SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2020 – Page 50

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 10:8

Paragraph 10:8–10

10:8a

the voice that I had heard from heaven: This phrase refers to the voice in 10:4b. Translate it similarly to there. For example:

speech coming from heaven that I had heard ⌊earlier⌋
-or-
I heard ⌊that same⌋ ⌊person/someone⌋ from heaven say

10:8b–c

lies open: This phrase indicates that the scroll was still partly unrolled, so that someone could read it. For example:

is open (Revised Standard Version)

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 12:10

Paragraph 12:10–12

12:10a

a loud voice in heaven: John does not say who spoke here, but it does not refer to God (12:10b). Use a phrase that refers to anyone (except God) in heaven. For example:

loud speech in heaven
-or-

⌊someone⌋ say loudly in heaven

12:10b–c

Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ: Here the phrase have come indicates that God’s salvation, power, kingdom, and Christ’s authority are now present and completely in effect.

In many languages it is not possible or natural to use the word come with the words salvation, power, kingdom, and authority. If that is true in your language, you may need to translate differently. For example:

the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ have been completed/achieved
-or-
God’s salvation has arrived! His power is at work! His kingdom is present! Christ’s authority is in effect!
-or-
This is the time when our God finishes the work of saving people, the time of his full power and kingdom, and this is the time when his Christ has full authority.

12:10b

Now: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Now is emphatic. It indicates that finally the time had come. For example:

It has come at last (New Living Translation (2004))

the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God: The phrase of our God belongs to all three nouns: salvation, power, and kingdom. For example:

our God’s salvation, power, and kingdom

salvation: This word refers to saving people from hell, death, or danger. Here it also refers to saving people from the deceiver, Satan. The word is a noun that refers to an event. In some languages it is more natural to use a phrase with a verb here. For example:

saving/freeing by God ⌊of his people⌋
-or-
for God to save mankind
-or-
saving from death

See how you translated this word in 7:10.

kingdom: This word refers to a group of people ruled by one king. For example:

empire (New Jerusalem Bible)

Here the word kingdom probably refers to the fact that God rules over all things. For example:

kingship
-or-
position of ruling ⌊over all things⌋

See how you translated this word in 1:6 or 5:10.

12:10c

authority: This word refers to having the right and power to control or rule over someone or something. Here the word is general and indicates that Jesus has the right and power to do anything he chooses to do.

Christ: The word Christ is a title for Jesus. It means “the anointed one.” See how you translated this word in 1:1 or 11:15.

General Comment on 12:10b–c

The Berean Standard Bible has placed the verb phrase “have come” before the subject. This is a formal English poetic style. In the Greek the verb is in the normal place for a Greek clause. You should place it in the normal place for your language. For example, the Revised Standard Version says:

the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come

General Comment on 12:10b–c

In some languages it is more natural to translate this exclamation as two or more sentences. For example:

Now God’s salvation has come! Now God has shown his power as King! Now his Messiah has shown his authority! (Good News Translation)

12:10d

For: This conjunction introduces the basis for 12:10b–c. 12:10d–f indicate why the salvation, power, kingdom, and authority are in full effect. For example:

because (NET Bible)

accuser: This word refers to someone who claims another person has done wrong. Here the word refers to Satan. Satan is always going to God and accusing believers of sinning. Other ways to translate this word are:

the one who always accuses
-or-
continually blaming person

brothers: This word refers generally to both men and women believers. For example:

brothers and sisters (New Living Translation (2004))

has been thrown down: The clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊they⌋ threw him down

12:10d–e puts the focus on Satan. Some languages may need to reorder the 12:10d–e. For example:

For ⌊Michael and his angels⌋ 10e have thrown down 10d the accuser of our brothers, 10f who accuses them day and night before our God .
-or-
For ⌊Michael and his angels⌋ 10e have thrown down 10d the accuser of our brothers. 10f He accused them day and night before our God.

General Comment on 12:10d–e

Both 12:10d and 12:10e use a form of the word “accuse.” In some languages it is more natural to combine 12:10d–e. For example:

Satan accuses our people in the presence of God day and night. Now he has been thrown out! (Contemporary English Version)

12:10e

he who accuses them day and night before our God: The clause he who accuses them day and night before our God tells the reader more about the accuser (12:10d). In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that there are other accusers and only this one accuses them day and night before our God. If that is true in your language, translate these words so that they tell more about the accuser. One way to do that is to start a new sentence here. For example:

10e has been hurled down. 10f He accuses them before our God day and night.

day and night: This phrase indicates that Satan accuses believers all the time.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 14:6

Section 14:6–13

John heard four messages

In this section, John heard three messages from three angels and one message from someone in heaven. The first angel told everyone to honor God. The second angel announced that God would destroy Babylon. The third angel announced that God would punish those who followed the beast. The fourth speaker encouraged believers who would die before Jesus returned.

