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.
Original Language Analysis
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 49
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὃ
that
G3739
ὃ
that
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
3 of 49
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
εἶδες
thou sawest
G1492
εἶδες
thou sawest
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
4 of 49
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 49
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 49
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μέλλει
shall
G3195
μέλλει
shall
Strong's:
G3195
Word #:
10 of 49
to intend, i.e., be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probabili
ἐκ
out of
G1537
ἐκ
out of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
12 of 49
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 49
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀβύσσου
the bottomless pit
G12
ἀβύσσου
the bottomless pit
Strong's:
G12
Word #:
14 of 49
depthless, i.e., (specially) (infernal) "abyss"
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 49
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
16 of 49
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
ὑπάγειν·
go
G5217
ὑπάγειν·
go
Strong's:
G5217
Word #:
18 of 49
to lead (oneself) under, i.e., withdraw or retire (as if sinking out of sight), literally or figuratively
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
19 of 49
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 49
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κατοικοῦντες
they that dwell
G2730
κατοικοῦντες
they that dwell
Strong's:
G2730
Word #:
22 of 49
to house permanently, i.e., reside (literally or figuratively)
ἐπὶ
in
G1909
ἐπὶ
in
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
23 of 49
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
24 of 49
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γῆς
the earth
G1093
γῆς
the earth
Strong's:
G1093
Word #:
25 of 49
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
ὃ
that
G3739
ὃ
that
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
26 of 49
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
γέγραπται
were
G1125
γέγραπται
were
Strong's:
G1125
Word #:
28 of 49
to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
29 of 49
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὀνόματα
names
G3686
ὀνόματα
names
Strong's:
G3686
Word #:
30 of 49
a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
ἐπὶ
in
G1909
ἐπὶ
in
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
31 of 49
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
32 of 49
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
34 of 49
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀπὸ
from
G575
ἀπὸ
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
36 of 49
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
καταβολῆς
the foundation
G2602
καταβολῆς
the foundation
Strong's:
G2602
Word #:
37 of 49
a deposition, i.e., founding; figuratively, conception
κόσμου
of the world
G2889
κόσμου
of the world
Strong's:
G2889
Word #:
38 of 49
orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
40 of 49
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὃ
that
G3739
ὃ
that
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
42 of 49
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
45 of 49
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
Revelation 17:11And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.Revelation 11:7And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.Revelation 3:10Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.Revelation 3:5He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.Matthew 25:34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:Ephesians 1:4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:John 17:24Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.Daniel 7:11I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.Titus 1:2In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
Historical Context
The description may allude to Nero redivivus myth—expectation that Nero would return from death. The beast represents successive kingdoms/emperors embodying satanic opposition to God. First-century Christians needed to recognize that impressive political power, though seemingly resurrected or invincible, was ultimately doomed. The book of life assured them their election secured their endurance.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Satan's counterfeit of divine eternality (was/is not/is) help you recognize false claims to ultimate authority?
- What assurance does election (names written before the foundation of the world) provide against deception by seemingly impressive powers?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The beast 'was, and is not, and yet is' parodies God's eternal existence ('which is, and which was, and which is to come,' 1:4). This satanic counterfeit astonishes earth-dwellers whose names aren't in the book of life. The beast's emergence from the bottomless pit identifies it as demonic. The going into perdition reveals its certain doom despite temporary power. Reformed theology emphasizes that only those whose names God wrote in the book of life from the foundation of the world will resist deception. Election precedes and secures believers' perseverance. The non-elect naturally marvel at Satan's power, lacking spiritual discernment to see through the counterfeit.