Wahyu 17:8-9

17:8 The beast you saw was, and is not, but is about to come up from the abyss ¹  and then go to destruction. The ²  inhabitants of the earth – all those whose names have not been written in the book of life since the foundation of the world – will be astounded when they see that ³  the beast was, and is not, but is to come. 17:9 (This requires ⁴  a mind that has wisdom.) The seven heads are seven mountains ⁵  the woman sits on. They are also seven kings:

Wahyu 17:15-18

17:15 Then ⁶  the angel ⁷  said to me, “The waters you saw (where the prostitute is seated) are peoples, multitudes, ⁸  nations, and languages. 17:16 The ⁹  ten horns that you saw, and the beast – these will hate the prostitute and make her desolate and naked. They ¹⁰  will consume her flesh and burn her up with fire. ¹¹  17:17 For God has put into their minds ¹²  to carry out his purpose ¹³  by making ¹⁴  a decision ¹⁵  to give their royal power ¹⁶  to the beast until the words of God are fulfilled. ¹⁷  17:18 As for ¹⁸  the woman you saw, she is the great city that has sovereignty over the kings of the earth.”

[17:8]  ¹ tn On this term BDAG 2 s.v. ἄβυσσος 2 states, “netherworld, abyss, esp. the abode of the dead Ro 10:7 (Ps 106:26) and of demons Lk 8:31; dungeon where the devil is kept Rv 20:3; abode of the θηρίον, the Antichrist 11:7; 17:8; of ᾿Αβαδδών (q.v.), the angel of the underworld 9:11…φρέαρ τῆς ἀ. 9:1f; capable of being sealed 9:1; 20:1, 3.”

[17:8]  ² tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

[17:8]  ³ tn Some translations take the ὅτι (Joti) here as causal: “because he was, and is not, but is to come” (so NIV, NRSV), but it is much more likely that the subject of the ὅτι clause has been assimilated into the main clause: “when they see the beast, that he was…” = “when they see that the beast was” (so BDAG 732 s.v. ὅτι 1.f, where Rev 17:8 is listed).

[17:9]  ⁴ tn Grk “Here is the mind that has wisdom.”

[17:9]  ⁵ 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.

[17:15]  ⁶ tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.

[17:15]  ⁷ tn Grk “he”; the referent (the angel) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[17:15]  ⁸ tn Grk “and multitudes,” but καί (kai) has not been translated here and before the following term since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.

[17:16]  ⁹ tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

[17:16]  ¹⁰ 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]  ¹¹ tn The final clause could also be turned into an adverbial clause of means: “They will consume her flesh by burning her with fire.”

[17:17]  ¹² tn Grk “hearts.”

[17:17]  ¹³ tn Or “his intent.”

[17:17]  ¹⁴ tn The infinitive ποιῆσαι (poihsai) was translated here as giving the logical means by which God’s purpose was carried out.

[17:17]  ¹⁵ tn On this term BDAG 203 s.v. γνώμη 4 states, “declaration, decision, resolution…of God Rv 17:17.”

[17:17]  ¹⁶ tn For this translation see BDAG 168 s.v. βασιλεία 1.a, “kingship, royal power, royal rule.”

[17:17]  ¹⁷ tn Or “completed.”

[17:18]  ¹⁸ tn Grk “And.” Because this remark is somewhat resumptive in nature, “as for” is used in the translation.