SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2020

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 1:8

Paragraph 1:8

1:8a

I am the Alpha and the Omega:
Alpha is the name of the first letter of the Greek alphabet. Omega is the name of the last letter of that alphabet. Here the phrase the Alpha and the Omega is used as a title. It is also a figure of speech. So this saying indicates that:

(a) God is eternal.

(b) He has authority over the beginning and the end of all things. This implies that everything in between the beginning and the end is also under his authority. He has control over all things and events.

In some languages a literal translation would not have the correct meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Translate the meaning without the figure of speech. For example:

I am ⌊the One with authority over⌋ the first ⌊things⌋ and the last ⌊things⌋
-or-
I am the One with all authority from start to finish
-or-
I am the start and the finish

You may then want to indicate the literal words and its meaning in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Literally: “the Alpha and the Omega.” Alpha and Omega are the names of the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. This phrase is an idiom. It indicates that God exists eternally and has authority over all things.

• Substitute the first and the last letters of your own alphabet. For example:

I am the A and the Z (God’s Word)

You may then want to indicate the literal words and its meaning in a footnote. An example footnote is:

• Translate literally and explain its meaning in your translation. For example:

I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
I am the Alpha and the Omega, ⌊which means I am the One with authority over the first things and the last things⌋
-or-
I am the Alpha and the Omega, ⌊that is, the One who is in control from start to finish⌋

• Translate literally and explain its meaning in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Alpha and Omega are the names of the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. This phrase is an idiom. It indicates that God exists eternally and controls all things.

This title is similar in meaning to the titles “The First and the Last” (1:17, 2:8, 22:13) and “The Beginning and End” (21:6, 22:13). If possible, you should translate the three titles in similar but different ways. This is helpful, since all three titles occur in 22:13.

I: The pronoun I is emphasized in the Greek. If you have a natural way to emphasize the pronoun I here, you may want to do so.

says the Lord God: The Berean Standard Bible places the phrase says the Lord God after what God said. The Berean Standard Bible also places the verb says before the phrase the Lord God. That order is a poetic English style. The Berean Standard Bible word order follows the Greek word order literally. You should place this phrase where it is most natural in your language.

says: John probably used the present tense to indicate that God always describes himself as the Alpha and the Omega.

the Lord God: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Lord means “the one in authority over (others),” or “owner.” Here the word is used to indicate that God has authority over all things. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

God the Lord
-or-
Sovereign God

1:8b

who is and was and is to come—the Almighty: There are two ways to interpret who spoke these words:

(1) Here John spoke about God. Versions that follow this interpretation do not put quotation marks around these words. For example:

the one who is, and who was, and who is still to come—the All-Powerful! (NET Bible)

(2) Here God continued speaking about himself. Versions that follow this interpretation put quotation marks around these words. For example:

“who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” (New American Standard Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because 1:8a uses “I” but 1:8b uses a word ending that means “he.”

who is and was and is to come: Translate this saying as you did in 1:4.

the Almighty: The word Almighty means “the one with the power to do anything.” This is a title for God. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the God of all power
-or-
the one who has all power

To translate naturally in your language, you may need to put this title in a separate sentence. For example:

He is the Almighty.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2:21

2:21a

I have given her time to repent: This clause indicates that Jesus had warned the woman earlier to repent. Then he allowed her some time to repent. Other ways to translate this clause are:

I gave her time to repent (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
I gave her a chance to turn from her sins (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
I told her to repent and allowed her time to do so

repent: The word repent here refers to changing one’s mind, heart, and actions. The person would then stop sinning. See how you translated this word in 2:5.

her immorality: Here the word immorality refers to sexual immorality (2:20d). But it probably implies idolatry (2:20e), because God wants her to repent of both sexual immorality and idolatry. So the Berean Standard Bible uses the word immorality, which allows for various kinds of immoral behavior, including sexual immorality.

2:21b

she is unwilling: This clause indicates that the woman did not want to repent. She chose to continue sinning by teaching lies and doing evil things. Other ways to translate this clause are:

she does not want to (Good News Translation)
-or-
she refuses (Revised Standard Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 4:2

4:2a

At once I was in the Spirit: The Greek clause is literally “Immediately I was in spirit.” John’s experience of being “in spirit” continues from 1:10, but John feels it anew. Translate the phrase in the Spirit similarly to the way that you did there. For example:

Again I was in the Spirit
-or-
At once I found myself again in the Spirit
-or-
Again the Spirit began speaking to my spirit

4:2b

and I saw: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and I saw is literally “look.” The word emphasizes or calls attention to the words that follow. The word “look” is not a command to look at something. Other ways to translate the Greek phrase are:

indeed/hey,
-or-
suddenly/unexpectedly

a throne: A throne is the official chair where a king sits. From his throne, he rules his people and his country. Therefore, the word throne is a symbol for the authority the king has to rule. This throne is God’s throne, because he rules heaven.

See how you translated this word in 1:4.

in heaven: Here the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as heaven refers to the place where God lives. Some languages do not have a word for this place. If that is true in your language, you may need to:

• Use a word that can refer figuratively to the place where God lives. For example:

sky
-or-
the place beyond the stars

• Use the major language word. If people from your language are not familiar with the meaning of this word, you may want to include a footnote to explain it:

Heaven is the place where God lives.

• Translate it using a descriptive phrase. For example:

the place where God lives

with someone seated on it: Here the word someone is general, but it refers to God. By not naming God, this phrase emphasizes that the person sitting on the throne has all the authority that the main throne in heaven symbolizes. John may also be copying the style of the Old Testament prophets in not naming God.

In some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer to someone other than God. If that is true in your language, translate in a way that clearly refers to God. If possible, speak indirectly of God. For example:

with the one ⌊who rules everything⌋ sitting on it
-or-
with the ⌊great/greatest⌋ One sitting there

But in some languages speaking indirectly about God will still be unclear. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Translate literally and put in a footnote to explain the meaning. An example footnote is:

This refers to God.
-or-
The word “someone” refers to God here.

• Speak directly about God. For example:

with God himself sitting on it

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 6:9

Paragraph 6:9–11

6:9a

fifth: This refers to the next item after the fourth one. If counted, this item would be counted as number five.

6:9b

I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain: This clause indicates that these believers were like sacrifices. These believers had followed God even when doing so meant that others would kill them. In that way, they offered their lives to God as a sacrifice.

under the altar: This phrase probably refers to at the base or bottom of the altar. See drawing below.

altar: On earth, an altar is a platform on which people offer sacrifices or gifts to God. The animal sacrifices are cooked or burned there. Below is one artist’s idea of the appearance of the altar where the Jews offered animal sacrifices and gifts in front of the temple in Jerusalem.

However the altar of this verse is in heaven in John’s vision. People do not offer animal or food sacrifices on it. But in some languages the usual translation of altar refers to sacrificing. For example:

burning-place
-or-
bench of sacrificing
-or-
offering burning table

The people of many languages will understand that this usual translation of altar, being in heaven, will be different than altars on earth and will not be an altar on which to offer animals. But in some languages the usual translation of altar will imply animal sacrifice in heaven. If that is true in your language, use a more general word or phrase. For example:

gift-giving place
-or-
bench of gifts to God
-or-
offering table

souls: This word refers to the essential part of a person. It is the part of him that does not die when his body dies. For example:

spirits

The same word is used in Matthew 10:28 and Acts 2:27.

those who had been slain: The Greek grammar indicates that these people were killed earlier, before John saw them. The clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

those whom ⌊others⌋ have slain

slain: Here, the word slain refers to someone killing these believers. Other ways to translate this word are:

killed (Good News Translation)
-or-
executed

6:9c

for the word of God and for the testimony they had upheld: This part of the verse explains why these believers had been killed. Unbelievers hated and killed them because they had spoken God’s word and kept the testimony.

for the word of God: Here the phrase the word of God refers to what God said. It is the message from God to people. The believers believed this word of God. They probably also told it to others.

