SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2020 – Page 50

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2:18

Section 2:18–29

Jesus spoke to the church at Thyatira

In this section, Jesus spoke to the people who believed in him at Thyatira. He saw that they had grown in their faith. Jesus warned them about allowing an immoral woman named Jezebel to remain among them. He encouraged the believers who had not followed Jezebel’s sinful teachings to remain faithful. Lastly, he gave a promise for any believer who persevered in his faith.

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

Paragraph 2:18–19

2:18a

To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: You should translate this introduction the same way you did in 2:12. You only need to change the name to Thyatira.

2:18b–d

These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like a blazing fire and whose feet are like polished bronze: This statement is an introduction to Jesus’ words in 2:19–29. Translate the clause These are the words of in a similar way to 2:1.

Jesus spoke these words about himself. He continues to speak in 2:19 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, ⌊I,⌋ the Son of God. My eyes are like blazing fire and my feet are like burnished bronze.

2:18b

the Son of God: This phrase is a title for Jesus. This title was often used to refer to a savior who would be a descendant of King David. God would send this savior to rescue his people. This person was often referred to as the “Messiah” or “Christ.”

The title the Son of God also indicates that Jesus has the same nature and character as God. The relationship between God the Father and Jesus, his Son, is similar in some ways to the relationship between human fathers and sons. God the Father does not have a physical body. He did not have a sexual relationship with Mary that resulted in her becoming pregnant and giving birth to Jesus. The Son of God existed eternally as the Son with his Father.

In areas where people do not understand the title the Son of God in this way, you may want to include a footnote that explains the correct meaning. Here is a suggested footnote:

This title refers to Jesus. It indicates that Jesus has the same nature and character as God. It does not mean that God the Father had a sexual relationship with Mary that resulted in her becoming pregnant and giving birth to Jesus. Mary became pregnant with Jesus in a miraculous way by the Holy Spirit of God.

In some languages, it is natural to speak of a son as a “child” without specifying whether male or female. If that is true in your language, you may use a more general term, such as:

the Child of God

Other verses will usually make clear that Jesus was a male child. If you use a phrase such as “the male child of God,” be sure that it does not imply that God had another child who was female.

2:18c–d

whose eyes are like a blazing fire and whose feet are like polished bronze: These clauses tell the reader more about the Son of God. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that there are other Sons of God and, only this one had eyes…like a blazing fire and…feet…like polished bronze. If that is true in your language, translate these clauses so that they tell more about the Son of God. One way to do that is to start a new sentence here. For example:

His eyes are like a blazing fire and his feet are like burnished bronze.

2:18c

eyes are like a blazing fire: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as a blazing fire is literally “a flame of fire” (as in the Revised Standard Version). This simile probably refers to the brightness of his eyes. You should translate this in a similar way to “eyes were like a blazing fire” in 1:14. For example:

eyes looked like flames of fire (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
eyes were/are as bright as fire

2:18d

feet are like polished bronze: This simile indicates that his feet were similar in color to polished bronze. You should translate this in a similar way to “feet were like polished bronze” in 1:15.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 3:21

Paragraph 3:21–22

3:21a

To the one who overcomes: The phrase To the one who overcomes is emphasized by being first in the clause. Translate this phrase as you did in 2:7 or 2:26.

3:21b–c

I will grant the right to sit with Me on My throne: Here the word right refers to the privilege and authority to do something. Other ways to translate this clause are:

I will grant…permission to sit with me on my throne (NET Bible)
-or-
I will allow to share my throne (New Jerusalem Bible)

throne: A throne is the official chair of a king. It is a symbol of his power to rule. See how you translated throne in 1:4 or 2:13.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 6:6

6:6a

what sounded like a voice from among the four living creatures: This clause probably indicates that John could not see who spoke. It was not one of the four living creatures, God, or Jesus. But the sound of the voice came from the area where the four living creatures were. Other ways to translate this clause are:

something that sounded like a voice coming from the middle of the four living creatures (New Century Version)
-or-
a voice speaking where the living beings were

6:6b–d

At that time, a day’s wage for a common laborer was a silver coin called a “denarius.” A “denarius” would normally buy eight quarts of wheat or more. A “denarius” would also normally buy sixteen quarts of barley or more. Therefore, the words in 6:6b–c refer to a severe shortage of wheat and barley. They had become very expensive. But 6:6d prohibits any shortage of olive oil or wine. People used all these four foods daily to make their meals.

