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Word Studies

θηρίον (therion) — G2342

Original: θηρίον Transliteration: thērion Pronunciation: thay-ree'-on Part of Speech: neuter noun (diminutive) Definition: A dangerous animal, a wild beast, venomous creature. Diminutive form implying ferocity rather than size.

Translations

  • beast (36x, 80%) — dominant translation in Revelation
  • wild beasts (3x) — Mark 1:13; Acts 10:12; 11:6
  • beasts (2x) — Acts 28:4-5
  • a beast (2x)

Key Revelation Occurrences

The word therion appears 36 times as "beast" in Revelation, dominating the vocabulary of the book's conflict narrative: - Rev 11:7 — First appearance: "the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit" (definite article = already known) - Rev 13:1-4 — Sea beast: rises from the sea, composite of Daniel's four beasts - Rev 13:11-18 — Earth beast: two horns like a lamb, speaks as a dragon - Rev 14:9,11 — Third angel's warning against beast worship - Rev 15:2 — Those who have "gotten the victory over the beast" - Rev 16:2,10,13 — Plagues on those who worship the beast; beast's throne - Rev 17:3-17 — Scarlet beast with seven heads and ten horns - Rev 19:19-20 — Beast captured and thrown into lake of fire - Rev 20:4 — Those who refused to worship the beast vindicated

Distinction from ζῷον (zoon, G2226)

Therion = wild/dangerous beast (always negative in Revelation). Distinguished from zoon = "living creature" (always positive — the four living creatures around the throne: Rev 4:6-9; 5:6,8,14; 6:1-7; 7:11; 14:3; 15:7; 19:4). The KJV unfortunately translates both as "beast," obscuring the distinction. The sea beast (therion) counterfeits the living creatures (zoa) around God's throne.

βλασφημία (blasphemia) — G988

Original: βλασφημία Transliteration: blasphēmia Pronunciation: blas-fay-mee'-ah Part of Speech: feminine noun Definition: Vilification (especially against God); slander, evil speaking, blasphemy, railing.

Translations

  • blasphemy (7x, 38.9%) — Mat 12:31; 26:65; Mar 7:22; 14:64; Col 3:8; Rev 2:9; 13:6
  • blasphemies (5x, 27.8%) — Mat 15:19; Mar 3:28; Rev 13:5; (other)
  • of blasphemy (2x) — Rev 13:1; 17:3
  • evil speaking (1x), railings (1x), a railing (1x)

Key Verses in Revelation

  • Rev 2:9 — "the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not"
  • Rev 13:1 — "upon his heads the name [onomata, names] of blasphemy [blasphemias]" — attributive genitive: "blasphemous names"
  • Rev 13:5 — "a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies [blasphemias]" — verbal parallel with LXX Dan 7:8,20
  • Rev 13:6 — "opened his mouth in blasphemy [blasphemias] against God" — the act described
  • Rev 17:3 — "full of names of blasphemy [blasphemias]" — the scarlet beast parallel
  • G987 βλασφημέω (blasphemeo) — verb: "to blaspheme" (Rev 13:6, 16:9,11,21)
  • G989 βλάσφημος (blasphemos) — adjective: "blasphemous" (2 Tim 3:2)

Theological Significance

In Rev 13:6, blasphemy has three targets: (1) God's NAME, (2) God's TABERNACLE (skene), (3) those dwelling (skenountas) in heaven. This three-target pattern parallels Dan 8:10-12 where the little horn attacks (1) the host of heaven, (2) the prince of the host, (3) the sanctuary. Blasphemy against the tabernacle is an attack on God's sanctuary ministry — the mediatorial work performed in the heavenly sanctuary.

ἐξουσία (exousia) — G1849

Original: ἐξουσία Transliteration: exousia Pronunciation: ex-oo-see'-ah Part of Speech: feminine noun Definition: Privilege, delegated authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength. Distinguished from dynamis (inherent power) — exousia is DELEGATED authority, authority that can be given or removed.

