Revelation 19:17-21
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
The Beast and Its Armies Defeated
17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly in midheaven, “Come, gather for the great supper of God,(A) 18 to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of the mighty, the flesh of horses and their riders—flesh of all, both free and slave, both small and great.”(B) 19 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to wage war against the rider on the horse and against his army.(C) 20 And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed in its presence the signs by which he deceived those who had received the brand of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. 21 And the rest were killed by the sword of the rider on the horse, the sword that came from his mouth, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh.
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Revelation 19:17-21
New English Translation
17 Then[a] I saw one angel standing in[b] the sun, and he shouted in a loud voice to all the birds flying high in the sky:[c]
“Come, gather around for the great banquet[d] of God,
18 to eat[e] your fill[f] of the flesh of kings,
the flesh of generals,[g]
the flesh of powerful people,
the flesh of horses and those who ride them,
and the flesh of all people, both free and slave,[h]
and small and great!”
19 Then[i] I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies assembled to do battle with the one who rode the horse and with his army. 20 Now[j] the beast was seized, and along with him the false prophet who had performed the signs on his behalf[k]—signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. Both of them were thrown alive into the lake of fire burning with sulfur.[l] 21 The[m] others were killed by the sword that extended from the mouth of the one who rode the horse, and all the birds gorged[n] themselves with their flesh.
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- Revelation 19:17 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
- Revelation 19:17 tn The precise significance of ἐν (en) here is difficult to determine.
- Revelation 19:17 tn On μεσουρανήματι (mesouranēmati) here see L&N 1.10: “high in the sky, midpoint in the sky, directly overhead, straight above in the sky.” The birds mentioned here are carrion birds like vultures, circling high overhead, and now being summoned to feast on the corpses.
- Revelation 19:17 tn This is the same Greek word (δεῖπνον, deipnon) used in 19:9.
- Revelation 19:18 tn The ἵνα (hina) clause, insofar as it is related to the first imperative, has the force of an imperative.
- Revelation 19:18 tn The idea of eating “your fill” is evident in the context with the use of χορτάζω (chortazō) in v. 21.
- Revelation 19:18 tn Grk “chiliarchs”; normally a chiliarch was a military officer commanding a thousand soldiers, but here probably used of higher-ranking commanders like generals (see L&N 55.15; cf. Rev 6:15).
- Revelation 19:18 tn See the note on the word “servants” in 1:1.
- Revelation 19:19 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
- Revelation 19:20 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the introduction of an unexpected development in the account: The opposing armies do not come together in battle; rather the leader of one side is captured.
- Revelation 19:20 tn For this meaning see BDAG 342 s.v. ἐνώπιον 4.b, “by the authority of, on behalf of Rv 13:12, 14; 19:20.”
- Revelation 19:20 tn Traditionally, “brimstone.”
- Revelation 19:21 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
- Revelation 19:21 tn On the translation of ἐχορτάσθησαν (echortasthēsan) BDAG 1087 s.v. χορτάζω 1.a states, “of animals, pass. in act. sense πάντα τὰ ὄρνεα ἐχορτάσθησαν ἐκ τῶν σαρκῶν αὐτῶν all the birds gorged themselves with their flesh Rv 19:21 (cp. TestJud. 21:8).”
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