An Exegetical Examination of a Digital Textual Variant in Revelation 12:8
This exegetical study of An Exegetical Examination of a Digital Textual Variant in Revelation 12:8 is based on a b-greek discussion from November 20th, 2017. The initial observation reported concerned a long-standing potential error in the digital representation of the SBLGNT text at a specific Bible site, which had apparently gone unnoticed despite prior editorial work on the Apocalypse of John by one of the contributors. The discussion highlighted a perceived lack of reporting on such anomalies by readers.
The main exegetical issue under consideration is a reported textual anomaly in Revelation 12:8, where an electronic version of the SBLGNT displayed φιλαδελφιαν (Philadelphia) instead of the widely attested ουρανω (heaven). This error not only introduces a significant geographical and conceptual discrepancy into the eschatological narrative of the cosmic conflict between the dragon and God’s forces but also involves a minor grammatical variance in the verb ισχυσαν/ισχυσεν. A tangential discussion arose regarding the civic motto of Philadelphia and its potential etymological connection to Greek and Latin, although this is primarily contextual and not directly part of the exegetical problem in Revelation 12:8 itself.
Greek text (Nestle 1904)
καὶ οὐκ ἴσχυσαν, οὐδὲ τόπος εὑρέθη αὐτῶν ἔτι ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ.
Key differences with SBLGNT (2010) (as observed in the reported digital error):
- The reported digital error read ισχυσεν (third person singular aorist active indicative) instead of the correct ισχυσαν (third person plural aorist active indicative) as found in the SBLGNT (2010) and other critical editions.
- The reported digital error read φιλαδελφιαν (accusative of φιλαδελφία, “brotherly love” or the city “Philadelphia”) instead of the correct ουρανω (dative of ουρανός, “heaven”) as found in the SBLGNT (2010) and other critical editions.
Textual Criticism (NA28), Lexical Notes (KITTEL, BDAG)
The critical text, as represented by NA28, SBLGNT, and the vast majority of Greek manuscripts, consistently reads οὐρανῷ at Revelation 12:8. There is no significant textual support in the manuscript tradition for the reading φιλαδελφιαν. The reported occurrence of φιλαδελφιαν is definitively an electronic or transcription error, lacking any attestation in the critical apparatus. Similarly, the form ἴσχυσαν (3rd pl. aorist active indicative) is overwhelmingly attested, grammatically agreeing with the plural subject (the dragon and his angels, implied from the preceding verses or the collective force of the dragon). The variant ἴσχυσεν (3rd sg. aorist active indicative) is a minor variant, likely a scribal error of agreement or assimilation, but becomes noteworthy primarily when juxtaposed with the more substantial error of φιλαδελφιαν.
Lexical Notes:
- φιλαδελφία (philadelphia): BDAG (Bauer, Arndt, Gingrich, Danker, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature) defines this term as “brotherly love, brotherliness.” In the New Testament, it typically denotes mutual affection among Christian believers (e.g., Rom 12:10; 1 Thess 4:9; Heb 13:1; 1 Pet 1:22; 2 Pet 1:7) or, more broadly, a general love for one’s fellow human. The term also serves as the proper noun for the city of Philadelphia (Rev 1:11; 3:7). KITTEL (Kittel, G., & Friedrich, G., Eds., Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, vol. 9, p. 116) emphasizes its distinctive use within the Christian community, highlighting the fraternal bond among believers in Christ.
- ουρανός (ouranos): BDAG defines ουρανός as “heaven,” encompassing the physical sky, the abode of God and celestial beings, and the spiritual realm. In the Book of Revelation, ουρανός frequently refers to the divine sphere where cosmic events unfold, signifying the locus of God’s authority and the stage for eschatological dramas (e.g., Rev 4:1-2; 11:12; 12:7, 10). KITTEL (TDNT, vol. 5, p. 497) provides an extensive theological discussion of “heaven” as the dwelling place of God, the source of divine glory, power, judgment, and salvation.
- ἰσχύω (ischyō): According to BDAG, this verb means “to be strong, be able, have power, prevail.” In Revelation 12:8, the phrase οὐκ ἴσχυσαν translates to “they were not strong enough” or “they did not prevail.” The singular form οὐκ ἴσχυσεν would mean “he was not strong enough,” which would grammatically limit the subject to a single entity, likely the dragon alone. However, the preceding verse (Rev 12:7) explicitly states that the conflict involved “the dragon and his angels,” thus necessitating the plural form for proper grammatical agreement and narrative coherence.
Translation Variants
The observed textual variant, replacing ουρανω with φιλαδελφιαν, introduces a profound semantic and rhetorical alteration to Revelation 12:8. The standard reading, “and they were not strong enough, nor was a place found for them any longer in heaven,” places the cosmic battle between Michael and the dragon (along with their respective angels) firmly within the celestial realm. This aligns perfectly with the overarching narrative of Revelation, which consistently depicts heavenly scenes and cosmic warfare as integral to the unfolding eschatological drama. The specific reference to “heaven” is crucial for understanding the nature of the conflict as a spiritual struggle occurring in the divine sphere, culminating in the defeated dragon being cast down to earth (Rev 12:9). The rhetorical impact of such an expulsion from the transcendent realm of God is immense, signifying a profound defeat and loss of divine access for the forces of evil.
Grammatically, the correct reading οὐκ ἴσχυσαν (3rd plural aorist active indicative) accurately reflects the plural subject, which refers to “the dragon and his angels” as mentioned in Revelation 12:7. Should the text read οὐκ ἴσχυσεν (3rd singular), it would grammatically imply a singular subject, most likely the dragon alone. While the dragon is indeed the primary antagonist, the narrative explicitly includes “his angels” in the celestial conflict, rendering the plural form both grammatically precise and narratively complete.
Rhetorically, the substitution of “heaven” with “Philadelphia” would be entirely incongruous and illogical within the context of Revelation 12. The city of Philadelphia, one of the seven churches addressed in Revelation, plays a specific role as a recipient of a divine message (Rev 3:7-13), but it is not presented as a cosmic battlefield for spiritual powers in the same manner as heaven. Such a substitution would severely undermine the cosmic scope of Revelation 12, erroneously localizing a universal spiritual war to a specific historical city on earth. The dramatic theological significance of the dragon being cast out of the divine realm, losing his place before God, would be completely lost, replaced by an inexplicable expulsion from an earthly location where his presence in a contested manner is not the focus of the narrative.
Conclusions and Translation Suggestions
The exegetical analysis of Revelation 12:8 unequivocally affirms that the reading ουρανω (heaven) is the overwhelmingly supported and contextually appropriate reading, faithfully reflecting the cosmic and eschatological nature of the Book of Revelation. The reported variant φιλαδελφιαν, along with the singular verb ισχυσεν, represents a clear digital transcription error, entirely devoid of any genuine textual critical basis. This incident underscores the critical importance of consulting established critical editions and their textual apparatus, even when utilizing digital resources, as such rare anomalies can significantly distort the original meaning and theological implications of the biblical text.
Based on the standard critical text (NA28/SBLGNT/Nestle), the following translations are suggested:
- And they did not prevail, nor was their place found any longer in heaven.
This translation emphasizes the failure of the dragon and his forces to overcome, and their subsequent expulsion from their celestial abode. - And they were not strong enough, and no place was found for them anymore in the sky.
This rendering highlights the lack of power on the part of the dragon’s forces and uses “sky” to broadly encompass the celestial realm, suggesting a physical expulsion. - And they could not overcome, and no longer was a dwelling found for them in the heavens.
This translation focuses on the inability to achieve victory and implies a permanent loss of their previous habitation in the divine spheres.