SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2020 – Page 7

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 21:1

Section 21:1–8

John saw the new heaven and earth

In this section, John saw a new heaven, a new earth, and a new Jerusalem. John also heard someone explain that God now lives with his people. The person also spoke about those who did not follow God.

Other examples of headings for this section are:

The new heaven and earth descended, and God began living with his people
-or-
All things made new (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

Paragraph 21:1–4

21:1a

Then: The Greek word here is the usual word that indicates that the story continues. However, here it introduces a new part of the story. Use a natural way to introduce a new part of the story in your language.

a new heaven and a new earth: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as heaven can also mean “sky” as in 20:11b. Here it probably refers to everything in the universe that surrounds the earth. So the phrase heaven…and…earth probably refers to all of creation.

In some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer only to the place where God lives and the place where people live. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

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

a new earth and sky ⌊and everything else that God newly made⌋
-or-
a new earth and a new sky ⌊and all that is in them⌋

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

This saying refers to a whole new universe.

a new earth: The word earth refers to the whole world here: the land and sea.

21:1b

for: This conjunction introduces the reason that there was a new heaven and earth.

the first heaven and earth had passed away: This clause indicates that the first heaven and earth no longer existed. For example:

the first heaven and earth had ceased to exist (NET Bible)

the first heaven and earth: This phrase probably refers to the same things as in 20:11b. But there are some English translations that use the English word “sky” instead of heaven. In both verses, the phrase refers to all of creation. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

all that God created/made first
-or-
the first earth and sky ⌊and all that is in them⌋
-or-
the first universe

the first heaven: The word heaven here probably has the same meaning as in 21:1a.

21:1c

and the sea was no more: The Greek clause is literally “no sea existed anymore.” The new earth did not have a sea. In Jewish culture, the sea was a symbol of chaos and evil. So John probably used the sea as a symbol for chaos and evil.

You should translate following the Greek or English. But you may want to explain the implied information in a footnote. For example:

In Jewish culture, the sea was a symbol of chaos and evil.

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 20:13.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 22:6

22:6a

Then the angel: This is the same angel as in 21:9a and 22:1a.

These words: This phrase refers to everything revealed to John. For example:

Everything you have heard (New Living Translation (2004))

faithful: This word refers to something that someone can depend on. What God said will certainly happen. Other ways to translate this word are:

reliable (NET Bible)
-or-
can be trusted (Good News Translation)

See how you translated this word in 21:5.

22:6b

The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets:
The phrase the God of the spirits of the prophets describes the phrase The Lord. For example:

the Lord God who inspires the prophets (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
God the Lord speaks to the spirits of his prophets, and

the God of the spirits of the prophets: There are two ways to interpret the Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the God of :

(1) It indicates that God has a relationship with the spirits of the prophets. He gives messages to the prophets. For example:

God, who inspires his prophets (New Living Translation (2004))

(2) It indicates that God gives the Holy Spirit to the prophets. For example:

God, who gives his Spirit to the prophets (Good News Translation)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the Greek word for spirits is plural, so it probably refers to the spirits of the prophets. Other ways to translate this phrase according to interpretation (1) are:

the God who speaks to the spirits of the prophets
-or-
the God who is connected to the spirits of the prophets

prophets: The prophets are people to whom God gives a message. The message (often called a “prophecy”) may include a vision, as in Ezekiel 1 and Daniel 8. The message, called a prophecy, may reveal something about past events, current events, or future events. The prophet speaks God’s message to the people or writes it down for their use. See how you translated this word in 10:7 or 18:20.

His angel: This phrase may refer to the angel of 1:1 or it may refer to the angel of 4:1. You should translate this phrase without describing to which angel this phrase refers.

22:6c

His servants: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as servants can also be translated as “slaves.” Here the phrase refers to believers serving God. The difference between “slaves” and “servants” is not important here. See how you translated the word servants in 22:3.

what must soon take place: This phrase refers to all the events that are revealed in this book. For example:

what must happen very soon (Good News Translation)

See how you translated a similar phrase in 1:1 (“what must soon come to pass”).

must: Here the word must indicates that the events are required to happen. God has decided that these events will happen, and he will not change his mind. Other ways to translate this word are:

will necessarily
-or-
has been determined to

take place: The words take place mean “happen” (as in the Good News Translation).

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 1:12

Paragraph 1:12–16

1:12a

to see the voice that was speaking: The phrase the voice represents the person who spoke to John. In some languages it is more natural to refer to that person here. For example:

to see who was speaking (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
to see the person who spoke with that voice

1:12b–13c

In these verses the lampstands, the long robe, and the sash may imply a situation similar to that of a Jewish priest leading worship at the temple. A priest wore a long robe and sash, and a lampstand stood in the temple. These things may also imply high status for Jesus. Your translation should allow for one or both implied meanings.

