SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2020 – Page 20

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.

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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

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 9:14

9:14a–b

Release: This word probably means “set free” here. The four angels were in some way restrained, but now they were allowed to go. For example:

Free (New Century Version)

the four angels who are bound: The word bound refers to being tied or prevented from moving freely. These angels were prevented from leaving their place at the Euphrates river. They were prevented from leaving there long ago, before John heard about them. God caused them to remain there.

Translate bound with a word that refers generally to being prevented from moving freely. The angels were probably not tied with earthly things like rope.

The clause who are bound is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

the four angels whom ⌊God⌋ caused to remain there

the four angels: These are probably four demons. In some languages the translation of angel only refers to beings that obey God. If that is true in your language, use a word or phrase that refers to demons or evil spirits. For example:

the four demons

the great river Euphrates: The word great probably means both “big” and “important” here.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 11:14

Paragraph 11:14

11:14a

The second woe has passed: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as woe here means “trouble” or “distress.” See how you translated the word woe in 9:12.

11:14b

Behold: 11:14b begins with the Greek word that means “look.” The word emphasizes or calls attention to the words that follow. The word is not a command to look at something. The Berean Standard Bible translates this word as Behold. The New International Version does not explicitly translate this word. The Good News Translation uses an exclamation point to show the emphasis. Other ways to translate this word are:

indeed/hey,
-or-
and look/listen,

third: This word 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 8:10.

In some languages it is more natural to use “last” here.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 13:9

Paragraph 13:9–10

13:9

He who has an ear, let him hear: This saying urges readers to think carefully about what was about to be said next. It is similar in meaning to the same saying in 2:7, but here it refers to what John is about to say. For example:

If someone has ears, let him hear this :
-or-
Since you(plur) have ears ⌊that can hear⌋ , then listen(plur) to this :

See how you translated this saying in 2:7 or 3:22.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 15:3

15:3a

sang: The Greek grammar probably indicates that the people sang for some time. For example:

were singing (New Jerusalem Bible)

the song of God’s servant Moses: The phrase God’s servant describes Moses.

the song of…Moses: The phrase the song of…Moses probably refers to:

(1) A song that Moses sang or wrote that is not recorded in the Old Testament.

(2) A song with some of the same themes as Moses’ songs in Exodus 15:1–18 and Deuteronomy 32:1–43.

Translate in a way that allows for one or both meanings. For example:

the song belonging to Moses
-or-
the song by Moses
-or-
the song that…Moses…had sung (Contemporary English Version)

servant: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as servant can also be translated as “slave.” The word indicates that Moses belonged to God and served him. The word “slave” is used figuratively to indicate that Moses obeyed God well. See how you translated this word in 7:3 or 11:18.

15:3b

and of the Lamb: This phrase probably indicates that this song is about Jesus or is a song to Jesus. For example:

the song sung to the Lamb
-or-
the song about the Lamb

the Lamb: This phrase is a symbolic title for Jesus. See how you translated this title in 5:6 or 14:1.

General Comment on 15:3a–b

The Greek word usually translated “saying” occurs before the words of the song. It indicates that the words of the song follow in 15:3c–4e. The Berean Standard Bible and other English versions use the colon (:) to indicate that the words of the song follow. Indicate that 15:3c–4e are the words of the song. For example:

and the song of the Lamb, saying, (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
and the song of the Lamb, which was :

15:3c

Great and wonderful are Your works, O Lord God Almighty!: The direct address to God occurs after what is said to him. In some languages it is more natural to have the direct address first. For example:

Lord God Almighty, great and wonderful are your deeds

In some languages it is necessary or more natural to translate works using a verb. For example:

Lord God All-Powerful, the things you have done are great and wonderful!

Great and wonderful are Your works: The Berean Standard Bible and other English versions have the description before the thing described. This is an English poetic style. In some languages it is more natural to have the description second. For example:

Your deeds are great and wonderful

Lord: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Lord means “the one who has authority over (others),” or “owner.” God is ruler over all things. See how you translated this word in 1:8 or 14:13.

