The Earth Beast and the Mark of the Beast
Revelation 13:11-18
Rev.13.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- ειδον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- αλλο: ADJ,neut,sg,nom
- θηριον: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- αναβαινον: VERB,pres,act,ptcp,nom,sg,n
- εκ: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- γης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- ειχεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- κερατα: NOUN,nom,pl,n
- δυο: NUM,acc,pl,m
- ομοια: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- αρνιω: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- ελαλει: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- ως: ADV
- δρακων: NOUN,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- Rev.13:1 (structural): Contrast with the first beast ‘coming up out of the sea’—both are beast-figures with horns and hostile authority, establishing the two-beast structure of ch.13.
- Rev.13:12 (structural): Immediate context: the second beast ‘exercises all the authority of the first beast’ and acts on its behalf, directly continuing and explaining the role of the earth-beast.
- Rev.16:13 (allusion): Three unclean spirits ‘like frogs’ come out of the mouths of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet—links the imagery of mouths/speech and deceptive, demonic agencies associated with dragon-like speech.
- Dan.7:8 (thematic): The ‘little horn’ that arises among horns and speaks arrogantly/boastfully parallels Horn imagery and a speaking, domineering power that persecutes and asserts authority.
- Rev.19:20 (structural): Identifies the fate of the beast and the false prophet (often equated with the second/earth-beast), tying the figure who speaks like a dragon to the ‘false prophet’ motif and final judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb, and it spoke like a dragon.
- Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb, and it spoke like a dragon.
Rev.13.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- εξουσιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- πρωτου: ADJ,gen,sg,n
- θηριου: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- πασαν: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- ποιει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ενωπιον: PREP
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ποιει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- γην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- αυτη: PRON,dat,sg,f
- κατοικουντας: VERB,pres,act,part,acc,pl,m
- ινα: CONJ
- προσκυνησουσιν: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,pl
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- θηριον: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- πρωτον: ADV
- ου: PART,neg
- εθεραπευθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- πληγη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θανατου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Rev.13:11 (structural): Immediate context: introduces the second beast that rises from the earth and exercises the authority of the first beast, framing the action described in 13:12.
- Rev.13:3 (verbal): Direct verbal link: identifies the first beast as the one 'whose deadly wound was healed,' which 13:12 says the earth-dwellers are made to worship.
- Rev.13:14 (verbal): Close thematic and verbal parallel: the second beast performs signs, deceives inhabitants of the earth, and coerces worship (making an image and causing it to be worshiped).
- 2 Thess.2:3-4 (thematic): Parallel in New Testament eschatology: the 'man of lawlessness' exalts himself, uses counterfeit signs and deception, and leads people into false worship and submission.
- Dan.7:23-25 (thematic): Background OT parallel: vision of blasphemous beasts given authority who speak arrogant words and persecute the holy ones—provides prophetic precedent for a tyrannical, worship-demanding power.
Alternative generated candidates
- It exercised all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and it made the earth and those who dwell on it worship the first beast, whose mortal wound had been healed.
- It exercised all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and it made the earth and those who dwell on it worship the first beast, whose mortal wound had been healed.
Rev.13.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ποιει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- σημεια: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- μεγαλα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- ινα: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- πυρ: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- ποιη: VERB,aor,act,inf
- εκ: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ουρανου: NOUN,gen,sg,masc
- καταβαινειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- εις: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- γην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ενωπιον: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- ανθρωπων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- 1 Kings 18:38 (verbal): Elijah calls down fire from heaven to consume the sacrifice—close verbal and imagery parallel to ‘fire…descending from heaven’ as a miraculous sign.
- 2 Kings 1:10-12 (verbal): Elijah calls down fire from heaven to consume the king’s captains—another instance of heavenly fire used miraculously, echoing Revelation’s motif.
- Matthew 24:24 (thematic): Jesus warns that false christs and false prophets will show great signs and wonders to deceive—thematically parallels the beast’s deceptive miracles.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 (thematic): Paul describes the coming of the lawless one with power, signs, and false wonders used to deceive—parallels the beast’s miraculous, deceptive activity.
- Deuteronomy 13:1-3 (thematic): Law’s warning that a prophet’s signs and wonders may be a test if they lead to idolatry—provides an interpretive principle for recognizing deceptive signs like those of the beast.
Alternative generated candidates
- And it performed great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to the earth in the sight of people.
- It performed great signs, even making fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the sight of men.
Rev.13.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- πλανα: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- κατοικουντας: VERB,pres,act,part,acc,pl,m
- επι: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- γης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- δια: PREP
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- σημεια: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- α: PRON,nom,sg,n
- εδοθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- ποιησαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- ενωπιον: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θηριου: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- λεγων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,m,sg
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- κατοικουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ptc,dat,pl,m
- επι: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- γης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ποιησαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- εικονα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- θηριω: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- ος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- εχει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- πληγην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- μαχαιρης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- εζησεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Revelation 13:15 (structural): Immediate sequel: the image made for the beast is given breath/authority to speak and to act—direct continuation of the commission to 'make an image' in 13:14.
- Daniel 3:1-6 (verbal): Nebuchadnezzar erects an image and compels universal worship under threat of death—parallels the command to make and worship an image of the beast.
- Exodus 20:4-5 (structural): The Torah's prohibition against making and worshiping graven images frames the beast's image as idolatrous and covenant-violating.
- Matthew 24:24 (thematic): Jesus warns that false Christs and false prophets will perform great signs to deceive—even the elect—echoing Revelation's note that the earth's inhabitants are deceived by miraculous signs.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:9 (allusion): Paul describes the coming of the lawless one with deceptive power and signs/wonders performed by Satanic agency, paralleling the beast's use of signs to deceive.
Alternative generated candidates
- By the signs that it was permitted to work in the presence of the beast it deceived those who dwell on the earth, telling them to make an image of the beast that had been wounded by the sword and yet lived.
- By the signs that were permitted it to do in the presence of the beast it deceived those who dwell on the earth, and it commanded them to make an image to the beast who had the wound of the sword and yet lived.
Rev.13.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- εδοθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- δουναι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- πνευμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- εικονι: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θηριου: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- ινα: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- λαληση: VERB,pres,act,subj,3,sg
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- εικων: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θηριου: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- ποιηση: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,sg
- ινα: CONJ
- οσοι: PRON,nom,pl,m
- εαν: CONJ
- μη: PART
- προσκυνησωσιν: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,pl
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- εικονι: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θηριου: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- αποκτανθωσιν: VERB,aor,pass,subj,3,pl
Parallels
- Daniel 3:6 (thematic): Nebuchadnezzar's decree that everyone must worship the golden image on pain of death parallels the beast's image which must be worshiped or people are killed.
- Ezekiel 37:9-10 (verbal): God's command to 'cause breath to enter' the dry bones so they live echoes the language of giving 'breath' to an inanimate image to make it live.
- Genesis 2:7 (verbal): God 'breathes' the breath of life into man; the same motif of breathing life into the non‑living is applied to the beast's image in Revelation.
- Psalm 115:4-8 (thematic): The psalm ridicules idols as mute and powerless, a counterpoint to Revelation's striking image of an idol that speaks and executes judgment—highlighting the perverse inversion of true divine power.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11 (allusion): Paul's description of deceptive signs and wonders and God permitting a deluding power to lead people to believe falsehoods parallels the beast's image empowered to deceive and compel worship.
Alternative generated candidates
- It was permitted to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image to be slain.
- It was given to it to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be slain.
Rev.13.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ποιει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- παντας: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- μικρους: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- μεγαλους: ADJ,acc,pl,masc,pos
- και: CONJ
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- πλουσιους: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- πτωχους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- ελευθερους: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- δουλους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- ινα: CONJ
- δωσιν: VERB,pres,act,subj,3,pl
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- χαραγμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- επι: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- χειρος: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- δεξιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- επι: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- μετωπον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Revelation 13:17 (structural): Direct continuation within the same scene: possession of the mark is required for economic participation ('no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark').
- Revelation 14:9-11 (thematic): Explicit warning against receiving the beast's mark and worshiping its image; develops the moral and eschatological consequences for those who accept the mark.
- Revelation 20:4 (thematic): Contrasts those who refused the beast's mark and its image, emphasizing the faithful who were martyred and did not receive the mark.
