TRV
Translation
King James Version
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.
KJV (with Strong's)
The beast G2342 that G3739 thou sawest G1492 was G2258, and G2532 is G2076 not G3756; and G2532 shall G3195 ascend G305 out of G1537 the bottomless pit G12, and G2532 go G5217 into G1519 perdition G684: and G2532 they that dwell G2730 on G1909 the earth G1093 shall wonder G2296, whose G3739 names G3686 were G1125 not G3756 written G1125 in G1909 the book G975 of life G2222 from G575 the foundation G2602 of the world G2889, when they behold G991 the beast G2342 that was G3748 G2258, and G2532 is G2076 not G3756, and yet G2539 is G2076.
Complete Jewish Bible
The beast you saw once was, now is not, and will come up from the Abyss; but it is on its way to destruction. The people living on earth whose names have not been written in the Book of Life since the founding of the world will be astounded to see the beast that once was, now is not, but is to appear.
Berean Standard Bible
The beast that you saw—it was, and now is no more, but is about to come up out of the Abyss and go to its destruction. And those who dwell on the earth whose names were not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world will marvel when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet will be.
American Standard Version
The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and is about to come up out of the abyss, and to go into perdition. And they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, they whose name hath not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast, how that he was, and is not, and shall come.
World English Bible Messianic
The beast that you saw was, and is not; and is about to come up out of the abyss and to go into destruction. Those who dwell on the earth and whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel when they see that the beast was, and is not, and shall be present.
Geneva Bible (1599)
The beast that thou hast seene, was, and is not, and shall ascend out of the bottomles pit, and shall goe into perdition, and they that dwell on the earth, shall wonder (whose names are not written in the booke of life from the foundation of ye world) when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
Young's Literal Translation
`The beast that thou didst see: it was, and it is not; and it is about to come up out of the abyss, and to go away to destruction, and wonder shall those dwelling upon the earth, whose names have not been written upon the scroll of the life from the foundation of the world, beholding the beast that was, and is not, although it is.
See also
See on the biblical-era map
In the KJVVerse 30,984 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Revelation 17 verses 7–13
7 ¶ And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.
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.
9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.
10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.
11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
Here we have the mystery of this vision explained. The apostle wonders at the sight of this woman: the angel undertakes to open this vision to him, it being the key of the former visions; and he tells the apostle what was meant by the beast on which the woman sat; but it is so explained as still to need further explanation. 1. This beast was, and is not, and yet is; that is, it was a seat of idolatry and persecution; and is not, that is, not in the ancient form, which was pagan; and yet it is, it is truly the seat of idolatry and tyranny, though of another sort and form. It ascends out of the bottomless pit (idolatry and cruelty are the issue and product of hell), and it shall return thither and go into perdition. 2. This beast has seven heads, which have a double signification. (1.) Seven mountains - the seven hills on which Rome stands; and (2.) Seven kings - seven sorts of government. Rome was governed by kings, consuls, tribunes, decemviri, dictators, emperors who were pagan, and emperors who were Christian. Five of these were extinct when this prophecy was written; one was then in being, that is, the pagan emperor; and the other, that is, the Christian emperor, was yet to come, Rev 17:10. This beast, the papacy, makes an eighth governor, and sets up idolatry again. 3. This beast had ten horns; which are said to be ten kings which have as yet received no kingdoms; as yet, that is, as some, shall not rise up till the Roman empire be broken in pieces; or, as others, shall not rise up till near the end of antichrist's reign, and so shall reign but as it were one hour with her, but shall for that time be very unanimous and very zealous in that interest, and entirely devoted to it, divesting themselves of their prerogatives and revenues (things so dear to princes), out of an unaccountable fondness for the papacy.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 7–13. Public domain.
Copy as
Caesarius of ArlesAD 542
EXPOSITION ON THE APOCALYPSE 17:8, HOMILY 14
We understand this to mean that an evil people is born out of an evil people. And so we can say the beast comes out of the beast and the abyss out of the abyss. And what does it mean that the beast comes out of the beast, unless an evil people is born out of an evil people? This is so because wicked children copy and replace their wicked parents, and while some are dying, others succeed to them. Therefore, those who from the beginning have always plotted against the church are never lacking, whether they be few or many, whether they be hidden or manifest. And although in this world we can never be separated from having some contact with them, let us beseech the mercy of God, that we might be so separated in our conduct that we do not go with them to an eternal punishment. Rather, when they hear, “Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire,” may we be worthy to hear, “Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom.”
