KJV: And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
YLT: And there was seen another sign in the heaven, and, lo, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his head seven diadems,
Darby: And another sign was seen in the heaven: and behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems;
ASV: And there was seen another sign in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his heads seven diadems.
ὤφθη | was seen |
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Passive, 3rd Person Singular Root: εἶδον Sense: to see with the eyes. |
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ἄλλο | another |
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Neuter Singular Root: ἄλλος Sense: another, other. |
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σημεῖον | sign |
Parse: Noun, Nominative Neuter Singular Root: σημεῖον Sense: a sign, mark, token. |
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τῷ | - |
Parse: Article, Dative Masculine Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
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οὐρανῷ | heaven |
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular Root: οὐρανός Sense: the vaulted expanse of the sky with all things visible in it. |
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ἰδοὺ | behold |
Parse: Verb, Aorist Imperative Active, 2nd Person Singular Root: ἰδού Sense: behold, see, lo. |
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δράκων | a dragon |
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: δράκων Sense: a dragon, a great serpent, a name for Satan. |
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πυρρός | red |
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: πυρρός Sense: having the colour of fire, red. |
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μέγας | great |
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: μέγας Sense: great. |
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κεφαλὰς | heads |
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Plural Root: κεφαλή Sense: the head, both of men and often of animals. |
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ἑπτὰ | seven |
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Feminine Plural Root: ἑπτά Sense: seven. |
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κέρατα | horns |
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Plural Root: κέρας Sense: a horn. |
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δέκα | ten |
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Plural Root: δέκα Sense: ten. |
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ἐπὶ | upon |
Parse: Preposition Root: ἐπί Sense: upon, on, at, by, before. |
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αὐτοῦ | of him |
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular Root: αὐτός Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself. |
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ἑπτὰ | seven |
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Plural Root: ἑπτά Sense: seven. |
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διαδήματα | royal crowns |
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Plural Root: διάδημα Sense: a diadem. |
Greek Commentary for Revelation 12:3
“A second tableau following close upon the first and inseparable from it” (Swete). [source]
As often (Revelation 4:1; Revelation 6:2, Revelation 6:5, Revelation 6:8, etc.).A great red dragon (δρακων μεγας πυρρος drakōn megas purros). Homer uses this old word (probably from δερκομαι derkomai to see clearly) for a great monster with three heads coiled like a serpent that ate poisonous herbs. The word occurs also in Hesiod, Pindar, Eschylus. The Babylonians feared a seven-headed hydra and Typhon was the Egyptian dragon who persecuted Osiris. One wonders if these and the Chinese dragons are not race memories of conflicts with the diplodocus and like monsters before their disappearance. Charles notes in the O.T. this monster as the chief enemy of God under such title as Rahab (Isaiah 51:9.; Job 26:12.), Behemoth (Job 40:15-24), Leviathan (Isaiah 27:1), the Serpent (Amos 9:2.). In Psalm 74:13 we read of “the heads of the dragons.” On πυρρος purros (red) see Revelation 6:4. Here (Revelation 12:9) and in Revelation 20:2 the great dragon is identified with Satan. See Dan 7 for many of the items here, like the ten horns (Daniel 7:7) and hurling the stars (Daniel 8:10). The word occurs in the Apocalypse alone in the N.T.Seven diadems Old word from διαδεω diadeō (to bind around), the blue band marked with white with which Persian kings used to bind on the tiara, so a royal crown in contrast with στεπανος stephanos (chaplet or wreath like the Latin corona as in Revelation 2:10), in N.T. only here, Revelation 13:1; Revelation 19:12. If Christ as Conqueror has “many diadems,” it is not strange that Satan should wear seven (ten in Revelation 13:1). [source]