6:6b

A quart of wheat for a denarius: This clause has no verb. In some languages it is necessary to add a verb for good grammar. You should probably add a future verb. For example:

A quart of wheat will cost you a whole day’s wages! (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
One quart of wheat ⌊will be sold⌋ for a day’s pay!
-or-
People will need a day’s wage ⌊to buy⌋ one quart of wheat!

This price is about eight times more than normal. In some languages a literal translation would not clearly indicate that the price is very high. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain the high cost in your translation. For example:

Wheat ⌊will be so expensive that⌋ a day’s wage will purchase ⌊only⌋ one quart of it ⌊instead of eight quarts⌋ !
-or-
One quart of wheat will cost ⌊much more than normal; it will cost⌋ a ⌊whole⌋ day’s wages!

quart of wheat: The grain called wheat was the daily food of many people at that time in that region. The Greek word for wheat and the kind of Greek measure probably imply wheat kernels/seeds/grain. The wheat kernels could be eaten directly or ground into flour for bread.

A quart of wheat would make enough bread for one person for one day. People in some languages do not normally eat wheat bread. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Use the daily food common to your area. This might be rice, corn, or some other kind of food. You may want to include a footnote to explain the literal word. An example footnote is:

Literally: “wheat.” Wheat bread was the daily food of many people at that time.

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

Wheat was the daily food of many people at that time.
-or-
Wheat was the daily food in that place at that time. Bread is made from wheat. A quart/liter of wheat flour would make enough bread for one person for one day.

quart: The Greek word here refers to a measurement that is about equal to a quart or a liter. In some languages people are more familiar with liters than quarts. If that is true in your language, you may want to use the word “liter” here.

a denarius: At that time, one denarius paid the wage for one day of work by a laborer or farm worker. This was a low wage. Only poor people worked for one denarius a day.

The high prices on food indicates that people would have to work all day just to pay for enough food to eat that day. In your translation you may want to:

• Follow the New International Version and use the phrase “a day’s wages” or a similar phrase. For example:

the money earned from a whole day of working
-or-
a day’s pay.

You may then want to explain the Greek word in a footnote. For example:

Literally, “a denarius.” This was a Roman coin that a laborer or farm worker received for one day of work. It was a poor person’s wage.

• Use a word for a day’s wage for a poor person. For example:

a silver coin

You may then want to explain the Greek word in a footnote. For example:

Literally, “a denarius.” This was a Roman coin that a laborer or farm worker received for one day of work.

• Spell the Greek word as someone in your language would say it and explain its meaning in a footnote. If you have used the word “denarius” in the Gospels, you may want to use it here. An example footnote is:

A denarius was a Roman coin that a laborer or farm worker received for one day of work.

6:6c

three quarts of barley for a denarius: The word barley refers to a cheaper grain than wheat. Poor people often bought barley instead of wheat. This price is about five times more than normal. Poor people in some languages do not normally eat barley bread. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Use the daily food common to poor people in your area. It should be a food different than the word you used in 6:6b. You may then want to include a footnote to explain the literal word. For example:

Literally: “barley.” Barley was the daily food of poor people at that time.

• Explain barley in a footnote. For example:

“Barley” was the daily food of poor people at that time.
-or-
“Barley” was the daily food of poor people at that time. A low quality bread is made from barley. Three quarts/liters of barley was enough food for a small family for one day.