Primasius of HadrumetumAD 560
COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 17:8
He is referring to those very same people from whose members the body destined to damnation is built up. And should the names make for some ambiguity, in his epistle [John] has spoken of the same thing in the singular: “As you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now there are many antichrists.” And shortly thereafter he says, “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us.” Therefore, those whose names are not written in the Book of Life and who will still be living at the end of the world and who will experience the destruction of their own damnation, these will realize too late that he whom they had thought to be the Christ is not. And they will be amazed, for they had been deceived by the hidden seduction of the beast. Rather, when they have been most justly condemned, they [will realize that the Christ] is our Christ whom they will realize is indeed the judge. Therefore, since the foundation of the world, as “the Lord knows those who are his,” so he has also promised that he would say to them, “Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” And so also, those who are not his, he has not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world. But as those unknown to him and foreknown from afar he will condemn to the punishment of that eternal fire “which is prepared for the devil and his angels.” “For the Lord is high and regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar,” and so he says, “I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers.”
Primasius of HadrumetumAD 560
COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 17:8
The holy Scriptures teach that from the beginning of the world there has been the rise and the advance to the present time of two cities. Of these, one is of God and the other is of the devil, and in this passage [the city of the devil] is indicated by the beast as [representing] altogether the whole body of the wicked. And so it says that it was and is not, because in the passing away of generations that succeed one another, it is built up and supplemented. And, therefore, it follows that it is going to ascend from the abyss as well as go to destruction. For by the hidden yet just judgment of God, it is brought to its end, so that the psalm says, “Your judgments are like the great deep.” Or it claims that [the beast] will come forth from the hearts of the impious, of which the psalm speaks, “The deep calls forth the deep.”
Andreas of CaesareaAD 614
COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 17:8
On account of the false miracles, those whose names are not written in the book of those who live forever and who have not been sufficiently taught in the prophecies of Christ concerning him will be astonished at his coming and wonder how he had regained his ancient power.
Andreas of CaesareaAD 614
COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 17:8
The beast is the devil who is always seeking someone to devour. He was killed by the cross of Christ, but, it is said, he will live again at the end, effecting the denial of salvation through the deceit of the antichrist in signs and wonders. In this way he “was” and was powerful before the cross, but he “no longer is” after the salvific sufferings, for he has become powerless and is deprived of his authority that he had over the nations on account of idolatry. And at the end he will come, in the way we have indicated, arising from the abyss or from wherever he was condemned and where the demons, thrown out by Christ, begged him not to send them, but rather into the swine. Or he will come out of the present life, which is figuratively called “abyss” because of the depth of sin that lives in it and that is blown about and agitated by the winds of passion. From this place the antichrist, having Satan in himself, will come for the destruction of men, going himself to perdition in the age to come.
OecumeniusAD 990
Commentary on Revelation
"The beast which you saw, was and is not, and is about to rise up out of the abyss," he says. For the Devil had indeed been, before the existence of the sensible world, made by God for good works, like the other glorious angels; but it is not shown in what respect the evangelist indicates concerning the things about the end of the age, in which he will go into the fire prepared for him and his angels. For to be in these things is not properly to be. Then when his activity is about to be revealed in the last days he says: "and is about to rise up out of the abyss, and to go into perdition."
For through the rise of the Antichrist there will be an increase to the Devil, deceiving men and persuading them to worship him as previously said in many places. Or, think not that it was and is not so; the apostle writing to the Philippians says, "to all the saints in Christ Jesus, who are in Philippi," (Philip. 1:1) being called saints because "they are in" Christ and in a family unit relationship and remembrance of God.
