SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2020 – Page 47

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 21:17

21:17a

And he measured its wall to be 144 cubits: The Greek does not say which measurement of the wall is 144 cubits. The Berean Standard Bible and some English versions (Revised Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition, God’s Word, NET Bible, English Standard Version, King James Version) translate the Greek literally. For example, the Revised Standard Version says:

He also measured its wall, a hundred and forty-four cubits

Other English versions interpret this measurement in two ways:

(1) The measurement refers to the height of the wall. For example:

He measured its wall, and this was a hundred and forty-four cubits high (New Jerusalem Bible)

(2) The measurement refers to the thickness of the wall, as in the Berean Standard Bible. For example:

Then he measured the walls and found them to be 216 feet thick (New Living Translation (2004))

If you interpret this measurement, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because 21:12 speaks of a great, high wall.

144 cubits: A “cubit” is a measure of length from a man’s fingertip to his elbow. One cubit is about 45 centimeters (1.5 feet). So this phrase refers to about 66 meters (216 feet). You may want to:

• Use the Jewish unit of measure as the Berean Standard Bible does. You may then want to explain the distance in a footnote. For example:

This is about 66 meters.
-or-
This is 216 feet.

• Use the common unit of measure in your area. For example:

66 meters
-or-
216 feet (Good News Translation)
-or-
86 paces

You may then want to explain the literal words in a footnote. For example:

Literally: “144 cubits.” The cubit is the Jewish unit of measure of length. It is the length from the fingertip to the elbow (about 45 centimeters).

21:17b

by the human measure: This phrase indicates that the angel used the cubit that people use. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

by man’s measurement (New International Version)
-or-
according to the cubit used by people

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 21:18

21:18a

jasper: This word refers to a spotted or veined stone of a variety of colors. It is often a reddish color, but can also be deep green, brown, or deep yellow. See how you translated this word in 21:11.

21:18b

the city itself of pure gold: This phrase indicates that everything in the city was made of pure gold. This would include the buildings and at least the main street (21:21b).

pure gold: The word pure refers to something without dirt or blemish. The gold had nothing else in it.

as pure as glass: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as pure :

(1) The phrase indicates that the gold is very pure. For example:

as pure as glass (New Century Version)

(2) The phrase indicates the gold is see-through. For example:

as clear as glass (Good News Translation)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the word pure should be understood in the same way here as in the phrase “pure gold.” Other ways to translate this phrase are:

with the brilliance of glass (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
bright as clear glass (Revised English Bible)

The Greek word also means “clean.” John probably implies that the city is acceptable to God. The Jews and Jesus used the word “clean” in the same way (Matthew 23:26, Luke 11:41, John 13:10) The gold of the city is completely without dirt or blemish. For example:

as clean as glass

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 21:19

21:19a

The foundations of the city walls were adorned with: This clause is passive. God caused the foundations to be decorated. Some languages must use an active or intransitive clause. For example:

⌊God⌋ had adorned the foundations of the city walls with
-or-

⌊God⌋ had caused the foundations of the city walls to be beautiful with
-or-
The foundations of the city walls were

were adorned: Here, the Greek word probably indicates that God adorned these foundation stones by making each foundation out of one gemstone (jasper, sapphire, and so on). For example:

were fashioned out of (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
Each of the twelve foundations was a precious stone. (Contemporary English Version)

every kind of precious stone: Each of the twelve foundation stones was a precious stone. The phrase every kind indicates that only precious stones were used. For example:

the most precious stones
-or-
very precious gemstones

21:19b

The first foundation was jasper: The Berean Standard Bible adds the word was to make the English natural. The first foundation stone was made of jasper. Other ways to translate this clause are:

the first of the foundation-stones being jasper (Revised English Bible)
-or-
The first foundation stone was ⌊made of⌋ jasper
-or-
The first foundation was jasper stone

See how you translated the word jasper in 21:18.

the second sapphire: The noun “foundation” and the verb “was” are implied but not repeated here. In some languages it is more natural to repeat some or all of the implied words. For example:

the second ⌊foundation⌋ ⌊was⌋ a sapphire
-or-
The second ⌊foundation⌋ ⌊was made of⌋ sapphire

sapphire: This name in Greek is spelled sapfiros. This word refers to a kind of blue stone that light shines through.

In some languages people are not familiar with sapphire. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

a shiny, glassy/transparent blue stone ⌊named⌋ sapphire

• Use the major language word for sapphire. If people are not familiar with this word, explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Sapphire is a kind of blue stone. Light shines through it.

