SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2020 – Page 13

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 15:6

15:6a

And out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues: The Greek words here use normal Greek word order. But the Berean Standard Bible and some English versions emphasize the phrase out of the temple. You should use your normal word order here. For example:

The seven angels who had the seven plagues came out of the temple (Good News Translation)

with: The Greek word is literally “having.” See how you translated this word in 15:1.

15:6b

dressed in clean and bright linen: This clause explains that their clothing was made of clean and bright linen. But it does not describe the kind of clothing. If possible, use a general word for clothing. For example:

clothed in linen, clean and bright (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
wearing clothes made of clean, shining linen

Some languages must say what kind of clothing it is. If that is true in your language, you should refer to a robe. For example:

robed in pure bright linen (Revised Standard Version)

bright: Here the word bright probably refers to the linen being bright. For example:

bright (Revised Standard Version)

linen: This word refers to expensive cloth made from a plant called flax. The cloth is smooth and strong, yet it is also soft.

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

• Explain the meaning in your translation. For example:

flax cloth
-or-
smooth cloth

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

Linen is an expensive cloth made from a plant called flax. The cloth is smooth and strong yet soft.

15:6c

girded with golden sashes around their chests: The angels were wearing sashes similar to what Jesus wore, described in 1:13. See how you translated the similar words (“with a golden sash around his chest”) there.

golden: The word golden indicates that the sashes were woven of thread made of gold. Gold is a rare metal of a somewhat yellow color. It was the most expensive metal at that time. It is naturally shiny and beautiful.

Some languages do not have a word for “gold.” If that is true in your language, you should use the major language word. See how you translated this word in 1:12 or 8:3.

sashes: A sash went around the body like a belt but at chest height.

chests: This word refers to the part of the body below the shoulders but above the stomach and waist. It does not include the arms.

© 2020 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
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 17:9

Paragraph 17:9–11

17:9a

This calls for a mind with wisdom: The Greek clause is literally “Here is the mind which has wisdom” (as in the New American Standard Bible and King James Version). It urges readers to be wise regarding the symbolic meanings of the woman and the beast. The angel explained some of the symbolic meanings in 17:9–18. The reader will need wisdom to understand what the angel explained. Other ways to translate this clause are:

A mind with wisdom is needed here.
-or-
This takes/requires a mind having wisdom.
-or-
In this situation a wise mind is needed. (God’s Word)

wisdom: The word wisdom means “the ability to understand events and know what should be done.” See how you translated this word in 5:12 or 13:18.

17:9b

The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits: The phrase seven mountains on which the woman sits explains the symbolic meaning of the seven heads. But the phrase seven mountains on which the woman sits is also symbolic itself. The city of Rome is located on seven hills. But Rome might be symbolic of a powerful country or empire. It might be symbolic of the human government controlled by the beast. You should translate the literal meaning of this phrase.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 18:23

18:23a

The light of a lamp will never shine in you again: This clause indicates in several more ways that no one will live in Babylon after this time. Other ways to translate this clause are:

Never again will the light of a lamp be seen in you (Good News Translation)
-or-

⌊No one will ever live in you, so⌋ no lamp will ever shine in you again

lamp: A lamp in Jesus’ time was a small clay bowl in which people burned oil. The bowl was shaped to hold a wick on one side. See how you translated this word in 1:12.

18:23b

and the voices of a bride and bridegroom will never call out in you again: This indicates that people will not get married in Babylon after this time. This is because no one will live there. In Greek, this clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause, as the Berean Standard Bible models.

bride: The word refers to the woman about to marry.

bridegroom: The word refers to the man about to marry.

18:23c

For: This conjunction introduces the reason why God will destroy the city identified as Babylon. Some English versions allow the context to imply its meaning and so do not translate this conjunction.

your merchants were the great ones of the earth: The city’s merchants were the world’s great men in the sense that they were very rich and powerful. The people of the city bought many expensive things. Therefore, the merchants became rich from all that selling. This wealth made them very powerful. Other ways to translate this clause are:

Its merchants were the important people of the world (God’s Word)
-or-
Your businessmen were the most powerful in the whole world

merchants: This word refers to those who buy, sell, and trade as a job. See how you translated this word in 18:3 or 18:15.

the great ones of the earth: The merchants were great because they had a lot of wealth and influence over others. They were greater than all others. For example:

the greatest in the world (New Living Translation (2004))

18:23d

because: This Greek conjunction indicates that 18:23d is the second reason why the city was destroyed. It remained empty and ruined, as described in 18:21c–23a. For example:

and (Revised Standard Version)

all the nations were deceived by your sorcery: The phrase were deceived by your sorcery is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

By your sorcery you deceived all the nations

sorcery: The Greek word refers figuratively to how this city cleverly deceived the nations. Then they were eager to follow her. For example:

you deceived the nations with your sorceries (New Living Translation (2004))

See how you translated this word in 9:21.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 20:10

