Devine Scripture

Revelation 17:7

What does Revelation 17:7 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 17:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 17:7 means

The angel gently rebukes John’s wonder and promises to unveil the mystery of both the woman and the beast. God does not leave His servants to guess at the meaning of such fearful sights. The woman does not stand on her own; she is carried by the beast with seven heads and ten horns, signifying that her apparent independence actually relies on worldly, blasphemous power. By offering an explanation, the angel signals that the vision is coherent and purposeful. There is a structure to evil’s rise and fall, and God will expose it. Understanding the beast is essential to understanding how the woman reigns and how she will, in due time, be overthrown.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou wonder? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and the ten horns.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou wonder? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and the ten horns.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the angel said to me, Why were you surprised? I will make clear to you the secret of the woman, and of the beast on which she is seated, which has the seven heads and the ten horns.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and the messenger said to me, `Wherefore didst thou wonder? I--I will tell thee the secret of the woman and of the beast that <FI>is<Fi> carrying her, which hath the seven heads and the ten horns.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the angel said to me: Why dost thou wonder? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman and of the beast which carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And the angel said to me, Why hast thou wondered? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast which carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns.

Context

This verse marks the turning point from description to interpretation. The angel frames what will follow as an unveiling of a “mystery,” preparing the reader to hear symbolic language decoded. The next verses will first address the beast—its strange timeline and destiny (verse 8)—and then the meaning of the heads, mountains, and kings (verses 9–12). This progression ensures the reader grasps the underlying powers that support the woman before learning how they will collapse and turn against her.

v.6And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I wondered with a great wonder.

v.7This passage

v.8The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and is about to come up out of the abyss, and to go into perdition. And they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, they whose name hath not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast, how that he was, and is not, and shall come.

Cross references

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

  • Revelation 17:8

    The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and is about to come up out of the abyss, and to go into perdition. And they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, they whose name hath not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast, how that he was, and is not, and shall come.

  • Revelation 17:1

    And there came one of the seven angels that had the seven bowls, and spake with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the judgment of the great harlot that sitteth upon many waters;

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