Revelation 20:9a
Revelation 20, Page 15

Bible, KJV Translation
20:9  And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

Re-evaluation Translation
20:9  This huge army surged over the earth, and encompassed the restored nation of Israel, and the David’s city [restored Jerusalem]: and intense conviction came down from Elohim out of Yehuveh’s protection, and consumed them.

Significant Words and Comments:
Commentary on Revelation 20:9 (15 July 2008):  “They went up on the breadth of the earth,” describes the extensive nature of this invasion. Ezekiel used similar language in describing this “mighty army” as “a cloud to cover the land”: “Thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts, thou, and many people with thee, all of them riding upon horses, a great company, and a mighty army: And thou shalt come up against My people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against My land, that the heathen may know Me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes. Thus saith Yehuveh Elohim; Art thou he of whom I have spoken in old time by My servants the prophets of Israel, which prophesied in those days many years that I would bring thee against them?” Breadth is from platos [G4114, from G4111, “wide”], suggesting a great expanse, and used only three times in Revelation [20:9; 21:16 (twice)]. Went up is discussed in notes by Revelation 4:1; 8:4; earth by Revelation 5:13. Ezekiel 38:15-17.
       
“And compassed the camp of the saints about,” or encircled the restored people of Israel. Ezekiel describes the same scene in similar words and provides the motive: “Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee. Thus saith Yehuveh Elohim; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought: And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates, to take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land.” Compassed . . . about is from kukloo [G2944], meaning “to go around, lead around; surround, encircle, encompass; of persons standing around; of besiegers,” and is used only here in Revelation. Camp is from parembole [G3925], meaning “an encampment; the camp of Israel in the desert; used to describe the city of Jerusalem, inasmuch as that was to the Israelites what formerly the encampment had been in the wilderness; an army in a line of battle,” and is used only here in Revelation. Saints are discussed in notes on Revelation 3:7; 4:8. Ezekiel 38:9-12.
       
“The beloved city,” while usually assumed to be Jerusalem, is clearly defined to be so by language and Torah. The name David [H1732] means “loving, beloved,” making this phrase read, “the city of David,” which six Scripture clearly identify as Jerusalem [1 Kings 3:1; 8:1; 2 Kings 9:28; 14:20; 2 Chronicles 5:2; 21:20]. Isaiah 5:1-3 broadens the use of beloved to include all “the men of Judah,” symbol of the highest leadership of Israel: “Now will I sing to My wellbeloved a song of My beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill. . . . Now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt Me and My vineyard.” Beloved is discussed by Revelation 1:5; city by Revelation 11:8, 13.


Gael Bataman
Originally Written:               15 July 2008
Latest Update:                     15 July 2008


Return to Zadok Home Page             Continue . . .             Return One Page            Go to Revelation Intro