SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2020 – Page 50

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 9:19

9:19a

For: Here the Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For introduces an explanation for the plagues. Some English versions omit the conjunction. Connect 9:19a to 9:18 in a way that is natural in your language.

the power of the horses was in their mouths and in their tails: The horses killed people with the plagues from their mouths. They also hurt people with bites of their snake-like tails.

the power of the horses: Here the word power refers to the ability to hurt people. The word does not refer to physical strength here. In some languages including this implied information in your translation will make the meaning clearer. For example:

The power of the horses ⌊to hurt people⌋
-or-
The horses’ ability ⌊to kill people⌋

9:19b

indeed: This conjunction introduces an explanation of 9:19a. For example:

because (NET Bible)

Some English versions only use a semi-colon or leave the connection implied.

having heads with which to inflict harm: This clause explains how the tails of the horses were like snakes. Their tails had something that looked like the heads of poisonous snakes. Other ways to translate this clause are:

and had heads which inflicted wounds (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
with heads, and they use them to hurt people (Good News Translation)
-or-
having heads that were able to hurt/wound people

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 11:19

Paragraph 11:19

11:19a

the temple of God in heaven was opened: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active or intransitive clause. For example:

⌊God⌋ caused his temple in heaven to open
-or-

⌊God⌋ had ⌊someone⌋ open his temple in heaven
-or-
God’s temple opened

11:19b

the ark of His covenant: Here the word ark refers to a wooden box that held things related to Israel’s covenant with God. The box was about 110 centimeters (45 inches) long, 70 centimeters (27 inches) wide and high. It was beautifully carved and covered with gold. Two gold statues of beings like angels stood upon the lid, which was also made of gold (Exodus 25:10–22).

Below is an artist’s guess of what the ark looked like. The ark has not been seen since the Babylonians conquered Jerusalem 600 years before Jesus’ time.

Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the Covenant Box (Good News Translation)
-or-
the box/chest of his covenant
-or-
the Ark that holds the agreement God gave to his people (New Century Version)
-or-
the chest that symbolized/signified God’s covenant with his people

If you have translated Hebrews 9:4, see your translation there.

covenant: This word refers to a binding agreement made between two people or groups. It establishes a relationship of peace, cooperation, or friendship between them. They promise to be faithful to this agreement.

God made an agreement with Israel. He promised to be their God and they promised to obey him. For example:

agreement (New Century Version)
-or-
treaty

If you have translated Romans 11:27, Luke 1:72, or Acts 3:25, see your translation there.

11:19c–d

there were flashes of lightning, and rumblings, and peals of thunder, and an earthquake, and a great hailstorm: The Greek clause is literally “lightning, noises, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a great hailstorm occurred.” Other ways to translate this clause are:

lightning, distant and loud thunder, an earthquake, and a great hailstorm occurred/happened
-or-
Then there were flashes of lightning, noises, thunder, an earthquake and a great hailstorm. (New Century Version)
-or-
Then lightning flashed, thunder rumbled and roared/crashed, the earth shook/quaked, and much hail fell.

11:19c

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 or 8:5.

peals of thunder: This phrase refers to the loud booming noises of thunder.

11:19d

earthquake: This word refers to the ground shaking strongly.

great hailstorm: The word “hail” refers to frozen rain. A piece of hail can be as small as a raindrop or bigger than a fist. Big hail falling from the sky can do much damage and even kill people. The words great hailstorm refer to a great amount of probably big hail falling from the clouds. Some languages do not have a word for hail. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

storm of frozen rain
-or-
storm of rain turned to ice
-or-
storm of balls of ice
-or-
storm of cold hard rain

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

The word “hail” refers to frozen rain. A piece of hail can be as small as a raindrop or bigger than a fist.
-or-
See footnote on hail at 8:7.

See how you translated the word “hail” in 8:7.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 13:14

13:14a–b

The verse labeled 13:14b in the Berean Standard Bible is before 13:14a in the Greek. In some languages it is more natural to follow the Greek order (13:14b before 13:14a). See the General Comment at the end of 13:14b.

13:14a

Because of: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Because of indicates that the beast used the signs to deceive the people. For example:

by (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Through (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
by means of (Good News Translation)

it was given to perform: This is literally “which were given to him to do.” This is a passive clause. Some languages must use an active clause. Probably the dragon gave the power. (God allowed the beast to have this power as a part of his plan.) For example:

the signs which ⌊the dragon⌋ gave authority to him to do
-or-
the signs which he received power to do

on behalf of: Translate this phrase the same way you choose to translate the phrase “before him” in 13:12a (where the Berean Standard Bible translates it as part of the phrase “of the first beast”).

13:14b

it deceived those who dwell on the earth: This indicates that the beast caused people to believe lies and do wrong things. The same word occurs at 2:20d. There the Berean Standard Bible translates it as “misleads.” Here it probably indicates that it deceived people throughout the 42 months.

those who dwell on the earth: This phrase refers to people living on the earth. Another way to translate it is:

the people of the world

General Comment on 13:14a–b

The Berean Standard Bible has reordered these two clauses. In some languages it is more natural to follow the Greek order. For example:

14b He was deceiving the inhabitants of the earth 14a by the signs which were given to him to perform on behalf of the beast.
-or-

14b It fools those who live on earth 14a by the miracles it has been given the power to do. It does these miracles to serve the first beast. (New Century Version)

13:14c

telling them to make an image: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as make means to construct or build the image. The word also implies putting the image in a public place. For example:

The beast told them to build an image (Good News Translation)
-or-
He told those who live on the earth to make an image (NET Bible)

an image: Here the word image refers to a statue that looks like some person or some thing. This statue looked like the first beast:

a statue (God’s Word)

to the beast: The Berean Standard Bible literally represents the Greek here. This phrase indicates that the people honored the beast by making the statue that looked like him:

for the beast (Revised Standard Version)

13:14d

that had been wounded by the sword: This refers to the wound mentioned in 13:3a. It is not a new wound. This clause is passive. Some languages must use another kind of clause. For example:

whom ⌊someone⌋ wounded with the sword
-or-
who had the wound of the sword (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
who had a/the/that deep cut from a sword

sword: A sword is a sharp hand-held weapon that cuts or stabs. The swords of that time were 60–120 centimeters (2–4 feet) long and made of metal. See how you translated this word in 1:16 or 6:4.

General Comment on 13:14c–d

It is strongly implied that the people made the statue as the second beast told them to (13:14c). In some languages it is more natural to include this implied information at the end of 13:14d. For example:

…and yet lived. ⌊And they did so.⌋

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 15:8

15:8a–b

the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active or intransitive clause. For example:

The smoke from the glory and the power of God filled the temple (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
the temple was full of smoke from the glory of God and from his power

15:8b

smoke from the glory of God and from His power: The smoke is evidence that the glory of God and his power were in the temple. The phrase implies that God was present at the temple. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

smoke which came from the glory and power of God
-or-
smoke that was a sign that the glory and power of God was there

glory: Here this word refers to brightness. Much light comes from God. The word symbolizes greatness, power, splendor, and majesty. Other ways to translate this word are:

splendor
-or-
radiance

See how you translated this word in 1:6 or 14:7.

15:8c

no one could enter the temple: This clause indicates that it was not possible for anyone to enter the temple. No one could force their way in. Other ways to translate this clause are:

no one was able to enter the temple (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
it was not possible for anyone to enter the temple

15:8d

until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed: This clause indicates that the seven plagues from the angels were not yet finished. The context indicates that the plagues had not yet occurred. 16:1–21 tells the details of the seven plagues from the seven bowls.

