Devine Scripture

Revelation 13:7

What does Revelation 13:7 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 13:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 13:7 means

The beast is permitted to wage war on the saints and, in outward terms, to overcome them. It also wields authority over every tribe, people, tongue, and nation—a sweeping, worldwide dominion. The “overcoming” should be read in the sense of visible defeat—imprisonment, martyrdom, marginalization—not ultimate loss. The permission shows God’s mysterious governance: He allows His people to be tested and, at times, to suffer grievously. Yet permission implies limit and purpose. For the world, the beast’s reach appears total; for believers, this is the crucible where true allegiance is proved. Global authority merges with targeted persecution, revealing a regime that demands universal compliance and punishes holy dissent.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And it was given to him to make war on the saints and to overcome them: and there was given to him authority over every tribe and people and language and nation.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and there was given to it to make war with the saints, and to overcome them, and there was given to it authority over every tribe, and tongue, and nation.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And it was given unto him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And power was given him over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And there was given to it to make war with the saints, and to overcome them; and there was given to it authority over every tribe, and people, and tongue, and nation;

Context

Following blasphemous speech, action arrives: verse 7 describes the beast’s war on the saints and its worldwide scope of rule. This naturally explains the next line in verse 8 about who worships the beast—almost everyone—except those with their names in the book of life. The narrative moves from power claimed (verses 5–6) to power exercised (verse 7), setting the conditions for a near-universal submission that only God’s preserved people resist.

v.6And he opened his mouth for blasphemies against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, even them that dwell in the heaven.

v.7This passage

v.8And all that dwell on the earth shall worship him, every one whose name hath not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb that hath been slain.

Cross references

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

  • Luke 4:6

    And the devil said unto him, To thee will I give all this authority, and the glory of them: for it hath been delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.

  • 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 25:9

    behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith Jehovah, and I will send unto Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about; and I will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and a hissing, and perpetual desolations.

  • John 19:11

    Jesus answered him, Thou wouldest have no power against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath greater sin.

  • Daniel 11:36

    And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods; and he shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished; for that which is determined shall be done.

  • Daniel 7:21

    I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;

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