Discovery BoxRevelation 12:1-4 
Context12:1 Then 1 a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and with the moon under her feet, and on her head was a crown of twelve stars. 2 12:2 She 3 was pregnant and was screaming in labor pains, struggling 4 to give birth. 12:3 Then 5 another sign appeared in heaven: a huge red dragon that had seven heads and ten horns, and on its heads were seven diadem crowns. 6 12:4 Now 7 the dragon’s 8 tail swept away a third of the stars in heaven and hurled them to the earth. Then 9 the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that he might devour her child as soon as it was born.
1 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
2 sn Sun…moon…stars. This imagery is frequently identified with the nation Israel because of Joseph’s dream in Gen 37.
3 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
4 tn Grk “and being tortured,” though βασανίζω (basanizw) in this context refers to birth pangs. BDAG 168 s.v. 2.b states, “Of birth-pangs (Anth. Pal. 9, 311 βάσανος has this mng.) Rv 12:2.” The καί (kai) has not been translated.
5 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
6 tn 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.
7 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate that this remark is virtually parenthetical.
8 tn Grk “its”; the referent (the dragon) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
9 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
