SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2020 – Page 30

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 20:7

Section 20:7–10

Satan rebelled for the last time

In this section, John saw that Satan was set free and left the Abyss. Then Satan deceived people all over the world and led them in a war against God. But God sent fire and the fire killed all the people in Satan’s army. Then God took Satan and threw him into the lake of fire.

Other examples of headings for this section are:

Satan rebelled a last time and God punished him
-or-
The Defeat of Satan (Good News Translation)
-or-
Satan’s last rebellion, ⌊defeat,⌋ and punishment

Paragraph 20:7–10

20:7a–b

Satan will be released: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. Probably the angel who bound Satan now released him. For example:

⌊the angel⌋ will release Satan

his prison: Satan was locked in the Abyss (20:1–3), so John refers to it as his prison. The word prison refers to a place in which people are locked inside so they cannot leave or escape. Another way to translate this phrase is:

the jail he was in

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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.

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 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.⌋

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2020