^17:8The beast you saw was, and is not, but is about to come up from the abyss²¹ and then go to destruction. The²² inhabitants of the earth—all those whose names have not been written in the book of life since the foundation of the world—will be astounded when they see that²³ the beast was, and is not, but is to come. ^17:9(This requires²⁴ a mind that has wisdom.) The seven heads are seven mountains²⁵ the woman sits on. They are also seven kings: ^17:10five have fallen; one is,²⁶ and the other has not yet come, but whenever he does come, he must remain for only a brief time. ^17:11The²⁷ beast that was, and is not, is himself an eighth king and yet is one of the seven, and is going to destruction. ^17:12The²⁸ ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but will receive ruling authority²⁹ as kings with the beast for one hour. ^17:13These kings³⁰ have a single intent, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. ^17:14They will make war with the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer them, because he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those accompanying³¹ the Lamb are the called, chosen, and faithful.”

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Footnotes

21 On this term ἄβυσσος 2 states, “netherworld, abyss, esp. the abode of the dead Ro 10:7 (Ps 106:26) and of demons Lk 8:31; dungeon where the devil is kept Rv 20:3; abode of the θηρίον, the Antichrist 11:7; 17:8; of Ἀβαδδών (), the angel of the underworld 9:11 … φρέαρ τῆς ἀ. 9:1f; capable of being sealed 9:1; 20:1, 3.”
22 Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
23 Some translations take the ὅτι (hoti) here as causal: “because he was, and is not, but is to come” (so , ), but it is much more likely that the subject of the ὅτι clause has been assimilated into the main clause: “when they see the beast, that he was …” = “when they see that the beast was” (so ὅτι 1.f, where Rev 17:8 is listed).
24 Grk “Here is the mind that has wisdom.”
25 It is important to note that the height of “mountains” versus “hills” or other topographical terms is somewhat relative. In terms of Palestinian topography, Mount Tabor (traditionally regarded as the mount of transfiguration) is some 1,800 ft (550 m) above sea level, while the Mount of Olives is only some 100 ft (30 m) higher than Jerusalem.
26 That is, one currently reigns.
27 Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
28 Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
29 For the translation “ruling authority” for ἐξουσία (exousia) see L&N 37.35.
30 The word “kings” is not in the Greek text, but has been supplied to clarify the referent.
31 See μετά A.2.a.α.