SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2020 – Page 26

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 4:6

4:6a

was something like a sea of glass: This clause indicates that John saw something that was like a sea. A sea is a large body of water that is many kilometers wide. The sea that John saw may have been solid like glass or liquid like water. Other ways to translate this clause are:

there is something like a sea of glass (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
something resembling a sea of glass
-or-
something spread out like a sea of glass

a sea of glass: The sea could be made of glass. Or it could be made of something flat and shiny like water that is perfectly smooth. In that way it looked smooth and clear like glass.

as clear as crystal: The Greek words only indicate that the sea of glass was “like crystal” (as in the Revised Standard Version). The comparison to crystal probably indicates that John could see through the sea in the way that someone can see through clear water. So the Berean Standard Bible and some other English versions add the word clear. But “as crystal” may instead refer to it being shiny or flat or angled (rather than rounded).

crystal: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as crystal refers to various substances that are bright, shiny, and have flat surfaces. The Greek word probably refers only to crystals that let light shine through them. Salt and ice are crystals, but here it is probably crystals as hard or harder than stone that are implied. Quartz, diamonds, and sapphires are examples of hard crystals.

Here the focus is on the fact that crystals are shiny and let light shine through them.

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

• Use the characteristics of crystals that are important here. For example:

bright/sparkling, ⌊flat,⌋ and clear

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

Crystals are hard substances that are see-through, shiny, and have flat surfaces.

Paragraph 4:6b–11

4:6b

In the center: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as In the center is literally “in the middle/midst of the throne.” Since God is sitting on the throne, this phrase probably refers to the middle of the throne area. It indicates that the four living creatures were near or next to the throne of God. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

In the center near the throne (God’s Word)
-or-
Close to the throne

around the throne: The living creatures were around the throne, perhaps:

(1) one at each corner,

(2) two on the right side and two on the left side,

(3) one in back and one in front and one on each side.

Use a general phrase like around the throne. This allows for one or more of the above meanings.

four living creatures: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as living creatures is literally “living (ones).” They are beings like angels, cherubim (Ezekiel 1), or seraphim (Isaiah 6). In John’s vision, some of these beings look like various animals (4:7). However, they are able to speak and praise God (4:8). Other ways to translate this phrase are:

four living beings (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
four living things/ones

4:6c

covered with eyes in front and back: These creatures had eyes all over their whole bodies. Other ways to translate this clause are:

full of eyes in front and behind (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
each covered with eyes, front and back (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
with eyes all over them, in front and in back (New Century Version)

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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 6:13

6:13a

stars of the sky: The phrase of the sky describes the location of the stars. It poetically contrasts with the phrase “to the earth.” But in some languages the phrase of the sky is not necessary or natural. For example:

stars (Good News Translation)

of the sky: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sky also means “heaven.” Here the word refers to the place where stars are. Use the normal word in your language here.

In some languages it is more natural to refer to the sky as the place where the stars fell from. For example:

the stars fell from the sky

6:13b

unripe figs dropping from a tree: This kind of fig tree bears edible fruit. Sometimes the tree bears fruit later than the normal time for figs.

In some languages fig trees are not known. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Use the name of a common tree that bears fruit that the wind could blow off the tree as the fruit becomes ripe. You may then want a footnote to explain the literal word. For example:

Literally: “fig tree.”

• Use the major language word. You may want to include a footnote to explain why that tree was chosen for this simile. An example footnote is:

The fig tree is a common tree in Israel that produces late fruit. The autumn winds can easily blow the figs off the tree.

unripe figs: The Greek word here refers to figs that remained unripe late in the fig growing season. They do not ripen. After the growing season, a strong wind can easily blow them off of the tree. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

out of season figs
-or-
late figs (New International Version)

Use a word that describes fruit that a wind could blow off of the trees.

shaken by a great wind: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

when a great wind shakes it

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 9:1

Paragraph 9:1–6

9:1a

Then the fifth angel sounded his trumpet: Translate this clause in a similar way to the other angels sounding their trumpets. See 8:7 or 8:12.

fifth: The word fifth refers to the next item after four other things. If counted, this item would be counted as number five. Other ways to translate this word are:

the one after the other four
-or-
the one after the four of them
-or-
another (after the other four)

9:1b

a star that had fallen: This phrase indicates that the star had already fallen. For example:

a star that had previously fallen

(New International Version🙂 sky: The Greek word that the New International Version translates as sky can refer either to the sky or to heaven. Here John has only said that the star had fallen to the earth. So he probably meant sky here.