20:10a

the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur: The clause who had deceived them tells the reader more about the devil. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that there are more than one chief leader of demons. It would also indicate that only this one deceived the nations. If that is true in your language, translate these words so that they tell more about the devil. For example:

the devil was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur. He ⌊was the one who⌋ deceived the nations.
-or-
the devil, the deceiver of the nations, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur

the devil…was thrown: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. The person who threw might be God, Jesus, or the angels. For example:

⌊the angels⌋ threw the devil, who had deceived the nations
-or-

⌊on God’s behalf⌋ ⌊someone⌋ threw the devil, who had deceived the nations

devil: This refers to the leader of the evil spirits, Satan. The Greek word means “slanderer.” See how you translated this word in 20:2.

the lake of fire and sulfur: The Berean Standard Bible literally represents the Greek here. But the fire and sulfur were probably mixed together. Sulfur burns readily. Here the phrase has the same meaning as the phrase “the fiery lake of burning sulfur” in 19:20e. The Greek phrase “fire and sulfur” also occurs in 14:10. See how you translated it there.

20:10b

into which the beast and the false prophet had already been thrown: This clause tells the reader more about the lake of burning sulfur. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that there are other lakes of burning sulfur and the beast and the false prophet had been thrown only in this one. If that is true in your language, translate this clause so that it tells more about the lake of burning sulfur. One way to do that is to start a new sentence here. For example:

The beast and the false prophet had been thrown in there.
-or-
This was the place where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown.

the beast and the false prophet had already been thrown: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊Jesus⌋ had thrown the beast and the false prophet
-or-

⌊the rider on the white horse⌋ had thrown the beast and the false prophet

false prophet: A true prophet is a person who speaks the message that God gives to him. A false prophet is one who speaks a message that does not come from God. Here this phrase refers to the second beast. Other ways to translate this are:

deceitful/lying prophet
-or-
he who says he is a prophet but teaches lies
-or-
spokesman for Satan
-or-
false prophecy say-er

See how you translated this phrase in 16:13 or 19:20.

20:10c

There they will be tormented: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active or intransitive clause. For example:

⌊The lake/fire⌋ will torment them
-or-
they will be in pain (Contemporary English Version)

tormented: This word refers to causing someone to suffer. See how you translated this word in 11:10 or 14:10.

day and night: This phrase indicates that the devil, the beast, and the false prophet will suffer continually.

forever and ever: The Greek phrase is literally “into the ages of the ages.” The word “age” refers to a very long time, so the phrase “the ages of the ages” refers to eternity. For example:

for timeless ages (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 21:27

21:27a

But nothing unclean will ever enter it: The Greek clause is literally “Every profane (thing) shall never enter it.” This clause refers to things as well as people. Translate this clause so that it includes people. For example:

Nothing ⌊or no one⌋ impure will ever enter it
-or-
No impure thing ⌊or person⌋ will ever enter it

unclean: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as unclean is literally “common” or “ordinary.” Here the word is used as an opposite to “holy.” So it means “anything that God says is bad.” Other ways to translate this word are:

unworthy (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
not holy
-or-
against God

21:27b

nor anyone who practices an abomination or a lie: The phrase “will ever enter it” is implied from 21:27a but not repeated here. In some languages it is more natural to include some or all of the implied words. For example:

nor ⌊will⌋ anyone who practices an abomination or a lie ⌊ever enter it⌋

anyone who practices an abomination: The Greek phrase is literally “the (one) doing abomination.” This phrase refers to people who do things that God considers detestable or very awful. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

anyone who does what is shameful (New International Version)
-or-
anyone who does obscene things
-or-
anyone who does what is detestable (NET Bible)

a lie: This word refers to a person who tells lies as a way of life.

21:27c

but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active or intransitive clause. Jesus probably wrote the book, since it is his. For example:

only those whose names ⌊the Lamb⌋ had written in his Book of Life
-or-
only those whose names were in the Lamb’s Book of Life

If you translate according to the last example, your translation should imply that the names were written.

the Lamb’s Book of Life: This phrase refers to a Book that has in it the names of people to whom God will give eternal Life. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the Lamb’s Book ⌊in which is the names⌋ of ⌊those who have⌋ ⌊eternal⌋ life
-or-
the Lamb’s Book ⌊with/having the names⌋ of ⌊those to whom God will give⌋ ⌊eternal⌋ life

See how you translated the phrase “the Book of Life” in 3:5 or 20:12.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 1:6

1:6a

has made us to be a kingdom, priests: There are two issues here.

Issue 1—The Greek text

There is a textual issue here:

(1) The earliest Greek manuscripts have the word “kingdom.”

(2) Some later Greek manuscripts have the word “kings.

It is recommended that you follow option (1).

Issue 2—Meaning

The Greek words are literally “has made us to be a kingdom, priests” (as in the Berean Standard Bible). There are several ways to interpret the Greek phrase:

(1) It indicates that the words priests and kingdom describe the same thing, as in the Revised Standard Version.

