Revelation 12:6

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} the woman {G1135} fled {G5343} into {G1519} the wilderness {G2048}, where {G3699} she hath {G2192} a place {G5117} prepared {G2090} of {G575} God {G2316}, that {G2443} they should feed {G5142} her {G846} there {G1563} a thousand {G5507} two hundred {G1250} and threescore {G1835} days {G2250}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and she fled into the desert, where she has a place prepared by God so that she can be taken care of for 1,260 days.

Berean Standard Bible

And the woman fled into the wilderness, where God had prepared a place for her to be nourished for 1,260 days.

American Standard Version

And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that there they may nourish her a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 12:6 depicts the divine preservation of God's people, symbolized by a woman, who flees into a divinely prepared wilderness refuge to escape the persecution of the dragon, Satan. This flight signifies a period of intense spiritual conflict and vulnerability, during which God faithfully provides sustenance and protection for a specific prophetic duration of 1,260 days, underscoring His sovereign care amidst cosmic spiritual warfare.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a crucial turning point within the dramatic twelfth chapter of Revelation, which presents a cosmic struggle between the forces of good and evil. Immediately preceding [Revelation 12:6](/revelation/12-6 "Revelation 12:6 - The Woman in the Wilderness") is the birth of the male child (Christ) from the woman (God's people, likely Israel or the church) and His ascension to God's throne, followed by Satan's failed attempt to devour Him. The subsequent war in heaven, culminating in Satan's expulsion to earth in [Revelation 12:9](/revelation/12-9 "Revelation 12:9 - Satan Cast Down"), intensifies the conflict. Upon his defeat in heaven, the dragon directs his wrath toward the woman, making her flight into the wilderness a direct consequence of this cosmic battle and a necessary act of divine preservation. The verse sets the stage for the subsequent persecution of the saints and God's continued protection throughout the tribulation period.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While Revelation is primarily apocalyptic and symbolic, its imagery draws from Old Testament narratives and Jewish apocalyptic traditions. The "wilderness" often carries significant theological weight, recalling Israel's forty years in the desert where God miraculously provided for them (e.g., manna, water from the rock, as seen in [Exodus 16](/exodus/16 "Exodus 16 - Manna and Quail")). This historical precedent would have resonated deeply with John's original audience, many of whom were facing persecution under the Roman Empire. The concept of a "place prepared of God" evokes divine sanctuary and protection, similar to how God sheltered His people in times of distress. The numerical period of "a thousand two hundred and threescore days" (1260 days, or 3.5 years) is a specific prophetic timeframe, echoing similar periods in Daniel's prophecies (e.g., "a time, times, and half a time" in [Daniel 7:25](/daniel/7-25 "Daniel 7:25 - The Little Horn's Reign")) and later in Revelation itself ([Revelation 11:3](/revelation/11-3 "Revelation 11:3 - The Two Witnesses' Prophecy")). This suggests a divinely appointed, finite period of tribulation and divine care.
* **Key Themes:** [Revelation 12:6](/revelation/12-6 "Revelation 12:6 - The Woman's Flight and Divine Protection") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Revelation and biblical theology. The most prominent is **Divine Protection and Providence**, showcasing God's unwavering commitment to preserving His chosen people even in the face of overwhelming evil. The "place prepared of God" highlights His active, sovereign involvement in their safety and sustenance. This theme is intricately linked with **Spiritual Warfare**, as the woman's flight is a direct response to the dragon's relentless persecution, emphasizing the ongoing battle between Satan and God's kingdom. Furthermore, the specific duration of "a thousand two hundred and threescore days" introduces the theme of **Prophetic Timeframes**, indicating that the period of tribulation and divine preservation is divinely ordained and limited, not an indefinite struggle. Finally, the imagery of the "wilderness" reinforces the theme of **Refuge and Sustenance**, recalling God's historical care for His people in desolate places, as seen in the narratives of [Exodus](/exodus/16 "Exodus 16 - Manna and Quail") and [Elijah's flight](/1_kings/17 "1 Kings 17 - Elijah and the Ravens").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **woman (Greek, _gynḗ'_):** This term, G1135, refers to a female, or specifically a wife. In the context of Revelation 12, the "woman" is a profound **symbol** representing God's people throughout history, encompassing faithful Israel from whom the Messiah came, and by extension, the church. Her identity is tied to the lineage that produced the "male child" (Christ), and her subsequent persecution by the dragon signifies the ongoing spiritual warfare against those who bear witness to God.
