complete verse (Revelation 18:10)

Following are a number of back-translations of Revelation 18:10:

  • Uma: “They just gazed from afar because they feared that the torture that struck that village would spread to them. They said: ‘How-sad! [like Indonesian: kasihan!] How-sad for that big village over there, the strong village of Babel! In just one hour came its punishment.'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “They will stand from far off watching because they are afraid that they might be included being punished. They wail saying, ‘Allo. It’s all over (lit. no longer becoming). What a pity, really, for the famous and strong city of Babilon. In just one hour you were struck by God’s judgment.'” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “They will have to stay far away watching, for they will be afraid lest they be included in the torturing of that town. They will say, ‘Pity you, you very great city of Babylon. For within one hour you have been overtaken by punishment!'” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Due to their fear of being-punished-with her, they will stand far-off and say, ‘Oh how-awful (exp. of sympathy)! Extremely to-be-pitied is that famous (lit. newsed) city Babilonia! Even though that was a large city, yet its punishment was sudden, because it was a mere only-one hour and it was destroyed!'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “They will just stand at a distance, because they are afraid of being included in that punishment of suffering. They are saying, ‘Alas, this really is extremely hard! It’s a really gooseflesh-causing thing. Because in the space of just one hour the punishment has come to the glorious and famous city of Babilonia.'” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “Far off these people will stand to look at what happened. Because the people will fear the punishment which will come. They will say: ‘Pity the city of Babylon. It was powerful but now in just a short time there has come the punishment it passes through,’ they will say.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Revelation 18:10

They will stand far off, or “they will stand a very long distance from the city.”

In fear of her torment: that is, these kings will be afraid that they will be punished with Babylon, and so they will stand a long way off. For torment see 9.5, “torture.” This clause may also be rendered as “Because they are afraid that they will receive the extreme pain that she is suffering.”

Alas! alas!: this is an expression of dismay and grief. The same Greek word in 8.13 is translated “Woe.” New Jerusalem Bible here and in verses 16 and 19 translates “Mourn, mourn for this great city,” an effective way of representing the meaning and feeling of the cry. Good News Translation‘s model is also an effective one in modern English.

Thou great city: Revised Standard Version uses the archaic pronouns thou and thy, ordinarily reserved by Revised Standard Version for addressing God. It is not necessary to use the second person singular form of address, as Revised Standard Version does; the third person can be used, as Good News Translation does. New Revised Standard Version has “Alas, alas, the great city, Babylon, the mighty city!”

In one hour: that is, in a short time, quickly, suddenly. See 17.12 for more information on the translation of this phrase.

Has thy judgment come: “you have been condemned (or, punished).” For the noun see 14.7; 16.7. One may also say “In such a short time God has punished you.”

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on The Revelation to John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1993. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .