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Revelation 09 General Notes
Structure and formatting
This chapter continues the seven trumpet judgments. This chapter and the previous one form a single unit.
Woe
There are several specific "woes" mentioned in the book of Revelation. This chapter contains the first of these woes. It is possible that these have some structural significance or importance to the chronology of the events of Revelation.
Special concepts in this chapter
Animal imagery
Animal imagery is common in this book, as well as very common in this chapter. The people of the ancient Near East probably viewed these animals as having some "trait" that typified the animal. For example, a lion is often seen as powerful. The translator should not try to determine the meaning of each of these images.
Bottomless pit
This is a common image in the book of Revelation that portrays hell. It emphasizes that hell is inescapable. It is described as being down, in opposition to heaven which is considered up. This emphasizes that neither is on earth. (See: rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/hell)
Abaddon and Apollyon
These are words in Hebrew and Greek. John does not translate these words but chooses to transliterate them by substituting Greek letters for the Hebrew letters. The translators of the ULB and the UDB have not translated the meaning of these words in the ULB, but have rendered them both as "Destroyer" in the UDB. It is preferable to try to form the sounds of these words without translating their meaning.
Repentance
This chapter mentions the theme of repentance. Despite these great miracles, the people are said to avoid repentance and remain in their sin. One should not lose sight of this theme when reading the book of Revelation. (See: rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/repent and rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/sin)
Important figures of speech in this chapter
Symbol
Satan is often described as a fallen angel. Since stars are symbols for angels in the book of Revelation, the phrase "a star from heaven that had fallen" probably symbolizes Satan. (See: rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/satan, rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-symlanguage and rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-apocalypticwriting)
Simile
There are many similes in this chapter. Their purpose is to describe the complex images that John sees in his vision. Therefore, they serve more of a practical rather than poetic function. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile)
Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter
"The people who did not have the seal of God"
It is best to leave the meaning of this phrase unclear in translation, if possible. Many scholars believe the seal to be a mark made to distinguish believers from unbelievers in this time of tribulation. (See: rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/believe and rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit)