SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2020 – Page 32

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 19:9

Paragraph 19:9

19:9a

the angel told me: The Greek word is literally “he-said.” Here “he” could refer to:

(1) Whoever spoke 19:6–8a. This being (or beings) had such a powerful voice that John described it as sounding like a great multitude (19:6a).

(2) Whoever spoke 19:5.

(3) Whoever spoke 19:1–3 or perhaps someone in chapter 18.

(4) The angel referred to in 17:1.

You should translate so that it allows any of these interpretations. The Berean Standard Bible and other English versions do so by not describing which angel this is.

to write: This word is a command to write the words spoken in 19:9b. For example:

Write this, (New Jerusalem Bible)

19:9b

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. It also indicates that God approves of this kind of person.

This word does not primarily refer to a feeling. However, a person in this good situation will frequently have good feelings such as 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 16:15.

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

those whom ⌊God⌋ has invited

invited: This word refers to God asking all believers to come to this celebration.

marriage supper: In Jewish custom, a large meal was part of the wedding celebration. Here, the time of day that the meal will be eaten is not implied or important. For example:

wedding supper (New International Version)
-or-
the feast celebrating the marriage

19:9c

he said to me: The Greek clause is literally “he says to me.” The pronoun he refers to the same speaker as in 19:9a. Also, this clause indicates that the command to write the exact words (19:9a–b) has ended but the person continued speaking. For example:

He also told me (God’s Word)

These are the true words of God: This clause emphasizes that the words in 19:9b are indeed God’s words and that they are true. For example:

These things that God has said are true (Contemporary English Version)

These: Here this word refers back to 19:9b. In some languages it is more natural to use “those” when referring back.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 21:5

Paragraph 21:5

21:5a

And the One seated on the throne: This phrase refers to God (21:7b). John described him here instead of referring to him directly. For example:

the One sitting on the throne (New Jerusalem Bible)

John named God as the being seated on the throne in other verses (for example, 19:4). It should be clear here that the words the One refer to God. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer to someone else. If that is true in your language, imply or indicate that the phrase refers to God. For example:

The One who sits on the throne ⌊and rules everything⌋
-or-
The ⌊great/greatest⌋ One who sits on the throne
-or-

⌊God,⌋ sitting on the/his throne,

See how you translated a similar phrase “the One seated on the throne” in 6:16.

Behold, I make all things new: The Greek clause here begins with the word “look” (as in the New Jerusalem Bible). The Berean Standard Bible translates this Greek word as Behold. The word emphasizes or calls attention to the words that follow. Other ways to translate this clause are:

Look/Listen, I am making the whole creation new
-or-
Indeed/Hey, I am making all things new

21:5b

Then He said: God spoke to John here. For example:

He also said to me (Good News Translation)

Write this down: This clause refers back to 21:5a or to 21:3b–5a. In some languages it is more natural to use the word “that” or “those” when referring back. For example:

Write that
-or-
Write those things

for: This conjunction introduces the reason that God commanded John to write down those words.

faithful: This word refers to something one can depend on. What God said will certainly happen. Other ways to translate this word are:

reliable (NET Bible)
-or-
can be trusted (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 22:10

Paragraph 22:10–11

22:10a–b

Do not seal up the words of prophecy in this book: The phrase seal up refers to putting a seal on something. Here a seal would prevent others from reading the book. The angel wanted John to let others know what was in the book. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

do not prevent others from knowing the words of the prophecy of this book
-or-
Share the words of the prophecy of this book, do not hide them
-or-
Do not keep secret the words of prophecy in this book (New Century Version)

See how you translated the word “sealed” in 5:1.

the words of prophecy in this book: This phrase indicates that this book contained the words of prophecy to which the angel referred. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the prophetic words in this book (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
the words of the prophecy of this scroll (New International Version (2011))

See how you translated this phrase in 22:7.

22:10c

the time is near: This clause indicates that the things in this revelation will happen soon. For example:

the time is near ⌊when these things will happen⌋

See how you translated this clause in 1:3.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 1:16

1:16a

He held in His right hand seven stars: Here the phrase He held in His right hand implies that Jesus had authority or care over something.

He held: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as held also means “had.” Here the word indicates that Jesus in some way possessed or controlled the seven spirits and the seven stars. Translate using a word with that meaning. For example, the King James Version says:

He had

stars: This word is symbolic of the churches (1:20). But you should use the normal word for stars here.

In some languages a literal translation would not communicate the meaning of these images. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain in a footnote. For example:

This implies that Jesus had authority or care over the stars. The stars are symbolic of the churches.

1:16b

a sharp double-edged sword came from His mouth: Here the word came indicates that the handle of the sword was in his mouth and the blade of the sword extended forward from his mouth. The word here does not indicate that the sword was leaving his mouth. The NET Bible translates this as:

a sharp double-edged sword extended out of his mouth

double-edged: This word indicates that both edges of the blade of the sword were sharpened.

sword: A sword is a hand-held weapon that is used to cut or stab. The swords of that time were 60–120 centimeters (2–4 feet) long and made of metal. The picture shows some of the various kinds of swords used at that time.