Translations

  • power (53x, 55.8%), authority (25x, 26.3%), powers (7x), right (2x)

Revelation Authority Chain (Complete)

  • Rev 2:26 — "power over the nations" given to overcomers
  • Rev 6:8 — power given to death/hades over 1/4 of earth
  • Rev 9:3,10,19 — authority given to scorpion-locusts
  • Rev 11:6 — two witnesses have power over waters/plagues
  • Rev 12:10 — "the power [exousia] of his Christ"
  • Rev 13:2 — dragon gives "great authority" [exousian megalēn] to beast
  • Rev 13:4 — people worship because dragon "gave authority [exousian] to the beast"
  • Rev 13:5 — "authority [exousia] was given to him to continue 42 months" (divine passive)
  • Rev 13:7 — "authority [exousia] was given him over all tribes" (divine passive)
  • Rev 13:12 — earth beast exercises "all the authority [exousian] of the first beast"
  • Rev 14:18 — angel has "power [exousian] over fire"
  • Rev 16:9 — God has "power [exousian] over these plagues"
  • Rev 17:12 — ten horns "receive authority [exousian] as kings one hour with the beast"
  • Rev 17:13 — they give "their power [dynamin] and authority [exousian] to the beast"
  • Rev 18:1 — angel with "great authority [exousian]"
  • Rev 20:6 — "second death hath no power [exousian]"
  • Rev 22:14 — "may have right [exousian] to the tree of life"

The Authority Transfer

In Rev 13:2, the dragon delegates three things: dynamis (raw power), thronos (throne/seat of government), and exousia megale (great authority). This is a complete transfer of operational capacity. The beast does not generate its own authority — it receives it from the dragon/Satan (Rev 12:9). This makes the beast Satan's viceroy on earth.

δύναμις (dynamis) — G1411

Original: δύναμις Transliteration: dynamis Pronunciation: doo'-nam-is Part of Speech: feminine noun Definition: Force (literal or figurative); miraculous power; might, strength, ability.

Key Distinction

Dynamis = inherent power/capability (English "dynamite" derives from it). Distinguished from exousia (delegated authority) and kratos (dominion/ruling strength). In Rev 13:2, the dragon gives his dynamis — his raw power, his force of operation — to the beast.

Revelation Occurrences

  • Rev 1:16 (power), 3:8 (strength), 4:11 (power), 5:12 (power), 7:12 (might)
  • Rev 11:17 (power), 12:10 (power of his Christ), 13:2 (the dragon gave his power)
  • Rev 15:8 (power), 17:13 (give their power to the beast), 18:3 (abundance), 19:1 (power)

θρόνος (thronos) — G2362

Original: θρόνος Transliteration: thronos Pronunciation: thron'-os Part of Speech: masculine noun Definition: A stately seat, throne; by implication, power and sovereignty.

Key Context

Rev 13:2 "his seat [thronon]" = the dragon's THRONE transferred to the beast. Compare: - Rev 2:13 — "Satan's seat [thronon]" at Pergamos — the seat of pagan worship transferred to papal Rome - Rev 4:2-6 — God's throne in heaven (the legitimate throne) - Rev 16:10 — "the beast's seat [thronon]" — fifth plague darkens the beast's throne

The throne represents the seat of government — the physical and political center from which authority is exercised. Historicists identify this as Rome: pagan Rome's political capital becomes papal Rome's ecclesiastical capital.

σκηνή (skene) — G4633

Original: σκηνή Transliteration: skēnē Pronunciation: skay-nay' Part of Speech: feminine noun Definition: A tent or cloth hut (literal or figurative); tabernacle, dwelling place.

Translations

  • tabernacle (13x), tabernacles (4x), habitations (1x)

Key NT Occurrences

  • Acts 7:43,44 — tabernacle of witness in the wilderness
  • Acts 15:16 — rebuild the tabernacle of David
  • Heb 8:2 — "the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched"
  • Heb 8:5 — earthly priests serve "the example and shadow of heavenly things"
  • Heb 9:1-11 — detailed description of tabernacle structure
  • Heb 9:11 — Christ entered "a greater and more perfect tabernacle"
  • Rev 13:6 — beast blasphemes "his tabernacle [tēn skēnēn autou]"
  • Rev 15:5 — "the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened"
  • Rev 21:3 — "the tabernacle of God is with men"

Theological Significance

The beast's blasphemy against God's "tabernacle" (Rev 13:6) is an attack on the heavenly sanctuary where Christ ministers as High Priest (Heb 8:1-2). This connects to Dan 8:11 where the little horn attacks "the place of his sanctuary." The skene of Rev 13:6 is the same skene that opens in Rev 15:5 — the temple of the tabernacle of testimony, the Most Holy Place. The beast attacks what God has established; the plagues defend what the beast has attacked.

  • G4637 σκηνόω (skenoo) — verb: "to tabernacle/dwell." Used in John 1:14 ("the Word dwelt [eskēnōsen] among us") and Rev 13:6 ("those tabernacling [skenountas] in heaven"). The heavenly dwellers are identified with God's tabernacle — they ARE the temple.

νικάω (nikao) — G3528

Original: νικάω Transliteration: nikaō Pronunciation: nik-ah'-o Part of Speech: verb Definition: To subdue, conquer, overcome, prevail, get the victory.

Complete Revelation Chain

This verb traces the entire conflict arc of Revelation: 1. Rev 2:7 — "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life" 2. Rev 2:11 — "He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death" 3. Rev 2:17 — "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna" 4. Rev 2:26 — "He that overcometh... will I give power over the nations" 5. Rev 3:5 — "He that overcometh... shall be clothed in white raiment" 6. Rev 3:12 — "Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple" 7. Rev 3:21 — "To him that overcometh... even as I also overcame" 8. Rev 5:5 — "The Lion of Judah... hath prevailed [enikēsen]" 9. Rev 6:2 — "went forth conquering, and to conquer" 10. Rev 11:7 — beast "shall overcome [nikēsei] them" (two witnesses) 11. Rev 12:11 — "They overcame [enikēsan] him by the blood of the Lamb" 12. Rev 13:7 — beast given "to overcome [nikēsai] them" (the saints) 13. Rev 15:2 — those who "had gotten the victory [nikōntas] over the beast" 14. Rev 17:14 — "the Lamb shall overcome [nikēsei] them" 15. Rev 21:7 — "He that overcometh [nikōn] shall inherit all things"

The Overcomer Narrative

The beast overcomes the saints (13:7), but the saints overcome the beast (15:2), and the Lamb overcomes all (17:14). The apparent defeat of 13:7 is reversed by the victory of 15:2 and 17:14. The churches are promised rewards for overcoming (2-3); the beast temporarily overcomes (11:7; 13:7); but the final victory belongs to the Lamb and His followers (12:11; 15:2; 17:14; 21:7).

σφάζω (sphazo) — G4969

Original: σφάζω Transliteration: sphazō Pronunciation: sfad'-zo Part of Speech: verb Definition: To butcher, especially an animal for food or in sacrifice; to slaughter.

All Occurrences (10 total)

Reference Form Translation Subject
1 John 3:12 ἔσφαξεν slew Cain slew Abel
Rev 5:6 ἐσφαγμένον it had been slain Lamb
Rev 5:9 ἐσφάγης thou wast slain Lamb
Rev 5:12 ἐσφαγμένον that was slain Lamb
Rev 6:4 σφάξωσιν should kill men kill each other
Rev 6:9 ἐσφαγμένων that were slain martyrs
Rev 13:3 ἐσφαγμένην wounded beast's head
Rev 13:8 ἐσφαγμένου slain Lamb from foundation
Rev 18:24 ἐσφαγμένων that were slain all slain on earth

The Counterfeit Pattern

The SAME verb is used for: - The Lamb's sacrifice (5:6,9,12; 13:8) - The beast's wound (13:3) - The martyrs' deaths (6:9; 18:24) - Cain's murder of Abel (1 John 3:12)

The beast's wound (Rev 13:3 ὡς ἐσφαγμένην) deliberately counterfeits the Lamb's sacrifice (Rev 5:6 ὡς ἐσφαγμένον). Both use: - ὡς ("as if") — qualifying particle - Perfect passive participle of σφάζω — "having been slain" The beast mimics the Lamb's death-and-resurrection pattern. The Lamb was truly slain and stands alive; the beast appears to have been slain and is healed.