In some languages it is necessary to explain what was done with the word of God. For example:

because ⌊they believed⌋ God’s message
-or-
because ⌊they followed⌋ God’s word

for the testimony they had upheld: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as upheld means “kept,” “preserved,” or “possessed.” There are two ways to interpret it:

(1) It means kept, preserved, or possessed here. Believers followed the testimony even though others persecuted them and killed them. They did not try to change it so that people would be happy with them. For example:

because they were faithful to…the message they had received (New Century Version)

(2) It means give or tell here. Believers told others about Jesus and his gospel even though people persecuted and killed them. For example:

for the testimony they had given (New Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the Greek lexicons support it and not interpretation (2).

testimony: The word testimony means “the words spoken about what one saw or heard.” Here it probably refers to what Jesus did while on earth and who he claimed to be: the Messiah and King of all kings. Other ways to translate this word are:

truth revealed ⌊by Jesus⌋
-or-
message ⌊about Jesus⌋

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 8:10

Paragraph 8:10–11

8:10a

third: This refers to the next item after the second one. If counted, this item would be counted as number three. See how you translated this word in 4:7 or 6:5.

8:10b

a great star burning like a torch fell from heaven: The phrase burning like a torch describes the great star. But the main event is that it fell from heaven.

In some languages it is more natural to have the words burning like a torch after the word fell. For example:

a great star fell from heaven. It was burning like a torch… (Contemporary English Version)

burning like a torch: The word torch here refers to a branch of wood with one end covered with something that burns easily. This end is set on fire. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

burning like a torch (New Century Version)
-or-
flaming like a torch (God’s Word)

See how you translated the word torch and the illustration at 4:5.

fell: This word indicates that the star descended very quickly. Other ways to translate this word are:

dropped (Good News Translation)
-or-
plummeted
-or-
crashed

heaven: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as heaven can refer to either the sky or heaven. Some languages are like Greek, having only one word that means both “heaven” and “sky.” Other languages are like English, having two words. If your language has two words, translate the Greek word as “sky” here.

8:10c

on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water: Here the word third means “one out of three.” These phrases probably indicate that the star affected one out of every three rivers and one out of every three springs. Other ways to translate these phrases are:

on one in every three rivers and springs of water
-or-
on one of every three rivers and on ⌊one of every three⌋ springs of water
-or-
It fell on one part of the rivers and springs and on two parts it did not fall

springs of water: Here the word springs refers to places where water arises out of the ground. In some languages it is not necessary to include the phrase of water. For example:

springs (God’s Word)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 10:9

10:9a–b

And: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as And is literally “and.” It usually indicates a continuation of the story. This is why the Berean Standard Bible translates it as And. But since the voice from heaven commanded John to go and take the scroll, many English versions translate the Greek word as “so.” Consider how to connect the event here with the command of 10:8.

said: The Greek word is literally “told” (as in the Revised Standard Version). But John spoke politely to the angel. He did not rudely demand the scroll. He did not command the angel as if he had greater authority than the angel. So some English versions translate the Greek word as “asked.” This indicates a polite request. Other English versions, such as the Berean Standard Bible, translate this word as “said.” Consider how you want to translate this word.

10:9c

It will make your stomach bitter: This clause indicates that John’s stomach would hurt from the bitterness of the scroll. This bitterness implies that the message would be unpleasant in some way. Other ways to translate this clause are:

it will be bitter to your stomach (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
it will turn your stomach sour (New International Version)

10:9d

as sweet as honey: The word honey refers to the sweet, sticky, thick liquid that bees make. It is very pleasant to eat.

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

• Use a word that refers to a similar sweet substance that tastes good. For example:

as sweet as syrup

• Translate the meaning without the simile. For example:

very sweet

• Use the major language word. If people are not familiar with this word, explain it in a footnote. For example:

Honey is the sweet, sticky, thick liquid that bees make. People eat honey as food.

General Comment on 10:9c–d

Putting the scroll in the mouth happens first, and then the stomach becomes sour. In some languages it is more natural to put 10:9d before 10:9c. For example:

9d In your mouth it will be as sweet as honey, 9c but it will turn your stomach sour.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 12:11

12:11a

They: The pronoun They refers to believers (12:10d) here.

conquered: This word means “triumphed” or “obtained victory.” Here it refers to having success over Satan in all the ways he tried to defeat them. Other ways to translate this word are:

overcame (New International Version)
-or-
have defeated (New Living Translation (2004))

by the blood of the Lamb: This phrase refers figuratively to the death of Jesus. Jesus’ death was a sacrifice that makes believers pure before God.

