

fell on their faces: Here this phrase refers to kneeling and putting faces to the ground with arms outstretched toward God. This position showed complete humility before God and honored him. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

prostrated themselves and touched the ground with their foreheads (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
threw themselves down with their faces to the ground (NET Bible)

Many languages have a different way to show complete humility and honor to God. If that is true in your language, you may want to use that saying instead. See how you translated this phrase in 7:11, where the Berean Standard Bible translates it as “fell facedown.”

worshiped: This word refers to honoring someone or something as sacred/divine. Other ways to translate this word are:

venerated
-or-
revered

See how you translated this phrase in 4:10 or 9:20.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 13:11

Section 13:11–18

The second beast rose from the earth

In this section, John saw another beast. This beast rose from the earth. He also had Satan’s authority, as did the first beast. He forced people to worship the first beast. He did miracles and deceived people. He also forced people to have a mark put on their hand or their forehead.

Other examples of headings for this section are:

The beast from the earth
-or-
The false prophet that forced people to take the mark ⌊of the first beast⌋

Paragraph 13:11–17

13:11a

beast: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as beast refers to any animal, often a wild animal. The Berean Standard Bible uses the word beast to imply that this being is evil, fierce, and dangerous. Here the word refers to one of Satan’s servants. See how you translated this word in 13:1.

rising out of the earth: The Greek verb indicates the direction “up.” This beast somehow rose from underneath the surface of the earth. For example:

which rose out of the earth (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
ascending from beneath the surface of the earth

13:11b

This beast had two horns like a lamb: The beast’s horns probably looked like the horns just beginning to form on an almost fully grown lamb. Scholars have interpreted this clause in many ways. So you should not explain the symbolic meaning in your translation. Many English versions translate it literally. See how you translated lamb in 13:8, but do not capitalize the word or phrase here.

but spoke like a dragon: This clause probably indicates that the beast spoke fiercely, like the dragon did. He followed the dragon and so said the same kinds of things as the dragon. For example:

spoke with the voice of a dragon (New Living Translation (2004))

The beast probably spoke like a dragon during the whole 42 months. Translate this clause so that it indicates always doing so rather than doing this once.

dragon: This word refers to a mythical creature something like a huge lizard. See how you translated this word in 12:3.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 15:5

Paragraph 15:5–8

15:5a

After this I looked: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as this is literally “these (things).” It refers to what John had already seen. This clause introduces a new scene in heaven. For example:

After ⌊I saw⌋ those things I looked ⌊again⌋

15:5b

and the temple—the tabernacle of the Testimony—was opened in heaven:
The Greek words are literally “the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony was opened.” There are three ways to interpret the connection between temple and tabernacle :

(1) The phrase the tabernacle of the Testimony explains the word temple. For example:

the temple (the tent of the testimony) was opened (NET Bible)

(2) The temple is a part of the tabernacle of the Testimony. For example:

the sanctuary of the tent of witness in heaven was opened (English Standard Version)

(3) The tabernacle of the Testimony is inside the temple. For example:

the temple…open, with the Sacred Tent in it (Good News Translation)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the temple had the same function as the tabernacle of the Testimony. The ark (chest or box) of the covenant was kept in the tabernacle and then later in the temple. Jews worshiped God first at the tabernacle and then later at the temple.

the temple…was opened: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active or intransitive clause. For example:

⌊God⌋ commanded the temple to open ⌊and it did⌋
-or-

⌊God⌋ caused the temple to open
-or-

⌊someone⌋ opened…the temple ⌊on God’s behalf⌋
-or-
the temple…became open

temple: The word temple refers to a building where God, or another deity, is believed to be present in a special way. People worship there. See how you translated this word in 3:12 or 14:15.

the tabernacle of the Testimony: This phrase refers to the tent in which the Jews first worshiped God. They called it the tabernacle of the Testimony because it contained the box called “the ark of the covenant.” The ark held the tablets on which God had written the ten commandments. These commandments were called “the Testimony” (Exodus 34:29). The tent and the ark reminded the Jews that God had made a covenant with them. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the tent of witness (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
the tent that witnesses/testifies to God
-or-
the worship tent that shows that God is with us
-or-
the worship tent that is a reminder of what God has revealed

tabernacle: This means “tent” here. It refers to a special tent where the Israelites worshiped God before the temple was built.

Testimony: The Greek word refers to something that is used as a reminder of something else. God made a covenant with the Israelites. He wrote the ten most important commands of that covenant on two tablets of stone. Those tablets were later called the Testimony. They were put in a box called “the ark of the covenant.” God also told the Jews to make this special tent in which they would worship him. The tent where the box was kept was also called the tent (or tabernacle) of the Testimony. All these things reminded the Israelites about God’s covenant with them. See the examples above.

in heaven: Here the word heaven refers to the place where God lives.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2020