ὑπομονή (hypomone) — G5281

Original: ὑπομονή Transliteration: hypomonē Pronunciation: hoop-om-on-ay' Part of Speech: feminine noun Definition: Cheerful or hopeful endurance; patient continuance; constancy under suffering.

Translations

  • patience (22x), of patience (2x), patient continuance (1x), enduring (1x)

Revelation Chain

Reference Text
Rev 1:9 "companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ"
Rev 2:2 "I know thy... patience" (Ephesus)
Rev 2:3 "hast patience, and... hast not fainted" (Ephesus)
Rev 2:19 "I know thy... patience" (Thyatira)
Rev 3:10 "hast kept the word of my patience" (Philadelphia)
Rev 13:10 "Here is the patience and the faith of the saints"
Rev 14:12 "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus"

The Inclusio

Rev 13:10 ("Here is the patience and the faith of the saints") and Rev 14:12 ("Here is the patience of the saints") form a bracket — an inclusio — around the entire beast-image-three-angels narrative (Rev 13:10 through 14:12). The opening frame names patience + faith; the closing frame adds specificity: patience = keeping commandments + faith of Jesus. This is not passive endurance but active, faithful obedience under persecution.

καταβολή (katabole) — G2602

Original: καταβολή Transliteration: katabolē Pronunciation: kat-ab-ol-ay' Part of Speech: feminine noun Definition: A deposition, founding, laying down; figuratively, conception.

Key Occurrences

"From/before the foundation of the world" (apo/pro katabolēs kosmou): - Mat 13:35; 25:34; Luk 11:50; Jhn 17:24; Eph 1:4; Heb 4:3; 9:28; 1 Pet 1:20 - Rev 13:8 — "the Lamb slain from [apo] the foundation of the world" - Rev 17:8 — "names not written in the book of life from [apo] the foundation of the world"

Grammatical Question in Rev 13:8

Does "from the foundation of the world" modify "slain" or "written"? - If "slain" — the Lamb was predetermined/foreordained for sacrifice before creation - If "written" — names were written (or not written) in the book from before creation - Rev 17:8 is the decisive parallel: "whose names were not written in the book of life FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD, when they behold the beast" — here "from the foundation" clearly modifies "written" - 1 Peter 1:20 confirms the Lamb was "foreordained BEFORE the foundation of the world" (pro katabolēs kosmou) — using pro rather than apo - Both readings are theologically valid; the 17:8 parallel suggests "written" is the primary modifier, but the Lamb's pre-temporal appointment is affirmed by 1 Peter regardless

προσκυνέω (proskyneo) — G4352

Original: προσκυνέω Transliteration: proskyneō Pronunciation: pros-koo-neh'-o Part of Speech: verb Definition: To prostrate oneself in homage, to do reverence to, to adore, to worship. From pros (toward) + kyneō (to kiss).

Translations

  • worship (13x), worshipped (12x), and worshipped (7x), to worship (4x)

The Rev 13-14 Worship War

Proskyneo is the central verb of the entire Rev 13-14 conflict:

False worship (beast/dragon): - Rev 13:4a — "they worshipped the dragon" - Rev 13:4b — "they worshipped the beast" - Rev 13:8 — "all... shall worship him [the beast]" - Rev 13:12 — earth beast "causeth... to worship the first beast" - Rev 13:15 — "not worship the image of the beast should be killed"

True worship (God/Creator): - Rev 14:7 — "worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea"

Warning against false worship: - Rev 14:9 — "If any man worship the beast and his image" - Rev 14:11 — "who worship the beast and his image"

Outcome: - Rev 15:4 — "all nations shall come and worship before thee" - Rev 19:10 — "worship God" (not the angel) - Rev 19:20 — beast worshippers captured - Rev 20:4 — "had not worshipped the beast" — vindicated

The worship contest is the defining issue: Creator-worship (14:7) vs. creature/beast-worship (13:4,8,12,15). The first angel's message calls for worship of the Creator; the third angel warns against worship of the beast. Proskyneo is the verb that unifies both.