If then "they are" holy, the accursed Devil "is not" now, even if he was before or was cast down by the Almighty God from his proper order. Likewise the impious, even if they appear to exist so far as subsistence and essence, are not so far as to have the election and remembrance of God; and that this is so, the book of Genesis does not record the genealogies from Cain, (see Gen. 5:1-6:1) as it says that by reason of impiety they were not, but it declares their perdition in which they are about to perish. That is, the just punishment of Gehenna against him; for the Lord says concerning those condemned in it, speaking to Matthew: "But fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna." (Matt. 10:28)
And he says that "those who dwell on the earth will marvel." Not all, but those "whose names" are not "in the book of life." And why will they marvel? Because the "beast was and is not" and will appear and be destroyed; for those who had trusted in him will be most astonished at the change that will come upon him. For wishing to be ruler of the world and so showing himself, he will not only be deposed from his rule, but will also receive a worthy end for his wickedness.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
Copy as
Continue studying Revelation 17:8 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
CNTR CollationThe earliest Greek manuscripts of this verse, collated letter by letter.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
Revelation 17:8 unveils a profound and enigmatic description of the beast, a pivotal figure in John's apocalyptic vision, whose nature, origin, and ultimate destiny are intricately linked to the judgment of "Babylon the Great." This verse portrays the beast's peculiar existence—past, temporary absence, and future resurgence from the abyss—which captivates and deceives those whose names are not eternally recorded in the book of life, ultimately highlighting God's sovereign plan and the assured destruction of all opposing forces.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Revelation 17:8 is an integral part of an angel's interpretative explanation to John concerning the vision of the great harlot, "Babylon the Great," seated upon a scarlet beast with seven heads and ten horns, as described in Revelation 17:3. The preceding verses introduce the harlot's opulent attire and her spiritual fornication with the kings of the earth, setting the stage for the beast's role as the vehicle and instrument of her power and, eventually, her destruction. This verse specifically focuses on the beast's mysterious identity and its impact on the earth's inhabitants, serving as a crucial piece of the symbolic puzzle John is given to understand the unfolding eschatological drama. The angel's detailed explanation in Revelation 17 clarifies the beast's origins and fate, distinguishing it from the harlot while showing their intertwined destiny.
Historical & Cultural Context: John's vision, written during a period of intense persecution of Christians, likely under the Roman Empire, draws heavily on Old Testament prophetic imagery and contemporary political realities. The "beast" would have resonated with readers as a symbol of oppressive, anti-God empires, reminiscent of the beasts in Daniel's visions (e.g., Daniel 7). The concept of a "bottomless pit" (abyss) was a known Jewish apocalyptic motif, signifying a realm of demonic imprisonment or the chaotic deep from which evil forces emerge. The "book of life" was a common ancient Near Eastern and Jewish concept, representing a register of citizens or those destined for salvation, often found in prophetic literature like Daniel 12:1. John's audience would have understood these symbols as conveying a powerful message about the nature of evil power, its deceptive allure, and its ultimate, divinely ordained defeat, providing both warning and comfort in their own challenging circumstances.
Key Themes: This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Revelation. The primary theme is the Enigmatic and Deceptive Nature of the Beast, which is presented as a counterfeit of God's eternal being. The phrase "was, and is not; and yet is" is a chilling inversion of God's self-description as "who is, and who was, and who is to come" found in Revelation 1:4 and Revelation 4:8, highlighting the beast's role as an anti-God figure. Secondly, the verse underscores the Supernatural Origin and Assured Destruction of Evil. The beast's ascent "out of the bottomless pit" signifies its demonic, infernal source, not merely human political power, yet its destination is "perdition," emphasizing God's ultimate sovereignty and the inevitable defeat of all evil forces, as also prophesied in Revelation 19:20. Finally, the verse highlights Divine Sovereignty and Global Deception. The "wonder" of the earth's inhabitants and the explicit mention that their "names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world" starkly contrasts God's eternal knowledge and election with the spiritual blindness and allegiance of the unredeemed. This reinforces the theme of God's meticulous plan for salvation and judgment, a theme consistently present throughout the book, particularly concerning the Book of Life.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Revelation 17:8 is rich in literary devices that amplify its theological message. The most prominent is Inversion or Antithesis, particularly in the phrase "was, and is not; and yet is." This deliberately mirrors and perverts God's eternal self-description as "who is, and who was, and who is to come" (Revelation 1:4), portraying the beast as a demonic counterfeit of divine being and power. The beast itself is a powerful Symbolism, representing not just a single individual or empire, but the cumulative forces of anti-God power throughout history, culminating in a final, deceptive manifestation. The "bottomless pit" is also potent Symbolism, signifying the demonic realm and the ultimate source of evil. The "book of life" serves as Symbolism for God's sovereign election and eternal register of the redeemed. There is also a strong element of Dramatic Irony as the earth dwellers "wonder" and are captivated by the beast, unaware that their admiration seals their own perdition, a fate already determined by their names not being in the book of life. The Repetition of "was, and is not" further emphasizes the beast's mysterious and deceptive nature, reinforcing its pseudo-divine attributes.