blaspheme, blasphemy

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The Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, Ge’ez, and Latin that is translated as “blasphemy” or “blaspheme” is translated in various forms:

complete verse (Revelation 13:5)

Following are a number of back-translations of Revelation 13:5:

  • Uma: “God allowed that evil animal to utter arrogant words [lit., words that put ahead], that are fitting/appropriate only to God. He was also allowed to rule and do his will for forty-two months.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “This creature was allowed to rule on earth for forty two months. He was also allowed to boast and even to speak-evil about/of God, he was simply allowed.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “God paid no attention to the beast when he spoke wicked proud words which were transgressions against God. He also permitted him to rule for forty-two months.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “God permitted that fearsome animal to rule for forty two months and to speak arrogant-things that usurped-his (God’s) -authority/position.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Suddenly/unexpectedly that monster was able to speak, to boast and to insult/belittle God. And he was permitted to reign over those he held subject for the space of forty two months.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “The terrible animal was given power to open his mouth and talk. He spoke words of boasting and words which were against God. And forty-two months it was determined that he would have this power.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Revelation 13:5

The beast was given a mouth: here mouth represents the power of speech; “was allowed to speak,” “received the ability (or, power) to speak.” The passive verb points to God as the one who allows the beast to speak. So in those languages that do not use the passive, one may say “God allowed the beast to….”

Uttering haughty and blasphemous words: the Greek text says “great (utterances) and blasphemies,” which may be understood to mean “outrageous blasphemies.” For “blasphemy” see Rev. 13.1. For the whole statement see Dan 7.8, 20, 25. As translated by Good News Translation, the “proud claims” were themselves insults to God. The idea is that the beast was claiming rights and authority that belong only to God. One may also render this as “boast about his authority and thus insult God.”

It was allowed to exercise authority: again, God is in control; “God allowed the beast to have authority.”

Forty-two months: see 11.2-3.

Alternative translation models for languages that do not use the passive are:

• The beast received the right to boast about himself and thus insult God. He received authority to act for forty-two months.

Or:

• God allowed the beast to boast about his authority and thus insult him (God). God permitted him to have this authority for forty-two months.

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 13:5

Paragraph 13:5–8

13:5a

The beast was given a mouth to speak arrogant and blasphemous words: The phrase was given a mouth is an idiom. It probably indicates that God allowed the beast to speak these arrogant and blasphemous words. For example:

The beast was allowed to make proud claims which were insulting to God (Good News Translation)

The beast was given a mouth: The clause is passive. Some ways to translate it are:

• Use a passive clause. For example:

A mouth was given to the beast
-or-
The beast was allowed to speak (God’s Word)

• Use an active clause. Probably the dragon gave the words to say, as he gave authority in 13:2d. (God allowed all these things in 13:1–8, but John was speaking about the dragon and the beast in these verses.) For example:

⌊The dragon⌋ gave the beast a mouth/message

• Use a verb that implies that someone gave the words to say. For example:

The beast received permission to speak

arrogant…words: The Greek word is literally “great (things).” Here the Greek word refers to boasting. For example:

boasts (New Jerusalem Bible)

blasphemous words: The word blasphemous refers to words which slander God. It may refer to saying that God is evil. It may also refer to claiming that someone else is the true God. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

claims which were insulting to God (Good News Translation)
-or-
sayings that dishonor God
-or-
things/words that greatly slander God

See how you translated the similar word “blasphemous” in 13:1.

13:5b

authority to act: The Greek words are literally “was given authority to it to do.” The two ways to interpret the Greek words are:

(1) It indicates that the beast was allowed to use the authority that the dragon had given him. For example:

it was allowed to use its power (New Century Version)

(2) It indicates that the beast was permitted to continue boasting and speaking blasphemy. For example:

was granted permission to continue (Revised English Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). The word “give” is implied from 13:5a. Probably the dragon gave permission, as in 13:5a. Other ways to translate this are:

it was permitted to have authority (Good News Translation)
-or-

⌊the dragon⌋ ⌊gave to him⌋ the right to use his authority

42 months: This is the same amount of time as the 1,260 days in 12:6b, but counted in months. The Greek uses number words. There are several ways to translate this meaning:

• Use number words. For example:

forty-two months (New International Version)

• Use numerals, as the Berean Standard Bible does.

Some languages have difficulty with big numbers. If that is true in your language, use a different time word. For example:

three and a half years
-or-
three years and six months

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