UTN uW Translation Notes:

Revelation 9 General Notes

Structure and Formatting

In this chapter, John continues to describe what happens when angels sound seven trumpets. (See: writing-apocalyptic)- The Fifth Trumpet (9:1-12)- The Sixth Trumpet (9:13-21)

Special Concepts in this Chapter

Woe

John describes several “woes” in the book of Revelation. This chapter begins to describe the three “woes” announced at the end of Chapter 8. Woes signify calamity, disaster, or terrible events.

Animal imagery

This chapter includes several animals: locusts, scorpions, horses, lions, and snakes. Animals convey different qualities or traits. For example, a lion is powerful and dangerous. Translators should use the same animals in their translation if possible. If the animal is unknown, use a familiar one with similar qualities or traits.

Abaddon and Apollyon

“Abaddon” is a Hebrew word. “Apollyon” is a Greek word. Both words mean “Destroyer.” John used the sounds of the Hebrew word and wrote them with Greek letters. The ULT and UST write the sounds of both words with English letters. Translators are encouraged to transliterate these words using the letters of their own language. The original Greek readers would have understood “Apollyon” to mean “Destroyer.” So translators may also indicate this meaning in the text or in a footnote. (See: translate-transliterate)

Important Figures of Speech in this Chapter

Simile

John uses many similes in this chapter. They help to describe the images that he sees in his vision. (See: figs-simile)

Generic Sense

Several times in this chapter John uses the masculine word “men” 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 such as “people” or “humanity.” (See: figs-gendernotations)