OET interlinear REV 2:20

2:20a

But I have this against you: The Greek words here are the same as 2:4a (“But I have this against you”). Translate it as you did in 2:4.

2:20b

You tolerate that woman Jezebel: Here the word tolerate means “allow someone to continue doing (something).” The believers at Thyatira allowed Jezebel to remain in the church even though she taught false ideas.

In some languages it is necessary or more natural to add the implied information about Jezebel. For example:

You let that woman Jezebel spread false teachings (NCV)

In some languages it is more natural to translate this with a negative statement. For example:

You do not put an end/stop to the activities of that woman Jezebel

You do not prevent that woman Jezebel from teaching in the church

that woman Jezebel: The name Jezebel is probably symbolic of a false teacher in the church at Thyatira. That person was like the evil Queen Jezebel in the Old Testament (1 Kings 16:29–31; 18:4,19; 19:1–2; 21:1–25), because she led the people away from God.

In some languages people are not familiar with the story or reputation of Queen Jezebel. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain who she was in your translation. For example:

that evil/idolatrous woman Jezebel

You may also want to explain who she was in a footnote. An example footnote is:

The false teacher in Thyatira was given the symbolic name of Jezebel. Jezebel lived about 700 years before Jesus. She was evil, she worshiped idols, and she violently opposed God’s prophets. Stories about her are found in 1 Kings 16–21.

2:20c

who calls herself a prophetess: This clause indicates that the woman in 2:20b claimed that she was a prophet. But she was not speaking the truth. She was not a true prophet, because she did not speak God’s message. She did speak messages, but they were not from God. Other ways to translate this clause are:

who claims to be a prophetess (NJB)

who says she is a prophetess

who makes the false claim that she speaks messages from God

This clause tells the reader more about the false teacher called Jezebel. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that there were others named Jezebel at Thyatira, but only this one called herself a prophetess. If that is true in your language, translate this clause so that it tells more about Jezebel. One way to do that is to start a new sentence here. For example:

She calls herself a prophetess.

prophetess: The word prophetess means “female prophet.” A prophet is a person whom God uses to communicate with the people. Other ways to translate the word prophetess are:

spokeswoman for God

God’s message-speaker

See how you translated the word prophetess in Luke 2:36, “prophet” in Matthew 1:22, Mark 1:2, or “prophecy” in Revelation 1:3.

2:20d

By her teaching she misleads: The Greek words are literally “she teaches and misleads.” The two verbs “teach” and “mislead” are connected because she taught things that misled people. Other ways to translate this clause are:

She teaches and misleads (GW)

by her teaching deceives (JBP)

My servants: The Greek word that the BSB translates as servants refers to the believers at Thyatira. It is used to indicate that the believers served and obeyed Jesus. See how you translated the word servants in 1:1.

to be sexually immoral: This phrase refers to any kind of sexual activities outside of marriage. See how you translated the phrase “sexual immorality” in 2:14.

2:20e

and to eat food sacrificed to idols: The false prophetess in Thyatira had been encouraging the believers to eat food that had been offered as a sacrifice in honor of idols. You should translate this phrase in the same way as “eat food sacrificed to idols” in 2:14.