9:1c

and it was given the key: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊Someone/They⌋ gave the key to him
-or-

⌊God had someone⌋ give the key to him
-or-
The star received the key

it: The pronoun it refers to the “star” mentioned in 9:1b. Another way to translate this pronoun is:

The star (New International Version)

to: The key opened or unlocked the shaft of the Abyss. In some languages it is more natural to include that implied information in your translation. For example:

to ⌊open⌋
-or-
that ⌊unlocks⌋

the pit of the Abyss: There are several ways to interpret the Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the pit of the Abyss :

(1) It means the shaft that leads to the Abyss. The Abyss is deeper in the earth, and this is the shaft that connects to it. For example:

the shaft leading down to the Abyss (New Jerusalem Bible)

(2) It means the pit is the Abyss. The Abyss is a pit that has no bottom. For example:

the bottomless pit (New American Standard Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the word Abyss means more than a hole in the ground.

(New International Version🙂 shaft: This word refers to a very deep hole that goes straight down or goes in a mostly downward direction. Other ways to translate this word are:

downward tunnel/cave
-or-
hole

Abyss: The word Abyss refers to a very deep pit or chasm. It indicates that the pit or chasm was too deep to measure. Here it probably refers to something underground rather than a chasm, since a shaft leads to it. Here the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Abyss refers to an underground place where the spirits of dead people and demons lived. Other ways to translate this word are:

bottomless pit (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
hole deep beyond measure
-or-
cave/cavern leading to the place of the dead

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 11:2

11:2a

exclude the courtyard outside the temple. Do not measure it: These two clauses have the same meaning. In some languages it is more natural to reverse their order or combine them into one clause. For example:

do not measure the outermost courtyard of temple; ignore it
-or-
do not measure the outer courtyard (New Living Translation (2004))

exclude the courtyard outside the temple: This clause indicates that the outer court was not to be included in measuring the temple area. Other ways to translate this clause are:

Leave out the court which is outside the temple (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
leave that out (English Standard Version)

By excluding the courtyard outside the temple, John would measure only the distance around the inner courts. Within these courts was the temple.

In some languages it is more natural to explain what was measured. For example:

exclude the outer court ⌊and measure only the wall around the inner courts and the temple⌋

courtyard outside the temple: The temple in Jerusalem was surrounded by several courtyards. The phrase courtyard outside the temple refers to the area inside the outermost wall. But it does not include the courtyard of women, the courtyard of men and the courtyard of the priests.

The courtyard outside the temple was set aside for people who were not Jews. They could worship God there. They were not allowed into any of the other courts. John was told to measure the size of the temple and the inner courtyards that surrounded the temple. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the outer courtyard of the temple (NET Bible)
-or-
the outermost court/area of the temple

11:2b

it has been given over to the nations: This clause indicates that God allowed the non-Jews, often referred to as “the Gentiles,” to occupy or control this courtyard. The clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊God⌋ has given it to the Gentiles

it: This pronoun refers to the outer court.

the nations: Here the word nations refers to people who are not Jews. Here the word refers to people who are not the people of God. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the Gentiles (New International Version)
-or-
foreigners
-or-
the heathen (Good News Translation)
-or-
those people who don’t know God (Contemporary English Version)

11:2c

they will trample: The word trample means to walk over something and stomp on it so as to destroy it. Here it refers figuratively to oppressing people.

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

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

They will oppress

You may then want to explain the Greek word in a footnote. For example:

Literally: “trample.”

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

The word “trample” refers figuratively to oppressing the people in the holy city.

the holy city: The scholars have various opinions about what this phrase refers to. Translate this phrase literally.

holy: Here this word refers to the city as being dedicated for God’s use. Other ways to translate holy are:

set apart
-or-
special ⌊in God’s eyes⌋

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 12:15

12:15a

from the mouth of the serpent spewed water like a river: In the Greek, the phrase from the mouth of the serpent is not emphasized like it is in the Berean Standard Bible. For example:

the serpent vomited water from his mouth, like a river (New Jerusalem Bible)

serpent: The devil is referred to as “the dragon” in 12:3b–13a. He is also referred to as “the dragon” in 12:16b–12:1a and following verses. The devil is referred to as the serpent in 12:9b and here.

