The Use of the Greek Participle in Revelation 17:7
This exegetical study of The Use of the Greek Participle in Revelation 17:7 is based on a b-greek discussion from July 21, 2010. The initial inquiry concerns the grammatical and semantic implications of the Greek participle βαστάζοντος in Revelation 17:7, specifically whether its use emphasizes a willful act of carrying the harlot by the beast. This original question highlights a common challenge in biblical exegesis: discerning nuances of agency and intention from grammatical forms.
The main exegetical issue revolves around the precise semantic range of the verb βαστάζω, particularly when used as a participle, and whether it inherently conveys volition or merely describes an action. The discussion further explores the contextual factors that might inform an understanding of intent, drawing comparisons with other related verbs like ὑπομένω and the noun ὑπομονή, especially in the apocalyptic context of Revelation. This necessitates a careful examination of lexical data and textual stability to arrive at accurate translation suggestions.
καὶ τοῦ θηρίου τοῦ βαστάζοντος αὐτήν. (Nestle 1904)
Key differences with SBLGNT (2010):
- For this specific phrase in Revelation 17:7, the substantive Greek text in Nestle 1904 and SBLGNT 2010 is identical: καὶ τοῦ θηρίου τοῦ βαστάζοντος αὐτήν. Differences, if any, are confined to minor orthographical features (e.g., accentuation or punctuation), which do not alter the lexical or grammatical meaning.
Textual Criticism (NA28) and Lexical Notes
Textual Criticism (NA28): The phrase καὶ τοῦ θηρίου τοῦ βαστάζοντος αὐτήν in Revelation 17:7 is textually stable across major manuscript traditions. The Nestle-Aland 28th edition (NA28) presents this reading without any significant variants concerning the verb βαστάζω or its participle in this context. This stability allows the exegete to focus directly on lexical and grammatical analysis without the primary concern of textual uncertainty.
Lexical Notes:
- βαστάζω (BASTAZŌ):
- KITTEL (TDNT, Vol. 1, p. 595): While Kittel does not have an extensive entry specifically for βαστάζω, its uses generally fall under “to carry, bear, take up.” It can denote physically carrying something (e.g., a burden, a person) or metaphorically bearing responsibility or enduring hardship. The range often depends heavily on context.
- BDAG (s.v. βαστάζω 2.b.β): This lexicon provides a specific entry relevant to the discussion: “be able to bear up under especially trying or oppressive circumstances, bear, endure.” This meaning is explicitly noted for Revelation 2:2, which states, “And you cannot bear (βαστάσαι) those who are evil.” This suggests that in certain contexts, βαστάζω can indeed acquire a nuance of patient endurance or tolerance, which may imply a certain degree of willingness or acceptance, even if grudging. However, the primary sense remains “to carry” or “to bear.” The context of Revelation 17:7, where the beast is literally “carrying” the harlot, leans towards the more literal sense, though metaphorical undertones of “bearing” her influence or burden are possible.
- ὑπομένω (HYPOMENŌ) and ὑπομονή (HYPOMONĒ):
- ὑπομένω means “to stay behind, remain, endure, persevere.” It specifically denotes steadfastness under trial, patient endurance, or waiting. It inherently carries the connotation of an active, often difficult, persistence.
- ὑπομονή is the corresponding noun, meaning “endurance, steadfastness, perseverance.” In Revelation, particularly 13:10, it is often debated whether it means mere “endurance” or implies an “expectation” or “faith” in divine justice, as suggested in the discussion. The phrase “῟Ωδέ ἐστιν ἡ ὑπομονὴ καὶ ἡ πίστις τῶν ἁγίων” (Rev 13:10) is contentious, with some translations inserting “here is a call for” to make sense of “endurance,” while others argue for a more direct statement of the saints’ existing steadfastness or even their “expectation” of God’s action. This comparison highlights that while βαστάζω can overlap with “endure,” ὑπομένω and ὑπομονή carry a much stronger and more central meaning of patient, active perseverance in difficult circumstances.
Translation Variants and Grammatical & Rhetorical Analysis
The phrase under examination is τοῦ θηρίου τοῦ βαστάζοντος αὐτήν, meaning “the beast, the one carrying her.” The grammatical construction features the definite article τοῦ (genitive masculine singular) with the present active participle βαστάζοντος (genitive masculine singular, agreeing with θηρίου). This is an attributive participle, functioning adjectivally to describe the beast.
Grammatical Analysis:
- Present Active Participle: The present tense of the participle (βαστάζοντος) indicates an ongoing or continuous action. It describes the beast as being in the state of “carrying” or “bearing” the harlot at the time of the vision. The active voice attributes the action directly to the beast.
- Attributive Function: As an attributive participle, “the one carrying her” directly characterizes the beast. It answers the implicit question, “Which beast?” by identifying it through its action of carrying the harlot.
- Volition: The core question is whether the participle inherently conveys volition. Linguistically, the present active participle of βαστάζω does not, by itself, explicitly state whether the action is willful or reluctant. It simply describes the action as a fact. As noted in the discussion, the determination of willfulness is more likely derived from the broader narrative context of Revelation, which depicts the beast in an active, often malicious, role, rather than from the intrinsic semantics of the verb βαστάζω itself. If the beast were acting unwillingly, the text might employ a different verb or an adverbial modifier to express constraint or coercion.
Rhetorical Analysis:
- The choice of βαστάζω to describe the beast’s action is rhetorically significant. It paints a vivid picture of support, sustenance, or alliance. The beast is not merely associated with the harlot; it is literally upholding her. This visual metaphor underscores a deep, perhaps symbiotic, relationship between the political/economic power (the beast) and the corrupt religious/idolatrous system (the harlot).
- While the verb itself may not explicitly state volition, the symbolic nature of Revelation often imbues actions with deeper meaning. The beast’s “carrying” the harlot, in the context of their shared opposition to God, strongly implies a complicit and deliberate act, even if the verb βαστάζω does not grammatically mandate it. The “burden” or “load” interpretation from BDAG (“bear up under especially trying or oppressive circumstances”) might hint at the beast’s responsibility for the harlot’s existence or actions, adding another layer of rhetorical depth.
Conclusions and Translation Suggestions
Based on the textual and lexical analysis, the use of the participle βαστάζοντος in Revelation 17:7 describes the beast’s ongoing action of carrying or bearing the harlot. While the participle itself does not inherently convey volition, the broader narrative context of Revelation strongly suggests a willful and complicit relationship between the beast and the harlot. The lexical range of βαστάζω allows for interpretations ranging from physical carrying to bearing a burden or enduring, with the latter requiring specific contextual cues not overwhelmingly present in 17:7 for a primary reading.
Here are three translation suggestions, each emphasizing a slightly different nuance:
- “…and of the beast that is carrying her.” This translation prioritizes the ongoing, literal action of physical support and conveyance, reflecting the present active participle. It remains neutral on the aspect of willfulness, allowing the reader to infer it from the broader narrative.
- “…and of the beast that bears her.” This translation employs “bears,” which, while similar to “carries,” can subtly hint at both physical support and a sense of enduring or upholding, possibly suggesting a shared burden or sustained relationship, consistent with the extended lexical range of βαστάζω.
- “…and of the beast that is supporting her.” This translation emphasizes the functional relationship implied by the act of carrying. “Supporting” highlights the beast’s active role in maintaining the harlot’s position or influence, strongly implying complicity and purpose, thereby conveying a sense of volition through rhetorical implication.