This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active or intransitive clause. For example:

until the seven angels finished pouring out the seven plagues
-or-
until the seven plagues of the seven angels were past and over (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
the seven plagues from the seven angels came to an end

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 17:11

17:11a

that was, and now is not: See how you translated these words in 17:8. Note that the conjunction and occurs between the clauses here. As in 17:8, there is implied contrast between the two clauses.

is an eighth king: The context probably indicates that the beast will become a king when he ascends from the Abyss (17:8b). In some languages it is more natural to refer to this future time. For example:

will be an eighth king
-or-
will return as the eighth king (Contemporary English Version)

eighth: The word eighth here refers to the last of a total of eight kings. There may have been other kings of this empire or kingdom, but only eight are being considered here. Some languages use a phrase for the meaning of the word eighth. For example:

the one after the other seven
-or-
who became king after the seven kings

17:11b

who belongs to the other seven: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as belongs :

(1) The beast was like or connected to the other seven kings in some way. For example:

He is like the other seven. (New Living Translation (2004))

(2) The beast was one of the seven kings earlier and became king again. For example:

who is one of the seven (Good News Translation)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because it best follows the meaning of the Greek words.

17:11c

is going into destruction: These words indicate that it is God’s plan that the beast will be destroyed. See how you translated these words in 17:8.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 19:1

Section 19:1–10

A huge crowd praised God

In this section, a huge crowd praised God because God had punished Babylon. The twenty-four elders in heaven and the four living creatures around the throne in heaven worshiped God in response.

Then a voice from the throne urged all who follow God to praise him. Another crowd (or possibly the same crowd as in 19:1–3) praised God for gathering believers to Jesus. This gathering was referred to as a wedding. An angel told John a message for him to write.

Other examples of headings for this section are:

Crowds/Multitudes sang songs of victory and praise
-or-
Various groups sang songs of ⌊victory and⌋ praise
-or-
Rejoicing in Heaven (English Standard Version)

Paragraph 19:1–3

19:1a

After this: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as this is literally “these (things).” It refers to what John had already seen and heard. This clause introduces a new scene in heaven. For example:

After those things
-or-
After that

I heard a sound like the roar of a great multitude: This clause probably indicates that John only heard the shouting. He did not see who made this sound. So he described what he thought it sounded like. For example:

I heard what seemed to be the great sound of a huge crowd (New Jerusalem Bible)

the roar of a great multitude: The Greek is literally “a great voice/sound of a large crowd.” The crowd said the words of 19:1b–2d together.

great multitude: John did not say whether this great multitude consisted of angels, people, or both. Your translation should allow this phrase to refer to either people or angels, or both.

heaven: Here the word heaven refers to the place where God lives.

19:1b

shouting: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as shouting is literally “saying.” The Berean Standard Bible uses the word shouting because John indicated it was loud (19:1a). Use the verb that is natural in your language to describe people talking loudly.

Hallelujah: This Hebrew word means “praise Yah(weh).” Yahweh is God’s name based on Exodus 3:14. The word occurs often in Psalms 113–118. For example, see Psalm 113:1, where the Berean Standard Bible translates it as “Praise the Lord.” Other ways to translate this word are:

• Spell the Hebrew word as people in your language would say it. People in your area may already use this word. For example:

Alleluia (New Jerusalem Bible)

You may then want to explain the meaning of the word in a footnote. An example footnote is:

This Hebrew word means “praise Yah(weh).” Yahweh is God’s name based on Exodus 3:14.
-or-
This Hebrew word means “praise God.”

• Translate only the meaning of this word. For example:

Praise God! (Good News Translation)
-or-
Let us praise God!

19:1c

Salvation and glory and power belong to our God:
The Greek phrase is literally “Salvation and glory and power of our God.” It acknowledges God’s Salvation and glory and power. God has saved his people, and he has glory and power. Other ways to translate this clause are:

Our(incl.) God has brought ⌊us⌋ salvation! Our God has glory and power!
-or-
Let us acknowledge our God who is glorious, ⌊who is⌋ powerful, and ⌊who⌋ saved ⌊his people⌋

Salvation: This word refers to rescuing someone from hell, death, harm, or danger. Here God has rescued his people from Babylon. The word Salvation is a noun that refers to an event. In some languages it is more natural to use a verb here. For example:

saving/freeing by God ⌊of his people⌋
-or-
for God to save mankind/us(incl.)
-or-
saving from death

See how you translated this word in 7:10 or 12:10.

glory: This word refers to brightness. It symbolizes greatness, power, splendor, and majesty. Other ways to translate this word are:

splendor
-or-
radiance

In some languages it is more natural to translate this noun as an adjective. For example:

Our(incl.) God is glorious!

