SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2020 – Page 10

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 18:9

Paragraph 18:9–10

18:9–20

The Greek does not clearly indicate when the voice from heaven (18:4a) stopped speaking. There are two ways to interpret who spoke or wrote 18:9–20:

(1) The voice continued to speak here. The voice continued describing what will happen.

(2) The voice stopped speaking at the end of 18:8d. John then saw the events of 18:9–20 and wrote about them.

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the future tense continues from 18:8. So 18:9–20 are events that the voice told John about, just like 18:4–8.

Indicate that the voice continues speaking. In some languages introducing the quote again is necessary or more clear. For example:

⌊The voice continued,⌋ “When the kings…
-or-

⌊That person in heaven spoke further saying,⌋ “When the kings…
-or-

⌊That person’s voice continued speaking from heaven, saying,⌋ “When the kings…

18:9a–b

Then the kings of the earth who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her will weep and wail at the sight of the smoke rising from the fire that consumes her: The kings’ actions are described in two ways here:

(a) they committed sexual immorality…with her,

(b) they lived in luxury with her.

What the kings actually did at the sight of the smoke is not written until after these descriptions. Your translation should make it clear that (a) and (b) above describe the customary deeds of the kings. You should not translate it as something they only did at this time. For example:

Regarding the kings of the earth who had committed adultery with her and shared her luxury, when they see the smoke
-or-
When the kings of the earth who had been committing adultery with her and sharing her luxury now see the smoke

18:9a

the kings of the earth: This phrase refers to the leaders of nations around the earth.

who committed sexual immorality: This clause probably symbolizes the kings as joining Babylon in sinning against God. See how you translated this clause at 17:2 or 18:3.

In some languages a literal translation would not indicate the symbolic meaning of committed sexual immorality. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain in a footnote. For example:

This saying is probably symbolic of joining Babylon in sinning against God.

But if you already have a footnote at 17:2a or 18:3b, you may not want to repeat the footnote here.

18:9b

lived in luxury with her: The Berean Standard Bible literally represents the Greek here. The kings satisfied their sensual desires together with her. This would include things like rare perfumes, wearing expensive clothing, and eating fancy foods.

luxury: The Greek word here refers to things that satisfy sensual desires. See how you translated this word in 18:7.

18:9c

weep: This word refers to tears that flow from the eyes because of great sadness. Here the word may also refer to the sounds people make when crying. But it probably does not refer to the loud noise of wailing here.

wail: This word refers to sounds people make when they are grieving. The kings will mourn because they will no longer be able to enjoy Babylon’s luxury and immoral life. Other ways to translate this word are:

grieve
-or-
have great sorrow

the smoke rising from the fire that consumes her: This phrase refers to the enemies of Babylon setting fire to her (18:8c). In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that she was burning something. If that is true in your language, make the correct meaning clear. For example:

the smoke from the fire that burns her (NET Bible)
-or-
the smoke from the flames that consume her (Good News Translation)

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 19:17

Paragraph 19:17–18

19:17a

standing in the sun: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as in can also mean “on.” For example:

standing on the sun (Good News Translation)

But many English versions and scholars indicate that it means “in” here. In this sense it probably means “in front of” rather than “inside of” here. For example:

in the brightness of the sun
-or-
in the middle of the sun

19:17b

he cried out: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as cried out refers to speaking loudly so that the person can be heard well. The word does not refer to weeping or wailing. For example:

shouted (Contemporary English Version)

See how you translated this word in 6:10 (“cried out”) or 18:18 (“cry out”).

all the birds flying overhead: This phrase refers to all birds that can fly. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

all the birds flying in the sky (New Century Version)
-or-
all the birds flying in midair (New International Version)
-or-
all birds that fly

19:17c

the great supper of God: God will kill many enemies in the coming war. The birds will eat the flesh off the dead bodies (19:21). So this event is called here the great supper of God. God provided this meal for the birds For example:

God’s great feast (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 21:13

21:13a–b

There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south, and three on the west: The Greek words are literally “from the east three gates, from the north three gates, from the south three gates, and from the west three gates.” The city wall surrounded the city in the shape of a square. Each part of the wall had three gates in it. For example:

on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates (Revised Standard Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 22:18

Paragraph 22:18–19

22:18a

I testify to everyone who hears the words of prophecy in this book: The warning is told in 22:18b–19c. The Berean Standard Bible indicates that the warning is told after this clause by using a colon (:) at the end of the clause. Other ways to translate the clause are:

Here is my warning for everyone who hears the prophecies in this book: (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
My warning to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book is this :

I: Here, this pronoun probably refers to John. For example:

I, John, (Good News Translation)

testify: The word testify refers to saying something that is truthful and accurate. Here the word indicates that people should accept the warnings spoken in 22:18b–19c. For example:

solemnly declare (New Living Translation (2004))

prophecy: The word prophecy refers to a message that God gives to someone. The message may include a vision, as in Ezekiel 1 and Daniel 8. This word refers to 2:1–22:16 here. See how you translated this word in 22:7.

22:18b

If anyone adds to them: This clause refers to changing the meaning of anything that John had written in this book either by:

(a) adding words that he had not written,

(b) adding meanings that he did not intend.

John wanted his readers to teach and copy his visions and prophecies exactly as he had written them.

Other ways to translate this clause are:

If anyone adds anything to what is written here (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
If anyone adds to these words (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

22:18c

God will add to him the plagues described in this book: The phrase add to him the plagues indicates what God will do to anyone who adds to the book of Revelation. He will cause the plagues described in this book to happen to that person.

