Text -- Revelation 17:7-18 (NET)

17:7 But the angel said to me, “Why are you astounded? I will interpret for you the mystery of the woman and of the beast with the seven heads and ten horns that carries her. 17:8 The beast you saw was, and is not, but is about to come up from the abyss and then go to destruction. The 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 the beast was, and is not, but is to come. 17:9 (This requires a mind that has wisdom.) The seven heads are seven mountains the woman sits on. They are also seven kings: 17:10 five have fallen; one is, and the other has not yet come, but whenever he does come, he must remain for only a brief time. 17:11 The beast that was, and is not, is himself an eighth king and yet is one of the seven, and is going to destruction. 17:12 The ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but will receive ruling authority as kings with the beast for one hour. 17:13 These kings have a single intent, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. 17:14 They will make war with the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer them, because he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those accompanying the Lamb are the called, chosen, and faithful.” 17:15 Then the angel said to me, “The waters you saw (where the prostitute is seated) are peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages. 17:16 The ten horns that you saw, and the beast– these will hate the prostitute and make her desolate and naked. They will consume her flesh and burn her up with fire. 17:17 For God has put into their minds to carry out his purpose by making a decision to give their royal power to the beast until the words of God are fulfilled. 17:18 As for the woman you saw, she is the great city that has sovereignty over the kings of the earth.”

Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Rev 17:7

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

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.

NET Notes: Rev 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.”

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

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).

NET Notes: Rev 17:9

¹ tn Grk “Here is the mind that has wisdom.”

² 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.

NET Notes: Rev 17:10

¹ tn That is, one currently reigns.

NET Notes: Rev 17:11

¹ tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

NET Notes: Rev 17:12

¹ tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

² tn For the translation “ruling authority” for ἐξουσία (exousia) see L&N 37.35.

NET Notes: Rev 17:13

¹ tn The word “kings” is not in the Greek text, but has been supplied to clarify the referent.

NET Notes: Rev 17:14

¹ tn See BDAG 636 s.v. μετά A.2.a.α.

NET Notes: Rev 17:15

¹ tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.

² tn Grk “he”; the referent (the angel) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

³ 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.

NET Notes: Rev 17:16

¹ tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

² 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.

³ tn The final clause could also be turned into an adverbial clause of means: “They will consume her flesh by burning her with fire.”

NET Notes: Rev 17:17

¹ tn Grk “hearts.”

² tn Or “his intent.”

³ tn The infinitive ποιῆσαι (poihsai) was translated here as giving the logical means by which God’s purpose was carried out.

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

⁵ tn For this translation see BDAG 168 s.v. βασιλεία 1.a, “kingship, royal power, royal rule.”

⁶ tn Or “completed.”

NET Notes: Rev 17:18

¹ tn Grk “And.” Because this remark is somewhat resumptive in nature, “as for” is used in the translation.