The change from “dragon” to serpent here is probably only for poetic style. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer to someone other than the devil. If that is true in your language, you may want to use the word “dragon” here.

spewed water like a river: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as spewed is literally “threw.” But the action is “from his mouth,” so in English the natural translation is “vomited water” (as in the New Jerusalem Bible). Also, the simile like a river explains that it was a large amount of water. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

forcefully poured water
-or-
spouted water (NET Bible)
-or-
tried to drown the woman with a flood of water that flowed from his mouth (New Living Translation (2004))

12:15b

to overtake the woman and sweep her away in the torrent: This clause indicates the purpose or desire of the serpent. He wanted to catch the woman and sweep her away in the water to drown her. However, this did not happen. Other ways to translate this clause are:

so that the flood would carry her away
-or-
to sweep her away with the flood (Revised Standard Version)

In some languages it is more natural to refer to the water. For example:

so that the water would overtake the woman and sweep her away with the torrent

overtake: This refers to the water moving faster than the woman as she fled. Then the water would reach her and carry her away.

sweep her away: Here the words sweep her away refer to lifting the woman off her feet and carrying her away in the rushing flood. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

carry her off
-or-
wash her away
-or-
sweep her away by a flood (NET Bible)

It is implied that the woman would drown in the flood. For example:

to drown her in its flood (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 14:11

14:11a

And the smoke of their torment rises: The fire and sulfur of 14:10c torment those who worship the beast. So the smoke from that fire is evidence of their continuing torment. In some languages it is more natural to explain the metaphor in your translation. For example:

And the smoke ⌊from the fire⌋ of their torment rises
-or-
And the smoke from their burning pain will rise (New Century Version)

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

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

See how you translated this phrase in 1:6 or 10:6.

14:11b–d

Day and night there is no rest for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name: The Greek words are literally “They do not have rest day and night, the ones worshiping the beast and its image and anyone who takes the mark of his name.” The words “The ones worshiping the beast and its image and anyone who takes the mark of his name” explain to whom the pronoun “They” refers. For example:

they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name (Revised Standard Version)

Also see the General Comment on 14:11b–d about reordering it.

14:11b–c

Day and night: This phrase means “at all times.” The suffering does not stop at any time.

there is no rest: This phrase indicates that the torment never ceases. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

There is no relief (Good News Translation)
-or-
There will be no respite (Revised English Bible)

In some languages it is necessary or more natural to translate the word rest as a verb. For example:

They will not be able to rest ⌊from the torment⌋

14:11d

anyone who receives the mark of its name: The mark is the symbol of the beast’s name, as explained in 13:16c–18d. See a similar phrase in 14:9.

General Comment on 14:11b–d

The Greek begins with the pronoun “they.” Then it explains to whom the pronoun refers. In some languages it is more natural to describe them first. For example:

11c Those who worship the beast and his image, 11d or anyone who receives the mark of his name 11b will have no rest day or night.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 16:15

Paragraph 16:15

16:15a–b

This verse interrupts the story of the sixth angel. The verse was probably placed here in response to talking about the “great day of God Almighty.” Jesus wants his followers to be ready for that day.

Therefore, you may want to:

• Indicate that the verse interrupts the narrative. The Berean Standard Bible and Good News Translation use a separate paragraph for this verse. The Revised Standard Version puts this whole verse in parentheses. The New Jerusalem Bible puts a long dash before and after this verse. The NET Bible uses an indented paragraph and parentheses. Almost all the English versions on Translator’s Workplace include this in quotation marks to show that it is Jesus interrupting what John saw. For example:

(“See, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and is clothed, not going about naked and exposed to shame.”) (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-

14…on that great judgment day of God the Almighty.

15 “Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed.”

16 And the demonic spirits gathered… (New Living Translation (2004))

• Indicate in your translation that Jesus spoke. For example:

⌊Suddenly Jesus spoke,⌋ “Look, I will come like a thief! Favored is the one who remains alert and keeps his clothes on, so that he will not be naked and people see his shame/nakedness.”
-or-

⌊Jesus interrupted,⌋ “Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.”

• Put this verse after 16:16 and name the combined verses 16:15–16. You may then want to make clear that the warning refers to the “great day of God Almighty.” For example:

⌊Regarding the great day of God Almighty, the Lamb said,⌋ “Behold, I come…

This verse is a warning from Jesus. It warns believers to be ready.

16:15a

Behold: This word means “look.” The word emphasizes or calls attention to the words that follow. It is not a command to look at something. Other ways to translate this word are:

Indeed/Hey
-or-
Look (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Listen! (Good News Translation)

I am coming like a thief: This clause indicates that Jesus will come unexpectedly, as thieves do. The phrase like a thief does not mean that he will come to steal. It has the same meaning as in 3:3. See how you translated it there.