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

• Translate the meaning in your translation. For example:

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

• 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:

A sword is a hand-held weapon that is used to cut or stab. The swords of that time were 60–120 centimeters long and made of metal.

1:16c

His face was like the sun shining at its brightest: This clause indicates that his face was shining very brightly, just as the sun shines. Another way to translate is:

His face was ⌊shining brightly⌋ like the sun shines in all its brilliance

at its brightest: The Greek phrase is literally “in its power.” This phrase refers to the sun shining very brightly, and it implies that no clouds block the sun’s light. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

in full strength (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
at its brightest time (New Century Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2:29

2:29

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches: Translate this saying as you did in 2:11.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 4:10

4:10a

fall down: Here the phrase fall down refers to kneeling and putting the face to the ground with arms outstretched toward someone. This position showed complete humility before that person and honored him. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

prostrated themselves (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
throw themselves to the ground (NET Bible)

Some 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 action here. See how you translated this phrase in 3:9, where the Berean Standard Bible translates it as “bow down.”

4:10b

and they worship Him who lives forever and ever: The elders worshiped the one before whom they had fallen down. See the General Comment on 4:10a–b below.

worship: This word refers to honoring someone or something as sacred/divine. Other ways to translate this word are:

venerate
-or-
revere

If possible, refer to your translation of this word in Matthew 2:2, Luke 4:8, or 1 Corinthians 14:25.

General Comment on 4:10a–b

The phrase “fall down before the One seated on the throne” (4:10a) refers to worshiping God. The phrase “worship Him who lives for ever and ever” (4:10b) also refers to worshiping God. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly imply or indicate that these two phrases refer to worshiping two different people. If that is true in your language, you may want to combine the two phrases into one phrase. For example:

the twenty-four elders fall down before the forever-living one who sits on the throne, and they worship him

4:10c

They cast their crowns before the throne, saying: The elders do this during their worship (4:10b). In some languages it is more natural to connect 4:10c to their worship. For example:

and threw down their crowns in front of the throne, saying (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-

10b worship him who lives forever and ever, 10c laying their crowns before the throne and saying

crowns: The crowns of the elders are a symbol of leadership, just like the crowns of kings. Translate this word as you did in 4:4.

saying: They probably all spoke in unison. So, as in 4:8c, you may want to translate this word as:

say ⌊together⌋
-or-
chant

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 6:17

6:17a

For: This conjunction introduces the reason for what they said in 6:16b–c. For example:

because (God’s Word)

the great day of Their wrath has come: The phrase has come indicates that the day on which the people spoke these words was the great day of Their wrath.

In some languages it is necessary or more natural to translate has come in a different way. For example:

the great day of their wrath is today
-or-
It has become the great day of their wrath

the great day: Here the word great indicates that the day is important or extraordinary. This day is a special day when God and Jesus will punish the unbelievers on the earth. To those people, this day will be extremely terrifying. So you should not use a word that implies they are happy about this day. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the terrible day (Good News Translation)
-or-
the extraordinary day
-or-
the unique day

day of Their wrath: This phrase refers to the day when God and the Lamb will be very angry. They will express their anger by punishing people. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

day when God and the Lamb show their anger
-or-
day when God and the Lamb are angry and punishing us(excl.)

6:17b

who is able to withstand it?: This is a rhetorical question. It emphasizes the fact that no one can stand. Some ways to translate this are:

• Use a rhetorical question. For example:

who can stand against it? (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
who is able to survive? (New Living Translation (2004))

• Use a statement. For example:

No one can stand against it!
-or-
Indeed, no one will survive!

withstand: Here this word refers to enduring or surviving. See the above examples.

General Comment on 6:16–17

The people spoke to the mountains and rocks. In some languages a literal translation is not natural. If that is true in your language, you may need to translate 6:16 as a wish or desire. For example:

16a They wanted the mountains and rocks 16b to fall on them and hide them from the face of him who sits on the throne 16c and from the wrath of the Lamb. 17a They shouted, “The great day of their wrath has come, 17b and who can stand?”
-or-

16a They wished/desired that the mountains and rocks 16b would fall on them. They wished/desired the mountains and rocks to hide them so that God on the throne could not see them 16c and the Lamb would not punish them in his anger. 17a They exclaimed, “The great day of their wrath has come. 17b Nobody will be able to endure it!”

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 9:5

9:5a–b

The locusts were not given power to kill them, but only to torment them for five months: The power here is the same power mentioned in 9:3b. This sentence further describes that power.

9:5a

The locusts were not given power to kill them: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊God⌋ did not give to them the power to kill those people
-or-
the locusts did not receive the power to kill those people

9:5b

torment: This word refers to causing someone to feel severe pain. Other ways to translate this word are:

cause pain (New Century Version)
-or-
torture (New International Version)
-or-
make them suffer (Contemporary English Version)

General Comment on 9:5a–b

In some languages it is more natural to first describe the power these creatures did have. For example:

They were given power to torture them for five months, but not to kill them.

9:5c

torment: Translate this word the same way as in 9:5b.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2020