complete verse (Revelation 17:13)

Following are a number of back-translations of Revelation 17:13:

  • Uma: “Those ten kings, they were just of one mind/heart to help that evil animal. They submitted to that animal, and all their strength and the power of their governing/government(s) they used to do the will/desire of that evil animal.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “These ten kings will agree (lit. be of one planning) that they give their strength and authority to the creature.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “The ten kings will have only one purpose, and they will help the beast with their strength and power to rule.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Because they have only-one motive/purpose, they will turn-over their power and authority to the fearsome animal.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “These ten all have the same thing in mind, that’s why they will cause their means/ability and authority of kingship to be subject to that monster.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “These ten rulers all say the same thing. They agree to do whatever the terrible evil beast will say.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

The Woman and the Beast

The following is a stained glass window by William Wailes from the Cathédrale Notre-Dame in Clermont-Ferrand, France:

Source: Art in the Christian Tradition , a project of the Vanderbilt University Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. Original source: image donated by Jim Womack and Anne Richardson

Stained glass is not just highly decorative, it’s a medium which has been used to express important religious messages for centuries. Literacy was not widespread in the medieval and Renaissance periods and the Church used stained glass and other artworks to teach the central beliefs of Christianity. In Gothic churches, the windows were filled with extensive narrative scenes in stained glass — like huge and colorful picture storybooks — in which worshipers could ‘read’ the stories of Christ and the saints and learn what was required for their religious salvation. (Source: Victoria and Albert Museum )

Translation commentary on Revelation 17:13

These are of one mind and give over their power and authority to the beast: in many languages the phrase are of one mind will be expressed in a similar way to the Greek; for example, “put their hearts (or, minds) together” or “be united in their minds.” It would be in keeping with the writer’s style for translators to use this double statement to express one action; however, other languages may use, for example, a verb with an infinitive, as in “They will all agree to turn over their power and authority to the beast” or “They will all agree to let the beast have their….” Since this is yet to take place, it is better to use the future tense. These ten kings will willingly become the beast’s underlings. Of one mind occurs again in verse 17; for power see 3.8; for authority see “power” in 2.26.

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 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.

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