SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2020 – Page 50

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 9:11

9:11a

king: Here the word king refers to a ruler. Some languages do not have a word for king. If that is true in your language, you may want to use a more general word. For example:

leader (New Jerusalem Bible)

the angel of the Abyss: This phrase may refer to the “star that had fallen from heaven to the earth” (9:1b, Berean Standard Bible). It is also possible that it refers to Satan. Translate in a way that allows for either interpretation.

In some languages the translation of angel only refers to beings that obey God. If that is true in your language, use a word or phrase that refers to a disobeying spirit. The usual New Testament word or phrase is “demon” or “evil spirit.” For example:

the demon of the Abyss

of the Abyss: Here the word of indicates a connection to the Abyss. The angel belonged to, or was somehow connected with, the Abyss.

Abyss: The word Abyss refers to a place of great depth. See how you translated this word in 9:1.

9:11b–c

in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek it is Apollyon: Both the name Abaddon and the name Apollyon mean “Destroyer.” You may want to:

• Add a footnote to explain the meaning of these names. For example:

Both the name Abaddon and the name Apollyon mean “Destroyer.”
-or-
Both names mean “Destroyer.”

• Explain the meaning of the names in your translation. For example:

His name in Hebrew is Abaddon; in Greek the name is Apollyon (meaning “The Destroyer”) (Good News Translation)

Hebrew: This word refers to the language that the Jews spoke in Old Testament times.

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
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SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 11:11

Paragraph 11:11–12

11:11a–b

after the three and a half days:
This phrase refers to the same time period of three and a half days mentioned in 11:9a.

the breath of life from God entered the two witnesses: This clause indicates that God caused them to live again. Other ways to translate this clause are:

a life-giving breath came from God and entered them (Good News Translation)
-or-
God breathed life into them (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
a breath of life from God entered them ⌊and they became alive again⌋

11:11c

great fear fell upon those who saw them: The Greek clause is literally “great fear fell upon the ones seeing them.” This clause indicates that the people watched the two witnesses become alive. The people became very afraid. Other ways to translate this clause are:

everyone who saw them became very afraid (New Century Version)
-or-
tremendous fear seized those who were watching them (NET Bible)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 13:6

13:6a–b

the beast opened its mouth: This is an idiom that means “he began to talk.” In some languages a literal translation would not have that meaning. If that is true in your language, translate the meaning of the idiom. For example:

It/He began

A similar idiom occurs in Matthew 5:2, where the Berean Standard Bible translates it as “he began to.” If you have translated that verse, see how you translated the idiom there.

to speak blasphemies against God and to slander His name and His tabernacle: The Greek is literally “in blasphemies against God to blaspheme his name and his tent.” There are two ways to interpret the connection between “in blasphemies against God” and “to blaspheme his name and his tent”:

(1) The phrase “to slander his name and his tabernacle” describes the meaning of “blasphemies against God” here. That is why the Berean Standard Bible translates these words as they do. Another way to translate these words is:

to utter blasphemies against God, that is, blaspheming his name and his dwelling

(2) The phrase “to slander his name and his tabernacle” is in addition to “blasphemies against God” here. For example, the New Jerusalem Bible says:

blasphemies against God, against his name, his heavenly Tent

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because it fits the Greek grammar better.

13:6b

to slander his name: This phrase refers to saying evil things about who God is and what he stands for. Other ways to translate this word are:

lying about who he is
-or-
evil things said against his name

See how you translated this word in 2:9, where the Berean Standard Bible translates it as “slander.”

His tabernacle—those who dwell in heaven: There is a textual issue here:

(1) The Greek words are his tent, those tent-living in heaven. The last phrase explains “his tent.” For example:

his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven (Revised Standard Version)

(2) The Greek words are his tent and those tent-living in heaven. The last phrase is in addition to “his tent.” For example:

the place where he lives, and all those who live in heaven (Good News Translation)

It is recommended that you follow option (1), because the UBS Handbook Greek NT recommends it.

His tabernacle: A more literal translation of this Greek phrase is “his tent.” It figuratively refers to heaven, where God lives. Other ways to translate this are:

his tent (God’s Word)
-or-
the place where he lives (Good News Translation)

According to interpretation (2) above, this phrase refers to heaven.

those who dwell in heaven: This phrase refers to the angels, elders, and other beings living in heaven. Translate it in a way that allows for all these beings. For example:

everyone who lives in heaven with God (Contemporary English Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 14:20

14:20a

And the winepress was trodden: The clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊They/Someone⌋ trod on them

trodden: This word refers to standing hard on something. The angels or someone stomped on the grapes to squeeze the juice out.

outside the city: These verses do not say which city this is. It might be Jerusalem or some other city. You should not say which city it is in your translation.

14:20b

blood: The blood here is probably a metaphor for God’s judgment and punishment of evil people.

it: Here this word refers to the winepress.

14:20c

the bridles of the horses: This phrase refers to a height of about 1.4–1.7 meters (4.5–5.5 feet).

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

• Explain the height in your translation. For example:

the horses’ heads/necks (about 1.5 meters)
-or-
the horses’ heads/necks (about five feet)

• Explain the height in a footnote. For example:

This would be about 1.5 meters high.

• Refer to shoulder or neck or eye height of people. For example:

men’s shoulders/neck

You may then want a footnote to explain the literal. For example:

Literally: “the horses’ bridles.”

bridles: This word refers to the equipment on a horse’s head to guide the horse. It includes the straps around the head and probably a mouthpiece.

the horses: The word horses refers to large, four-legged animals that weigh 500 kilograms (1100 pounds) or more. They are about 1.5 meters (5 feet) high at the 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’

• 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:

A horse is a large, four-legged animal that weighs 500 kilograms or more. They are about 1.5 meters high at the back. People ride horses.

1,600 stadia: The Roman distance unit of measure is a stadium (plural is stadia). It is about 185 meters (607 feet). So 1,600 stadia is about 300 kilometers (180 miles). It is approximately the distance that Judea is from its northern border to its southern border. You may want to:

• Use the Roman measure, as the Berean Standard Bible does. You may then want to explain the distance in a footnote. For example:

This is about 300 kilometers.
-or-
About 180 miles.

• Use the common measure in your area. For example:

300 kilometers
-or-
180 miles
-or-
39,000 paces
-or-
the distance of walking 72 hours

You may then want to explain the literal words in a footnote. For example:

Literally: “1,600 stadia.” The Roman measure of a stadium (plural is “stadia”) is about 185 meters.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 17:3

Paragraph 17:3–6b

17:3a

carried me away in the Spirit: In English Bibles, the titles and names of God normally begin with an uppercase (capital) letter. But ancient Greek writers used only one style of letters. So the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Spirit can refer to either the human spirit or God’s Spirit. There are two ways to interpret it:

(1) It indicates that the Holy Spirit took John places during the following experience. For example:

Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit (Revised Standard Version)

(2) It indicates that John’s spirit (as opposed to his physical body) experienced the following event. For example:

He took me in spirit (New Jerusalem Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because it is probably used in the same way as in 1:10. See how you translated the phrase in the Spirit there. The clause implies that John’s experience in 1:10 continues, but at a new location.

wilderness: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as wilderness refers to a place that is empty, desolate, or uninhabited. See how you translated this word in 12:6 or 12:14.

17:3b

a woman: This woman was referred to as “the great prostitute” in 17:1. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer to a different woman. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Clearly indicate in your translation that it is the same woman. For example:

that woman

• Explain who she is in a footnote. An example footnote is:

This is a vision of the great prostitute (17:1).

sitting: The woman was sitting on the beast’s back or shoulders.

scarlet: This word refers to a bright red color.

beast: The word beast probably refers to the first beast (13:1). See how you translated this word in 13:1 or 16:13.

17:3c

that was covered with blasphemous names: This clause indicates that the body of the beast had many blasphemous names on it. For example:

that had names insulting to God written all over it (Good News Translation)

blasphemous names: The word blasphemous here means “a saying that is against God.” The beast was perhaps using the names and titles that are rightfully God’s alone. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

names that dishonored God
-or-
names that belong to God alone

See how you translated the phrase “blasphemous name” in 13:1.

17:3d

had seven heads and ten horns: You should translate this phrase as you did in 13:1.

horns: This word refers to horns like animal horns. These verses do not say what kind of animal horn it was.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 18:17

18:17a

For: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For is often translated as “because.” This conjunction introduces the reason for the saying of woe in 18:16.

in a single hour: Here the phrase a single hour refers to a short time, not necessarily a literal hour. It implies suddenness. Translate this phrase as you did in 18:10.

such fabulous wealth has been destroyed!: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

she has lost all this wealth (Good News Translation)
-or-
all the wealth of the city is gone (New Living Translation (2004))

Your translation should indicate or imply that the wealth was destroyed. If possible, emphasize or keep the focus on the phrase such fabulous wealth.

such fabulous wealth: The word such emphasizes the large amount of the wealth. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

all this wealth (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
So much wealth (Revised English Bible)

has been destroyed: This phrase usually refers to a city or town that is destroyed and left with no people in it. Here the phrase refers to the wealth becoming valueless. All of Babylon’s beautiful things were ruined and destroyed, so they were useless. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

has been brought to ruin (New International Version)
-or-
has been laid waste (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
completely ruined

Paragraph 18:17b–19

18:17b

shipmaster: This phrase refers to the person who controls a ship. He is the leader over the people on it.

passenger: This phrase refers to people who pay for a ship to take them somewhere. For example:

all who travel by ship (New International Version)

sailor: This word refers to people who have jobs on ships while the ships are sailing on the ocean.

18:17c

all who make their living from the sea: The Greek phrase is literally “all who work the sea.” It refers to those whose jobs involve the sea. It includes fishermen and traders who send goods by ship. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

as many as make their living by the sea (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
all those people whose jobs involve the sea

The captains and sailors are already mentioned in 18:17b. So this phrase refers to all of the other people who also make their living on the sea. For example, the Good News Translation says:

all others who earn their living on the sea

sea: The word sea refers to a large body of water. A sea is often so large that someone standing on one side cannot see the other side. Here the word sea refers to seas and oceans in general. See how you translated this word in 5:13 or 13:1.

will stand at a distance: This phrase probably implies that these seafaring people stood far away because they were afraid of what was happening to Babylon (as in 18:10a). For example:

kept a safe distance (New Jerusalem Bible)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 20:4

Paragraph 20:4–6

20:4a

Then I saw the thrones, and those seated on them had been given authority to judge: These verses do not say whether these judges were angels, people, or other beings. Your translation should allow any kind of being to be the judges. For example:

And I saw thrones, with appointed judges seated upon them (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
Then I saw thrones, and those who sat on them were given the power to judge (Good News Translation)
-or-
Next I saw thrones. The ones sitting on them were given authority to judge.

the thrones: The word thrones refers to the official chairs where kings or people with great authority sit. A throne represents that authority. See how you translated this word in 19:4. But here, your translation should refer to the chairs of the judges, not the chairs of kings or other leaders.

those seated on them had been given authority to judge: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

to whom ⌊God⌋ had given authority to judge
-or-
whom ⌊God⌋ appointed/chosen as judges

authority: Here the word authority refers to having the right and power to control or rule over someone or something.

judge: The word judge indicates that those on the thrones will decide whether people are guilty of wrongdoing.