Other examples for this section heading are:

Four announcements were spoken
-or-
Angels spoke four messages

Paragraph 14:6–7

14:6a

flying overhead: The word overhead probably refers to being neither high in the sky nor close to the ground. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

across the sky (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
overhead (God’s Word)

14:6b

with the eternal gospel: The Greek words are literally “having an eternal gospel.” There are two ways to interpret it:

(1) It refers to a message : some good news. The good news is told in 14:7. For example:

with an eternal gospel (Revised Standard Version)

(2) It refers to the gospel of Jesus Christ. The message of the angel in 14:7 supports the full gospel mentioned here. For example:

with an eternal message of Good News (Good News Translation)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because many commentators support it. This is the only place in the Greek New Testament where “gospel/good-news” occurs without “the” in front of it. The angel states the message in 14:7b–e. Other ways to translate this clause according to interpretation (1) are:

having an eternal message of good news
-or-
with the following good message for all time

with: This angel flew with this gospel because God had given it to him to tell. Now he was ready to tell it to others. Another way to translate this phrase is:

he bore/carried

eternal: The word eternal indicates that the message will not be changed. Believers should always fear God, glorify him, and worship him (14:7b–d). For example:

everlasting (God’s Word)

14:6c

proclaim: This word refers to speaking loudly so that everyone could hear. For example:

announce (Good News Translation)

those who dwell on the earth: The Greek phrase is literally “the (ones) sitting on the earth.” This phrase refers to people living on earth. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

those on earth (Revised English Bible)
-or-
the peoples of the earth (Good News Translation)

14:6d

to every nation and tribe and tongue and people: The Greek words are literally “even/and to every nation, tribe, language, and people.” This phrase explains “those who live on the earth” in 14:6c. The Berean Standard Bible indicates that it is an explanation by using a long dash at the end of 14:6c. The phrase does not refer to a different group than 14:6c. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

namely, to every nation, tribe, language, and people
-or-

that is, to every nation, tribe, language, and people

every nation and tribe and tongue and people: The word every applies to each of the four kinds of groups. For example:

every tribe, every language, every people, and every nation

See how you translated this phrase in 5:9 or 13:7. But note that the order of the groups is different here.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 16:10

Paragraph 16:10–11

16:10a

fifth: This word refers to the next item after four other things. If counted, this item would be counted as number five. See how you translated this word in 6:9 or 9:1.

throne: A throne is the official chair of a king. It is a symbol for authority to rule. The beast ruled over the people as king. See how you translated this word in 1:4.

beast: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as beast refers to any animal, often a wild animal. The Berean Standard Bible uses the word beast to imply that this being is fierce, dangerous, or evil. The word here refers to a demon or other spirit being that is fierce like a beast. This word probably refers to the first beast. See how you translated this word in 13:1.

16:10b

and its kingdom was plunged into darkness: This clause indicates that the plague caused the kingdom of the beast to become totally dark. This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active or intransitive clause. For example:

and his kingdom became darkened
-or-
so that darkness covered his kingdom (NET Bible)
-or-
and the plague plunged his kingdom into darkness

its kingdom: This phrase refers to both the land and the people under his rule.

16:10c

and men began to gnaw their tongues in anguish: This idiom indicates that the people suffered greatly. The Greek grammar probably indicates that they suffered for some time, not just briefly. Other ways to translate this clause are:

its people began biting their tongues in pain (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
the people were chewing their tongues ⌊because of⌋ the suffering

Some languages do not use the idiom gnaw their tongues to express suffering. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Translate literally, since the reason that they gnaw their tongues was because of their anguish.

• Use the phrase in your language that expresses deep suffering. You may then want to explain the literal phrase. For example:

Literally: “gnawed their tongues.” This phrase expresses great suffering.

men: This word is general and refers to people (as in the Good News Translation and New Jerusalem Bible). Here it refers to the people who followed the beast.

anguish: This word refers to great pain or distress. Other ways to translate this word are:

agony (New International Version)
-or-
great suffering

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 18:3

18:3a

The Greek of 18:3a begins with a conjunction that is often translated as “because” or “for.” For example:

For (New International Version)

This conjunction introduces the reason for Babylon being in ruins and being a home for demons and unclean birds and animals (18:2). Some English versions, like the Berean Standard Bible, omit this conjunction and leave the connection with 18:2 implicit.

