SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2020 – Page 15

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 21:24

21:24a

By its light the nations will walk:
This clause indicates that all the peoples of the world will live in the light that comes from the city. Other ways to translate this clause are:

By its light the people of the world will walk (New Century Version)
-or-
Nations will walk by the light of that city (Contemporary English Version)

walk: This word refers figuratively to how people live. The nations will follow the ways of the people of the city.

21:24b

into it the kings of the earth will bring their glory:
There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as glory :

(1) It means glory, splendor, or majesty. For example:

the kings of the earth will bring their grandeur into it (NET Bible)

(2) It means wealth. For example:

kings will bring their riches there (Contemporary English Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

Here the word glory refers to the kings honoring the city by bringing to it their own splendor or majesty. Another way to translate this clause is:

to it the kings of the earth shall bring their splendour (Revised English Bible)

the kings of the earth: This phrase refers to the leaders of the nations (21:24a).

glory: See how you translated the word “glory” in 21:11a.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 1:3

Paragraph 1:3

1:3a

Blessed: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Blessed describes a person who is in a good situation. In the Bible, the good situation results from God showing favor/kindness to the person.

This word does not primarily refer to a feeling. However, a person in this good situation will frequently have good feelings like happiness and joy. Do not use a word that only refers to material prosperity or physical health.

Other ways to translate this word are:

Favored
-or-
How good it is
-or-
In a good/desirable position ⌊in God’s eyes⌋
-or-
Shown kindness ⌊by God⌋

This is the same word used in Matthew 5:3–11 in the Beatitudes.

reads aloud: In Greek, the word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as reads aloud is more literally “reading.” The Berean Standard Bible supplies the word aloud because at that time the word “reading” normally referred to reading aloud, either to oneself or to others. People did not normally read silently. The context here implies reading aloud to a group (1:3b). However, if possible, translate this word so that it can refer to any kind of reading (See the English Standard Version translation in the Display).

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. A prophecy may reveal something about past events, current events, or future events. The prophet speaks the prophecy to the people or writes it down for their use.

Many scholars believe that Revelation 2:1 through 3:22 are prophecies about things that were happening at the time John received this revelation. Many also believe that 4:1 through 22:17 are prophecies about future events.

Some languages do not have a word for prophecy. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

direct message from God
-or-
God’s ⌊new⌋ message
-or-
a message that God has revealed

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

The word “prophecy” refers to a message that God gives to someone. The message may include a vision. A prophecy may reveal something about past events, current events, or future events.

1:3b

those who hear and obey what is written in it: John referred here to the people who were listening to someone reading this prophecy aloud (1:3a). He was indicating that people who hear the words of this prophecy also have to obey what is written before they are blessed.

obey: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as obey is literally “keep” (as in the Revised Standard Version). Here the word “keep” refers to following what was said and valuing it. Other ways to translate the Greek word are:

live according to it
-or-
do what is written in it (New Century Version)

1:3c

the time is near: This clause indicates that the events in this prophecy will happen soon. Some languages may need to say explicitly what time is near. For example:

the time is near when all these things will happen (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2:16

2:16a

repent!: This word is a command to change one’s mind, heart, and actions. See how you translated this word in 2:5.

2:16b

Otherwise: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Otherwise is literally “But if not.” It introduces what will happen to those holding to the teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans if they do not repent. Other ways to translate the Greek phrase are:

If not, (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
or (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
But if you do not ⌊repent⌋

I will come to you shortly: Christ indicated here that he would come for the purpose of fighting against the sinners in the church in Pergamum (2:16c). This purpose is not in regard to gathering all believers. In other words, this action does not refer to the second coming of Jesus.

2:16c

wage war against them with the sword of My mouth: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as wage war means “make war” (as in the New Revised Standard Version). Other ways to translate this word are:

fight a war against them with the sword of my mouth
-or-
war against them with the sword of my mouth

If this group in the church was sinning believers, then these words refer to severe discipline. If this group was Nicolaitans pretending to be believers, then these words may refer to judging them worthy of death. Translate these words so that they allow either interpretation.

them: This pronoun refers to those people in the church who follow the false teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans.

with the sword of My mouth: This phrase refers to the sword also mentioned in 1:16b and 2:12b. The sword is of Jesus’ mouth because it came out from Jesus’ mouth.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 3:19

3:19a

Those I love, I rebuke and discipline: The phrase Those I love is emphasized in the Greek and the Berean Standard Bible. If possible, emphasize this phrase naturally in your language.

In some languages it is more natural to put this clause in its usual place. For example:

I rebuke and discipline those whom I love

love: This word refers to active concern for another’s well-being.

rebuke: This word refers here to telling someone that they have sinned and need to repent. Other ways to translate this word are:

reprove (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
correct (God’s Word)

discipline: This word refers to training or punishing someone who has sinned. The goal of discipline is for that person to stop sinning and do things the correct way. Other ways to translate this word are:

chasten (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
punish (Good News Translation)
-or-
train (New Jerusalem Bible)

3:19b

be earnest: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as be earnest refers to being eager or diligent to do something. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

be diligent (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
be eager (New Century Version)

repent: See how you translated this word in 2:5 or 3:3.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 6:4

6:4a

another horse went forth. It was bright red: It is implied that the rider (6:4b) is on the horse. But John just described the horse at this point.