Almighty: This word is a title which means, “one with the power to do anything.” For example:

the All-Powerful (NET Bible)

See how you translated this word in 1:8 or 11:17.

15:3d

Just and true are Your ways: The Berean Standard Bible and other English versions place the description before the thing described. This is an English poetic style. In some languages it is more natural to place the description second. For example:

Your ways are just and true

Just: Here the word Just refers to doing what is right. Other ways to translate this word are:

right (Good News Translation)
-or-
upright (New Jerusalem Bible)

true: Here the word true refers to God’s ways not being deceitful.

ways: This word usually means “roads” or “paths.” It refers here to actions, sayings, and attitudes that show what kind of person someone is. In some languages it is necessary or more natural to translate this word using a verb or verbs. For example:

all that you do and say

O King of the nations: There are two issues with this phrase.

Issue 1—The Greek text

There is a textual issue here:

(1) Some Greek manuscripts have the nations. For example:

Just and true are your ways, King of the nations! (New Revised Standard Version)

(2) Some Greek manuscripts have the ages. For example:

just and true are your ways, O King of the ages (Revised English Bible)

(3) A few later Greek manuscripts have the saints. For example:

just and true [are] thy ways, thou King of saints (King James Version)

It is recommended that you follow option (1).

Issue 2—Direct address

In the Greek and the Berean Standard Bible, this direct address to God occurs after what is said to him. In some languages it is more natural to have the direct address first. For example:

King of the nations, just and true are your ways
-or-
Ruler of all nations! Just and true are your ways!

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 17:6

17:6a–b

the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints and witnesses for Jesus: This clause indicates that the woman drank the blood of the saints and witnesses for Jesus, which, in this symbolism, caused her to be drunk, that is, intoxicated as if drinking much wine.

17:6a

the blood of the saints: This phrase is an idiom that indicates that someone murdered the saints. The image of the first beast (13:15) or the woman caused their deaths. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the blood ⌊from the dead bodies⌋ of the saints
-or-
the deaths of the saints

The word blood is used in the same way as in 17:6a.

saints: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as saints means “holy ones.” The word refers to all believers. For example:

God’s people (Good News Translation)

See how you translated this word in 5:8 or 16:6.

17:6b

and witnesses for Jesus: The Greek text begins here with a conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and. The English versions interpret this conjunction in two ways:

(1) The conjunction means even, so 17:6b describes “the blood of the saints” in 17:6a. For example, the New Living Translation (2004) says:

with the blood of God’s holy people who were witnesses for Jesus

(2) The conjunction means and, so two groups are referred to here. For example, the New American Standard Bible says:

and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the expressions in both 17:6a and 17:6b probably refer to believers who would not renounce Jesus. But if the major language version follows interpretation (2), you may want to follow that.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

namely, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus
-or-
that is to say, those who testify about Jesus

witnesses for Jesus: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as witnesses for Jesus :

(1) The word refers to those who publicly spoke about Jesus and called him their Lord. For example:

the witnesses to Jesus (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
those who testify about Jesus (God’s Word)

(2) The word refers to those who were faithful to Jesus. For example:

those who were killed because of their faith in Jesus (New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) because of similar use of the word in 1:2b, 1:9e, 6:9c, and 12:11b.

Paragraph 17:6c–8

17:6c

And I was utterly amazed at the sight of her: The Greek says: “Having seen her, I marveled (with) great wonder.” Other ways to translate these words are:

I was very surprised when I saw her (God’s Word)
-or-
This surprising sight amazed me (Contemporary English Version)

Since 17:6a mentions seeing the woman, it is more natural in some languages not to repeat that here. For example:

I was very amazed

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 18:20

Paragraph 18:20

18:20a–b

There are three ways to interpret who spoke this verse:

(1) The voice from heaven (18:4–19) continued speaking. The voice stopped telling what the ship captains and the others said in 18:19. For example:

19…in one hour she has been laid waste!’ 20 Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, because God has pronounced judgment for you against her.” (New American Standard Bible)

(2) John spoke. The ship captains and the others stopped speaking in 18:19. For example:

19…And in one hour she has lost everything!”

20 Be glad, heaven, because of her destruction! Be glad, God’s people and the apostles and prophets! For God has condemned her for what she did to you! (Good News Translation)

(3) The ship captains and the others (18:17b) continued speaking. For example:

19…In one hour she has been laid waste.

20 Rejoice over her, O heaven, saints and apostles and prophets, for God has given judgment for you against her!” (Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). For example, in 12:12 a voice from heaven commanded heaven to rejoice. Interpretation (3) is unlikely because it would indicate that the ship captains and the others would weep and mourn the destruction of Babylon and then praise God. Interpretation (2) is unlikely because it is unlikely that John would command heaven to rejoice.

The voice from heaven spoken all of 18:4–20 but John has not referred to it since 18:4. It has also quoted what others have said.

In some languages it is not clear who is speaking here. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain who is speaking in your translation. For example:

⌊The voice from heaven continued and said,⌋ “Rejoice…
-or-

⌊The voice from heaven concluded,⌋ “Rejoice…

• Explain who is speaking in a footnote. An example footnote is:

The voice from heaven continued speaking here.

18:20a

Rejoice over her, O heaven, O saints and apostles and prophets:
The Greek clause is literally “Rejoice over her, heaven and saints and apostles and prophets!” The phrase telling who is being addressed (heaven…saints and apostles and prophets) occurs after what is said to them. In some languages it is more natural to say who are being spoken to first. For example:

O heaven, saints, apostles, and prophets, rejoice over her!

Rejoice over her: This clause indicates that heaven and the others are to rejoice regarding what happened to Babylon. God has judged her and punished her, which was the right thing to do. Other ways to translate this clause are:

Rejoice over her fate (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Rejoice about ⌊how God has judged⌋ her

O heaven: This phrase refers to all those in heaven. In some languages it is not natural to speak directly to a place. If that is true in your language, you may need to refer to the people there. For example:

⌊All those in⌋ heaven
-or-

⌊Everyone in⌋ heaven

saints: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as saints means “holy ones.” It refers to all believers. For example:

God’s people (Good News Translation)

See how you translated this word in 5:8 or 17:6.

apostles and prophets: These apostles and prophets are saints/believers who have the gift of apostleship or prophecy.

apostles: In general, the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as apostles refers to those sent with a message. They are representatives or messengers of a higher authority. Here it refers to those sent to other cities with the gospel of Jesus (as were Barnabas and Saul in Acts 13:1–3).

Some ways to translate this word are:

• Translate the meaning. For example:

representatives
-or-

⌊special⌋ messengers
-or-
sent-people

If this word is too general, you may need to add the words “of Jesus Christ” to show from whom they got their authority. An example is:

representatives ⌊of Jesus Christ⌋

• Use the major language word or phrase.

See how you translated this word in 2:2.

prophets: A prophet is a person to whom God gives a message. The message (often called a “prophecy”) may include a vision, as in Ezekiel 1 and Daniel 8. A message, called a prophecy, may reveal something about past events, current events, or future events. The prophet speaks God’s message to the people or writes it down for their use. See how you translated this word in 2:20 or 16:6.

18:20b

because: This conjunction introduces the reason that heaven and God’s people should be glad. For example:

for (Revised Standard Version)

But in some languages it is necessary or more natural not to translate the conjunction. Do this if the context implies in your language that 18:20b is the reason that heaven and God’s people should be glad.

God has pronounced for you His judgment against her: This clause indicates that God had judged and punished Babylon for persecuting the people of God. Other ways to translate this clause are:

God has condemned her for what she did to you! (Good News Translation)
-or-
God has punished her because of what she did to you (New Century Version)

pronounced…judgment: The words pronounced…judgment indicates that God looked at the facts and then decided that Babylon was guilty of wrongdoing.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2020