SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2020 – Page 50

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 9:21

9:21a

their murder: The word murder refers to killing someone deliberately and unlawfully. All means of killing are included. In some languages it is more natural to use a verb. For example:

murdering/killing others
-or-
when they murdered people

sorcery: The word refers to doing something by supernatural means. These supernatural means are from demonic power, not from God. This sorcery could include using spells, magic potions, and contacting evil spirits. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

witchcraft (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
sorceries (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
magic arts (New International Version)

The noun sorcery refers to an event. In some languages it is more natural to use a verb. For example:

doing sorcery
-or-
when they did sorcery on others/people
-or-
practicing witchcraft (Contemporary English Version)

9:21b

sexual immorality: This phrase refers to any sexual relations that are not with one’s spouse. The noun phrase sexual immorality refers to an event. In some languages it is more natural to use a verb. For example:

committing immorality/adultery
-or-
when they sinned sexually

theft: This word refers to taking things that belong to someone else without his permission. In some languages it is more natural to use a verb. For example:

stealing
-or-
when they stole

© 2020 by SIL International®
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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 12:2

12:2

She was pregnant and crying out in the pain and agony of giving birth: The phrase in the pain and agony of giving birth indicates that it was time for her baby to leave the womb. Some English versions combine the meaning of She was pregnant and giving birth. For example:

She was about to give birth,… (Contemporary English Version)

She was pregnant: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as She was pregnant is literally “She had (a child) in her womb.” Use a polite word or phrase that refers to a pregnant woman.

crying out in the pain and agony: Here the phrase crying out refers to shouting with emotion because of the labor pains. For example:

was screaming in labor pains (NET Bible)
-or-
shouted because of the pain ⌊of her labor/childbirth⌋

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 13:16

13:16a

And the second beast: The Greek is literally “And he.” The pronoun refers to the second beast, as the Berean Standard Bible makes explicit.

required all people: This phrase indicates that the second beast required people to receive the mark. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

causes all (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
compelled everyone (New Jerusalem Bible)

13:16b

small and great, rich and poor, free and slave: This list emphasizes the fact that everyone was required to receive the mark. Other ways to translate these phrases are:

everyone, regardless of name, wealth, or social status
-or-
everyone, including famous people and unknown people, wealthy people and poor people, independent workers and slaves

small and great: This phrase refers to people of both low status and high status. It implies people of all classes and positions in society. The phrase does not refer to physical size.

In some languages it is more natural to list the high status people first. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

humble and great/famous
-or-
both of high and lowly position/place
-or-
whether ⌊they are⌋ important ⌊people⌋ or not

See how you translated this phrase in 11:18, but note that here the phrase refers to the people of the world, not believers.

free: The word free refers to people who are not slaves. A free person can work in exchange for money for anyone who hires him. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

those who stand free
-or-
those who rule their own lives

See how you translated this word in 6:15.

slave: A slave is a person who belongs to a master. A slave has to obey his master. He is not free to leave and work elsewhere. Other ways to translate this word are:

forced laborers
-or-
those subjected to a master

See how you translated this word in 6:15.

13:16c

mark: This word refers to any kind of sign or symbol that is easily seen. These verses do not say what exactly the mark is or how it was placed on the hand or forehead.

General Comment on 13:16a–c

The added information that explains “everyone” interrupts the sentence. In some languages it is more natural to have the added information at the end of the verse. For example:

16a He also forced everyone 16c to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, 16b ⌊this included⌋ small and great, rich and poor, free and slave,
-or-

16a He also forced everyone 16c to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead. 16b Absolutely everyone was included: small and great, rich and poor, free and slave.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 16:2

16:2a

earth: This is the same Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “earth” in 16:1b. This word could refer to the whole earth. But this plague affected people who live on land.

The next plague, in contrast, affects the sea (16:3a), so the Berean Standard Bible uses the word earth here. The Greek word can mean either “the whole earth” or earth.

