Translation commentary on Revelation 16:7

I heard the altar cry: in some languages it may be impossible to speak of an altar crying out or saying something; in these cases it may be necessary to imitate Good News Translation, “I heard a voice from the altar” (see in 6.9 the souls of the martyrs near the altar). In 8.3-5 the prayers of God’s people are offered on the altar of incense, and here it is probably this altar that is meant. In languages that cannot speak of voices crying, one may need to say, for example, “I heard someone crying out from the altar, saying….”

Yea: something like “Indeed” or “Truly” is better in English. New Revised Standard Version has “Yes.”

Lord God the Almighty: see comments on 1.8; 11.17.

True and just: see 15.3. Since judgments here, as in verse 5, refers specifically to the punishments, the translation can say “your punishments (or, the punishments you send) are fair and well deserved.” Or it is possible to translate “You have judged them fairly and justly.”

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 16:7

16:7a

(Good News Translation🙂 Then I heard a voice from the altar saying
The Greek phrase is literally “of the altar saying.” There are two ways to interpret this clause:

(1) It indirectly indicates that someone at or near the altar spoke. For example:

a voice from the altar saying (Good News Translation)

(2) It indicates that the altar itself spoke. For example:

the altar itself say (New Jerusalem Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the literal Greek phrase “of the altar” probably refers to someone at the altar.

altar: On earth, an altar is a platform on which people offer sacrifices or gifts to God. This altar is similar to the sacrificing altar in front of the Jewish temple. But this altar is in heaven in John’s vision. See how you translated this word in 6:9.

16:7b

Yes, Lord God Almighty: The phrase Lord God Almighty is a direct address. In some languages it is more natural to have the direct address first. For example:

Lord God Almighty, yes

Yes: Here the word Yes indicates that the speaker agrees with what the angel said (16:5b–6b).

Lord: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Lord means “the one who has authority over (others),” or “owner.” God is ruler over all things. See how you translated this word in 4:8 or 15:3.

Almighty: This word is a title meaning “the one with the power to do anything.” For example:

the All-Powerful (NET Bible)

See how you translated this word in 1:8 or 15:3.

true and just are Your judgments: The Berean Standard Bible and other English versions have changed the order of the words in this clause. In Greek and in English doing this emphasizes the phrase true and just here.

In some languages it is more natural to use the normal order of the words. For example:

your judgments are true and just

true: Here the word true indicates that God’s judgments do not have any deceit or lie in them.

just: Here the word just refers to judging correctly. Other ways to translate this word are:

right
-or-
proper

judgments: This word refers to God’s decision to punish the people who killed the saints and prophets. See how you translated this word in 16:5.

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