saint

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The Greek that is translated as “saint” in English is rendered into Highland Puebla Nahuatl as “one with a clean hearts,” into Northwestern Dinka as “one with a white hearts,” and into Western Kanjobal as “person of prayer.” (Source: Nida 1952, p. 146)

Other translations include:

complete verse (Revelation 19:8)

Following are a number of back-translations of Revelation 19:8:

  • Uma: “She is given clothes that are fine/soft, that are pure white and sparkling.’ The meaning of the clothes that are given to the betrothed of the Lamb, is that the deeds of God’s followers are just [lit., straight].” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “The bride has been given very white clothes, shining, and there is no stain.’ (The meaning of these clothes is the straight/righteous deeds done by God’s people.)” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “The wife of the young sheep has been given the right to be dressed in a very shining white cloth. (The interpretation of that white cloth is the righteous deeds of the people who belong to God.)” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “because she has put-on the expensive white clothing that was given to her that is dazzling and clean.’ The meaning of the white clothing, it is the good that has been done by God’s people.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Well, as for that one whom he will marry, she has been dressed in first-class cloth which is really clean.’ What these clean clothes mean is the righteous deeds of God’s people.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “This woman was clothed with good clothing which is white and shining. Concerning this white clothing, it means that all that is good is how the people who are in the hand of God walk.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Revelation 19:8

It was granted her: for the passive use of the verb “to give,” indicating God as the actor, see 6.4a. Implicit is the idea of “right” or “privilege.” Thus a translation may choose to say “God has given her…,” or “… has given her the right…,” or “… has allowed her….”

Fine linen, bright and pure: see 15.6. The Greek word there translated “linen” is different from the one used here, but there is no difference in meaning other than that this term emphasizes the fine quality of the cloth. The one used here appears also in 18.12, 16; 19.14.

For the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints: by use of quotation marks and a dash after pure, Revised Standard Version indicates that this is a comment from the writer. Good News Translation does the same by placing this explanatory comment within parentheses. Here, as elsewhere, is means “represents,” “signifies”; righteous deeds are the kind that God requires of his people; for saints see 5.8.

An alternative translation model for this verse is:

• God has given her clothes made of clean, shining linen to wear.” (The linen represents the good deeds that God’s people do.)

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 .