General Comment on 6:6b–c

These two statements about food prices are probably instructions to the black horse and rider. The horse and rider will cause a shortage of foods used for the main part of the meal such as wheat and barley. The shortage will cause the high prices. People in some languages will not see that the shortage causes the high prices. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Include some implied information. For example:

⌊Cause a shortage so that⌋ a quart of wheat costs a day’s wages and three quarts of barley costs a day’s wages
-or-

⌊The food shortage will be so severe that⌋ a quart of wheat will cost a day’s wages and three quarts of barley will cost a day’s wages

• Translate literally and explain its meaning in a footnote. For example:

This verse refers to a shortage of food that people eat daily. So the prices are five to eight times higher than normal. But there will not be a shortage of other food items like cooking oil and wine.

Also, the phrase “for a denarius” is repeated in 6:6c. In some languages it is more natural to omit the phrase. For example:

6b–c A loaf of wheat bread or three loaves of barley will cost a day’s pay. (New Living Translation (2004))

6:6d

and do not harm the oil and wine: The person speaking prohibited the horse and rider from causing a shortage of olive oil and wine. Other ways to translate this clause are:

but do not harm oil and wine! (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
But don’t ruin the olive oil or the wine. (Contemporary English Version)

oil: The word oil here refers to olive oil. The olive is the fruit of the olive tree. Olive oil is squeezed out of it. The oil was used as cooking oil and as fuel for lamps.

In some languages people will think that the word refers to something other than cooking oil. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain its use in your translation. For example:

cooking oil

wine: Wine is made from the juice of a fruit called grapes. Grapes grow on a vine. People squeeze them and collect the juice. The juice is allowed to ferment, so wine is an alcoholic beverage.

At that time people commonly drank wine with the evening meal. People in some languages are not familiar with wine. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain the meaning in your translation. For example:

common beverage called wine
-or-
fermented grape juice
-or-
wine water

You may then want to explain its meaning in a footnote. For example:

Wine is a beverage made from grapes. At that time people usually drank wine with the evening meal.

• Use the name of the beverage commonly used in your area with meals. You may then want a footnote to explain what wine is. For example:

Literally: “wine.” At that time, wine is a beverage that people commonly drank with the evening meal.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 8:7

Paragraph 8:7

8:7a

Then the first angel sounded his trumpet: The Greek clause is literally “The first trumpeted.” It indicates that the first of the seven angels blew his trumpet. For example:

The first blew his trumpet (New Jerusalem Bible)

8:7b

and hail and fire mixed with blood: The Greek clause is literally “hail and fire mixed with blood occurred/happened.” It refers to the hail, fire, and blood appearing. For example:

Hail and fire mingled with blood appeared (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

hail and fire mixed with blood: The Greek phrase indicates that both the hail and the fire were mixed with the blood. For example:

hail and fire both mixed with blood

hail: The word hail refers to frozen rain. A piece of hail can be as small as a raindrop or bigger than a fist. 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:

frozen rain
-or-
rain turned to ice
-or-
balls of ice
-or-
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.

8:7c

were hurled down: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. God probably ordered someone to hurl the hail and fire. For example:

⌊someone⌋ threw it

General Comment on 8:7b–c

Two verbs affect the hail and fire. First John sees them (the hail and fire “appeared”), then he saw them thrown to the earth. The second verb emphasizes the fact that God caused this disaster of hail and fire. In some languages the first verb may not be needed for the correct meaning. For example:

hail and fire mixed with blood were thrown down on the earth (New Living Translation (2004))

8:7d–f

A third of the earth was burned up, along with a third of the trees and all the green grass: These three clauses are passive. Some languages must use other kinds of clauses. For example:

⌊The fire⌋ burned a third of the earth, ⌊it⌋ burned a third of the trees, and ⌊it⌋ burned all the green grass.
-or-

⌊The fire⌋ burned a third of the earth, a third of the trees, and all the green grass.
-or-
A third of the land burned, a third of the trees burned, and all the green grass burned.

A third of the earth…along with a third of the trees: Here the word third means “one part out of three parts.” For example, in a group of three hundred areas of land, one hundred of them burned. Other ways to translate these clauses are:

one ⌊plot⌋ in three ⌊plots⌋ of land…one tree in three
-or-
one of every three lands/areas of all the earth…one of every three trees
-or-
of all the parcels of land on the earth one parcel burned and two parcels did not burn…of all the trees one burned and two did not burn

the earth: Here the phrase the earth refers to the land.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 10:6

10:6a

swore by Him: The word swore refers to calling upon someone greater to be a witness that what the speaker was saying is true. It is implied that this other being will punish the speaker if what he said is not true. It does not indicate that the speaker is using bad or inappropriate words.

Here the angel called on God to witness that his statement of 10:6e–7c was true. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

spoke a vow that his words are true according to him
-or-
promised with an oath calling the name of him
-or-
called for support for his words from him

Him who lives forever and ever: This phrase refers to God. He lives eternally. For example:

God who lives forever (Contemporary English Version)

forever and ever: The Greek phrase is literally “into the ages of the ages.” The word “age” refers to a very long time. So the phrase “the ages of the ages” refers to eternity. For example:

the living one of the timeless ages (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

10:6b–d

who created heaven and everything in it, the earth and everything in it, and the sea and everything in it: This clause tells the reader more about God. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that there are other gods that John was thinking of and only this one created heaven and all other things. If that is true in your language, translate this clause so that it tells more about the only true God. One way to do that is to start a new sentence here. For example:

He created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it.

Also see the General Comment at 10:6e about reordering the information in this verse.

10:6b

created: This word means “made.” God made all these things from nothing. For example:

made (New Jerusalem Bible)

heaven and everything in it: The Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as heaven and it are singular. But the phrase refers to the sky and everything in it, such as the stars, the moon, and the planets. For example:

the skies and all that is in them (New Century Version)
-or-
the sky and space and all that is in those things

10:6c

the earth and everything in it: This phrase refers to the world and all the animals and plants that live here.

10:6d

the sea and everything in it: This phrase refers to all the seas and oceans of the world. It includes everything that lives in them; for example, fish, animals, and plants.

10:6e

There will be no more delay: The word delay refers to a time of waiting. This clause indicates that the final events are about to occur. For example:

The time of waiting is over (New Jerusalem Bible)

General Comment on 10:6a–e

10:6a indicates that an angel made an oath. It also describes God. 10:6b–d also describes God. 10:6e then begins to tell what the angel said. His words was supported by his oath in 10:6a.

In some languages it is more natural to separate the description from the main event. If that is true in your language, you may want to translate this verse as more than one sentence. You may also want to reorder those sentences. For example:

6a And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, 6b who created the heavens and all that is in them, 6c the earth and all that is in it, 6d and the sea and all that is in it. 6e ⌊Finishing the oath,⌋ ⌊the angel,⌋ said, “There will be no more delay!
-or-

6a And he made an oath, asking the eternal God to be a witness to what he said. 6b God is the one who created the heavens and all that is in them. 6c ⌊He created⌋ the earth and all that is in it. 6d ⌊He created⌋ the sea and all that is in it. 6e ⌊After making that oath, the angel⌋ said, “There will be no more delay!
-or-

6a God lives for ever and ever. 6b He created the heavens and all that is in them, 6c the earth and all that is in it, 6d and the sea and all that is in it. 6a In the name of God, the angel made an oath 6e and said, “There will be no more delay!

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 12:8

12:8a

the dragon was not strong enough: There is a textual issue here:

(1) Some Greek manuscripts have he. For example:

he was too weak (Revised English Bible)

(2) Some Greek manuscripts have they. For example:

they were defeated (Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow option (1). The clause here focuses on the dragon as the leader. But both the dragon and his angels lost the war.

the dragon: The Greek is literally “he.” The pronoun refers to the dragon, as the Berean Standard Bible makes explicit. In some languages people may think this pronoun refers to Michael. If that is true in your language, you may want to clearly refer to the dragon, as the Berean Standard Bible models.