Homer uses this old word (probably from δερκομαι derkomai to see clearly) for a great monster with three heads coiled like a serpent that ate poisonous herbs. The word occurs also in Hesiod, Pindar, Eschylus. The Babylonians feared a seven-headed hydra and Typhon was the Egyptian dragon who persecuted Osiris. One wonders if these and the Chinese dragons are not race memories of conflicts with the diplodocus and like monsters before their disappearance. Charles notes in the O.T. this monster as the chief enemy of God under such title as Rahab (Isaiah 51:9.; Job 26:12.), Behemoth (Job 40:15-24), Leviathan (Isaiah 27:1), the Serpent (Amos 9:2.). In Psalm 74:13 we read of “the heads of the dragons.” On πυρρος purros (red) see Revelation 6:4. Here (Revelation 12:9) and in Revelation 20:2 the great dragon is identified with Satan. See Dan 7 for many of the items here, like the ten horns (Daniel 7:7) and hurling the stars (Daniel 8:10). The word occurs in the Apocalypse alone in the N.T. [source]
Old word from διαδεω diadeō (to bind around), the blue band marked with white with which Persian kings used to bind on the tiara, so a royal crown in contrast with στεπανος stephanos (chaplet or wreath like the Latin corona as in Revelation 2:10), in N.T. only here, Revelation 13:1; Revelation 19:12. If Christ as Conqueror has “many diadems,” it is not strange that Satan should wear seven (ten in Revelation 13:1). [source]
See on Revelation 6:4. [source]
Satan. See Revelation 12:9. The word is found only in Revelation. In the Septuagint, of the serpent into which Moses' rod was changed. In Isaiah 27:1; Ezekiel 29:3, of the crocodile or leviathan of Job 41:1. In Jeremiah 51:34, of a dragon. [source]
The Kingly crown, not the chaplet ( στέφανος ). See on Revelation 2:10 [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Revelation 12:3
Rare verb, once in Aristotle and in a late Christian inscription, and 1 Corinthians 7:9 and here, from εγκρατης egkratēs common adjective for one who controls himself. The athlete then and now has to control himself (direct middle) in all things (accusative of general reference). This is stated by Paul as an athletic axiom. Training for ten months was required under the direction of trained judges. Abstinence from wine was required and a rigid diet and regimen of habits.A corruptible crown (πταρτον στεπανον phtharton stephanon). Στεπανος Stephanos (crown) is from στεπω stephō to put around the head, like the Latin corona, wreath or garland, badge of victory in the games. In the Isthmian games it was of pine leaves, earlier of parsley, in the Olympian games of the wild olive. “Yet these were the most coveted honours in the whole Greek world” (Findlay). For the crown of thorns on Christ‘s head see note on Matthew 27:29; Mark 15:17; John 19:2; and John 19:5. Διαδημα Diadēma (diadem) was for kings (Revelation 12:3). Favourite metaphor in the N.T., the crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8), the crown of life (James 1:12), the crown of glory (1 Peter 5:4), the crown of rejoicing (1 Thessalonians 2:9), description of the Philippians (Philemon 4:1). Note contrast between πταρτον phtharton (verbal adjective from πτειρω phtheirō to corrupt) like the garland of pine leaves, wild olive, or laurel, and απταρτον aphtharton (same form with α a privative) like the crown of victory offered the Christian, the amaranthine (unfading rose) crown of glory (1 Peter 5:4). [source]
Στεπανος Stephanos (crown) is from στεπω stephō to put around the head, like the Latin corona, wreath or garland, badge of victory in the games. In the Isthmian games it was of pine leaves, earlier of parsley, in the Olympian games of the wild olive. “Yet these were the most coveted honours in the whole Greek world” (Findlay). For the crown of thorns on Christ‘s head see note on Matthew 27:29; Mark 15:17; John 19:2; and John 19:5. Διαδημα Diadēma (diadem) was for kings (Revelation 12:3). Favourite metaphor in the N.T., the crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8), the crown of life (James 1:12), the crown of glory (1 Peter 5:4), the crown of rejoicing (1 Thessalonians 2:9), description of the Philippians (Philemon 4:1). Note contrast between πταρτον phtharton (verbal adjective from πτειρω phtheirō to corrupt) like the garland of pine leaves, wild olive, or laurel, and απταρτον aphtharton (same form with α a privative) like the crown of victory offered the Christian, the amaranthine (unfading rose) crown of glory (1 Peter 5:4). [source]
From πῦρ fireFlame-colored. Compare 2 Kings 3:22; Zechariah 1:8. Only here and Revelation 12:3. [source]
See on 1 Peter 5:4; see on James 1:12. Στέφανος with the epithet golden is found only in Revelation. Compare Revelation 9:7; Revelation 14:14. The natural inference from this epithet and from the fact that the symbolism of Revelation is Hebrew, and that the Jews had the greatest detestation of the Greek games, would be that στέφανος is here used of the royal crown, especially since the Church is here represented as triumphant- a kingdom and priests. On the other hand, in the three passages of Revelation where John evidently refers to the kingly crown, he uses διάδημα (Revelation 12:3; Revelation 13:1; compare Revelation 17:9, Revelation 17:10; Revelation 19:12). Trench (“Synonyms of the New Testament”) claims that the crown in this passage is the crown, not of kinghood, but of glory and immortality. The golden crown ( στέφανος ) of the Son of Man (Revelation 14:14) is the conqueror's crown. It must be frankly admitted, however, that the somewhat doubtful meaning here, and such passages of the Septuagint as 2 Samuel 12:30; 1 Chronicles 20:2; Psalm 20:3; Ezekiel 21:26; Zechariah 6:11, Zechariah 6:14, give some warrant for the remark of Professor Thayer (“New Testament Lexicon”) that it is doubtful whether the distinction between στέφανος and διάδημα (the victor's wreath and the kingly crown ) was strictly observed in Hellenistic Greek. The crown of thorns ( στέφανος ) placed on our Lord's head, was indeed woven, but it was the caricature of a royal crown. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- [source]
See on Revelation 12:3. The word is commonly derived from ἔδρακον, the second aorist tense of δέρκομαι tosee clearly, in allusion to the sharp sight of the fabled dragon. [source]
Compare Revelation 12:3. See on Revelation 2:10. [source]
The first of the visions to be so described (Revelation 13:3; Revelation 15:1), and it is introduced by ωπτη ōphthē as in Revelation 11:19; Revelation 12:3, not by μετα ταυτο meta tauto or by ειδον eidon or by ειδον και ιδου eidon kai idou as heretofore. This “sign” is really a τερας teras (wonder), as it is so by association in Matthew 24:24; John 4:48; Acts 2:22; Acts 5:12. The element of wonder is not in the word σημειον sēmeion as in τερας teras but often in the thing itself as in Luke 21:11; John 9:16; Revelation 13:13.; Revelation 15:1; Revelation 16:14; Revelation 19:20. [source]
See Revelation 11:7 for “the beast coming up out of the abyss.” The imagery comes from Daniel 7:3. See also Revelation 17:8. This “wild beast from the sea,” as in Daniel 7:17, Daniel 7:23, is a vast empire used in the interest of brute force. This beast, like the dragon (Revelation 12:3), has ten horns and seven heads, but the horns are crowned, not the heads. The Roman Empire seems to be meant here (Revelation 17:9, Revelation 17:12). On “diadems” (διαδηματα diadēmata) see Revelation 12:3, only ten here, not seven as there. [source]
Looking back to Revelation 12:1, Revelation 12:3, after the series intervening. The Seven Bowls are parallel with the Seven Seals (ch. Rev 6) and the Seven Trumpets (chapters Rev 8-11), but there is an even closer connection with chapters Rev 12-14, “the drama of the long conflict between the church and the world” (Swete). [source]
Locative case here as in Revelation 3:5 (with εν en), though accusative in Revelation 7:9, Revelation 7:13.Crowns of gold (στεπανους χρυσους stephanous chrusous). Accusative case again like πρεσβυτερους presbuterous after ειδον eidon (Revelation 4:1), not ιδου idou In Revelation 19:14 εχων echōn (having) is added. John uses διαδημα diadēma (diadem) for the kingly crown in Revelation 12:3; Revelation 13:1; Revelation 19:12, but it is not certain that the old distinction between διαδεμ diadem as the kingly crown and στεπανος stephanos as the victor‘s wreath is always observed in late Greek. [source]
Dative case as in a letter (Galatians 1:1). John is writing, but the revelation is from God and Christ through an angel. It is the Roman province of Asia which included the western part of Phrygia. There were churches also at Troas (Acts 20:5.) and at Colossal and Hierapolis (Colossians 1:1; Colossians 2:1; Colossians 4:13) and possibly at Magnesia and Tralles. But these seven were the best points of communication with seven districts (Ramsay) and, besides, seven is a favorite number of completion (like the full week) in the book (Revelation 1:4, Revelation 1:12, Revelation 1:16; Revelation 4:5; Revelation 5:1, Revelation 5:6; Revelation 8:2; Revelation 10:3; Revelation 11:13; Revelation 12:3; Revelation 13:1; Revelation 14:6.). [source]
“There came to be war in heaven” “Another ταβλεαυ tableau not a σημειον sēmeion (Revelation 12:1, Revelation 12:3), but consequent upon the two σημεια sēmeia which precede it. The birth and rapture of the Woman‘s Son issue in a war which invades the επουρανια epourania ” (Swete). The reference is not to the original rebellion of Satan, as Andreas held. As the coming of Christ brought on fresh manifestations of diabolic power (Mark 1:13; Luke 22:3, Luke 22:31; John 12:31; John 14:30; John 16:11), just so Christ‘s return to heaven is pictured as being the occasion of renewed attacks there. We are not to visualize it too literally, but certainly modern airplanes help us to grasp the notion of battles in the sky even more than the phalanxes of storm-clouds (Swete). John even describes this last conflict as in heaven itself. Cf. Luke 10:18; 1 Kings 22:1.; Job 1; Job 2:1-13; Zechariah 3:1. [source]
Effective first aorist passive indicative of βαλλω ballō cast down for good and all, a glorious consummation. This vision of final victory over Satan is given by Jesus in Luke 10:18; John 12:31. It has not come yet, but it is coming, and the hope of it should be a spur to missionary activity and zeal. The word megas (great) occurs here with δρακων drakōn as in Revelation 12:3, and the whole picture is repeated in Revelation 20:2. The dragon in both places is identified with the old serpent (Genesis 3:1.) and called αρχαιος archaios (from αρχη archē beginning), as Jesus said that the devil was a murderer “from the beginning” (John 8:44). Both διαβολος diabolos (slanderer) and Satan This is his aim and his occupation, pictured here by the nominative articular present active participle of πλαναω planaō to lead astray. For “the inhabited world” see Luke 2:1; Revelation 3:10; Revelation 16:14. Satan can almost “lead astray” the very elect of God (Matthew 24:24), so artful is he in his beguilings as he teaches us how to deceive ourselves (1 John 1:8). [source]
The accusative case as in Revelation 7:1; Revelation 8:3, etc. Αμμος Ammos is an old word for sand, for innumerable multitude in Revelation 20:8.Out of the sea (εκ της ταλασσης ek tēs thalassēs). See Revelation 11:7 for “the beast coming up out of the abyss.” The imagery comes from Daniel 7:3. See also Revelation 17:8. This “wild beast from the sea,” as in Daniel 7:17, Daniel 7:23, is a vast empire used in the interest of brute force. This beast, like the dragon (Revelation 12:3), has ten horns and seven heads, but the horns are crowned, not the heads. The Roman Empire seems to be meant here (Revelation 17:9, Revelation 17:12). On “diadems” (διαδηματα diadēmata) see Revelation 12:3, only ten here, not seven as there.Names of blasphemy See Revelation 17:3 for this same phrase. The meaning is made plain by the blasphemous titles assumed by the Roman emperors in the first and second centuries, as shown by the inscriptions in Ephesus, which have τεος theos constantly applied to them. [source]
That is Satan (Revelation 12:3, Revelation 12:9).Of the beast (του τηριου tou thēriou). The first beast (Revelation 13:1, Revelation 13:12) and then just the beast (Revelation 13:14.; Revelation 14:9, Revelation 14:11; Revelation 15:2; Revelation 16:2, Revelation 16:10), the brute force of the World-power represented by the Roman Empire” (Swete).Of the false prophet Cf. Matthew 7:15; Acts 13:6; 1 John 2:22; 1 John 4:3; 2 John 1:7. Identified with the second beast (Revelation 13:11-14) in Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:10. So the sixth bowl introduces the dragon and his two subalterns of chapters Rev 12; 13 (the two beasts).Three unclean spirits (πνευματα τρια ακαταρτα pneumata tria akatharta). Out of the mouths of each of the three evil powers (the dragon and the two beasts) comes an evil spirit. See the use of mouth in Revelation 1:16 (Revelation 9:17.; Revelation 11:5; Revelation 12:15; Revelation 19:15, Revelation 19:21) as a chief seat of influence. In 2 Thessalonians 2:8 we have “the breath of his mouth” (the other sense of πνευμα pneuma). For ακαταρτον akatharton (unclean) with πνευμα pneuma see Mark 1:23.; Mark 3:11; Mark 5:2.; Acts 5:16; Acts 8:7. Christ expelled unclean spirits, but His enemies send them forth” (Swete). See Zechariah 13:2 “the false prophets and the unclean spirits.”As it were frogs Cf. Exodus 8:5; Leviticus 11:10. Old word, here alone in N.T. Like loathsome frogs in form. [source]