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 17:8 is a profound theological statement on the nature of evil, divine sovereignty, and the ultimate victory of God. The beast's pseudo-resurrection and its origin from the "bottomless pit" underscore the spiritual, demonic forces at play in opposition to God, revealing that ultimate evil is not merely human but supernaturally empowered. Yet, its destined end in "perdition" firmly establishes God's absolute control over history and the guaranteed defeat of all who oppose Him. The stark contrast between those whose names are written in the book of life and those who "wonder" at the beast highlights the theme of divine election and the spiritual discernment granted to believers, providing immense comfort and assurance amidst global deception. This verse reassures believers that their salvation is secure in God's eternal plan, predating creation itself, and that no earthly or demonic power can thwart His purposes.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 17:8 calls believers to a profound spiritual discernment and unwavering trust in God's sovereign plan. In a world often captivated by charismatic figures, powerful movements, or seemingly miraculous events that promise solutions apart from God, this verse serves as a crucial warning. It reminds us that appearances can be deceiving, and true wisdom lies in discerning the spiritual source and ultimate destiny of such phenomena. For those whose names are written in the book of life, this passage offers immense comfort and security. It underscores that our salvation is not based on our fleeting circumstances or the world's shifting allegiances, but on God's eternal, unchangeable decree from "the foundation of the world." This truth should anchor our faith, cultivate a spirit of peace amidst chaos, and embolden us to live faithfully, knowing that the ultimate victory belongs to Christ. We are called not to wonder at the beast, but to worship the Lamb, whose triumph is assured.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "the beast that was, and is not, and yet is" mean?
Answer: This enigmatic phrase describes the beast's peculiar nature and deceptive power. "Was" refers to its past existence, possibly a historical empire or a specific anti-God figure. "And is not" indicates a period of temporary absence, apparent defeat, or dormancy. "And yet is" (or "shall ascend" in the earlier part of the verse) signifies its future, miraculous re-emergence or revival. This phrase is a deliberate and chilling inversion of God's eternal self-description as "who is, and who was, and who is to come" (Revelation 1:4), portraying the beast as a counterfeit of divine power and an ultimate deceiver. It suggests a deceptive resurrection or a resurgence of a previously defeated oppressive power.
What is the "bottomless pit" and why does the beast ascend from it?
Answer: The "bottomless pit" (Greek: ábyssos) is a recurring motif in Revelation, referring to a deep, immeasurable chasm or abyss. It is often associated with the realm of demons, a place of imprisonment for evil spirits, or the source from which demonic forces emerge. For example, the demon Legion begged Jesus not to send them into the abyss in Luke 8:31. The beast ascending from it signifies its infernal, demonic origin. Its power is not merely human or political but is supernaturally empowered by the forces of evil, highlighting its profound spiritual opposition to God and His kingdom.
What is the significance of "the book of life" in this verse?
Answer: The "book of life" is a divine register containing the names of those chosen by God for salvation. In Revelation 17:8, it emphasizes God's sovereign election and eternal plan. Those "whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world" are the ones who "wonder" and give allegiance to the beast, indicating their spiritual blindness and ultimate judgment. Conversely, for believers, the mention of their names being written "from the foundation of the world" provides profound assurance of their eternal security and God's unchanging faithfulness, as seen in Revelation 20:15 where those not found in the book are cast into the lake of fire.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 17:8, while describing the anti-Christ beast, ultimately points to the supreme authority and victory of Jesus Christ. The beast's deceptive "was, and is not, and yet is" is a demonic parody of Christ's true and eternal nature as the Alpha and Omega, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty" (Revelation 1:8). While the beast ascends from the "bottomless pit," Christ descended into death and hell, conquering them, and then ascended to the right hand of God, having "all authority in heaven and on earth" (Matthew 28:18). The beast's ultimate destination is "perdition," a stark contrast to Christ, who is the "resurrection and the life" (John 11:25) and who leads His followers to eternal life. The "wonder" of those whose names are not in the book of life highlights their spiritual blindness, whereas believers, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, recognize Christ as the true Lamb of God, whose name is written in the "book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (Revelation 13:8). Thus, this verse, by depicting the ultimate counterfeit, magnifies the unparalleled truth, power, and eternal triumph of Jesus Christ, the one true King and Redeemer.