* **wilderness (Greek, _érēmos'_):** G2048, meaning lonesome, waste, or desolate. While literally a barren place, biblically, the "wilderness" is often a place of divine encounter, testing, and miraculous provision. It is a place of isolation from worldly systems and threats, where God can uniquely sustain His people, as He did for Israel after the Exodus. This emphasizes not abandonment, but a specific, divinely appointed sanctuary.
* **prepared (Greek, _hetoimázō'_):** G2090, meaning to prepare or make ready. The passive voice ("prepared of God") highlights that this refuge is not accidental or self-contrived by the woman, but is a deliberate, pre-ordained act of God's sovereign will and foresight. It underscores God's active involvement in the protection and provision for His people, demonstrating His meticulous planning and care.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the woman fled into the wilderness":** This clause describes the immediate and urgent action taken by the woman in response to the dragon's renewed aggression following his expulsion from heaven. Her "flight" (Greek: _pheúgō_) signifies an escape from imminent danger, a necessary retreat from direct confrontation. The destination, "the wilderness," is not merely a geographical location but a symbolic place of refuge and divine isolation, where she is removed from the direct reach of her persecutor.
* **"where she hath a place prepared of God":** This crucial phrase reveals the divine agency behind the woman's refuge. The wilderness is not a random hiding spot but a specific "place" (Greek: _tópos_) that has been "prepared" (Greek: _hetoimázō_) by God Himself. This emphasizes God's sovereign foresight and active provision for His people. It signifies that their safety and sustenance are not dependent on human ingenuity or strength, but on God's deliberate and powerful intervention.
* **"that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days":** This final clause specifies the purpose of the divine provision and its duration. The phrase "that they should feed her" (Greek: _tréphō_) indicates ongoing sustenance and nourishment, ensuring the woman's survival. The "thousand two hundred and threescore days" (1260 days, equivalent to 42 months or 3.5 years) is a precise prophetic timeframe, indicating a divinely appointed, finite period of tribulation during which God's people will be sustained and protected. This period is a recurring motif in apocalyptic literature, signifying a time of intense but limited persecution.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 12:6 is rich with **Symbolism** and **Apocalyptic Imagery**. The "woman" is a profound symbol, often interpreted as representing God's faithful people throughout redemptive history—from Israel, who gave birth to the Messiah, to the Church, which continues His mission. Her "flight into the wilderness" is symbolic of divine protection and refuge from persecution, echoing Old Testament narratives where God preserved His people in desolate places. The "wilderness" itself is a symbol not of abandonment, but of a place of divine provision and intimacy, where God sustains His chosen ones. The "dragon" is an explicit symbol for Satan, the ultimate persecutor. The precise timeframe of "a thousand two hundred and threescore days" is a symbolic prophetic duration, signifying a specific, limited period of tribulation and divine care, rather than an indefinite struggle. This use of symbolic numbers is characteristic of apocalyptic literature, conveying theological truths through numerical patterns. The entire scene is presented through vivid **Apocalyptic Imagery**, designed to convey spiritual realities and cosmic conflict in a dramatic, visionary manner, rather than a literal historical account. This imagery serves to reveal God's ultimate sovereignty and His protection over His people amidst the forces of evil.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 12:6 profoundly underscores the theological truth of God's unwavering faithfulness and sovereign care for His people, even in the midst of intense spiritual warfare and tribulation. The "place prepared of God" highlights divine providence, demonstrating that God actively plans and provides for the protection and sustenance of His chosen ones. This is not a passive observation of their plight but an active intervention, ensuring their survival through a divinely appointed period of persecution. It speaks to the enduring covenant relationship between God and His people, affirming His commitment to preserve a remnant through every trial, ultimately leading to His final victory over evil.