All the nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her immorality: This clause has an interpretation issue and also several metaphors. See how you translated the similar clause (“who has made all the nations drink the wine of the passion of her immorality”) in 14:8.

Here the clause indicates that the nations have already drunk the wine of Babylon’s adulteries. For example:

all nations have drunk the wine of her passionate unfaithfulness (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

18:3b

The kings of the earth were immoral with her: This metaphor refers to the shameful deeds and greed of these kings together with the people or leaders of this city. See how you translated this clause in 17:2.

18:3c

the merchants of the earth have grown wealthy from the extravagance of her luxury: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as luxury :

(1) It refers to expensive things that please the senses. For example:

the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living (English Standard Version)

(2) It refers to great desire for sexual intercourse. For example:

the merchants of the world grew rich from her unrestrained lust (Good News Translation)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because it is the usual meaning of the Greek word. See the note below for further explanation of the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as luxury.

merchants: This word refers to those who buy, sell, and trade to make money. These merchants sold things to the people in Babylon.

have grown wealthy: This phrase refers to someone gaining lots of money. For example:

have become rich (New American Standard Bible)

the extravagance of her luxury: The Greek phrase is literally “the power/capability of her luxuries.” The phrase probably refers to Babylon’s vast desire for and ability to buy luxuries. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

her ability to buy excessive luxuries
-or-
she was able to buy many expensive things
-or-
her desires for extravagant luxury (New Living Translation (2004))

luxury: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as luxury refers to things that satisfy sensual desires. This would include things like perfume, expensive clothing, jewelry, and fancy foods. Other ways to translate this word are:

sensuality
-or-
expensive tastes
-or-
desire for sensual/fancy things

General Comment on 18:3c

This clause indicates that Babylon’s greed for luxury goods caused the merchants to become rich. In some languages it is necessary or more natural to put the cause first. For example:

Her luxurious wealth has made the merchants of the earth rich (God’s Word)
-or-
Because of her desires for extravagant luxury, the merchants of the world have grown rich. (New Living Translation (2004))

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 19:11

Section 19:11–21

The rider on a white horse conquered his enemies

In this section, John saw a rider on a white horse. An army followed him. An angel called to the birds to gather. The beast gathered his army, but they lost the battle. Someone captured the beast and the false prophet and threw them into the lake of fire. Birds ate the bodies of the defeated soldiers.

Other examples of headings for this section are:

Jesus fought against the beast and false prophet
-or-
The one riding a white horse won the battle

Paragraph 19:11–16

19:11a

heaven standing open: This clause indicates that John could see into heaven, God’s dwelling place. Other ways to translate this clause are:

heaven opened (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
heaven open (New Jerusalem Bible)

standing open: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as standing open is literally “having been opened.” When John looked, the opening into heaven was already there.

19:11b

and there before me was: The Greek words are literally “and look.” The word “look” emphasizes or calls attention to the words that follow. It also probably indicates surprise or suddenness. The word “look” is not a command to look at the horse. Other ways to translate these words are:

indeed/hey,
-or-
and look,
-or-
and behold,
-or-
suddenly/unexpectedly I saw

See how you translated this phrase in 14:1 or 14:14.

horse: A horse is a large, four-legged animal that weighs 500 kilograms (1100 pounds) or more. They are about 1.5 meters (5 feet) high at their back. People ride horses.

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

• Explain the word in your translation. For example:

riding animals ⌊called horses⌋

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

A horse is a large animal that a person can ride. Some soldiers rode horses to help them fight war.

See how you translated this word in 6:2 or 18:13.

19:11c

And its rider is called Faithful and True: This clause tells the reader more about the white horse. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that John was thinking of other white horses and only this one had a rider…called Faithful and True. If that is true in your language, translate this clause so that it tells more about the white horse. One way to do that is to start a new sentence here. For example:

The rider of the horse is called Faithful and True.

is called Faithful and True: The words Faithful and True describe the rider. The verb called indicates that the words Faithful and True are used as names. For example:

is named Faithful and True (God’s Word)

Faithful: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Faithful refers to someone who is worthy of trust. People can depend on that person. Here the word indicates that the rider was completely reliable, dependable, and truthful in all that he says. Other ways to translate this word are:

Dependable
-or-
Trustworthy (New Jerusalem Bible)

See how you translated this word in 1:5.

