rest

The Greek that is translated as “rest” in English is translated idiomatically in Chichewa as “let the heart sit down.”

complete verse (Revelation 6:11)

Following are a number of back-translations of Revelation 6:11:

  • Uma: “Each of them was given a white shirt/dress [baju]. And God said to them, ‘Be still/at-rest for now, because there are still some of your fellow workers and your one-faith relatives who will be killed like you. When the number of those who are killed is complete, only then will I avenge.'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Then each one of them was given a white robe and they were told to rest a little longer until the number of their fellow workers for God who would be killed like them would be complete.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And then each one of them was given a white shirt and the Lord told them to rest for a while yet until all of their companion servants of God would be murdered who would be killed like them.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “And then they were all given white robes and they were told to rest a-little-while longer until the number of their brothers who were serving God whom people would kill similar to how they had been killed became-complete.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “And then I saw that each one of them was given white clothing. And I heard said to them, ‘Just rest a little more time, as long as the number hasn’t yet been completed of your siblings in believing, your companions who serve God, those who will also be killed like you.'” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “These dead were given white clothing and were told to rest a short time. They would wait until there would finish up the killing of their brothers, those fellow workers who must yet be killed like were killed those who asked for the judgment.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Revelation 6:11

Then they were each given a white robe: either God or an angel gives each of them a white robe, a symbol of purity or victory (see 3.4-5). Of course it is difficult to imagine how a soul puts on a robe; but this is figurative language describing things seen in a vision, and the figurative language should be maintained rather literally.

And told: again the passive form is a way of referring to God or to an angel. In languages that do not use the passive, one may render these first two clauses as “God gave each of them a white robe and instructed them (or, told them)….”

To rest a little longer, until: here rest means not only not having to work or strive, but also to be free of anxiety and distress over the punishment of their killers. They must be patient. God’s vengeance will not be immediate but will come soon. In some languages the concept of rest is described idiomatically; for example, “relax (or, rest) the heart” or “let the heart sit down” (Chewa). A little longer may also be expressed as “only a short time more.”

The number … should be complete: this statement implies that God has decided that there will be more persecution, and that a certain number of Christians will be put to death. Once that number has been reached, God will take appropriate action. In certain languages this phrase will be placed at the end of the verse; for example, “… until their fellow servants and brothers will be killed to complete a number (or, an amount)” or “… to bring a number to completion.”

Their fellow servants and their brethren: again, this does not mean two different groups, but the same people identified in two different ways. So Revised English Bible “all their brothers in Christ’s service.” In many languages this phrase will be expressed as “all their elders and youngers who serve Christ with them.”

Who were to be killed as they themselves had been: the Greek verb form translated as the future in English (were to be) may be used to indicate the working of God’s will (see 2.10), or else may mean that the action will take place soon (so New Revised Standard Version “who were soon to be killed”). In languages that do not use the passive, one may say, for example, “whom those enemies will also kill.”

Alternative translation models for this verse are:

• God gave each of them (the spirits) a white robe and told them not to worry (or, to rest their hearts) for a little while longer. They should do this until the complete number of their fellow servants and brothers (or, elders and youngers) were killed as they had been.

Or:

• … until those enemies killed more of their brothers (elders and youngers) that he (God) has allowed to be killed.

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 .