¹tn Here kaiv (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
²tn Or “from heaven” (the same Greek word means both “heaven” and “sky”).
³tn On this term BDAG 2 s.v. a[busso" 2 states, “netherworld, abyss, esp. the abode of the dead Ro 10:7 (Ps 106:26) and of demons Lk 8:31; dungeon where the devil is kept Rv 20:3; abode of the qhrivon, the Antichrist 11:7; 17:8; of *Abaddwvn (q.v.), the angel of the underworld 9:11…frevar th'" aj. 9:1f; capable of being sealed 9:1; 20:1, 3.”
⁴tn Here kaiv (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
⁵tn Grk “the shaft,” but since this would be somewhat redundant in English, the pronoun “it” is used here.
⁶tn Here kaiv (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
⁷tn Here kaiv (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
⁸tn See BDAG 352 s.v. ejxousiva 2, “potential or resource to command, control, or govern, capability, might, power.”
⁹tn Here kaiv (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
¹⁰tn The dative indirect object (aujtai'", autais) was converted into the subject (“they”) as this more closely approximates English usage. The following i{{na (Jina) is taken as substantival, introducing a direct object clause. In this case, because it is reported speech, the i{na is similar to the declarative o{ti (Joti).
¹¹tn Grk “men”; but a[nqrwpo" (anqrwpo") is used in a generic sense here of both men and women.
¹²tn The article tw'n (twn) has been translated as a possessive pronoun here (ExSyn 215).
¹³tn Grk “It was not permitted to them”; the referent (the locusts) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
¹⁴tn The word “permission” is not in the Greek text, but is implied.
¹⁵tn The two i{na (Jina) clauses of 9:5 are understood to be functioning as epexegetical or complementary clauses related to ejdwvqh (edwqh).
¹⁶tn On this term BDAG 168 s.v. basanismov" states, “1. infliction of severe suffering or pain associated with torture or torment, tormenting, torture Rv 9:5b.—2. the severe pain experienced through torture, torment vs. 5a; 14:11; 18:10, 15; (w. pevnqo") vs. 7.”
¹⁷tn The pronoun “them” is not in the Greek text but is picked up from the previous clause.
¹⁸tn Grk “like the torture”; but this is redundant in contemporary English.
¹⁹tn Grk “a man”; but a[nqrwpo" (anqrwpo") is used here in an individualized sense without being limited to the male gender.
²⁰tn Here kaiv (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
²¹tn Grk “men”; but a[nqrwpo" (anqrwpo") is used in a generic sense here of both men and women.
²²tn Here kaiv (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
²³tn The phrase “not be able to” was used in the translation to emphasize the strong negation (ouj mhv, ou mh) in the Greek text.
²⁴tn Here kaiv (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the introduction of the description of the locusts, which is somewhat parenthetical in the narrative.
²⁵tn Here kaiv (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
²⁶tn The translation attempts to bring out the double uncertainty in this clause in the Greek text, involving both the form (wJ" stevfanoi, Jw" stefanoi, “like crowns”) and the material (o{moioi crusw'/, {omoioi crusw, “similar to gold”).
²⁷tn Or “human faces.” The Greek term a[nqrwpo" (anqrwpos) is often used in a generic sense, referring to both men and women. However, because “women’s hair” in the next clause suggests a possible gender distinction here, “men’s” was retained.
²⁸tn Here kaiv (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
²⁹tn Or perhaps, “scales like iron breastplates” (RSV, NRSV) although the Greek term qwvrax (qwrax) would have to shift its meaning within the clause, and elsewhere in biblical usage (e.g., Eph 6:14; 1 Thess 5:8) it normally means “breastplate.” See also L&N 8.38.
³⁰tn In the Greek text there is a shift to the present tense here; the previous verbs translated “had” are imperfects.
³¹tn See BDAG 352 s.v. ejxousiva 2, “potential or resource to command, control, or govern, capability, might, power.”
³²sn Both the Hebrew Abaddon and the Greek Apollyon mean “Destroyer.”
³³tn Grk “behold.” Here ijdouv (idou) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in the context.
³⁴tn Here kaiv (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
³⁵tc ‡ Several key mss (Ì47 Í1 A 0207 1611 2053 2344 pc lat sy^h co) lack the word tessavrwn (tessarwn, “four”) before keravtwn (keratwn, “horns”). The word seems to have been added by scribes because a “horned” altar (described in the OT [Exod 30:2, 10]) could have only four “horns” or projections at the corners. NA27 includes the word in brackets, indicating doubts as to its authenticity.
³⁶tn Grk “having.”
³⁷tn On lu'son (luson) BDAG 606-7 s.v. luvw 2 states, “set free, loose, untie—a. lit. a pers., animal, or thing that is bound or tied…Angels that are bound Rv 9:14f.”
³⁸tn Here kaiv (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
³⁹tn The Greek article thvn (thn) has been translated with demonstrative force here.
⁴⁰tn The Greek term kaiv (kai) has not been translated here and before the following term “month” since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.
⁴¹tn Grk “so that they might kill,” but the English infinitive is an equivalent construction to indicate purpose here.
⁴²tn Here kaiv (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
⁴³tn Grk “twenty thousand of ten thousands.”
⁴⁴tn Here kaiv (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the introduction of the description of the horses and riders, which is somewhat parenthetical in the narrative.
⁴⁵tn Grk “and those seated on them.”
⁴⁶tn Lit. “the vision”; the Greek article has been translated as a possessive pronoun (ExSyn 215).
⁴⁷tn L&N 79.31 states, “‘fiery red’ (probably with a tinge of yellow or orange).”
⁴⁸tn On this term BDAG 1022 s.v. uJakivnqino" states, “hyacinth-colored, i.e. dark blue (dark red?) w. puvrino" Rv 9:17.”
⁴⁹tn On this term BDAG 446 s.v. qeiwvdh" states, “sulphurous Rv 9:17.”
⁵⁰sn The colors of the riders’ breastplates parallel the three plagues of fire, smoke, and sulfur in v. 18.
⁵¹tn Here kaiv (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
⁵²tn Traditionally, “brimstone.”
⁵³tn The phrase ejk tou' puroV" kaiV tou' kapnou' kaiV tou' qeivou tou' ejkporeuomevnou ejk tw'n stomavtwn aujtw'n (“by the fire, the smoke, and the sulfur that came out of their mouths”) is taken as epexegetical (explanatory) to the phrase tw'n triw'n plhgw'n touvtwn (“these three plagues”).
⁵⁴tn See BDAG 352 s.v. ejxousiva 2, “potential or resource to command, control, or govern, capability, might, power.”
⁵⁵tn Grk “is.”
⁵⁶tn The word “made” is not in the Greek text but is implied.
⁵⁷tn The Greek conjunction kaiv (kai) has not been translated here or before the following materials in this list, since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.
⁵⁸tn Grk “and.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation, with “furthermore” used to indicate a continuation of the preceding.
⁵⁹tn On the term farmakeiva (farmakeia, “magic spells”) see L&N 53.100: “the use of magic, often involving drugs and the casting of spells upon people—‘to practice magic, to cast spells upon, to engage in sorcery, magic, sorcery.’ farmakeiva: ejn th'/ farmakeiva/ sou ejplanhvqhsan pavnta taV e[qnh ‘with your magic spells you deceived all the peoples (of the world)’ Re 18:23.”