complete verse (Revelation 21:7)

Following are a number of back-translations of Revelation 21:7:

  • Uma: “Whoever defeats the King of Evil-ones, they will receive all these things [mentioned] earlier. I will be[come] their Lord, and they be[come] my children.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Whoever is/was not carried-along by temptation/the tempters I will give them as an inheritance good (things) like that. And I am their God and I make them my children.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “If there is anyone who is able to defeat Satan, I will make Him my child, and I will be His God.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “The person who defeats evil, he will inherit all these-things. He will acknowledge me as his God and I will also acknowledge him as my child.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “It’s certain that I will reward the one who has been able to have victory over whatever leads to sinning and destruction of believing/obeying, for I now am his God and he now is my child.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “thus I will do for whoever comes out to conquer the evil there is. He will become my child. I will be the God of that person.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Revelation 21:7

He who conquers: this is the expression found at the end of the seven letters in chapters 2–3 (2.7, 11, 17, 26; 3.5, 12, 21).

Shall have this heritage: the Greek verb can mean to inherit something from one’s parents or their estate. But here, as often in the New Testament, it means to receive as a gift. Here, as elsewhere, the words heritage or “inheritance” are not very satisfactory, since they imply the death of the donor. See the same terms used in connection with the Kingdom of God (Matt 25.34), eternal life (Mark 10.17), the promise (Heb 6.12), the blessing (Heb 12.17). The word this translates the plural “these things” in Greek and refers back to the blessings and privileges described in verses 1-6. So the translation can be “will receive these things from me” or “I will give him these things.”

I will be his God and he shall be my son: see 2 Sam 7.14. To make this inclusive of men and women, the plural forms may have to be used, “I will give all these things to those who win the victory, and I will be their God and they will be my children (or, people).”

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 .