(2) It indicates that the kingdom consists of priests. For example:

made us a kingdom of priests (Good News Translation)

(3) It indicates two things unconnected or only loosely connected with each other. He made his people to be a kingdom, and he also made them priests. For example:

He has made us his kingdom and his priests (New Living Translation (1996))

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the Greek words do not have “and” here, nor the grammar indicating “of.” Other ways to translate these words according to interpretation (1) are:

made us a kingdom, ⌊that is,⌋ priests
-or-
made us a kingdom. ⌊He also made us⌋ priests

made us to be a kingdom: These words mean “has caused us to become a united group under one king/leader.” God is the king. Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

has caused us to become a nation/tribe/people-group
-or-
has appointed us as a kingdom (NET Bible)

priests to His God and Father: The Greek words are literally “priests to his God and Father” (as in the Berean Standard Bible). This is a metaphor. Believers are like priests.

They are like priests because they serve God as a way of life. They devote themselves to doing what God wants them to do. There are several ways to translate this figure of speech:

• Keep the figure of speech. For example:

priests for God his Father (God’s Word)

• Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:

to become like priests of his Father God

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

those who serve/worship God his Father

• Keep the metaphor or simile priests and explain the meaning. For example:

priests serving his God and Father (NET Bible)

Translate this figure of speech in a way that makes the meaning clear in your language. Whether you are able to keep the figure of priests will depend partly on the role and function of priests in your culture. See the following note.

priests: A Jewish priest was a religious leader who:

(a) offered sacrifices to God for the people,

(b) led the people in worship, and

Here the word priests refers figuratively to people who serve God as a way of life. They worship God and help others to worship him also. Since Jesus died on the cross as our sacrifice, Christians do not offer sacrifices. If your usual word or phrase for priests focuses on sacrificing animals and food, you should translate the figurative meaning of priests here. For example:

those who always serve God his Father
-or-
people doing his Father God’s will/desire as a way of life

His God and Father: The pronoun His refers to Jesus. The word Father refers to God. In your translation, make sure that it is clear that the phrases His God and Father both refer to the one true God. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

God his Father (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
his God and Father

1:6b

to Him be the glory and power: The Greek words are literally “to him glory and power.” There is no verb in the Greek. The Berean Standard Bible and many other English versions add the verb be. This phrase indicates that John agreed that Jesus had glory and power. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

to him is glory and power
-or-
he is the one who is great and who has power forever
-or-
glory and power belong to him

to Him: The pronoun Him refers to Jesus.

glory: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as glory here refers to the recognition of God having great status. He is greater than anything a person could think of.

power: This word refers to the ability and authority to cause things to happen. It does not refer to physical strength here. The Revised Standard Version translates it as:

dominion

forever and ever: The Greek words are “into the ages of the ages.” It means “always” or “eternally.” Other ways to translate this phrase are:

for evermore
-or-
for all ages to come

Amen: The word Amen is a Hebrew word that means “even so” or “it is true.” It is used to agree with what was said. The Greek borrowed the Hebrew word. English borrowed this word as well.

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

• Translate the meaning. For example:

It is so.
-or-
True!

• Borrow this word and spell it as people in your language would say it. You may then want to explain its meaning in a footnote. An example footnote is:

The word “amen” means “even so” or “it is true.”

General Comment on 1:5d–6b

These clauses contain a description of Jesus Christ and what he has done (1:5d–6a), followed by a call to praise him (1:6b). In some languages it is more natural to translate 1:6b first, and then tell about who Jesus is and what he did (1:5d–6a). For example:

6b Glory and power be to him! 5d He has loved us 5e and shed his blood to free us from our sins! 6a And he has made us into a kingdom, priests to serve his God and Father!

If you do this, you will need to combine the verses as “5–6.”

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2:19

2:19a

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 2:2.

The phrase I know refers to the whole list in 2:19a–c.

your: The pronoun your refers to the angel of this church as the representative of the believers there. In some languages it is more natural to use plural pronouns here. See how you translated the pronoun “your” in 2:2 or 2:13.

your love, your faith: In some languages it is necessary or more natural to express the nouns love and faith as verbs. For example:

the way you love and the way you believe

2:19b

service: This word refers to the work of helping others. An example of this is the seven deacons of Acts 6:1–4. They helped others when they gave food to widows. Here, the word service refers to any kind of help that is done to honor Jesus. In some languages it is necessary or more natural to translate it using a verb. For example:

how you serve/help ⌊others⌋

perseverance: This word indicates that the believers had continued to follow Jesus even though people persecuted them because of it. You should translate this word as you did in 2:2 and 1:9.

2:19c

your latter deeds are greater than your first: This is a comparison. They had been doing well when they had first become believers. Now they were doing even better. Other ways to translate this comparison are:

you are doing now is greater than what you did at first (God’s Word)
-or-
your more recent deeds are greater than your earlier ones (NET Bible)
-or-
you did well before, and/but now you are doing ⌊even⌋ better.
-or-
what you are doing now surpasses how much you did before

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 3:22

3:22

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches: Translate this command as you did in 3:13.

Search

Step into the multitudes of languages of the Bible and join the worldwide conversation!

Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2020