In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate a different meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain the meaning in your translation. For example:

by the blood of the Lamb ⌊through his death⌋
-or-
by the blood of the Lamb ⌊by his sacrifice on the cross⌋

• Translate the meaning without the figure of speech. For example:

through the blood sacrifice of the Lamb
-or-
by the Lamb’s sacrificial death ⌊on the cross⌋

• Translate literally and explain its meaning in a footnote. For example:

This phrase refers figuratively to the death of Jesus. Jesus died as a sacrifice to make believers pure before God.

Lamb: This word refers to a young sheep. Here, it is used as a title for Jesus. Many English versions capitalize the word Lamb here to indicate it is used as a title. See how you translated this word in 5:6 or 7:17.

12:11b

by the word of their testimony: There are several ways to interpret the Greek phrase. The main interpretations are:

(1) It means by the word to which they testified. They testified about the gospel of Jesus. For example:

by the word to which they bore witness (New Jerusalem Bible)

(2) It means by the word that consists of their testimony. They testified and their own words are important here. For example:

by the witness they bore (Revised English Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). However, if a literal translation implies interpretation (1), you may want to translate literally. For example:

by the word of their testimony (Revised Standard Version)

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

witness (Revised English Bible)
-or-
message about what happened

Some languages translate this meaning using a verb. For example:

speaking about what they know

See how you translated this word in 1:2.

12:11c

And: This word introduces a further explanation of how the believers overcame Satan. 12:11c describes the third way that believers overcame Satan. For example:

and (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
for (Revised Standard Version)

Some English versions do not translate this word, but choose to leave the connection with 12:11b implicit. Do what is most natural in your language.

they did not love their lives so as to shy away from death: When unbelievers ordered these believers to deny Jesus, they refused. So the unbelievers killed them. The believers were willing to die rather than be unfaithful to Jesus. Other ways to translate this are:

they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
faced with death they did not cling to life (Revised English Bible)
-or-
they continued to believe even though that lead to their death
-or-
they did not love their life most, but rather they ⌊held strong to their faith and⌋ let themselves be killed

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 14:7

14:7a

And he said: The Greek word is literally “saying” (as in the King James Version). This word probably indicates that the angel’s message follows in 14:7b–e.

14:7b

Fear God: Here the word Fear means “respect” or “revere.” People who Fear God are humble before God and are in awe of him. They also realize he is all-powerful and does as he chooses. So they respect and honor him.

In some languages the word Fear only means “be afraid of.” If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Include the meaning of “respect” or “revere.” For example:

Fear ⌊and respect/revere⌋ God

• Translate the meaning of Fear as “respect,” “honor,” or “revere.” For example:

Honor God (Good News Translation)

give Him glory: This is a command to agree that God has glory. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

acknowledge his majesty
-or-
praise his greatness (Good News Translation)
-or-
say that he is great/glorious
-or-
honor God (Contemporary English Version)

See how you translated a similar phrase “give glory” in 4:9 or 11:13.

14:7c

the hour of His judgment has come: This clause indicates that the time for God to judge people is now. This time is when God would judge people.

In some languages it is more natural to use wording other than has come here. For example:

the hour of his judgment is now
-or-
It has become the hour of his judgment

the hour: Here the word hour refers generally to the time when God begins to judge people. For example:

the time (Good News Translation)

His judgment: This phrase refers to God deciding whether someone is guilty or innocent of wrongdoing. For example:

for God to judge all people (New Century Version)

14:7d

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

Venerate
-or-
Revere

See how you translated this word in 13:4 or 13:12.

14:7e

the heavens: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates with the plural word heavens is literally “the heaven.” It includes the sky, outer space, and the stars.

sea: The word sea refers to a large body of water. A sea is often so large that someone standing on one side cannot see the other side. Here the word sea refers to seas and oceans in general. Some languages do not have a word or phrase for sea. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain the meaning in your translation. For example:

all the large bodies of water
-or-
saltwater

• Use the major language word.

See how you translated this word in 5:13 or 13:1.

springs of waters: This phrase refers to places where water arises out of the ground. In some languages it is more natural to omit the phrase of water.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2020