SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2020 – Page 45

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 3:14

Section 3:14–22

Jesus spoke to the church at Laodicea

In this section, Jesus spoke to the people who believed in him at Laodicea. He knew that they believed in him but they were not serving him well. He warned them to stop being lazy and encouraged them to work properly for him. Lastly, he gave a promise to any believer who persevered in his faith.

Translate this section heading as you did for the other messages to the churches.

Paragraph 3:14–20

3:14a

To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: You should translate this clause in the same way as you did in 3:1. Only change the name to Laodicea.

3:14b–d

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Originator of God’s creation: This clause is an introduction to the words in 3:15–22. You should translate the phrase These are the words of in a similar way to 3:1.

Jesus spoke these words about himself. He continues to speak in 3:15 with “I.” In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that Jesus was talking about someone else here. If that is true in your language, indicate that Jesus spoke about himself. For example:

These are my words, and I am the Amen. I am the faithful and true witness, and ⌊I am⌋ the source of God’s creation.

3:14b

the Amen: This phrase is used as a title. The word Amen is a Hebrew word that means “even so” or “it is true.” It is used to agree with what was said. Here it indicates that Jesus agrees with all of God’s promises and plans. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the One ⌊named⌋ the Amen
-or-
the One called Amen (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
the One Who Says “True!” ⌊to God’s promises⌋

This phrase is used as a title for God in Isaiah 65:16 (literally “(the) God of ‘Amen’ ”). There the Berean Standard Bible translates it as “the God of truth.”

See how you translated the word Amen in 1:6.

3:14c

the faithful and true Witness: This phrase indicates that Jesus is someone who is trustworthy and who always speaks the truth. He faithfully declares the things God told him to say. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the witness who is faithful and true (God’s Word)
-or-
the trustworthy, the true witness (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
the One who faithfully and truthfully testifies ⌊about God⌋

See how you translated the similar phrase (“the faithful witness”) in 1:5.

faithful: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as faithful refers to someone trustworthy and dependable. Jesus Christ is reliable and worthy of trust.

true: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as true here refers to the fact that Christ is truthful and genuine. He does not misrepresent what God told him to say.

Witness: The word Witness refers to a person who speaks about something he has seen or heard or knows. Here Jesus is a witness to God and what he wanted Jesus to say.

3:14d

the Originator of God’s creation: There are several ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Originator :

(1) It means source or origin. Jesus was the one who created the universe. For example:

the origin of all that God has created (Good News Translation)
-or-
the beginning of God’s creation (Revised Standard Version)

(2) It means ruler, as in the New International Version.

(3) It means principle. For example:

the Principle of God’s creation (New Jerusalem Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This phrase indicates that Jesus was the source or origin of everything that God made. It does not mean that God created Jesus first and then created other things. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the source of God’s creation (God’s Word)
-or-
the originator of God’s creation (NET Bible)

God’s creation: The word creation refers to all that God has made. This includes the earth, the sun, the stars, people, and all the plants and animals. Jesus himself is not part of this creation but has always existed with God. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

all that God has created/made
-or-
everything that God brought/spoke into existence

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 5:13

Paragraph 5:13–14

5:13a

every creature: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as creature refers to all beings that God created. This includes angels, people, fish, and animals. For example:

all the living things in creation (New Jerusalem Bible)

5:13b

in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea: This phrase refers to all the different places that the creatures (5:13a) live.

in heaven: Here the phrase in heaven refers to the place where God lives.

under the earth: This phrase refers to the place where the spirits of dead people are. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

in the place of the dead
-or-
where the dead are

See how you translated this phrase in 5:3.

sea: Here the word sea refers to large bodies of water. A sea is often so large that someone standing on one side cannot see the other side. Some languages do not have a word or phrase for “sea.” If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain the meaning in your translation. For example:

the saltwater ⌊place⌋
-or-
large body of water
-or-
large round water

• 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:

The word “sea” refers to a large body of water. A sea is often so large that someone standing on one shore cannot see the other shore.

5:13c

all that is in them: This phrase indicates that some of the creatures live in the earth and that some of the creatures live in the sea. This would include such animals as moles and fish.

5:13d–e

You may want to translate these words of praise as a poem or song.

5:13d

To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb: The first phrase refers to God. See how you translated it at 5:1. The second phrase refers to Jesus.

5:13e

be praise and honor and glory and power: There is no verb in the Greek. The Berean Standard Bible and many other English versions add the verb be. This phrase indicates that all the created beings agreed that God and the Lamb have praise and honor and glory and power. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

is praise and honor and glory and power
-or-
praise and honor and glory and power belong to him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
-or-
we all praise and honor him who sits on the throne and the Lamb and they(dual) are great ⌊above all⌋ and have power ⌊over all⌋

In some languages it is more natural to translate the four abstract nouns as verbs. See how you translated these words in 5:12 (where the Berean Standard Bible translates the word praise as “blessing”).

power: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as power means “power,” “rule,” and “sovereignty.” Other ways to translate this word are:

dominion (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
ruling power (NET Bible)

forever and ever: The Greek phrase is literally “into the ages of the ages.” The phrase means “always” or “eternally.” Other ways to translate this phrase are:

for evermore
-or-
for all ages to come

You should translate this phrase as you did in 1:6 or 1:18.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 7:17

7:17a

For: This conjunction introduces the reason why believers will no longer suffer from hunger, thirst, or heat. For example:

because (Good News Translation)

the Lamb in the center of the throne: The Greek words are literally “the Lamb in the middle/midst of the throne.” This phrase probably has the same meaning as in 5:6b–c. There the Lamb is in the midst of the throne, the four living creatures, and the elders. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the Lamb at the throne
-or-
The lamb in the center near the throne (God’s Word)

See how you translated this phrase in 5:6.

will be their shepherd: The Greek words are literally “will shepherd them.” The verb “shepherd” refers to watching over, protecting, and leading sheep or goats to new pasture. Here the phrase indicates that the Lamb watches over, protects, and provides for his people. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

will shepherd them (NET Bible)
-or-
will watch over them

7:17b

‘He will lead them to springs of living water’: This clause refers figuratively to providing for people’s needs. Like shepherds lead sheep to food and water, the Lamb will lead believers to the things they need. For example:

he will guide them to springs of life-giving water (Good News Translation)

springs: Here the word springs refers to places where water arises out of the ground.

living water: The Greek phrase is literally “water of life.” This phrase indicates that the water is the source of life. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the water of life (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
water that gives ⌊eternal⌋ life
-or-
life-giving water (Good News Translation)

7:17c

‘God will wipe away every tear from their eyes’: This clause implies that believers will not suffer or be sad again. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer only to wiping tears, without giving true comfort. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Include this implied information in your translation. For example:

He will wipe every tear from their eyes ⌊so that they will not be sad ever again⌋

• Translate the meaning with this implied information. For example:

God will remove all their grief and sorrows
-or-
God will comfort them so that they never cry/weep again

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 9:20

Paragraph 9:20–21

9:20a

who were not killed by these plagues: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

whom these plagues did not kill
-or-
who survived these plagues (Revised English Bible)

plagues: This word refers to disasters that harm a lot of people. Here it refers to the fire, smoke, and sulfur. See how you translated this word in 6:8 or 9:18.

9:20b

still did not repent: The word still indicates that even after seeing all those terrible plagues, the people did not repent. For example:

still refused to repent (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
still did not renounce (Revised English Bible)

repent: This word refers to changing one’s mind and actions. The people did not stop sinning. They did not begin to obey God. Some other examples are:

turn away from their sin
-or-
change their hearts/ways
-or-
leave the sinful/evil ways

See how you translated this word in 2:5 or 3:3.

the works of their hands: This is an idiom that refers to what people do. Here it is implied that the people did evil things. See 9:20c–21b for what these works are. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

their evil deeds (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
the ⌊evil⌋ things that they had been doing

9:20c

The Greek begins with the word “that.” It indicates that 9:20c–d is a list of “the work of their hands.” Other ways to translate this word are:

that is, they did not…
-or-
namely, they did not…
-or-
For they did not…

The Berean Standard Bible, Good News Translation, and New Century Version begin a new sentence here. They allow the context to imply that 9:20c–d are examples.

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

venerating
-or-
revering

See how you translated this word in 4:10 or 5:14.

demons: This word refers to evil spirit beings. These demons are not spirits of dead people.

9:20d

idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood: Some idols were made of gold, some idols were made of silver, some idols were made of bronze, some idols were made of stone, and some idols were made of wood. Some idols may have been made with more than one of these materials. But this phrase does not indicate that each idol was made from all these materials.

idols: This word refers to images or statues that people worship or revere as representing a god.

gold: The word gold refers to a rare metal of a somewhat yellow color. It was the most expensive metal at that time. It is naturally shiny and beautiful. See how you translated this word in 1:12 or 9:7.

silver: The word silver also refers to a precious metal, though it is not as rare and expensive as gold. But it is still somewhat expensive. When polished it was used as a mirror. It was used in coins and decorations.

