Beast [θ η ρ ι ο ν]. Properly rendered. See remarks on bona living creatures, ch. 4 6. Rise up [α ν α β α ι ν ο ν]. Rev., better, coming up, thus giving the force of the participle. Ten horns. Compare Daniel 7:7. Crowns [δ ι α δ η μ α τ α]. Compare ch. 12 3. See on ch. Revelation 2:10. The name... [ Continue Reading ]
A leopard [π α ρ δ α λ ε ι]. The ancients do not seem to have distinguished between the leopard, the panther, and the ounce. The word stands for either. Leopard is leo - pard, the lion - pard, which was supposed to be a mongrel between a panther and a lioness. Compare Daniel 7:6. Bear. Compare Dani... [ Continue Reading ]
I saw [ε ι δ ο ν]. Omitted in the best texts. Wounded [ε φ α γ μ ε ν η ν]. Lit., slain. See on ch. Revelation 5:6. The Rev. smitten is questionable. The word occurs eight times in Revelation, and in seven of these it must be rendered slain or slaughtered. Professor Milligan rightly observes that th... [ Continue Reading ]
Which gave [ο ς ε δ ω κ ε ν]. The correct reading is oti "because he gave." Who is like unto the beast ? A parody on a similar ascription to God. See Isaiah 40:18; Isaiah 40:25; Isaiah 46:5; Psalms 113:5; Micah 7:18; Jeremiah 49:19. Compare ch. 18 18.... [ Continue Reading ]
To continue forty and two months [π ο ι η σ α ι μ η ν α ς τ ε σ σ ε ρ α κ ο ν τ α δ υ ο]. Lit., to make forty and two months. Similarly, Acts 14:33, poihsantev cronon having tarried a space; lit., having made a time. See on continued there a year, James 4:13. The best expositors, however, render poi... [ Continue Reading ]
In blasphemy [ε ι ς β λ α σ φ η μ ι α ν]. Read blasfhmiav blasphemies. Rev., giving the force of eijv more correctly, "for blasphemies." And them that dwell in heaven [κ α ι τ ο υ ς ε ν τ ω ο υ ρ α ν ω σ κ η ν ο υ ν τ α ς]. The best texts omit kai and, making the following words in apposition with o... [ Continue Reading ]
The saints [τ ω ν α γ ι ω ν]. See on Acts 26:10. All kindreds [π α σ α ν φ υ λ η ν]. Rev., more literally and correctly, every tribe. See on ch. Revelation 1:7; v. 9. After tribe insert kai laon and people. See on 1 Peter 2:9. Nation [ε θ ν ο ς]. See on 1 Peter 2:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
From the foundation of the world. These words may be construed with slain or with written. In favor of the latter is ch. 18 8; of the former, 1 Peter 1:19; 1 Peter 1:20. Alford, pertinently as I think, urges the position of the words in favor of the connection with slain, and says that had it not be... [ Continue Reading ]
He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity [ε ι τ ι ς α ι χ μ α λ ω σ ι α ν σ υ ν α γ ε ι, ε ι ς α ι χ μ α λ ω σ ι α ν υ π α γ ε ι]. Lit., if any one assemble captivity (i. e., bring together captives) into captivity he goeth away. The best texts insert eijv into before the first captivi... [ Continue Reading ]
An image to the beast [ε ι κ ο ν α τ ω θ η ρ ι ω]. Eijkwn is a figure or likeness. thus Matthew 22:20, of the likeness of Caesar on the coin. Romans 1:24, an image of men, birds, beasts, etc. Colossians 3:10, "the image of Him that created him;" i e., the moral likeness of renewed men to God. Christ... [ Continue Reading ]
Speak. This is supposed by some to refer to the tricks of pagan priests in making pictures and statues appear to speak... [ Continue Reading ]
A mark [χ α ρ α γ μ α]. The word occurs frequently in Revelation, and only once elsewhere (Acts 17:29) on which see note. commentators find illustrations in the brand set upon slaves by their masters, or upon soldiers by their monarchs, and in the branding of slaves attached to certain temples. Hero... [ Continue Reading ]
The number. The method of mystic numbering obtained alike among pagan Greeks, Gnostics, Christian Fathers, and Jewish Cabbalists. Jupiter was invoked under the number 717 contained in the letters H APXH the beginning. The Gnostics affixed to their gems and amulets the mystic word ajbrasax or ajbraxa... [ Continue Reading ]
Here is wisdom. Directing attention to the challenge which follows. Count [ψ η φ ι σ α τ ω]. See on Luke 14:28. The number of a man. It is counted as men usually count. Compare ch. 21 17, and a man's pen, Isaiah 8:1. Some explain, a symbolical number denoting a person. Six hundred threescore and si... [ Continue Reading ]