Revelation 13:1

Authorized King James Version

And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
καὶ
G2532
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#2
ἐστάθην
G2476
I stood
to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
#3
ἐπὶ
G1909
upon
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
#4
τὴν
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#5
ἄμμον
G285
the sand
sand (as heaped on the beach)
#6
τῆς
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#7
θαλάσσης
G2281
of the sea
the sea (genitive case or specially)
#8
καὶ
G2532
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#9
εἶδον
G1492
saw
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
#10
ἐκ
G1537
out of
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
#11
τῆς
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#12
θαλάσσης
G2281
of the sea
the sea (genitive case or specially)
#13
θηρίον
G2342
a beast
a dangerous animal
#14
ἀναβαῖνον
G305
rise up
to go up (literally or figuratively)
#15
ἔχον
G2192
having
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
#16
κεφαλὰς
G2776
heads
the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figuratively
#17
ἑπτά
G2033
seven
seven
#18
καὶ
G2532
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#19
κεράτων
G2768
horns
a horn (literally or figuratively)
#20
δέκα
G1176
ten
ten
#21
καὶ
G2532
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#22
ἐπὶ
G1909
upon
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
#23
τῶν
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#24
κεράτων
G2768
horns
a horn (literally or figuratively)
#25
αὐτοῦ
G846
his
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#26
δέκα
G1176
ten
ten
#27
διαδήματα
G1238
crowns
a "diadem" (as bound about the head)
#28
καὶ
G2532
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#29
ἐπὶ
G1909
upon
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
#30
τὰς
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#31
κεφαλὰς
G2776
heads
the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figuratively
#32
αὐτοῦ
G846
his
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#33
ὀνόμα
G3686
the name
a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
#34
βλασφημίας
G988
of blasphemy
vilification (especially against god)

Analysis

The kingdom of God theme here intersects with the progressive revelation of God's rule from creation to consummation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of development from creation mandate through Davidic kingdom to eschatological fulfillment. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's reign from creation through the millennial kingdom.

Historical Context

The historical context of the Domitian persecution period (c. 95 CE) provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection