Revelation 17:8
What does Revelation 17:8 mean?
A plain-English look at Revelation 17:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Revelation 17:8 means
The beast’s riddle—“was, and is not; and is about to come up out of the abyss”—speaks of a recurring, yet transient, manifestation of anti-God power. It arises from the abyss, a demonic source, but its end is certain: “to go into perdition.” The world marvels at this apparent resurgence, mistaking recycled tyranny for resurrection. Those whose names are not in the book of life are captivated by the spectacle; their awe exposes their spiritual blindness. By contrast, the book-of-life people are steadied, knowing that what mimics life is headed for judgment. The beast’s history is not open-ended; its future is sealed. God permits the rise, but He also ordains the fall.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611The 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949The beast which you saw was, and is not; and is about to come up out of the great deep, and to go into destruction. And those who are on the earth, whose names have not been put in the book of life from the first, will be full of wonder when they see the beast, that he was, and is not, and still will be.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`The beast that thou didst see: it was, and it is not; and it is about to come up out of the abyss, and to go away to destruction, and wonder shall those dwelling upon the earth, whose names have not been written upon the scroll of the life from the foundation of the world, beholding the beast that was, and is not, although it is.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The beast which thou sawest, was, and is not, and shall come up out of the bottomless pit and go into destruction. And the inhabitants on the earth (whose names are not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world) shall wonder, seeing the beast that was and is not.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The beast which thou sawest was, and is not, and is about to come up out of the abyss and go into destruction: and they who dwell on the earth, whose names are not written from the founding of the world in the book of life, shall wonder, seeing the beast, that it was, and is not, and shall be present.
Context
The angel begins with the beast’s identity and destiny, correcting any impression that its appearing is ultimate or victorious. The emphasis on who marvels and who does not divides humanity into two camps by their relation to the book of life. The next verses will require “wisdom” to interpret the seven heads as mountains and kings, situating the beast’s power within recognizable political and geographical structures that were meaningful to the first readers and remain instructive for later ages.
v.7And 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.
v.8This passage
v.9Here is the mind that hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth:
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 13:1
and 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.
- Daniel 7:7
After this I saw in the night-visions, and, behold, a fourth beast, terrible and powerful, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth; it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.
- Revelation 20:10
And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where are also the beast and the false prophet; and they shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
- John 17:24
Father, I desire that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
- Revelation 3:5
He that overcometh shall thus be arrayed in white garments; and I will in no wise blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
- Daniel 11:45
And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the sea and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Revelation 17
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Revelation 17.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Adoption as Sons
God’s plan for us includes adoption into his family, bringing us from spiritual orphanhood to beloved children.
Topic
Bible Verses About Authority
Authority in the Bible refers to the divinely instituted right to command and influence, often reflecting God's sovereign rule and delegation to human leaders.
Topic
Bible Verses About Blasphemy
Blasphemy in the Bible refers to irreverence shown toward God, holy things, and even people who represent God.
What the Bible says about…
Verses for this moment
Verses for
Bible Verses for the Fear of Death
When you're afraid to die — what scripture promises about the last enemy.
Verses for
Bible Verses for Grief After Losing Someone You Love
When the room is empty — verses that grieve with you, not around you.
Verses for
Bible Verses for Grief After a Miscarriage
A holy ache the world rarely names — scripture for the weight you're carrying.