- Deuteronomy 6:8 (verbal): Ancient Israelite practice of binding words 'on your hand' and 'between your eyes' provides a background image for the hand/forehead placement of the mark.
- Ezekiel 9:4 (allusion): Divine marking on foreheads to distinguish and spare the faithful; echoes the function and location of a distinguishing mark on forehead in judgment scenes.
Alternative generated candidates
- And it caused all, the small and the great, the rich and the poor, the free and the slave, to be marked on their right hand or on their forehead,
- And it caused all, the small and the great, the rich and the poor, the free and the slave, to be marked on their right hand or on their forehead,
Rev.13.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ινα: CONJ
- μη: PART
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- δυνηται: VERB,pres,mid/pass,subj,3,sg
- αγορασαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- πωλησαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- μη: PART
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- εχων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- χαραγμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- ονομα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θηριου: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- αριθμον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ονοματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Rev.13.16 (structural): Immediate context: describes the mark placed on right hand or forehead and the commerce restriction that 13:17 summarizes.
- Rev.13.18 (verbal): Explains the phrase 'the number of his name' with the famous number (666); directly clarifies the 'number of the name' mentioned in 13:17.
- Rev.14:9-11 (thematic): Pronounces judgment on anyone who worships the beast or receives its mark; thematically connects the moral and eschatological consequences of accepting the beast's mark.
- Rev.7:3 (thematic): Describes God's sealing of his servants on their foreheads—serves as a counterpoint to the beast's mark, contrasting divine seal/identification with the beast's mark.
- Ezekiel 9:4 (verbal): Old Testament precedent: a mark placed on the foreheads of the faithful for protection—an early prophetic image echoed by Revelation's forehead/mark motif.
Alternative generated candidates
- so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name.
- so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, the name of the beast, or the number of its name.
Rev.13.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ωδε: ADV
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- σοφια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- εστιν·ο: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- εχων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- νουν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ψηφισατω: VERB,aor,act,imp,3,sg
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- αριθμον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θηριου: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- αριθμος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- γαρ: PART
- ανθρωπου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εστιν·και: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- αριθμος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- εξακοσιοι: NUM,nom,pl,m
- εξηκοντα: NUM,acc,pl,n
- εξ: PREP
Parallels
- Rev.13.16-17 (structural): Immediate context—commands concerning the beast's mark and the 'number of his name' (cf. v.18). The chapter pairs the mark/number motif with economic/social coercion (no buying or selling without the mark).
- Rev.17.9 (verbal): Repeats the interpretive formula ('Here is the mind/ wisdom which hath understanding') used to call for discernment of symbolic numbers and imagery; both verses frame a cryptic symbol that requires interpretation (beast, heads, number).
- Dan.7:20-25 (thematic): Daniel's vision of the blasphemous 'horn' that speaks against the Most High, persecutes the saints, and is given authority parallels the beast's blasphemy, persecution, and symbolic/eschatological role in Revelation. Both use beastly imagery to portray an anti‑divine political power.
- Dan.3:1-6 (thematic): Nebuchadnezzar's golden image and the decree forcing all to worship it anticipates Revelation's motif of compelled worship of the beast and its image (Revelation 13), linking imperial cultic coercion with the beast's demand for allegiance.
- 2 Thess.2:3-4 (allusion): Paul's 'man of lawlessness' who exalts himself and opposes God corresponds to New Testament antichristic figures; this parallels the beast's blasphemous self-exaltation and functions as a New Testament typology for the human/antinomic power signified by the beast (the 'number of a man').
Alternative generated candidates
- This calls for wisdom: let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man—his number is six hundred sixty-six.
- Here is wisdom. Let anyone who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man; and its number is six hundred sixty-six.
Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth; it had two horns like a lamb, and it spoke like a dragon.
It exercised all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound had been healed. And it performed great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to the earth in the sight of people. And by the signs it was allowed to perform before the beast, it deceived those who dwell on the earth, telling them to make an image of the beast that had received the mortal wound of the sword and yet lived. And it was permitted to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might speak, and that it might cause those who would not worship the image to be killed.
It caused all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to be marked on their right hand or on their forehead. And that no one might buy or sell except the one who has the mark, the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Here is wisdom. Let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man—his number is six hundred sixty-six.