16:15b

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⌋

See how you translated this word in 1:3 or 14:13.

16:15b–c

the one who remains awake and clothed: These words refer figuratively to a believer being prepared and ready for something to happen.

In some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer only to being awake and keeping clothes nearby. It would not refer to being prepared and ready for something to happen. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

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

These words refer figuratively to a believer being prepared and ready for something to happen.

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

⌊being prepared/ready like⌋ the person who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him

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

he who is prepared and ready

You may then want a footnote to explain the literal words. For example:

Literally: “he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him.”

the one: The words the one refers to anyone, man or woman.

remains awake: The Greek word here can mean “be awake” (as in the Revised Standard Version, New International Version, and Good News Translation) or “be on watch” (as in the New Jerusalem Bible). Translate this phrase so that it clearly refers to a believer remaining strong in his faith.

clothed: The Greek words are literally “keeping his clothes.” It probably implies wearing and guarding the clothes. Other ways to translate these words are:

has kept his clothes on (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
guards his clothes (Good News Translation)

16:15d

go naked: The Greek words are literally “walk naked.” It refers to being naked in public. For example:

walk around naked (Good News Translation)

let his shame be exposed: The Greek clause is literally “they see his shame” (as in the King James Version). The pronoun “they” is general and refers to anyone.

The word “shame” refers to the feeling of being naked in public, which would cause him shame. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

be ashamed in public (Good News Translation)
-or-
people see his shame/nakedness

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 18:8

18:8a

her plagues will come: The Berean Standard Bible literally represents the Greek here. This clause indicates that Babylon will suffer from these plagues. Other ways to translate this clause are:

she will experience her plagues (NET Bible)
-or-
she will be struck with plagues (Good News Translation)
-or-
plagues shall strike her (Revised English Bible)

The plagues are listed in 18:8b. The Berean Standard Bible indicates the list of plagues follows by using a long dash (—) at the end of 18:8a. The New International Version indicates that by using a colon.

plagues: Here the word plagues refers to “death and grief and famine” (18:8b). In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate only sicknesses. If that is true in your language, use a word that can refer to death, mourning, and famine. For example:

disasters

in one day: God will punish her with all the plagues in one day. This phrase also implies that the plagues will be sudden.

18:8b

death and grief and famine: This phrase is a list of Babylon’s plagues (18:8a). Clearly indicate that death and grief and famine are her plagues. For example:

namely, death, mourning, and famine

The Berean Standard Bible uses punctuation as described in the previous note.

death: There are several ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as death :

(1) The Greek word here has its literal meaning of death. For example:

death (New Living Translation (2004))

(2) The Greek word here means fatal disease. For example:

pestilence (Revised Standard Version)

(3) The Greek word here refers to disease in general. For example:

disease (Good News Translation)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because that is the usual meaning of the Greek word.

grief: This word is the same Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “grief” in 18:7b. You may want to translate it with the same word here.

famine: This word refers to an extreme shortage of food. During a famine, people die from hunger.

18:8c

she will be consumed by fire: This clause indicates that a fire will burn Babylon completely. The clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

Fire will burn her ⌊to ashes⌋
-or-
They will completely burn her

consumed: Here the word consumed indicates that Babylon will be completely burned by fire.

18:8d

for: This conjunction introduces the reason why Babylon will be consumed by fire.

mighty is the Lord God who judges her: The Berean Standard Bible and some English versions have the description (the adjective mighty) before the one described. This is an English poetic style. In some languages it is more natural to have the description after. For example:

the Lord God, who judges her, is mighty (Good News Translation)

mighty: This word not only refers to physical strength, but probably also to great authority. God has both the power and authority to judge Babylon.

the Lord God who judges her: The clause who judges her tells the reader more about God. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that there are other gods and only this one judges her. If that is true in your language, translate this clause so that it tells more about God. For example:

the Lord God. He judges her.
-or-
her judge is the…Lord God (Contemporary English Version)

Lord: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Lord means “the one who has authority over (others),” or “owner.” God has authority over everyone. See how you translated this word in 4:8 or 17:14.

judges her: The word judges refers to deciding if someone is guilty or innocent of wrongdoing. The context implies that the Lord judged Babylon to be guilty. So he punished her with death, mourning, and famine (18:8b).

In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate only that God judged her, but he did not punish her. If that is true in your language, include some of the implied information. For example:

judges/judged her ⌊in that way⌋
-or-
judges/judged her ⌊and punished her with those plagues⌋

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2020