OET interlinear REV 14:4

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

οὗτοί εἰσιν οἳ μετὰ γυναικῶν οὐκ ἐμολύνθησαν, παρθένοι γάρ εἰσιν

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Οὗτοι εἰσίν οἵ μετά γυναικῶν οὐκ ἐμολύνθησαν παρθένοι γάρ εἰσίν Οὗτοι οἱ ἀκολουθοῦντες τῷ Ἀρνίῳ ὅπου ἄν ὑπάγει Οὗτοι ἠγοράσθησαν ἀπό τῶν ἀνθρώπων ἀπαρχή τῷ Θεῷ καί τῷ Ἀρνίῳ)

John is speaking as if the people who are singing have literally never had sexual relations. In context, he most likely means that they have not worshiped idols. Having sexual relations outside of marriage, or not waiting until marriage to have sexual relations, is a common Old Testament image for idol worship. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [These are they who have not worshiped idols, for they are faithful to God]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

μετὰ γυναικῶν οὐκ ἐμολύνθησαν

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Οὗτοι εἰσίν οἵ μετά γυναικῶν οὐκ ἐμολύνθησαν παρθένοι γάρ εἰσίν Οὗτοι οἱ ἀκολουθοῦντες τῷ Ἀρνίῳ ὅπου ἄν ὑπάγει Οὗτοι ἠγοράσθησαν ἀπό τῶν ἀνθρώπων ἀπαρχή τῷ Θεῷ καί τῷ Ἀρνίῳ)

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. John is not saying that women make men defiled. He is saying that sexual relations outside of marriage are sinful. In your translation, be sure that this is clear to your readers. Alternate translation: [have not committed immoral acts with women]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

οἱ ἀκολουθοῦντες τῷ Ἀρνίῳ ὅπου ἂν ὑπάγει

the_‹ones› following ˱after˲_the Lamb wherever (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Οὗτοι εἰσίν οἵ μετά γυναικῶν οὐκ ἐμολύνθησαν παρθένοι γάρ εἰσίν Οὗτοι οἱ ἀκολουθοῦντες τῷ Ἀρνίῳ ὅπου ἄν ὑπάγει Οὗτοι ἠγοράσθησαν ἀπό τῶν ἀνθρώπων ἀπαρχή τῷ Θεῷ καί τῷ Ἀρνίῳ)

This statement may be one that readers could understand literally within the world of this vision. However, in the New Testament, following someone often means being that person’s disciple and obeying his teaching. That could be what John means here. Alternate translation: [the ones who obey the Lamb no matter what he asks]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

οὗτοι ἠγοράσθησαν

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Οὗτοι εἰσίν οἵ μετά γυναικῶν οὐκ ἐμολύνθησαν παρθένοι γάρ εἰσίν Οὗτοι οἱ ἀκολουθοῦντες τῷ Ἀρνίῳ ὅπου ἄν ὑπάγει Οὗτοι ἠγοράσθησαν ἀπό τῶν ἀνθρώπων ἀπαρχή τῷ Θεῷ καί τῷ Ἀρνίῳ)

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. See what you did in [14:3](../14/03.md). Alternate translation: [The Lamb bought them]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

οὗτοι ἠγοράσθησαν

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Οὗτοι εἰσίν οἵ μετά γυναικῶν οὐκ ἐμολύνθησαν παρθένοι γάρ εἰσίν Οὗτοι οἱ ἀκολουθοῦντες τῷ Ἀρνίῳ ὅπου ἄν ὑπάγει Οὗτοι ἠγοράσθησαν ἀπό τῶν ἀνθρώπων ἀπαρχή τῷ Θεῷ καί τῷ Ἀρνίῳ)

See how you translated this in [14:3](../14/03.md). Alternate translation: [These the Lamb redeemed]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / gendernotations

ἀπὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Οὗτοι εἰσίν οἵ μετά γυναικῶν οὐκ ἐμολύνθησαν παρθένοι γάρ εἰσίν Οὗτοι οἱ ἀκολουθοῦντες τῷ Ἀρνίῳ ὅπου ἄν ὑπάγει Οὗτοι ἠγοράσθησαν ἀπό τῶν ἀνθρώπων ἀπαρχή τῷ Θεῷ καί τῷ Ἀρνίῳ)

Although the term man is masculine, John is using the word in a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use a term in your language that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: [from among humanity]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἀπαρχὴ τῷ Θεῷ καὶ τῷ Ἀρνίῳ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Οὗτοι εἰσίν οἵ μετά γυναικῶν οὐκ ἐμολύνθησαν παρθένοι γάρ εἰσίν Οὗτοι οἱ ἀκολουθοῦντες τῷ Ἀρνίῳ ὅπου ἄν ὑπάγει Οὗτοι ἠγοράσθησαν ἀπό τῶν ἀνθρώπων ἀπαρχή τῷ Θεῷ καί τῷ Ἀρνίῳ)

John is speaking as if these people were literally the first fruits of a harvest. He means that they are the first of many people who will eventually believe in Jesus. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [as the first of many people who will believe in God and Jesus]