Accusative case again like πρεσβυτερους presbuterous after ειδον eidon (Revelation 4:1), not ιδου idou In Revelation 19:14 εχων echōn (having) is added. John uses διαδημα diadēma (diadem) for the kingly crown in Revelation 12:3; Revelation 13:1; Revelation 19:12, but it is not certain that the old distinction between διαδεμ diadem as the kingly crown and στεπανος stephanos as the victor‘s wreath is always observed in late Greek. [source]
Old adjective from πυρ pur (fire), flame-coloured, blood-red (2 Kings 3:22), in N.T. only here and Revelation 12:3, like Zechariah 1:8; Zechariah 6:2 (roan horse). [source]
A new feature, but the dragon has a diadem on each of his seven heads (Revelation 12:3) and the first beast one upon each of his ten horns (Revelation 13:1). So the victorious Messiah will wear many royal diadems and not mere crowns, because he is King of kings (Revelation 19:16).And he hath (και εχων kai echōn). Nominative active present participle of εχω echō either used absolutely as an independent verb (like indicative) or in an anacoluthon, though αυτου autou (his) is genitive.A name written Perfect passive participle of γραπω graphō as in Revelation 2:17 (cf. Revelation 3:12).But he himself (ει μη αυτος ei mē autos). “Except himself” (common ellipsis of the verb after ει μη ei mē “if not”). See Revelation 2:17; Revelation 3:12 for the new name there described. See Revelation 14:1 for the name of Christ on the forehead of the 144,000, and Revelation 17:5 for the name on the forehead of the harlot. This word here supplements what Jesus says in Matthew 11:27. [source]
So P Q, but Aleph A have accusative τρονους thronous (supply ειδον eidon from Revelation 4:1) and τεσσαρες tessares (late accusative in ες ̇es). This further circle of thrones beyond the great throne.I saw four and twenty elders (εικοσι τεσσαρας πρεσβυτερους eikosi tessaras presbuterous). No ειδον eidon in the text, but the accusative case calls for it. Twenty-four as a symbolic number occurs only in this book and only for these elders (Revelation 4:4, Revelation 4:10; Revelation 5:8; Revelation 11:16; Revelation 19:4). We do not really know why this number is chosen, perhaps two elders for each tribe, perhaps the twelve tribes and the twelve apostles (Judaism and Christianity), perhaps the twenty-four courses of the sons of Aaron (1 Chron 24:1-19), perhaps some angelic rank (Colossians 1:16) of which we know nothing. Cf. Ephesians 2:6.Sitting Upon their thrones.Arrayed (περιβεβλημενους peribeblēmenous). Perfect passive participle of περιβαλλω periballō (to throw around).In white garments Locative case here as in Revelation 3:5 (with εν en), though accusative in Revelation 7:9, Revelation 7:13.Crowns of gold (στεπανους χρυσους stephanous chrusous). Accusative case again like πρεσβυτερους presbuterous after ειδον eidon (Revelation 4:1), not ιδου idou In Revelation 19:14 εχων echōn (having) is added. John uses διαδημα diadēma (diadem) for the kingly crown in Revelation 12:3; Revelation 13:1; Revelation 19:12, but it is not certain that the old distinction between διαδεμ diadem as the kingly crown and στεπανος stephanos as the victor‘s wreath is always observed in late Greek. [source]
Upon their thrones.Arrayed (περιβεβλημενους peribeblēmenous). Perfect passive participle of περιβαλλω periballō (to throw around).In white garments Locative case here as in Revelation 3:5 (with εν en), though accusative in Revelation 7:9, Revelation 7:13.Crowns of gold (στεπανους χρυσους stephanous chrusous). Accusative case again like πρεσβυτερους presbuterous after ειδον eidon (Revelation 4:1), not ιδου idou In Revelation 19:14 εχων echōn (having) is added. John uses διαδημα diadēma (diadem) for the kingly crown in Revelation 12:3; Revelation 13:1; Revelation 19:12, but it is not certain that the old distinction between διαδεμ diadem as the kingly crown and στεπανος stephanos as the victor‘s wreath is always observed in late Greek. [source]