See how you translated this word in 4:9.

power: This word refers to the ability to cause things to happen. It does not refer only to physical strength. In some languages it will be more natural to translate this word as an adjective. For example:

Our(incl.) God is powerful!

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 20:12

20:12a

And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne:
The conjunction And here introduces something else that John saw. For example:

I also saw… (Contemporary English Version)

the dead: This phrase refers to people who have died. For example:

all the dead people (Contemporary English Version)

great and small: This phrase refers to people of high status and low status. It implies people of all classes and position in society. The phrase does not refer to physical size. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

great and humble
-or-
both of high and lowly position/place
-or-
Every one of them was there, no matter who they had once been. (Contemporary English Version)

See how you translated this phrase in 11:18 or 19:18. The order of the words (“small and great” instead of “great and small”) does not change the meaning of the phrase.

20:12b–c

And there were open books, and one of them was the Book of Life: In the Greek, these clause are passive. Some languages must use active clauses. God or someone on his behalf opened the books. For example:

⌊someone⌋ opened books. Then ⌊someone⌋ opened another book
-or-

⌊God had someone⌋ open some books. Then ⌊God had him⌋ open another book
-or-

⌊God⌋ opened some books. Then ⌊God⌋ opened another book

20:12c

the Book of Life: This phrase refers to a Book that has in it the names of people to whom God will give eternal Life. Some languages must translate the meaning in a more specific way. For example:

the book ⌊in which are the names⌋ of ⌊those who have⌋ ⌊eternal⌋ life
-or-
the book ⌊with/having the names⌋ of ⌊those to whom God will give⌋ ⌊eternal⌋ life

See how you translated this phrase in 3:5 or 17:8.

20:12d

And the dead were judged: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊God⌋ judged the dead

according to their deeds, as recorded in the books: The verb recorded is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. God wrote the names in the books, or had someone write the names in the books. For example:

what they had done as ⌊God⌋ had written in the books
-or-
what they had done as ⌊God has caused⌋ ⌊someone⌋ to write in the books

according to their deeds, as recorded: This phrase indicates that the deeds were written in the books at an earlier time. For example:

all that they had done, which had been recorded ⌊earlier⌋

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 22:2

22:2a

down the middle of the main street of the city: The river splits this street down its length into two parts.

22:2b

On either side of the river stood a tree of life: The Greek words are literally “on this (side) and on that (side) of the river (a/the) tree of life.” There are several ways to interpret the Greek words:

(1) It refers to one tree that spans the river. For example, the Revised Standard Version says:

on either side of the river, the tree of life

(2) It refers to two trees, one on each side of the river. For example, the New Living Translation (2004) says:

On each side of the river grew a tree of life (New Living Translation (2004))

(3) It refers to more than one tree on each side of the river. For example, the New Jerusalem Bible says:

on either bank of the river were the trees of life

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the Greek word for tree is singular.

a tree of life: This phrase indicates that this tree is a source of life. Those who eat the fruit will have eternal life. For example:

life-giving tree

See how you translated this phrase in 2:7.

22:2c

bearing twelve kinds of fruit and yielding a fresh crop for each month: The Greek words are literally “producing twelve fruits according to each month yielding its fruit.” Here the Greek phrase “twelve fruits” refers to twelve crops of fruit. There are two ways to interpret this clause:

(1) The tree produces a different kind of fruit each month. For example:

with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month (Revised Standard Version)

(2) The tree produces the same fruit each month. For example:

which bears fruit twelve times a year, once each month (Good News Translation)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because of the phrase “according to each month” in the Greek probably indicates twelve kinds of fruit.

22:2d

And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations: The leaves have the ability to heal all the peoples of the world. Other ways to translate this clause are:

The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
The leaves of the tree will heal the nations (God’s Word)

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2020