21:19c

chalcedony: This name in Greek is spelled chalkēdon, where the “ch” is pronounced like a “k” without stopping the air in the mouth. This word probably refers to a kind of light tan stone with brown areas that shines brightly in the sun.

Another English word for chalcedony is:

agate (Good News Translation)

Light reflects off the surface of this stone. Light does not shine through this stone like it does through glass.

In some languages people are not familiar with chalcedony. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

a shiny, tan and brown stone ⌊named⌋ chalcedony

• Use the major language word for chalcedony. If people are not familiar with this word, explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Chalcedony is a kind of tan and brown stone. It shines brightly.

emerald: This word refers to a kind of bright green stone through which light shines.

In some languages people are not familiar with emerald. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

a shiny, glassy/transparent green stone ⌊named⌋ emerald

• Use the major language word for emerald. If people are not familiar with this word, explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Emerald is a kind of bright green stone. Light shines through it.

See how you translated this word in 4:3.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 21:20

21:20a

sardonyx: This name in Greek is spelled sardonux. This word refers to a kind of stone with red bands and lighter color bands. The lighter color bands can be white, tan, or pink. Light reflects off the surface of this stone. Light does not shine through this stone like it does through glass.

In some languages people are not familiar with sardonyx. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

a shiny, banded/striped red stone ⌊named⌋ sardonyx

• Use the major language word for sardonyx. If people are not familiar with this word, explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Sardonyx is a kind of red stone with lighter colored bands. It shines brightly.

carnelian: This word refers to a kind of blood-red stone that shines brightly in the sun. (The Greek word is sardion.) Light reflects off the surface of this stone. Light does not shine through this stone like it does through glass. See how you translated this word in 4:3.

21:20b

chrysolite: This name in Greek is spelled chrusolithos, where the “ch” is pronounced like a “k” without stopping the air in the mouth. This word probably refers to yellow jasper or yellow quartz. For example:

goldstone (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

Light reflects off the surface of yellow jasper, but it shines through yellow quartz.

In some languages people are not familiar with chrysolite. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

a shiny, yellow stone ⌊named⌋ chrysolite

• Use the major language word for chrysolite. If people are not familiar with this word, explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Chrysolite is a kind of yellow stone. It shines brightly.

beryl: This name in Greek is spelled berullos. This word refers to a kind of bluish-green or sea-green stone that light shines through.

In some languages people are not familiar with beryl. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

a shiny, glassy/transparent bluish-green stone ⌊named⌋ beryl

• Use the major language word for beryl. If people are not familiar with this word, explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Beryl is a kind of bluish-green stone. Light shines through it.

21:20c

topaz: This name in Greek is spelled topazion. This word refers to a kind of yellowish-brown or greenish-yellow stone that light shines through.

In some languages people are not familiar with topaz. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

a shiny, glassy/transparent yellow/greenish-yellow stone ⌊named⌋ topaz

• Use the major language word for topaz. If people are not familiar with this word, explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Topaz is a kind of yellow or greenish-yellow stone. Light shines through it.

chrysoprase: This name in Greek is spelled chrusoprasos, where the “ch” is pronounced like a “k” without stopping the air in the mouth. This word refers to a kind of green stone that shines brightly in the sun. Light reflects off the surface of this stone. Light does not shine through this stone like it does through glass.

In some languages people are not familiar with chrysoprase. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

a shiny green stone ⌊named⌋ chrysoprase

• Use the major language word for chrysoprase. If people are not familiar with this word, explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Chrysoprase is a kind of green stone. It shines brightly.

21:20d

jacinth: This name in Greek is spelled uakinthos. This Greek word refers to a kind of dark blue stone that shines brightly in the sun. Light reflects off the surface of this stone. Light does not shine through this stone like it does through glass. It may refer to the same color that is translated as “sapphire” in 9:17b.

In some languages people are not familiar with jacinth. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

a shiny, dark blue stone ⌊named⌋ jacinth

• Use the major language word for jacinth. If people are not familiar with this word, explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Jacinth is the Greek word for a kind of dark blue stone. It shines brightly.

amethyst: This name in Greek is spelled amethustos. This word refers to a kind of purple stone that light shines through.

