Paragraph 22:16

22:16a–b

to give you this testimony: The Greek phrase is literally “to testify these things to you.” The word “testify” means “to tell/report what one saw.” The word is often used when the person speaking is expected to be truthful and accurate. The angel showed everything in Revelation to John. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

faithfully report these things to you
-or-
accurately explain those things to you

for the churches: Here the word for means “for the benefit of.” Other ways to translate this phrase are:

for the sake of the churches (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
on behalf of the churches

churches: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as churches refers generally to gatherings of people. Someone summoned the people for a particular purpose. Here, as almost always in the NT, it refers to groups of believers. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

congregations
-or-
groups of believers
-or-
gatherings of believers

See how you translated this word in 1:4.

22:16c

the Root and the Offspring of David: This phrase combines two symbolic titles for Jesus. Jesus is the Root…of David, as in 5:5b. He is also the Offspring of David. This second title indicates that Jesus is the promised descendant of King David who saved his people. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

I am the root and the descendant of David (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
I am both the Shoot of David and the heir to his throne

the Root…of David: Here the word Root probably refers to a shoot that grows from the root of a plant when the main plant has been cut off. This phrase is a combination of Isaiah 11:1 and 11:10. This title refers to the promised leader of God’s people who was to be a descendant of David.

In some languages the meaning of the Root…of David is not clear. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Translate the meaning without the figure of speech. For example:

the ⌊special/unique⌋ Descendant of David
-or-
the ⌊promised⌋ Heir of David
-or-
the one who renews/restores David’s kingship

• Translate the literal meaning and explain its figurative meaning in a footnote. An example footnote is:

This phrase is a combination of Isaiah 11:1 and 11:10. It indicates that Jesus was the promised leader of God’s people who was to be a descendant of David.

Translate this phrase as you did in 5:5.

22:16d

the bright Morning Star:
This title is a symbol for the Christ, perhaps based on Numbers 24:17. You may want to explain the symbolic meaning in a footnote. An example footnote is:

The “Morning Star” is a symbol for the Christ here.

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