scroll

The Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek that is translated in English as “scroll” is translated in Khoekhoe with xamiǂkhanisa or “rolled-up book” (source: project-specific notes in Paratext) and in Newari as “paper that has been rolled up” (source: Newari Back Translation).

See also roll up the scroll.

complete verse (Revelation 10:2)

Following are a number of back-translations of Revelation 10:2:

  • Uma: “His right foot stepped on the sea, and his left foot stepped on the land/shore. In his hand was a small paper/letter that was opened up.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “He held a small paper roll that had already been opened. He placed his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the soil.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And in his hand he holds a small open scroll. His right foot was placed in the midst of the sea, and his left foot was placed on the land.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “He was holding a small paper which was unrolled/spread-open. His right foot, he stepped-with-it on the ocean and his right on the land/soil.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “There was a little writing which he was holding which was open. As for his right leg/foot, he stepped with it in the ocean. As for his left leg/foot, here on earth/land is where he was stepping.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “He carried in his hand a paper. His right foot stood on the sea. His left foot stood on land.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

sea / lake

The various Greek, Aramaic, Ge’ez, and Latin and Hebrew terms that are translated as “sea,” “ocean,” or “lake” in English are all translated in Chichewa with one term: nyanja. Malawi, where Chichewa is spoken, has a lot of lakes but does not share a border with the ocean. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Revelation 10:2

A little scroll: this differs from the scroll in 5.1; this one is small and is not sealed, but lies open, that is, unrolled, in the angel’s hand (see Ezek 2.10). A Greek diminutive form for “scroll” is used, hence little scroll. Its contents can be seen. If a translation must specify which hand of the angel is meant, probably the right hand should be chosen. So another way of expressing this clause is “He held a small unrolled scroll (or, paper document) in his hand.”

His right foot on the sea, and his left foot on the land: this indicates that the angel is gigantic. It is pointless to try to identify the sea as the Mediterranean. The picture is meant to show that the message is for the inhabitants of the whole earth. So it is possible to say “He put his right foot down upon (or, on the surface of) the oceans, and his left foot on the dry land.”

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on The Revelation to John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1993. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 10:2

10:2a

He held in his hand a small scroll, which lay open: The clause and phrase He held in his hand a small scroll, which lay open explain how the angel held the scroll. The scroll was partly unrolled and lay on his open hand. Other ways to translate this clause are:

He had a small scroll open in his hand. (Good News Translation)
-or-
He held a small, opened scroll in his hand. (God’s Word)

a small scroll: This scroll was a different one than the scroll with the seven seals.

scroll: The word scroll refers to a long piece of paper that is written on. Then it is rolled into a cylinder shape. See how you translated this word in 5:1.

10:2b

He placed his right foot on the sea: Here the Greek word the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as placed means “placed” or “put.” The Good News Translation translates this as:

He put his right foot on the sea

on the sea: Here the word on probably indicates that the angel’s foot was on the surface of the sea. His foot was probably not sunk into 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. The sea is symbolic, so you should not name a particular sea. See how you translated this word in 5:13 or 8:8.

his left foot on the land: The phrase “He placed/put” is implied from the previous clause but not repeated. In some languages it is more natural to repeat some or all of the phrase. For example:

⌊he put⌋ his left foot on the land

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