King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty [and] two months.
Complete Jewish Bible:
It was given a mouth speaking arrogant blasphemies; and it was given authority to act for forty-two months.
Berean Standard Bible:
The beast was given a mouth to speak arrogant and blasphemous words, and authority to act for 42 months.
American Standard Version:
and there was given to him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and there was given to him authority to continue forty and two months.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And{G2532} there was given{G1325} unto him{G846} a mouth{G4750} speaking{G2980} great things{G3173} and{G2532} blasphemies{G988}; and{G2532} power{G1849} was given{G1325} unto him{G846} to continue{G4160} forty{G5062} and two{G1417} months{G3376}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Daniel 7:25
- And he shall speak [great] words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
Daniel 7:8
- I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn [were] eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.
Daniel 11:36
- And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.
Revelation 12:6
- And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred [and] threescore days.
Daniel 7:11
- I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld [even] till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.
2 Thessalonians 2:4
- Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
Revelation 11:2
- But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty [and] two months.
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Commentary for Revelation 13:5
Revelation 13:5 is a verse from the New Testament's Book of Revelation, attributed to John the Apostle. This book is apocalyptic literature, characterized by symbolic language and vivid imagery, and is the only apocalyptic book in the New Testament. The verse is part of a larger passage describing one of the book's central figures, often referred to as the "beast," which represents an antagonistic power opposed to God.
In Revelation 13:5, the beast is described as having a mouth that speaks great things and blasphemies. This likely symbolizes a ruler or authority who makes arrogant, prideful, and sacrilegious claims, possibly setting themselves up as a divine or messianic figure, which is a direct affront to God. The number forty-two months, which equates to three and a half years, is significant in the prophetic context of the book. This time period appears elsewhere in Revelation and in Daniel, another book with apocalyptic themes, and is typically understood to represent a limited period during which evil is permitted to reach a climax before being ultimately defeated by God.
Historically, this verse and the surrounding chapters have been interpreted in various ways. Some see it as a reference to specific historical figures or empires that persecuted Christians, such as the Roman Empire during the time of the early church. Others interpret it eschatologically, as a prophecy concerning events that will unfold at the end of times. The "forty-two months" has also been interpreted symbolically, representing a limited duration of intense trial and tribulation.
The themes of Revelation 13:5 include the nature of evil, the limitation of its power, and the ultimate sovereignty of God over history and time. The verse underscores the temporary nature of evil's dominion, contrasting it with the eternal reign of God. It speaks to the Christian hope that, despite appearances of chaos and wickedness in the world, God is in control and will bring about justice and peace.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G2532
There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καί
Transliteration: kaí
Pronunciation: kahee
Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet. - Strong's Number: G1325
There are 377 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: δίδωμι
Transliteration: dídōmi
Pronunciation: did'-o-mee
Description: a prolonged form of a primary verb (which is used as an alternative in most of the tenses); to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection):--adventure, bestow, bring forth, commit, deliver (up), give, grant, hinder, make, minister, number, offer, have power, put, receive, set, shew, smite (+ with the hand), strike (+ with the palm of the hand), suffer, take, utter, yield. - Strong's Number: G846
There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: αὐτός
Transliteration: autós
Pronunciation: ow-tos'
Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ. - Strong's Number: G4750
There are 72 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: στόμα
Transliteration: stóma
Pronunciation: stom'-a
Description: probably strengthened from a presumed derivative of the base of τομώτερος; the mouth (as if a gash in the face); by implication, language (and its relations); figuratively, an opening (in the earth); specially, the front or edge (of a weapon):--edge, face, mouth. - Strong's Number: G2980
There are 271 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: λαλέω
Transliteration: laléō
Pronunciation: lal-eh'-o
Description: a prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. utter words:--preach, say, speak (after), talk, tell, utter. Compare λέγω. - Strong's Number: G3173
There are 185 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μέγας
Transliteration: mégas
Pronunciation: meg'-as
Description: (including the prolonged forms, feminine , plural , etc.; compare also μέγιστος, μείζων); big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application):--(+ fear) exceedingly, great(-est), high, large, loud, mighty, + (be) sore (afraid), strong, X to years. - Strong's Number: G988
There are 18 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: βλασφημία
Transliteration: blasphēmía
Pronunciation: blas-fay-me'-ah
Description: from βλάσφημος; vilification (especially against God):--blasphemy, evil speaking, railing. - Strong's Number: G1849
There are 93 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐξουσία
Transliteration: exousía
Pronunciation: ex-oo-see'-ah
Description: from ἔξεστι (in the sense of ability); privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence:--authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength. - Strong's Number: G4160
There are 519 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ποιέω
Transliteration: poiéō
Pronunciation: poy-eh'-o
Description: apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct):--abide, + agree, appoint, X avenge, + band together, be, bear, + bewray, bring (forth), cast out, cause, commit, + content, continue, deal, + without any delay, (would) do(-ing), execute, exercise, fulfil, gain, give, have, hold, X journeying, keep, + lay wait, + lighten the ship, make, X mean, + none of these things move me, observe, ordain, perform, provide, + have purged, purpose, put, + raising up, X secure, shew, X shoot out, spend, take, tarry, + transgress the law, work, yield. Compare πράσσω. - Strong's Number: G5062
There are 21 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: τεσσαράκοντα
Transliteration: tessarákonta
Pronunciation: tes-sar-ak'-on-tah
Description: the decade of τέσσαρες; forty:--forty. - Strong's Number: G1417
There are 124 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: δύο
Transliteration: dýo
Pronunciation: doo'-o
Description: a primary numeral; "two":--both, twain, two. - Strong's Number: G3376
There are 18 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μήν
Transliteration: mḗn
Pronunciation: mane
Description: a primary word; a month:--month.