* [Psalm 46:1](/psalm/46-1 "Psalm 46:1 - God is our refuge and strength")
* [Isaiah 40:11](/isaiah/40-11 "Isaiah 40:11 - God's gentle care for His flock")
* [Matthew 10:29-31](/matthew/10-29-31 "Matthew 10:29-31 - God's care for sparrows and humans")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 12:6 offers profound comfort and a call to unwavering trust for believers navigating a world often hostile to faith. It assures us that even when the forces of evil seem overwhelming and persecution is intense, God has a sovereign plan for our protection and sustenance. The "wilderness" experience, whether literal or figurative, is not a sign of abandonment but a divinely appointed space where God's provision becomes uniquely evident. This verse encourages us to find our refuge not in worldly systems or our own strength, but in the "place prepared of God," trusting in His faithful care for the duration of our trials. It reminds us that our spiritual battles are part of a larger cosmic drama, and that God's ultimate victory guarantees the preservation of His saints. Therefore, we are called to endure with patience, knowing that our times are in His hands and His provision is sure.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what "wilderness" might God be calling you to trust in His provision today, whether physically or spiritually?**
* **How does the idea of God having a "place prepared" for you impact your sense of security and hope amidst life's challenges?**
* **Considering the "thousand two hundred and threescore days," how does knowing that trials have a divinely appointed end encourage your perseverance?**

### FAQ
**Who is the "woman" in Revelation 12:6, and what does her flight symbolize?**

Answer: The "woman" in [Revelation 12](/revelation/12 "Revelation 12 - The Woman, The Child, and The Dragon") is a symbolic figure, broadly interpreted as representing God's faithful people throughout redemptive history. This includes faithful Israel, from whom the Messiah (the "male child") came, and by extension, the Church, which is the spiritual offspring of Christ. Her flight into the "wilderness" symbolizes a period of divine protection and refuge from the intense persecution of the "dragon" (Satan). It signifies God's sovereign act of preserving a remnant of His people during times of great tribulation, much like He protected Israel in the literal wilderness after their exodus from Egypt, providing for their every need (see [Exodus 16](/exodus/16 "Exodus 16 - Manna and Quail")). This flight is not an act of defeat but a divinely orchestrated preservation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 12:6, while depicting the protection of God's people, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "male child" born of the woman, who is "caught up to God and to his throne" ([Revelation 12:5](/revelation/12-5 "Revelation 12:5 - The Male Child Caught Up to God")), is unequivocally Jesus Christ. His ascension signifies His ultimate victory over Satan and His enthronement as King. The subsequent persecution of the woman by the dragon and her divine preservation in the wilderness foreshadows Christ's ongoing work in protecting His Church, His spiritual body, from the relentless attacks of the enemy. Just as God prepared a place and sustained the woman, Christ Himself is the ultimate refuge and provider for His followers. He promised, "I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" ([Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - Jesus' Promise to Build His Church")). Through His atoning work on the cross and His resurrection, Christ disarmed principalities and powers ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")), ensuring that though His people may face tribulation in the world, He has overcome the world ([John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - Jesus Overcomes the World")). The divine feeding of the woman for 1,260 days points to Christ as the "Bread of Life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")) who continually nourishes and sustains His Church, providing all that is needed for their perseverance until His glorious return.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Revelation 13:5

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.

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.

Revelation 11:3

¶ And I will give [power] unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred [and] threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

Revelation 12:14

And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

Revelation 12:4

And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

Matthew 4:11

Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

1 Kings 17:3

Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that [is] before Jordan.