was not strong enough: This phrase indicates that the dragon and his army lost the war. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

was too weak (Revised English Bible)
-or-
was defeated (Good News Translation)
-or-
lost the battle (New Living Translation (2004))

12:8b

no longer was any place found in heaven for him and his angels: This clause indicates that God no longer allowed them into heaven. Other ways to translate this clause are:

there was no longer any place for them in heaven (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
he and his angels were not allowed to stay in heaven any longer (Good News Translation)
-or-
God no longer permitted them to enter heaven
-or-
they were forced out of heaven

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 14:4

14:4a

These are the ones who have not been defiled with women: This clause refers to men who have never had sexual relations with women. The word defiled is probably used in the sense of having become “ceremonially unclean.” A Jewish person could not go and worship God until the next sunset after he or she had sexual relations (Leviticus 15:18). Other ways to translate this clause are:

These men have not dishonored themselves with women
-or-
They are the men who have kept themselves pure by not having sexual relations with women (Good News Translation)

This clause may refer figuratively to all believers being pure in God’s eyes. For example:

They have kept themselves as pure (New Living Translation (2004))

But many English versions translate literally and allow the reader to decide whether to understand this clause literally or figuratively.

14:4b

for: This conjunction introduces an explanation of 14:4a.

they are virgins: The word virgins is masculine. It refers to men who have never had sexual relations. Other ways to translate this clause are:

they kept themselves pure (New International Version (1984))
-or-
they are celibate
-or-
they have not lain with women

This clause may refer figuratively to all believers being pure in God’s eyes. For example:

as virgins (New Living Translation (2004))

But many English versions translate literally and allow the reader to decide whether to understand this clause literally or figuratively.

14:4c

They follow the Lamb wherever He goes: This clause refers figuratively to obeying Jesus as their master or leader. These men/believers always did as Jesus commanded them. For example:

they follow the Lamb wherever he leads (Contemporary English Version)

In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that these men/believers physically walked behind Jesus wherever he went. If that is true in your language, you should translate the figurative meaning. For example:

They have not separated from the Lamb wherever he goes
-or-
They obey everything that the Lamb tells them

14:4d

They have been redeemed from among men: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊God⌋ has purchased them from among men

redeemed: This verb is the same Greek verb as in 14:3d. There the Berean Standard Bible translated it as “redeemed.” It probably means “redeemed” here as well. Translate it as you did in 14:3.

from among men: The Greek phrase is literally “from people.” It probably has the same or similar meaning as “from the earth” (14:3b).

14:4e

as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb: This phrase describes the men/believers whom God purchased. Other ways to translate these words are:

as first fruits for God and the Lamb (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
to be the first–fruits for God and for the Lamb (New Jerusalem Bible)

as firstfruits: This phrase is a metaphor. In the Jewish society the first part of the harvest was given to God (Exodus 23:19, Leviticus 23:9–14). This offering was called firstfruits.

Here the 144,000 men/believers are like the first part of the harvest. They are set aside for God to use. In some languages it is more natural to translate this as a simile. For example:

like an offering of the first part of the harvest
-or-
just as the first part of the harvest is offered
-or-
like the/a harvest offering

If you have translated James 1:18, see how you translated “firstfruits” there.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 16:8

Paragraph 16:8–9

16:8a

fourth: The word fourth refers to the next item after three other things. If counted, this item would be counted as number four. See how you translated this word in 4:7 or 8:12.

16:8b

it was given power: The Greek clause is literally “it was given to it” (as in the New American Standard Bible). It refers to receiving authority or power to do something. God gave to the sun the ability to burn people as fire burns people. For example:

it was permitted (NET Bible)

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

⌊God⌋ gave power to the sun
-or-

⌊God⌋ caused the sun to have the power

it received the ability/power
-or-
it now had the ability/power

Your translation should indicate or imply that someone gave the authority.

to scorch the people with fire: This phrase indicates that the sun became so hot that it hurt people on the earth. For example:

to burn people with its fiery heat (Good News Translation)

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2020