Revelation 13:1
What does Revelation 13:1 mean?
A plain-English look at Revelation 13:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Revelation 13:1 means
The vision opens with the dragon poised at the shoreline, and a monstrous power rises from the sea. The sea often pictures restless nations, so this beast suggests a world power emerging from chaotic humanity. Its ten horns and seven heads point to vast, composite authority, while the diadems show regal claim. Yet the most telling feature is the “names of blasphemy” across its heads: this regime exalts itself against God, demanding honors that belong to Him. The image draws on earlier prophetic symbols of predatory empires, but here they are fused into one. John shows us political power weaponized against God, dressed in royal splendor, arising where human instability and pride meet.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and he stood upon the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns ten diadems, and upon his heads names of blasphemy.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and he stood upon the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns ten diadems, and upon his heads names of blasphemy.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And he took his place on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads unholy names.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and I saw out of the sea a beast coming up, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon its horns ten diadems, and upon its heads a name of evil speaking,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And I saw a beast coming up out the sea, having seven heads and ten horns: and upon his horns, ten diadems: and upon his heads, names of blasphemy.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And I stood upon the sand of the sea; and I saw a beast rising out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and upon its horns ten diadems, and upon its heads names of blasphemy.
Context
Chapter 13 follows the conflict of chapter 12, where the dragon opposes God’s people. Now the dragon’s opposition takes concrete, earthly form: a beast from the sea. This first verse introduces the main antagonist on the human stage, preparing us to see its character and actions. Immediately to come are descriptions of its satanic empowerment, its counterfeit miracle, and the world’s admiration. Understanding this inaugural picture helps readers grasp why the global response in later verses—worship, fear, and submission—becomes so pervasive and dangerous.
v.1This passage
v.2And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his throne, and great authority.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 17:16
And the ten horns which thou sawest, and the beast, these shall hate the harlot, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and shall burn her utterly with fire.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:3
let no man beguile you in any wise: for it will not be, except the falling away come first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition,
- Daniel 7:19
Then I desired to know the truth concerning the fourth beast, which was diverse from all of them, exceeding terrible, whose teeth were of iron, and its nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet;
- Revelation 17:3
And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness: and I saw a woman sitting upon a scarlet-colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
- Revelation 11:7
And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that cometh up out of the abyss shall make war with them, and overcome them, and kill them.
- Jeremiah 5:22
Fear ye not me? saith Jehovah: will ye not tremble at my presence, who have placed the sand for the bound of the sea, by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it? and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it.
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