20:4b

the souls: The word soul refers to the essential part of a person, the part that does not die when his body dies. Use the usual word for this part of a person.

those who had been beheaded: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. The beast or one of his followers had beheaded the believers. For example:

those whose heads ⌊the beast⌋ had cut off
-or-
those whom ⌊others/enemies⌋ beheaded

beheaded: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as beheaded :

(1) It refers to cutting off the head of someone. For example, the God’s Word says:

heads had been cut off

(2) It refers to any kind of killing someone. For example, the New Century Version says:

killed

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the lexicons support it and not interpretation (2).

20:4c

their testimony of Jesus: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as their testimony of Jesus is literally “the testimony of Jesus.” There are two ways to interpret this phrase:

(1) It indicates that people gave a testimony about Jesus. For example:

they had told about Jesus (Contemporary English Version)

(2) It indicates that Jesus gave a testimony. For example:

they had proclaimed the truth that Jesus revealed (Good News Translation)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

for the word of God: Here the phrase the word of God refers to what God said. It is the message from God to people. The believers believed this word of God. They probably also told it to others.

In some languages it is necessary to explain what was done with the word of God. For example:

because ⌊they believed⌋ God’s message
-or-
because ⌊they followed⌋ God’s word

See how you translated this phrase in 6:9.

20:4d

and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and those who is literally “and who.” There are two ways to interpret the Greek phrase:

(1) It continues talking about those who had been beheaded. For example:

and who had not worshiped the beast or its image (Revised Standard Version)

(2) It introduces a new group of people. For example:

and those who refused to worship the beast or his statue (New Jerusalem Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

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

venerated
-or-
revered

See how you translated this word in 13:4 or 19:20.

its image: This word refers to a statue. See how you translated this word in 13:14 or 19:20.

20:4e

and had not received its mark on their foreheads or hands: This is the second deed that these believers did not do. In some languages it is more natural to introduce this clause with the word “or.” For example:

or received its mark on forehead or hand (Revised English Bible)

mark: This word refers to any kind of sign or symbol that is easily seen. These verses do not say how the mark was placed on the hand or forehead. See how you translated mark in 13:16 or 19:20.

20:4f

And they came to life: It is implied that God caused them to live again. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly imply that they returned to life by their own power. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Translate the literal meaning and explain in a footnote that God caused them to live again. An example footnote is:

God caused them to live again.

• Explain in your translation that God caused them to live again. For example:

⌊God caused⌋ them to return to life

20:4g

reigned: This word refers to ruling over people as their leader. For example:

ruled as kings (Good News Translation)

Christ: The word Christ is a title for Jesus. It means “the anointed one.” See how you translated this word in 1:1 or 12:10.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 21:21

21:21a

pearls: The word pearls refer to hard, shiny spheres found in the shellfish called oysters. They are often grayish white in color, but sometimes dark gray. The good ones are very valuable. See how you translated this word in 17:4 or 18:12.

with each gate consisting of a single pearl: The Greek clause is literally “each gate was of one pearl.” In English it is more natural to use a passive clause with the verb “make.” The topic is the gate. The topic is not who made it. Other ways to translate this clause are:

each gate was made of one pearl
-or-

⌊The material/substance of⌋ each gate was a single pearl

21:21b

The main street of the city was pure gold: The focus here is on the street and the gold used to make it. The focus is not on who made it or on the fact that it was made. Other ways to translate this clause are:

The main street consisted of pure gold
-or-

⌊The material/substance of⌋ the main street was pure gold

The main street: The Greek phrase is literally “the street.” The Berean Standard Bible and other English versions interpret this phrase as referring to the main street of the city. For example:

the great street (New International Version)

as clear as glass: It is not clear as to how the gold is as clear as glass. The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as clear occurs only here in the New Testament. It occurs only once in the Greek translation of the Old Testament, where it means “pure.” Many English versions translate as the Berean Standard Bible does. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

gleaming like glass (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
bright as clear glass
-or-
like transparent glass (New International Version)

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2020