1:12b

And having turned: John already referred to the action of turning in 1:12a. So referring to it a second time here emphasizes that action and what John saw. Other ways to translate this clause are:

And immediately upon turning
-or-
And when I turned (New International Version)
-or-
and so/indeed

golden: The word golden indicates that the lampstands were made of gold. Gold is a rare metal of a somewhat yellow color. It was the most expensive metal at that time. It is naturally shiny and beautiful. Below is a picture of a gold coin made in the Roman era of Caesar Augustus (who was the Roman emperor when Jesus was born).

Some languages do not have a word for “gold.” If that is true in your language, you should use the word from the major language in your area. The people in your language may not be familiar with gold. If that is true in your language, you may want to include a footnote. For example:

Gold is a rare metal of a somewhat yellow color. It was the most expensive metal at that time. It is naturally shiny and beautiful.

lampstands: A lampstand is a 1–2 meter (3–6 feet) tall rack or pillar for holding a lamp. It has a place for a lamp on its top. This context implies that there were lamps on the lampstands. There were many kinds and styles of lampstand. John did not say what kind of lampstand he saw. The drawing here only shows generally what lampstands look like.

A lamp in John’s time was a small clay or metal container in which people burned oil. The lamp was shaped to hold a wick on one side. The exact kind of lamp is not important here. So if you translate the term lampstand with a phrase that means “a holder for a lamp,” in that phrase you should use a word that refers generally to a lamp or light-producing device. Some of the styles of lamps used in John’s time are shown below.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2:25

2:25

Nevertheless: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Nevertheless introduces something important. There is possible contrast to 2:24d here. Other ways to translate this Greek word are:

In any case
-or-
Only (New International Version)
-or-
However (NET Bible)

hold fast to what you have: The phrase what you have probably refers generally to Christ’s commands and teaching. It does not refer to earthly goods. Other ways to translate this clause are:

continue to follow me as you have been
-or-
you must hold firmly to the teaching you have (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
continue in your loyalty (New Century Version)

until I come: This phrase refers to the second coming of Jesus. You may already have a usual way to refer to the second coming. If so, you may want to use it here. For example:

until I come again

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 4:6

4:6a

was something like a sea of glass: This clause indicates that John saw something that was like a sea. A sea is a large body of water that is many kilometers wide. The sea that John saw may have been solid like glass or liquid like water. Other ways to translate this clause are:

there is something like a sea of glass (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
something resembling a sea of glass
-or-
something spread out like a sea of glass

a sea of glass: The sea could be made of glass. Or it could be made of something flat and shiny like water that is perfectly smooth. In that way it looked smooth and clear like glass.

as clear as crystal: The Greek words only indicate that the sea of glass was “like crystal” (as in the Revised Standard Version). The comparison to crystal probably indicates that John could see through the sea in the way that someone can see through clear water. So the Berean Standard Bible and some other English versions add the word clear. But “as crystal” may instead refer to it being shiny or flat or angled (rather than rounded).

crystal: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as crystal refers to various substances that are bright, shiny, and have flat surfaces. The Greek word probably refers only to crystals that let light shine through them. Salt and ice are crystals, but here it is probably crystals as hard or harder than stone that are implied. Quartz, diamonds, and sapphires are examples of hard crystals.

Here the focus is on the fact that crystals are shiny and let light shine through them.

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

• Use the characteristics of crystals that are important here. For example:

bright/sparkling, ⌊flat,⌋ and clear

• 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:

Crystals are hard substances that are see-through, shiny, and have flat surfaces.

Paragraph 4:6b–11

4:6b

In the center: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as In the center is literally “in the middle/midst of the throne.” Since God is sitting on the throne, this phrase probably refers to the middle of the throne area. It indicates that the four living creatures were near or next to the throne of God. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

In the center near the throne (God’s Word)
-or-
Close to the throne

around the throne: The living creatures were around the throne, perhaps:

(1) one at each corner,

(2) two on the right side and two on the left side,

(3) one in back and one in front and one on each side.

Use a general phrase like around the throne. This allows for one or more of the above meanings.

four living creatures: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as living creatures is literally “living (ones).” They are beings like angels, cherubim (Ezekiel 1), or seraphim (Isaiah 6). In John’s vision, some of these beings look like various animals (4:7). However, they are able to speak and praise God (4:8). Other ways to translate this phrase are:

four living beings (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
four living things/ones

4:6c

covered with eyes in front and back: These creatures had eyes all over their whole bodies. Other ways to translate this clause are:

full of eyes in front and behind (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
each covered with eyes, front and back (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
with eyes all over them, in front and in back (New Century Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 6:13

6:13a

stars of the sky: The phrase of the sky describes the location of the stars. It poetically contrasts with the phrase “to the earth.” But in some languages the phrase of the sky is not necessary or natural. For example:

stars (Good News Translation)

of the sky: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sky also means “heaven.” Here the word refers to the place where stars are. Use the normal word in your language here.

In some languages it is more natural to refer to the sky as the place where the stars fell from. For example:

the stars fell from the sky

6:13b

unripe figs dropping from a tree: This kind of fig tree bears edible fruit. Sometimes the tree bears fruit later than the normal time for figs.

