King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
Complete Jewish Bible:
The beast which once was and now is not is an eighth king; it comes from the seven and is on its way to destruction.
Berean Standard Bible:
The beast that was, and now is not, is an eighth king, who belongs to the other seven and is going into destruction.
American Standard Version:
And the beast that was, and is not, is himself also an eighth, and is of the seven; and he goeth into perdition.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And{G2532} the beast{G2342} that{G3739} was{G2258}, and{G2532} is{G2076} not{G3756}, even{G2532} he{G846} is{G2076} the eighth{G3590}, and{G2532} is{G2076} of{G1537} the seven{G2033}, and{G2532} goeth{G5217} into{G1519} perdition{G684}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Revelation 17:8
- The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
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Commentary for Revelation 17:11
Revelation 17:11 is a verse from the Book of Revelation, the final book of the New Testament, traditionally attributed to John the Apostle. This book is apocalyptic literature, characterized by symbolic and prophetic visions concerning the end times and the ultimate triumph of God. The verse is part of a larger section where John describes his vision of a woman sitting on a scarlet beast, both symbols rich in meaning.
In the historical context, the Book of Revelation was likely written during a period of persecution for the early Christian church, possibly under the reign of the Roman Emperor Domitian. The imagery would have resonated with Christians familiar with the prophecies of the Hebrew Bible and the need for encouragement in the face of oppression.
The verse itself speaks of a beast representing a powerful and seemingly eternal political entity that has a mysterious relationship with another entity, the "eighth," which is also part of the "seven." This has been interpreted in various ways, but a common view is that the "seven" refers to a succession of earthly empires or rulers that have oppressed God's people, with the "eighth" being an ultimate manifestation of evil, often associated with the Antichrist. The phrase "and goeth into perdition" indicates that this entity is destined for destruction or eternal damnation, emphasizing the ultimate victory of divine justice over evil.
The themes of Revelation 17:11 include the sovereignty of God over history and the nations, the inevitability of divine judgment, and the assurance that evil, no matter how powerful or enduring it may seem, is temporary and will face divine retribution. This verse, like much of the Book of Revelation, would have provided hope and comfort to early Christians by affirming that their suffering was not in vain and that their persecutors would not ultimately triumph.
*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: G2342
There are 38 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: θηρίον
Transliteration: thēríon
Pronunciation: thay-ree'-on
Description: diminutive from the same as θήρα; a dangerous animal:--(venomous, wild) beast. - Strong's Number: G3739
There are 1215 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὅς
Transliteration: hós
Pronunciation: ho
Description: probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article ὁ); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc. See also οὗ. - Strong's Number: G2258
There are 416 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἦν
Transliteration: ēn
Pronunciation: ane
Description: imperfect of εἰμί; I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were):--+ agree, be, X have (+ charge of), hold, use, was(-t), were. - Strong's Number: G2076
There are 812 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐστί
Transliteration: estí
Pronunciation: es-tee'
Description: third person singular present indicative of εἰμί; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:--are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle. - Strong's Number: G3756
There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: οὐ
Transliteration: ou
Pronunciation: ookh
Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος. - 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: G3590
There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὄγδοος
Transliteration: ógdoos
Pronunciation: og'-do-os
Description: from ὀκτώ; the eighth:--eighth. - Strong's Number: G1537
There are 761 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐκ
Transliteration: ek
Pronunciation: ex
Description: a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote):--after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, …ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion. - Strong's Number: G2033
There are 63 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἑπτά
Transliteration: heptá
Pronunciation: hep-tah'
Description: a primary number; seven:--seven. - Strong's Number: G5217
There are 77 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὑπάγω
Transliteration: hypágō
Pronunciation: hoop-ag'-o
Description: from ὑπό and ἄγω; to lead (oneself) under, i.e. withdraw or retire (as if sinking out of sight), literally or figuratively:--depart, get hence, go (a-)way. - Strong's Number: G1519
There are 1513 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἰς
Transliteration: eis
Pronunciation: ice
Description: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively). - Strong's Number: G684
There are 19 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀπώλεια
Transliteration: apṓleia
Pronunciation: ap-o'-li-a
Description: from a presumed derivative of ἀπόλλυμι; ruin or loss (physical, spiritual or eternal):--damnable(-nation), destruction, die, perdition, X perish, pernicious ways, waste.