Revelation 17:15-18

Context

17:15 Then¹ the angel² said to me, “The waters you saw (where the prostitute is seated) are peoples, multitudes,³ nations, and languages. 17:16 The⁴ ten horns that you saw, and the beast – these will hate the prostitute and make her desolate and naked. They⁵ will consume her flesh and burn her up with fire.⁶ 17:17 For God has put into their minds⁷ to carry out his purpose⁸ by making⁹ a decision¹⁰ to give their royal power¹¹ to the beast until the words of God are fulfilled.¹² 17:18 As for¹³ the woman you saw, she is the great city that has sovereignty over the kings of the earth.”

[17:15] ¹tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.

[17:15] ²tn Grk “he”; the referent (the angel) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[17:15] ³tn 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] ⁴tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

[17:16] ⁵tn 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] ⁶tn 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] ⁷tn Grk “hearts.”

[17:17] ⁸tn Or “his intent.”

[17:17] ⁹tn The infinitive ποιῆσαι (poihsai) was translated here as giving the logical means by which God’s purpose was carried out.

[17:17] ¹⁰tn On this term BDAG 203 s.v. γνώμη 4 states, “declaration, decision, resolution…of God Rv 17:17.”

[17:17] ¹¹tn For this translation see BDAG 168 s.v. βασιλεία 1.a, “kingship, royal power, royal rule.”

[17:17] ¹²tn Or “completed.”

[17:18] ¹³tn Grk “And.” Because this remark is somewhat resumptive in nature, “as for” is used in the translation.