In some languages fig trees are not known. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Use the name of a common tree that bears fruit that the wind could blow off the tree as the fruit becomes ripe. You may then want a footnote to explain the literal word. For example:

Literally: “fig tree.”

• Use the major language word. You may want to include a footnote to explain why that tree was chosen for this simile. An example footnote is:

The fig tree is a common tree in Israel that produces late fruit. The autumn winds can easily blow the figs off the tree.

unripe figs: The Greek word here refers to figs that remained unripe late in the fig growing season. They do not ripen. After the growing season, a strong wind can easily blow them off of the tree. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

out of season figs
-or-
late figs (New International Version)

Use a word that describes fruit that a wind could blow off of the trees.

shaken by a great wind: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

when a great wind shakes it

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 9:1

Paragraph 9:1–6

9:1a

Then the fifth angel sounded his trumpet: Translate this clause in a similar way to the other angels sounding their trumpets. See 8:7 or 8:12.

fifth: The word fifth refers to the next item after four other things. If counted, this item would be counted as number five. Other ways to translate this word are:

the one after the other four
-or-
the one after the four of them
-or-
another (after the other four)

9:1b

a star that had fallen: This phrase indicates that the star had already fallen. For example:

a star that had previously fallen

(New International Version🙂 sky: The Greek word that the New International Version translates as sky can refer either to the sky or to heaven. Here John has only said that the star had fallen to the earth. So he probably meant sky here.

9:1c

and it was given the key: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊Someone/They⌋ gave the key to him
-or-

⌊God had someone⌋ give the key to him
-or-
The star received the key

it: The pronoun it refers to the “star” mentioned in 9:1b. Another way to translate this pronoun is:

The star (New International Version)

to: The key opened or unlocked the shaft of the Abyss. In some languages it is more natural to include that implied information in your translation. For example:

to ⌊open⌋
-or-
that ⌊unlocks⌋

the pit of the Abyss: There are several ways to interpret the Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the pit of the Abyss :

(1) It means the shaft that leads to the Abyss. The Abyss is deeper in the earth, and this is the shaft that connects to it. For example:

the shaft leading down to the Abyss (New Jerusalem Bible)

(2) It means the pit is the Abyss. The Abyss is a pit that has no bottom. For example:

the bottomless pit (New American Standard Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the word Abyss means more than a hole in the ground.

(New International Version🙂 shaft: This word refers to a very deep hole that goes straight down or goes in a mostly downward direction. Other ways to translate this word are:

downward tunnel/cave
-or-
hole

Abyss: The word Abyss refers to a very deep pit or chasm. It indicates that the pit or chasm was too deep to measure. Here it probably refers to something underground rather than a chasm, since a shaft leads to it. Here the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Abyss refers to an underground place where the spirits of dead people and demons lived. Other ways to translate this word are:

bottomless pit (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
hole deep beyond measure
-or-
cave/cavern leading to the place of the dead

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 11:2

11:2a

exclude the courtyard outside the temple. Do not measure it: These two clauses have the same meaning. In some languages it is more natural to reverse their order or combine them into one clause. For example:

do not measure the outermost courtyard of temple; ignore it
-or-
do not measure the outer courtyard (New Living Translation (2004))

exclude the courtyard outside the temple: This clause indicates that the outer court was not to be included in measuring the temple area. Other ways to translate this clause are:

Leave out the court which is outside the temple (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
leave that out (English Standard Version)

By excluding the courtyard outside the temple, John would measure only the distance around the inner courts. Within these courts was the temple.

In some languages it is more natural to explain what was measured. For example:

exclude the outer court ⌊and measure only the wall around the inner courts and the temple⌋

courtyard outside the temple: The temple in Jerusalem was surrounded by several courtyards. The phrase courtyard outside the temple refers to the area inside the outermost wall. But it does not include the courtyard of women, the courtyard of men and the courtyard of the priests.

The courtyard outside the temple was set aside for people who were not Jews. They could worship God there. They were not allowed into any of the other courts. John was told to measure the size of the temple and the inner courtyards that surrounded the temple. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the outer courtyard of the temple (NET Bible)
-or-
the outermost court/area of the temple

11:2b

it has been given over to the nations: This clause indicates that God allowed the non-Jews, often referred to as “the Gentiles,” to occupy or control this courtyard. The clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊God⌋ has given it to the Gentiles

it: This pronoun refers to the outer court.

the nations: Here the word nations refers to people who are not Jews. Here the word refers to people who are not the people of God. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the Gentiles (New International Version)
-or-
foreigners
-or-
the heathen (Good News Translation)
-or-
those people who don’t know God (Contemporary English Version)

11:2c

they will trample: The word trample means to walk over something and stomp on it so as to destroy it. Here it refers figuratively to oppressing people.

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

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

They will oppress

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

Literally: “trample.”

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

The word “trample” refers figuratively to oppressing the people in the holy city.

the holy city: The scholars have various opinions about what this phrase refers to. Translate this phrase literally.

holy: Here this word refers to the city as being dedicated for God’s use. Other ways to translate holy are:

set apart
-or-
special ⌊in God’s eyes⌋

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2020