Wahyu 17:7

17:7 But ¹  the angel said to me, “Why are you astounded? I will interpret ²  for you the mystery of the woman and of the beast with the seven heads and ten horns that carries her.

Wahyu 17:9

17:9 (This requires ³  a mind that has wisdom.) The seven heads are seven mountains ⁴  the woman sits on. They are also seven kings:

Wahyu 17:12

17:12 The ⁵  ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but will receive ruling authority ⁶  as kings with the beast for one hour.

Wahyu 17:16

17:16 The ⁷  ten horns that you saw, and the beast – these will hate the prostitute and make her desolate and naked. They ⁸  will consume her flesh and burn her up with fire. ⁹ 

[17:7]  ¹ tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.

[17:7]  ² tn Grk “I will tell you,” but since what follows is the angel’s interpretation of the vision, “interpret for you” is the preferred translation here.

[17:9]  ³ tn Grk “Here is the mind that has wisdom.”

[17:9]  ⁴ tn It is important to note that the height of “mountains” versus “hills” or other topographical terms is somewhat relative. In terms of Palestinian topography, Mount Tabor (traditionally regarded as the mount of transfiguration) is some 1,800 ft (550 m) above sea level, while the Mount of Olives is only some 100 ft (30 m) higher than Jerusalem.

[17:12]  ⁵ tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

[17:12]  ⁶ tn For the translation “ruling authority” for ἐξουσία (exousia) see L&N 37.35.

[17:16]  ⁷ tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

[17:16]  ⁸ tn A new sentence was started here in the translation. Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

[17:16]  ⁹ tn The final clause could also be turned into an adverbial clause of means: “They will consume her flesh by burning her with fire.”