16:2b

loathsome: The Greek word here refers to something bad or harmful. Other ways to translate this word are:

horrible (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
harmful (English Standard Version)

malignant: The Greek word here refers to something evil, painful, or dangerous to others. Other ways to translate this word are:

grievous (King James Version)
-or-
evil (Revised Standard Version)

sores: This word refers to open wounds or ulcers on the skin.

broke out: This phrase indicates that the sores emerged on the people. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

appeared (Good News Translation)
-or-
came upon (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
erupted
-or-
afflicted

16:2c

who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image: This clause refers to one group of people. They both had the mark and worshiped the beast’s image.

mark: This word refers to a sign or symbol that is easily seen. Here the mark indicated that the person followed the beast. These verses do not say how the mark was placed on the hand or forehead. See how you translated mark in 13:16 or 14:11.

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.

image: Here this word refers to the statue of the beast. See how you translated image in 13:14 or 15:2.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 17:13

17:13a

These kings have one purpose: This clause indicates that the ten kings will be united in how they rule. They will be in agreement. Other ways to translate this clause are:

These ten all have the same purpose (Good News Translation)
-or-
These kings have a single intent (NET Bible)
-or-
These are of one mind (Revised Standard Version)

17:13b

to yield their power and authority to the beast: This clause explains what their united purpose is. The ten kings use their power to serve the beast and obey him. For example:

in putting their strength and their powers at the beast’s disposal (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
namely, they will ⌊completely⌋ obey the beast with all their power and authority

power: Here the word power refers to having the ability to do something.

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

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 19:3

19:3a

a second time they called out: The Greek clause is literally “they said a second time.” It indicates they spoke more. It does not mean that they repeated exactly what they said earlier.

called out: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as called out is literally “said.” Translate this word as you did in 19:1.

19:3b

Her smoke rises: This phrase refers to evidence of the punishment that was given to Babylon. The beast and the ten kings will burn the city named Babylon (17:16) but God’s punishment lasts forever. The Greek grammar and the Berean Standard Bible have the focus on the smoke. The focus is not on who burned her here. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

her smoke (New Century Version)
-or-
the smoke from her ⌊punishment⌋

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:

for timeless ages (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 20:14

20:14a

Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire: This clause symbolically indicates that Death and Hades will be destroyed so that they will no longer have any effect on people. After this time, no one will die and no one will go to Hades.

In some languages a literal translation would not have the correct meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain its meaning in your translation. For example:

death and Hades were ⌊destroyed by being⌋ thrown into the lake of fire
-or-
death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire ⌊and therefore became useless/powerless⌋

• Translate the meaning without the figure of speech. For example:

death and Hades were destroyed
-or-
death and Hades became useless/powerless

You may then want to indicate the literal words in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Literally: “death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire.” These words indicate that death and Hades will be destroyed. They will longer have any effect on people.

• Explain its figurative meaning in a footnote. An example footnote is:

This saying refers figuratively to death and Hades being destroyed so that they no longer have any effect on people.

Death and Hades were thrown: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊God⌋ threw death and Hades
-or-

⌊they/someone⌋ threw death and Hades
-or-

⌊God commanded/caused someone to⌋ throw death and Hades

20:14b

This is the second death—the lake of fire:
The first death is when a person’s body dies on earth. The phrase the second death refers to being thrown into the lake of fire. Other ways to translate this clause are:

The lake of fire is what is called the second death
-or-
The lake of fire is the second time of dying

See how you translated the phrase second death in 20:6.

the second death: This phrase is emphasized in the Greek. If possible, emphasize this phrase.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 22:4

22:4

They will see His face: No human has seen God’s face (Exodus 33:20, 1 Timothy 6:16). But God will make his people (“servants,” 22:3c) holy, so that they can come to him and see his face. This clause implies that they can speak personally with God. For example:

they will see him face to face (New Jerusalem Bible)

His: This pronoun probably refers to God here.

His name will be on their foreheads: This clause indicates that the people belong to God and have a relationship with him.

In some languages people will think the name on their foreheads has another purpose. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain the correct meaning in your translation. For example:

his name will be on their foreheads ⌊to show that they belong to him⌋

• Explain the correct meaning in a footnote. For example:

The name on their foreheads indicates that the people belong to God and have a relationship with him.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2020