Paragraph 16:10–11

16:10a

fifth: This word refers to the next item after four other things. If counted, this item would be counted as number five. See how you translated this word in 6:9 or 9:1.

throne: A throne is the official chair of a king. It is a symbol for authority to rule. The beast ruled over the people as king. See how you translated this word in 1:4.

beast: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as beast refers to any animal, often a wild animal. The Berean Standard Bible uses the word beast to imply that this being is fierce, dangerous, or evil. The word here refers to a demon or other spirit being that is fierce like a beast. This word probably refers to the first beast. See how you translated this word in 13:1.

16:10b

and its kingdom was plunged into darkness: This clause indicates that the plague caused the kingdom of the beast to become totally dark. This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active or intransitive clause. For example:

and his kingdom became darkened
-or-
so that darkness covered his kingdom (NET Bible)
-or-
and the plague plunged his kingdom into darkness

its kingdom: This phrase refers to both the land and the people under his rule.

16:10c

and men began to gnaw their tongues in anguish: This idiom indicates that the people suffered greatly. The Greek grammar probably indicates that they suffered for some time, not just briefly. Other ways to translate this clause are:

its people began biting their tongues in pain (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
the people were chewing their tongues ⌊because of⌋ the suffering

Some languages do not use the idiom gnaw their tongues to express suffering. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Translate literally, since the reason that they gnaw their tongues was because of their anguish.

• Use the phrase in your language that expresses deep suffering. You may then want to explain the literal phrase. For example:

Literally: “gnawed their tongues.” This phrase expresses great suffering.

men: This word is general and refers to people (as in the Good News Translation and New Jerusalem Bible). Here it refers to the people who followed the beast.

anguish: This word refers to great pain or distress. Other ways to translate this word are:

agony (New International Version)
-or-
great suffering

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