Revelation 13:6

What does Revelation 13:6 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 13:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 13:6 means

The beast’s speech targets God’s honor, God’s dwelling, and the heavenly community. To blaspheme God’s name is to attack His revealed character; to blaspheme His tabernacle is to scorn His presence with His people; to blaspheme those in heaven is to revile the citizens of the realm where His will is done. The regime’s propaganda machine wages a full-spectrum assault, redefining reality to make holiness seem contemptible. This helps explain why people accept its demands: insult the true, exalt the counterfeit, and consciences are dulled. For believers, the verse clarifies the battlefront. It is not only political or social; it is theological. The beast must slander God in order to enthrone itself.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he opened his mouth for blasphemies against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, even them that dwell in the heaven.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he opened his mouth for blasphemies against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, even them that dwell in the heaven.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And his mouth was open to say evil against God, and against his name and his Tent, even against those who are in heaven.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and it did open its mouth for evil-speaking toward God, to speak evil of His name, and of His tabernacle, and of those who in the heaven tabernacle,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he opened his mouth unto blasphemies against God, to blaspheme his name and his tabernacle and them that dwell in heaven.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And it opened its mouth for blasphemies againstGod, to blaspheme his name and his tabernacle, and those who have their tabernacle in the heaven.

Context

Verse 6 unpacks the “great things and blasphemies” granted in verse 5. Having announced the timeframe, John specifies the speech that fills it. This prepares for the concrete outcome in verse 7: violence against the saints and global control. The flow shows a cause-and-effect: defamation of God and His dwelling sets the stage for persecution of those who belong to Him on earth. Understanding this helps readers see why faithfulness becomes costly in the next verse.

v.5and there was given to him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and there was given to him authority to continue forty and two months.

v.6This passage

v.7And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and there was given to him authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Revelation 4:4

    And round about the throne were four and twenty thrones: and upon the thrones I saw four and twenty elders sitting, arrayed in white garments; and on their heads crowns of gold.

  • Revelation 18:20

    Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye saints, and ye apostles, and ye prophets; for God hath judged your judgment on her.

  • Revelation 5:13

    And every created thing which is in the heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and on the sea, and all things that are in them, heard I saying, Unto him that sitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb, be the blessing, and the honor, and the glory, and the dominion, for ever and ever.

  • Hebrews 9:2

    For there was a tabernacle prepared, the first, wherein were the candlestick, and the table, and the showbread; which is called the Holy place.

  • Hebrews 9:24

    For Christ entered not into a holy place made with hands, like in pattern to the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear before the face of God for us:

  • Colossians 2:9

    for in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily,

Related questions readers ask

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Revelation 13:6.