Some languages do not have a word for silver. If that is true in your language, you should 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:

Silver is also a precious metal, though it is not as rare and expensive as gold. When polished it was used as a mirror. It was used in coins and decorations.

bronze: This word refers to a metal made from a mixture of copper and tin. The Greek word also refers to pure copper or brass. (Brass is a mixture of copper and zinc.) The metal called bronze is a yellowish-brown color. Copper is a reddish-brown metal color. Some kinds of coins are made of bronze or copper. (The other common color of coins is silver-colored.)

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

• Explain the word in your translation. For example:

⌊brown/tan metal called⌋ bronze
-or-

⌊reddish brown metal called⌋ copper

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

brown/tan metal
-or-
reddish brown metal

• Use the major language word.

See how you translated this word in 1:15.

9:20e

which cannot see or hear or walk: These images or statues cannot see or hear or walk. Therefore, they are unable to help those who worship them. For example:

which cannot either see or hear or walk (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
things that cannot see or hear or walk (New Century Version)

The New Century Version uses the word “things,” which implies that the idols are not alive.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 12:1

Section 12:1–17

The woman fled from the dragon

In this section, John saw several signs or symbols representing spiritual reality. The first sign was a woman, representing the people of God. The second sign was a dragon, representing Satan. The woman was about to give birth, and the dragon wanted to kill the child. The child is symbolic of Jesus as the Christ. God took the son to heaven and protected the woman.

In 12:7–12, John interrupted the story of the woman and the dragon to tell about the war between the dragon and the angels. These verses help explain why the dragon wanted to kill the woman. In 12:13, John continued the story of the woman and the dragon.

Other examples of headings for this section are:

The sign of the dragon chasing the woman
-or-
The vision of the woman and the dragon
-or-
The ⌊spiritual⌋ conflict of God’s people and Satan

Paragraph 12:1–2

12:1a

And a great sign: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as a great sign refers to something that has a symbolic meaning. A sign suggests or points to something other than itself. Other ways to translate the Greek phrase are:

a great and wondrous sign (New International Version (1984))
-or-
a great and mysterious sight (Good News Translation)
-or-
a great portent (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
a great wonder (King James Version)

great: Here the word great refers to the intensity or importance of the sign. The word does not refer to size here. Other ways to translate this word are:

spectacular
-or-
amazing

appeared: This word indicates that before this time the sign was not visible and then suddenly it was visible.

heaven: The Greek word can mean either “heaven” or “sky.” There are two ways to interpret the Greek word:

(1) The word means heaven here, as in the Berean Standard Bible. This word refers generally to the location where John saw these things. The vision appeared or occurred in the spiritual realm.

(2) The word means sky here. This word further indicates that the sign appeared above the ground with the sky as its background. For example:

the sky (Good News Translation)

People in John’s time generally understood the spiritual realm to be up in the sky. Greek only has one word to refer to both heaven and sky. Some languages, like English, have two different words. If that is true in your language, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the same Greek word in 11:19 clearly refers to heaven.

12:1b–c

The symbols of the sun, moon, and twelve stars indicate that the woman probably represents Israel. Or it may represent all people who believe in Jesus as the Christ. These believers are then represented as the spiritual Israel. In either case, the woman represents the people of God.

12:1b

a woman clothed in the sun: This clause refers to the sun covering the woman like clothing covers a person. Other ways to translate this clause are:

a woman whose clothes were the sun (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
a woman robed with the sun (Revised English Bible)

with the moon under her feet: This phrase can mean either:

(1) The bottom of the woman’s feet touched the moon.

(2) The moon was a small distance below her feet.

Translate this phrase so that it allows both meanings. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

and who had the moon under her feet (Good News Translation)
-or-
and the moon was under her feet (New Century Version)

12:1c

a crown of twelve stars on her head: The phrase on her head is emphasized in the Greek. For example:

on her head a crown of twelve stars (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
her head was crowned/wreathed with twelve stars

If possible, emphasize the phrase on her head in a way that is natural in your language.

a crown of twelve stars: This phrase probably indicates that the stars were placed around her head like a crown. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

a crown/wreath made of twelve stars
-or-
twelve stars ⌊in a circle⌋ like a crown

crown: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as crown refers to a victor’s wreath. It was worn on the head as a sign of having won a contest.

But here, the word probably refers to the twelve stars placed around her head so that it looked like a wreath of stars. Other ways to translate this word are:

wreath
-or-
headdress

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 13:15

13:15a

The second beast was permitted: This clause is passive. Some ways to translate it are:

• Use a passive clause. For example:

Permission was given to him
-or-
it was allowed (Revised Standard Version)

• Use an active clause. Probably the dragon or the first beast gave the permission. (God allowed the second beast to have the power as a part of his plan.) For example:

⌊the dragon⌋ gave power to him

• Use a verb that implies that someone gave permission to him. For example:

he received permission

to give breath to the image of the first beast: These words probably refer to causing the statue to move and speak by some means, which John does not tell us. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

put breath into the idol, so that it could speak (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
breathe life into the image (Good News Translation)
-or-
give life to the image (NET Bible)

13:15b

so that the image could speak: This phrase implies that the image spoke. In some languages a literal translation would not imply that the statue actually spoke. If that is true in your language, indicate that it did speak. For example:

so that it spoke

13:15c

and cause all who refused to worship it to be killed: There are two ways to interpret the Greek words here:

(1) The image caused those who refused to worship it to be killed. For example:

Then the statue commanded that anyone refusing to worship it must die. (New Living Translation (2004))

(2) The beast caused those who refused to worship the image to be killed. For example:

And the second beast was given power to command all who will not worship the image of the beast to be killed. (New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the Greek form of the two verbs “speak” and “cause” indicate that they are parts of one purpose statement for what the image will do. That purpose statement starts with “so that” in 13:15b.

cause all who refused to worship it to be killed: The clause be killed is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

cause ⌊someone⌋ to kill all who refused to worship the image
-or-
order ⌊someone⌋ to kill all who refused to worship the image, ⌊and that person did so⌋

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 16:1

Section 16:1–21

The angels poured the seven bowls

In this section, each of the seven angels in turn poured God’s wrath from his bowl. Each angel caused a different plague to happen on the earth. The people of the earth suffered greatly from the plagues, but they refused to repent.

Other examples of headings for this section are:

The seven angels poured God’s wrath from seven bowls
-or-
The seven bowls of God’s anger

Paragraph 16:1–2

16:1a

a loud voice from the temple saying: John does not say who spoke here, but it probably does not refer to God (16:1b). Use a word or phrase that can refer to anyone (except God) in heaven. For example:

loud words coming from the temple which said
-or-

⌊someone⌋ spoke loudly from the temple

temple: The word temple refers to a building where God, or another deity, is believed to be present in a special way. People worship there. See how you translated this word in 3:12 or 15:5.

16:1b

Go: The command Go indicates that the seven angels were to go from heaven down to earth.

pour out on the earth the seven bowls of God’s wrath: When the angels pour the contents of their bowls on the earth, it is symbolic of God doing something based on his wrath. The pouring of each bowl describes a different part of God’s angry response to the people living on earth.

bowls of God’s wrath: The phrase bowls of God’s wrath means “bowls containing God’s wrath” (as in the NET Bible). In this vision, God’s wrath is like liquid in the bowls. These are the same bowls mentioned in 15:7. See how you translated the similar phrase there.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 17:12

Paragraph 17:12–14

17:12a–b

The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom: This clause indicates that the ten horns represent ten future kings. For example:

The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet begun to rule (Good News Translation)

17:12b

received a kingdom: This phrase probably indicates that someone would make each of these ten people a ruler over a region or country. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

received royal power (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
come into power (Contemporary English Version)

17:12c

will receive one hour of authority: This phrase will receive…authority implies that someone will give these kings the authority to rule. Probably the dragon will give the authority and God will allow it as part of his plan. Your translation should not imply that the ten kings took the authority themselves. For example:

who for one hour will be given authority
-or-
to whom the ⌊dragon⌋ will give authority for one hour

one hour: Here the phrase one hour refers to a short time, not a literal hour. It might be the same length of time that the beast reigns (42 months) or it might be less than that time. You should:

• Use a word or phrase in your language that can refer figuratively to a short amount of time. For example:

an hour
-or-
a day

• Use a word or phrase that refers generally to a short time. For example:

a short time

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2020