In some languages people are not familiar with amethyst. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

a shiny, glassy/transparent purple stone ⌊named⌋ amethyst

• Use the major language word for amethyst. If people are not familiar with this word, explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Amethyst is a kind of purple stone. Light shines through it.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 21:21

21:21a

pearls: The word pearls refer to hard, shiny spheres found in the shellfish called oysters. They are often grayish white in color, but sometimes dark gray. The good ones are very valuable. See how you translated this word in 17:4 or 18:12.

with each gate consisting of a single pearl: The Greek clause is literally “each gate was of one pearl.” In English it is more natural to use a passive clause with the verb “make.” The topic is the gate. The topic is not who made it. Other ways to translate this clause are:

each gate was made of one pearl
-or-

⌊The material/substance of⌋ each gate was a single pearl

21:21b

The main street of the city was pure gold: The focus here is on the street and the gold used to make it. The focus is not on who made it or on the fact that it was made. Other ways to translate this clause are:

The main street consisted of pure gold
-or-

⌊The material/substance of⌋ the main street was pure gold

The main street: The Greek phrase is literally “the street.” The Berean Standard Bible and other English versions interpret this phrase as referring to the main street of the city. For example:

the great street (New International Version)

as clear as glass: It is not clear as to how the gold is as clear as glass. The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as clear occurs only here in the New Testament. It occurs only once in the Greek translation of the Old Testament, where it means “pure.” Many English versions translate as the Berean Standard Bible does. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

gleaming like glass (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
bright as clear glass
-or-
like transparent glass (New International Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 21:22

Paragraph 21:22–27

21:22a

But I saw no temple in the city: This sentence indicates that no temple existed in the city. Your translation should not imply that there was a temple hidden somewhere so that John did not see it. For example:

There was no temple ⌊anywhere⌋ in the city
-or-
Nowhere in the city did I see a temple

temple: The word temple refers to a building where God, or another deity, is believed to be present in a special way. People worship there. See how you translated this word in 3:12 or 16:17.

21:22b

because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple: Here the word temple refers figuratively to a place where people worship God. God and Jesus will live in the city and the people can worship them at any time and any place in the city. Other ways to translate this clause are:

the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb were themselves the temple (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are present in the city as its temple
-or-
the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are there and everyone worships in their presence

Lord: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Lord means “the one who has authority over (something),” or “owner.” God has authority over everyone. See how you translated this word in 4:8 or 19:6.

Almighty: This word is a title which means, “ the one with the power to do anything.” For example:

the All-Powerful (NET Bible)

See how you translated this word in 1:8 or 19:6.

the Lamb: This is a title for Jesus. Jewish people killed a lamb at the Passover as a sacrifice to God. The lamb has symbolic meaning as a special sacrifice and is a symbol for the Christ. See how you translated this title in 21:9.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 21:23

21:23a

And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it: The glory of God shines upon the city, so the city needs no other lights. Other ways to translate this clause are:

The city has no need of the sun or the moon to shine on it (Good News Translation)
-or-
There is no need for the sun or moon to shine on the city

21:23b

because: This conjunction introduces the reason for there being no need for the light of the sun or moon in the city.

the glory of God illuminates the city: The word glory refers to splendor and majesty. Here the word implies brightness. Other ways to translate this clause are:

the glory of God shines on it (Good News Translation)
-or-
it was lit by the radiant glory of God (New Jerusalem Bible)

the Lamb is its lamp: This metaphor indicates that the Lamb is like a lamp for the city. The metaphor probably refers figuratively to the Lamb showing God’s glory in the new Jerusalem.

In some languages a literal translation would not indicate the figurative meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:

the Lamb is ⌊like⌋ its lamp

• Explain its meaning in your translation. For example:

the Lamb ⌊shows God’s glory like⌋ a lamp

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

This metaphor indicates that the Lamb shows God’s glory, like a lamp gives light.

General Comment on 21:23a–b

The reason (21:23b) occurs after the result (21:23a). In some languages the reason must come first. For example:

23b The glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp, so 23a the city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 21:24

21:24a

By its light the nations will walk:
This clause indicates that all the peoples of the world will live in the light that comes from the city. Other ways to translate this clause are:

By its light the people of the world will walk (New Century Version)
-or-
Nations will walk by the light of that city (Contemporary English Version)

walk: This word refers figuratively to how people live. The nations will follow the ways of the people of the city.

21:24b

into it the kings of the earth will bring their glory:
There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as glory :

(1) It means glory, splendor, or majesty. For example:

the kings of the earth will bring their grandeur into it (NET Bible)

(2) It means wealth. For example:

kings will bring their riches there (Contemporary English Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

Here the word glory refers to the kings honoring the city by bringing to it their own splendor or majesty. Another way to translate this clause is:

to it the kings of the earth shall bring their splendour (Revised English Bible)

the kings of the earth: This phrase refers to the leaders of the nations (21:24a).

glory: See how you translated the word “glory” in 21:11a.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2020

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 21:17

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 21:18

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 21:19

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 21:20

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 21:21

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 21:22

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 21:23

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 21:24

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