True: Here the word True indicates that the rider never tells lies. He is never deceitful.

19:11d

With righteousness He judges and wages war: The phrase With righteousness is emphasized in the Greek and the Berean Standard Bible. If possible, emphasize this phrase in your translation.

With righteousness: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as righteousness is often translated as “righteousness” (as in the Revised Standard Version). Here it indicates that the rider judges and makes war with righteous goals and means. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

justly
-or-
in uprightness (New Jerusalem Bible)

This phrase applies to both “judges” and “makes war.”

judges: The word judges indicates that the rider decides whether or not a person or nation is guilty of wrongdoing.

wages war: This phrase refers to fighting in organized groups. Often one nation wages war against another nation. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

fights a war
-or-
battles

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 21:7

21:7a–b

The one who overcomes will inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he will be My son: Here the words The one, his, he, and son refer to every man and woman who overcomes. For example:

The person who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my child
-or-
Those who win the victory will receive this from me: I will be their God, and they will be my children. (Good News Translation)

overcomes: This word means “triumphs” or “obtains/wins victory.” Here the word refers to having success over sin, evil, and pressure to turn away from Jesus. Other ways to translate this word are:

conquers (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
are victorious (New Living Translation (2004))

Some languages need to say what a believer overcomes. If that is true in your language, you should refer generally to “evil” or “sin.” For example:

defeat ⌊evil⌋
-or-
has victory ⌊over sin⌋
-or-
conquers ⌊anything that causes a believer to stumble⌋

See how you translated this word in 2:7 or 3:5.

inherit: Here the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as inherit refers to a person being given something because it has been promised to him. Here it refers to beginning to live in the new Jerusalem and receiving all the other blessings that God promised to those who believe in Jesus. Other ways to translate this are:

take as your heritage
-or-
receive
-or-
will be given (Contemporary English Version)

all things:
The Greek word is literally “these (things).” It refers to the promises in 21:1–6. Since it refers back, in some languages it is more natural to use “that” or “those” here. For example:

those promises
-or-
all that
-or-
these blessings (Contemporary English Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 22:12

Paragraph 22:12–13

22:12–16

There are several ways to interpret who spoke these verses:

(1) 22:12–16 are the words of Jesus. For example, the God’s Word says:

12 “I’m coming soon! I will bring my reward with me to pay all people based on what they have done. 13 I am the A and the Z, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.

14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. 15 Outside are dogs, sorcerers, sexual sinners, murderers, idolaters, and all who lie in what they say and what they do.

16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give this testimony to you for the churches. I am the root and descendant of David. I am the bright morning star.”

(2) 22:12,13 are the words of someone, probably Jesus ; 22:14,15 are the words of John ; and 22:16 are the words of Jesus. For example, the English Standard Version says:

12 “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay everyone for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. 15 Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

(3) 22:12–15 are the words of the angel, and 22:16 are the words of Jesus. For example, the New Jerusalem Bible says:

…holy. 12 Look, I am coming soon, and my reward is with me, to repay everyone as their deeds deserve. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. 14 Blessed are those who will have washed their robes clean, so that they will have the right to feed on the tree of life and can come through the gates into the city. 15 Others must stay outside: dogs, fortune–tellers, and the sexually immoral, murderers, idolaters, and everyone of false speech and false life.’

16 I, Jesus, have sent my angel to attest these things to you for the sake of the churches. I am the sprig from the root of David and the bright star of the morning.

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because there is no sign in the Greek that the speaker changes in 22:14 (interpretation 2), and 22:12–13 are more appropriate coming from Jesus than from the angel (22:9–11).

22:12a

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. See how you translated this word in 22:7.

I am coming soon: This clause refers to Jesus coming back to his people on earth. The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as soon can also mean “without delay” or “quickly.” See how you translated this clause in 22:7.

22:12b

My reward is with Me: This clause indicates that Jesus is ready to give a reward. For example:

I will bring my reward with me (New Century Version)

My reward: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as reward refers to both benefits and punishment. If possible, use a word that refers to both. In some languages two words are needed to refer to both benefits and punishment. For example:

My reward and my punishment

In some languages it is necessary or more natural to translate the noun reward as a verb or verbs. For example:

I will reward and I will punish

22:12c

to give to each one according to what he has done: This clause indicates that Jesus will both reward good deeds and punish bad deeds. Other ways to translate this clause are:

I will give to each person as his deeds deserve
-or-
I will repay all people according to what they have done

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2020