Revelation 17:8

Authorized 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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
τὸ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#2
θηρίον
The beast
a dangerous animal
#3
that
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
#4
εἶδες
thou sawest
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
#5
ἦν
was
i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)
#6
καὶ
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#7
οὐκ
not
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
#8
ἔστιν
is
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
#9
καὶ
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#10
μέλλει
shall
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
#11
ἀναβαίνειν
ascend
to go up (literally or figuratively)
#12
ἐκ
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
#13
τῆς
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#14
ἀβύσσου
G12
the bottomless pit
depthless, i.e., (specially) (infernal) "abyss"
#15
καὶ
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#16
εἰς
into
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
#17
ἀπώλειαν
perdition
ruin or loss (physical, spiritual or eternal)
#18
ὑπάγειν·
go
to lead (oneself) under, i.e., withdraw or retire (as if sinking out of sight), literally or figuratively
#19
καὶ
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#20
θαυμάσονται
shall wonder
to wonder; by implication, to admire
#21
οἱ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#22
κατοικοῦντες
they that dwell
to house permanently, i.e., reside (literally or figuratively)
#23
ἐπὶ
in
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
#24
τῆς
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#25
γῆς
the earth
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
#26
that
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
#27
οὐκ
not
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
#28
γέγραπται
were
to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
#29
τὰ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#30
ὀνόματα
names
a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
#31
ἐπὶ
in
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
#32
τὸ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#33
βιβλίον
the book
a roll
#34
τῆς
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#35
ζωῆς
of life
life (literally or figuratively)
#36
ἀπὸ
from
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
#37
καταβολῆς
the foundation
a deposition, i.e., founding; figuratively, conception
#38
κόσμου
of the world
orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))
#39
βλεπόντες
when they behold
to look at (literally or figuratively)
#40
τὸ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#41
θηρίον
The beast
a dangerous animal
#42
that
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
#43
τι
some or any person or object
#44
ἦν
was
i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)
#45
καὶ
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#46
οὐκ
not
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
#47
ἔστιν
is
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
#48
καὶπερ
and yet
and indeed, i.e., nevertheless or notwithstanding
#49
ἔστιν
is
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

Analysis

This verse develops the kingdom of God theme central to Revelation. The concept of life reflects the ultimate establishment of divine rule over creation. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to apocalyptic literature revealing God's ultimate victory, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within imperial persecution under Domitian's demand for emperor worship. The author writes to address persecuted Christians in Asia Minor facing pressure to compromise, making the emphasis on kingdom of God particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection