Revelation 13:1-2

The Two Beasts

13:1 Then¹ I saw a beast coming up out of the sea. It² had ten horns and seven heads, and on its horns were ten diadem crowns,³ and on its heads a blasphemous name.⁴ 13:2 Now⁵ the beast that I saw was like a leopard, but its feet were like a bear’s, and its mouth was like a lion’s mouth. The⁶ dragon gave the beast⁷ his power, his throne, and great authority to rule.⁸

Revelation 13:14

13:14 and, by the signs he was permitted to perform on behalf of the beast, he deceived those who live on the earth. He told⁹ those who live on the earth to make an image to the beast who had been wounded by the sword, but still lived.

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

²tn Grk “having” (a continuation of the previous sentence). All of the pronouns referring to this beast (along with the second beast appearing in 13:11) could be translated as “it” because the word for beast (θηρίον, qhrion) is neuter gender in Greek and all the pronouns related to it are parsed as neuter in the Gramcord/Accordance database. Nevertheless, most interpreters would agree that the beast ultimately represents a human ruler, so beginning at the end of v. 4 the masculine pronouns (“he,” “him,” etc.) are used to refer to the first beast as well as the second beast appearing in 13:11.

³tn For the translation of διάδημα (diadhma) as “diadem crown” see L&N 6.196.

sn Diadem crowns were a type of crown used as a symbol of the highest ruling authority in a given area, and thus often associated with kingship.

⁴tc ‡ Several mss (A 051 1611 1854 2053 2344 2351 Ï^K) read the plural ὀνόματα (onomata, “[blasphemous] names”), while the singular ὄνομα (onoma, “name”) has somewhat better support (Ì⁴⁷ א C 1006 1841 2329 Ï^A). The plural reading seems motivated by the fact that what is written is written “on its heads.” In the least, it is a clarifying reading. NA²⁷ puts the plural in brackets, indicating doubts as to its authenticity.

sn Whether this means a single name on all seven heads or seven names, one on each head, is not clear.

⁵tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the parenthetical nature of the following description of the beast.

⁶tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

⁷tn Grk “gave it”; the referent (the beast) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

⁸tn For the translation “authority to rule” for ἐξουσία (exousia) see L&N 37.35.

⁹tn Grk “earth, telling.” This is a continuation of the previous sentence in Greek.

sn He told followed by an infinitive (“to make an image…”) is sufficiently ambiguous in Greek that it could be taken as “he ordered” (so NIV) or “he persuaded” (so REB).