SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2020 – Page 33

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!

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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.

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

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 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.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2020