Translation commentary on Revelation 17:14

They will make war on the Lamb: this includes the ten kings and the beast, so it may be better to say explicitly “the beast and they” or “the ten kings and the beast.” For the verb “to make war” see 2.16.

The Lamb: see 5.6.

A comparison between Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation shows that Good News Bible has not followed the order of the Greek text. It seems best to join the Lamb’s followers to the Lamb in the statement about the Lamb’s victory over the beast and the ten kings, and many translators may wish to follow Good News Bible‘s model here. The text implies that they take part in the battle and share in the Lamb’s victory—which Revised Standard Version does not make clear. Translator’s New Testament has “will share his victory” at the end of the verse, which follows the order of the Greek text. And New Jerusalem Bible translates “the Lamb will defeat them, he and his followers….” However, in languages where dependent clauses always precede the main clause, it will be necessary to reorder these sentences; for example, “but the Lamb, because he is Lord of lords and King of kings, will with his called, chosen, and faithful followers defeat the beast and the ten kings.”

For he is Lord of lords and King of kings: this is a way of expressing the superlative “the greatest Lord, the mightiest King,” “the Lord and King of all.” This is the reason why he will defeat his enemies. The same kind of language is used of God in the Old Testament (see Deut 10.17; Dan 2.47). In certain languages this will be expressed as “he is the most powerful ruler and highest chief of all.” On the translation of king see 1.5 and elsewhere.

Those with him are called and chosen and faithful: the meaning may be expressed by “his followers are those whom God has called and chosen, and who are faithful to him.” For faithful see 1.5; 2.10.

Alternative translation models for this verse are:

• The beast and the ten kings will attack (or, fight against) the Lamb, but the Lamb and his followers will defeat them. This is because he is the greatest Lord, the almighty King, His followers are those whom God has called and chosen, and who are faithful (or, loyal) to him.”

Or:

• … and his followers will have the victory over them. The Lamb will defeat the beast and the ten kings because he is the most powerful ruler and highest king (or, chief) of all, and his followers….”

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 17:14

17:14a

They: This pronoun probably refers to the ten future kings.

make war: This phrase refers to fighting by organized groups. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

fight a war
-or-
battle

the Lamb: This is a title for Jesus. Jewish people killed a lamb at the Passover as a sacrifice to God. The lamb has symbolic meaning as a special sacrifice and is a symbol for the Christ. See how you translated this title in 5:6 or 15:3.

17:14b

triumph over: Here the word triumph over refers to the Lamb defeating the kings in that war. For example:

conquer (Revised Standard Version)

17:14c

He is Lord of lords and King of kings: These two phrases say almost the same thing. When a similar meaning is repeated, the repetition emphasizes that meaning. In some languages repeating a similar meaning has a different use. If that is true in your language, emphasize the meaning in a natural way. For example:

he is indeed the Lord over all rulers
-or-
he is Lord and King/Ruler over each and every leader

Lord of lords: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Lord means “the one in authority over (others),” or “owner.” The phrase Lord of lords indicates that Jesus has authority over all lords (and everyone else). See how you translated the word Lord in 4:8 or 16:7.

King of kings: Similarly, the phrase King of kings indicates that Jesus has authority over all kings (and everyone else). Other ways to translate this phrase are:

Leader over ⌊all⌋ leaders
-or-
Ruler of ⌊all⌋ rulers

17:14d

He will be accompanied by His called and chosen and faithful ones: The Greek words are literally “those with him are called and chosen and faithful” (as in the Revised Standard Version). The words refer to believers. Other ways to translate these words are:

those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
Those who are called, chosen, and faithful are with him (God’s Word)
-or-
those accompanying the Lamb are the called, chosen, and faithful (NET Bible)

He will be accompanied by: These verses do not say how or where the followers are with the Lamb. They either fight alongside him or only accompany him as he fights.

In some languages it is necessary or more natural to indicate how the followers are with the Lamb. If that is true in your language, translate this phrase so that it allows for both possibilities. For example:

⌊accompanying⌋ him
-or-

⌊going⌋ with him ⌊in victory⌋

His called: The word called refers to someone being invited to participate in something. Jesus has asked every believer to follow him. In some languages it is necessary or more natural to translate this phrase using an active verb. For example:

those whom he invited ⌊to follow him⌋

chosen: Jesus chooses each believer to follow him.

faithful: This word refers to people who continue to follow Jesus. Other ways to translate this word are:

remain believing/believers
-or-
continue following

General Comment on 17:14b–d

In some languages it is more natural to separate or reorder the information in 17:14b–d to make it clearer. For example:

but the Lamb, 14d bringing his called, chosen, and faithful followers, 14b will defeat them, 14c because he is Lord of lords and King of kings.
-or-
but the Lamb 14c is Lord of lords and King of kings, and so 14b will defeat them.14d Going with him will be his called, chosen, and faithful followers.

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