In some languages a literal translation would wrongly imply that the horse went forth without a rider. If that is true in your language, you may want to include the implied information here. For example:

another horse ⌊with a rider⌋ came out. This horse was a fiery red one
-or-
another horse ⌊and rider⌋ came out. The horse was a fiery red one

another horse went forth: In some languages the phrase went forth requires saying the place that the horse went from. If that is true in your language, refer generally to something or imply coming out with a different verb. For example:

another horse came out ⌊of something/nothing⌋
-or-
another horse appeared (New Living Translation (2004))

It was bright red: The second horse was bright red. It was similar in color to the bright red coals of a fire.

6:4b

its rider was granted permission: This clause is passive. Translate it in a similar way to the passive clause in 6:2b. For example:

Power was given to its rider
-or-

⌊Someone⌋ gave power to the rider on this horse
-or-

⌊God⌋ gave power to the rider
-or-
Its rider received power

rider: See how you translated this word in 6:2.

permission to take away: The Berean Standard Bible adds the word permission. These verses imply something like permission or “authority.” For example:

the authority to take (New Living Translation (2004))

take away peace from the earth: This phrase indicates that the rider will cause people to argue and fight against each other. They will no longer be at peace with each other. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

remove harmony from among the people on the earth
-or-
cause conflict between everyone on earth

the earth: Here the word earth refers to the people living on the earth. In some languages you may need to make this explicit. For example:

⌊people of⌋ the earth
-or-
human beings

6:4c

men: The word men refers to both men and women here. For example:

people (Good News Translation)

slay: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as slay here refers to killing people during a war. Other ways to translate this word are:

kill (Good News Translation)
-or-
slaughter

6:4d

And he was given a great sword: The clause is passive. Translate this clause similarly to the passive clause in 6:4b. For example:

a great sword was given to him (New American Standard Bible)
-or-

⌊Someone⌋ gave a large sword to him
-or-
He received a large sword

sword: A sword is a hand-held weapon that cuts or stabs. The swords of that time were 60–120 centimeters (2–4 feet) long and made of metal.

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

long knife
-or-
cutting/sharp weapon
-or-
war machete/bush-knife

See how you translated this word in 1:16 or 2:12.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 8:5

8:5a

the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar: The angel already had the censer. The word took refers to holding it differently so that he could easily fill it. For example:

the angel readied the censer and filled it with fire

In some languages it is more natural to omit the word took, leaving the meaning implied. For example:

the angel filled the censer with fire

8:5b

hurled: This English word refers to throwing something forcefully. But the Greek word is the normal word for “throw.” For example:

threw (Good News Translation)

it: This pronoun refers to the censer that the angel filled with fire.

8:5c

peals of thunder: This phrase refers to the loud, booming noises of thunder.

rumblings: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as rumblings is literally “sounds/voices.” Here the word probably refers to the “rolling” sound of thunder and probably the wind. See how you translated this word in 4:5.

8:5d

an earthquake: This word refers to the ground shaking strongly.

General Comment on 8:5c–d

In some languages it is more natural to translate the events that occurred in 8:5c–d with verbs. For example:

Thunder pealed/roared, the sky rumbled, lightning flashed, and the earth shook.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 10:4

10:4a–b

When the seven thunders had spoken, I was about to put it in writing. But I heard a voice from heaven saying: These words indicate that, after they finished speaking, John got his paper and quill ready to write what the seven thunders said. But the voice from heaven interrupted him before he actually wrote anything.

10:4b

a voice from heaven saying: John does not say who spoke here. Use a word or phrase that can refer to anyone in heaven. For example:

speech coming from heaven
-or-

⌊someone⌋ say from heaven

10:4c

Seal up: Here the command Seal up means “do not tell anyone.” For example:

Keep secret (Good News Translation)

General Comment on 10:4b–c

The context implies that John did not write what the seven thunders said. In some languages it is more natural to include the implied information in your translation. For example:

but I heard a voice from heaven say, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said and do not write it down.” ⌊So I did not.⌋

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 12:6

12:6a

And the woman fled into the wilderness, where God had prepared a place for her: God prepared the place for the woman before she arrived. In some languages a time word or other phrase will be needed to make that clear. For example:

The woman fled into the desert to a place that God had prepared for her ⌊earlier⌋
-or-
The woman fled into the desert to a place. God had prepared that place for her ⌊beforehand⌋

wilderness: The Greek word the Berean Standard Bible translates as wilderness refers to a place that is empty, desolate, or uninhabited. Other ways to translate this word are:

desert (New International Version (1984))
-or-
desolate region
-or-
empty land

This word occurs in Matthew 3:1, Mark 1:3, Luke 3:2, and John 1:23. If you have translated any of these verses, see how you translated the word there.

where God had prepared a place for her: This Greek clause is more literally “where she has a place prepared by God” (Revised Standard Version). This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause, as the Berean Standard Bible does.

12:6b

to be nourished for 1,260 days: This clause indicates the purpose for fleeing to that place. It is implied that she was actually taken care of there for that many days. After the woman fled (12:6a), angels began to take care of her.

The Greek grammar probably indicates that the 1,260 days began at this point. Other ways to translate this clause are:

where they took care of her for 1,260 days
-or-
so she could be taken care of for 1,260 days (NET Bible)

to be nourished: The Greek clause is literally “they might take care of her.” It probably indicates that God’s angels took care of her. But the pronoun “they” does not clearly refer to anyone in the previous verses. So some English versions use a passive clause as the Berean Standard Bible does. Other ways to translate this clause are:

they might take care of her
-or-

⌊God’s angels⌋ might take care of her

nourished: The Greek word refers to providing food, but it is implied that shelter and other needs were also provided. Other ways to translate this Greek word are:

taken care of (New International Version)
-or-
looked after (New Jerusalem Bible)

1,260: The Greek phrase uses number words: “one-thousand two-hundred sixty.” See how you translated this in 11:3.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2020