The word add poetically connects this clause with 22:18b. If possible, use the word add here as well. For example:

God will add the plagues described in this book ⌊to his woes/troubles⌋ .

the plagues described in this book: The Greek words are literally “the plagues having been written in this book.” This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active or intransitive clause. For example:

the plagues which ⌊I⌋ wrote in this book
-or-
the plagues in this book

plagues: This word refers to disasters that harm a lot of people. It can refer to diseases that kill many people. It can refer to locusts that damage many crops.

Some languages do not have a general word such as plagues for that meaning. If that is true in your language, you may need to use a descriptive phrase. For example:

things that cause much suffering

See how you translated the word plagues in 6:8 or 15:1.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2:4

Paragraph 2:4–6

2:4a

But I have this against you: This clause indicates that Jesus was displeased with the believers about something. He explained what he was displeased about in 2:4b. Other ways to translate this clause are:

But I have this complaint against you. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
However, I find fault with you in this way:
-or-
But I do have this ⌊one⌋ criticism of you.

2:4b

You have abandoned your first love: The word abandoned means “left” or “forsook.” It indicates that the believers love much less now than they did earlier. Other ways to translate this clause are:

you have abandoned the love you had at first (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
you love little compared to how you loved at first
-or-
you have less love now than formerly (New Jerusalem Bible)

John did not explicitly say whom the Ephesian believers now loved less. He was probably referring to their love in general, including love for God, for Jesus, and for fellow believers. If possible, do not say explicitly whom they loved less. However, some languages must say who was loved. If this is true in your language, you should add a general word or phrase. For example:

you love everyone less
-or-
You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! (New Living Translation (2004))

first: This word refers to the first time that the Ephesian believers began to follow Jesus. At that time they loved Jesus and one another very much, and they acted in ways that showed it.

love: The word love refers to a strong feeling of affection and concern for someone.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 3:8

3:8a

I know your deeds: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as deeds means “actions” or “activities.” You should translate this clause as you did in 3:1.

your: The Greek pronoun that the Berean Standard Bible translates as your is singular. It refers to the angel of the church as the representative of all the believers there.

In many languages it is more natural to use plural pronouns here and in the following verses to refer to the believers directly. This is the same issue as in 3:1d.

3:8b

See: The word emphasizes or calls attention to the words that follow. The word is not a command to look at something. Other ways to translate this word are:

Indeed/Wow
-or-
Listen/Hey!

See how you translated this word in 1:7 or 2:22 (“Behold” in Berean Standard Bible).

I have placed before you an open door, which no one can shut: There are several ways to interpret the metaphor of an open door. The two main ways are:

(1) The “open door” represents the way into God’s kingdom.

(2) The “open door” represents the opportunity to serve and witness and help people to follow Christ.

Some languages can use the metaphor of an open door to allow for one or both interpretations. But in some languages a literal translation would mean something else entirely. If that is true in your language, use a different metaphor or plain language that allows for one or both interpretations. For example:

I have placed a road before you that no one can block
-or-
I have given to you an opportunity that no one can thwart/frustrate

3:8c

you have only a little strength: Here this phrase probably refers to the fact that this was a small church. It was not strong in numbers, wealth, or influence in society. The people of this church were, therefore, not able to do much for Jesus. This phrase does not imply that they were sinning. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

you are not very strong (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
you are weak ⌊in what you able to do⌋

3:8d

have kept My word: The word kept here means “followed” or “obeyed.” The believers in Philadelphia had obeyed Jesus’ commands and teachings. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

have followed my teaching (Good News Translation)
-or-
have kept my commandments (New Jerusalem Bible)

have not denied My name: This clause indicates that the believers in Philadelphia had not rejected Jesus. They had openly declared that they followed him. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

did not deny me (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
did not deny that you are my followers (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
have not disowned me
-or-
have been faithful/loyal to me

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 5:7

5:7

He: This pronoun refers to the Lamb. But the title “Lamb” refers to Jesus. Use the correct pronoun here.

came and took the scroll from the right hand of the One seated on the throne: The Lamb moved toward the throne rather than toward John. In some languages it is more natural to use the verb “went” instead of came.

In some languages it would be helpful to indicate where he went. For example:

He went to the one who sat on the throne and took the scroll from his right hand

the One seated on the throne: See how you translated this phrase in 5:1.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 7:11

7:11a–b

And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures: The throne was at the center of the area. Near the throne were the four living creatures (4:6b). The elders were in a circle around the throne and the four living creatures (4:4a). This clause indicates that the angels surrounded all these things. Other ways to translate this clause are:

All the angels stood around the throne, the elders, and the four living creatures. (Good News Translation)
-or-
all the angels who were standing in a circle round the throne, surrounding the elders and the four living creatures (New Jerusalem Bible)

7:11b

the elders: Here the word elders refers to those who have authority. These twenty-four people (or angels) were leaders. They had God as their leader. See how you translated this word in 4:4.

the four living creatures: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as living creatures is literally “living (ones).” The word refers to beings that are like angels. See how you translated this phrase in 4:6.

7:11c

And they fell facedown: Here, this phrase refers to kneeling and putting the face to the ground with arms outstretched toward someone. 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 action that shows complete humility and honor to someone. If that is true in your language, you may want to use that word or phrase. See how you translated the similar phrases in 4:10 or 5:14.

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

venerated
-or-
revered

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2020