KJV: And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
YLT: And there came war in the heaven; Michael and his messengers did war against the dragon, and the dragon did war, and his messengers,
Darby: And there was war in the heaven: Michael and his angels went to war with the dragon. And the dragon fought, and his angels;
ASV: And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels going forth to war with the dragon; and the dragon warred and his angels;
ἐγένετο | there was |
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Middle, 3rd Person Singular Root: γίνομαι Sense: to become, i. |
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πόλεμος | war |
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: πόλεμος Sense: a war. |
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τῷ | - |
Parse: Article, Dative Masculine Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
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οὐρανῷ | heaven |
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular Root: οὐρανός Sense: the vaulted expanse of the sky with all things visible in it. |
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ὁ | - |
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
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Μιχαὴλ | Michael |
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: Μιχαήλ Sense: the first of the chief princes or archangels who is supposed to be the guardian angel of the Israelites. |
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ἄγγελοι | angels |
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Plural Root: ἄγγελος Sense: a messenger, envoy, one who is sent, an angel, a messenger from God. |
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αὐτοῦ | of him |
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular Root: αὐτός Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself. |
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τοῦ | - |
Parse: Article, Genitive Neuter Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
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πολεμῆσαι | warred |
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Active Root: πολεμέω Sense: to war, carry on war. |
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μετὰ | against |
Parse: Preposition Root: μετά Sense: with, after, behind. |
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δράκοντος | dragon |
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular Root: δράκων Sense: a dragon, a great serpent, a name for Satan. |
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δράκων | dragon |
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: δράκων Sense: a dragon, a great serpent, a name for Satan. |
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ἐπολέμησεν | warred [back] |
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular Root: πολεμέω Sense: to war, carry on war. |
Greek Commentary for Revelation 12:7
“There came to be war in heaven” “Another ταβλεαυ tableau not a σημειον sēmeion (Revelation 12:1, Revelation 12:3), but consequent upon the two σημεια sēmeia which precede it. The birth and rapture of the Woman‘s Son issue in a war which invades the επουρανια epourania ” (Swete). The reference is not to the original rebellion of Satan, as Andreas held. As the coming of Christ brought on fresh manifestations of diabolic power (Mark 1:13; Luke 22:3, Luke 22:31; John 12:31; John 14:30; John 16:11), just so Christ‘s return to heaven is pictured as being the occasion of renewed attacks there. We are not to visualize it too literally, but certainly modern airplanes help us to grasp the notion of battles in the sky even more than the phalanxes of storm-clouds (Swete). John even describes this last conflict as in heaven itself. Cf. Luke 10:18; 1 Kings 22:1.; Job 1; Job 2:1-13; Zechariah 3:1. [source]
The nominative here may be in apposition with πολεμος polemos but it is an abnormal construction with no verb, though εγενετο egeneto (arose) can be understood as repeated. Michael is the champion of the Jewish people (Daniel 10:13, Daniel 10:21; Daniel 12:1) and is called the archangel in Judges 1:9.Going forth to war (του πολεμησαι tou polemēsai). This genitive articular infinitive is another grammatical problem in this sentence. If εγενετο egeneto (arose) is repeated as above, then we have the infinitive for purpose, a common enough idiom. Otherwise it is anomalous, not even like Acts 10:25.With the dragon On the use of μετα meta with πολεμεω polemeō see Revelation 2:16; Revelation 13:4; Revelation 17:14 (nowhere else in N.T.). The devil has angels under his command (Matthew 25:41) and preachers also (2 Corinthians 11:14.).Warred (επολεμησεν epolemēsen). Constative aorist active indicative of πολεμεω polemeō picturing the whole battle in one glimpse. [source]
This genitive articular infinitive is another grammatical problem in this sentence. If εγενετο egeneto (arose) is repeated as above, then we have the infinitive for purpose, a common enough idiom. Otherwise it is anomalous, not even like Acts 10:25. [source]
On the use of μετα meta with πολεμεω polemeō see Revelation 2:16; Revelation 13:4; Revelation 17:14 (nowhere else in N.T.). The devil has angels under his command (Matthew 25:41) and preachers also (2 Corinthians 11:14.).Warred (επολεμησεν epolemēsen). Constative aorist active indicative of πολεμεω polemeō picturing the whole battle in one glimpse. [source]
Constative aorist active indicative of πολεμεω polemeō picturing the whole battle in one glimpse. [source]
Lit., there arose. [source]
Compare Job 1, Job href="/desk/?q=job+2:1-13&sr=1">Job 2:1-13; Zechariah 3:1-10; Luke 10:18. [source]
See Daniel 10:13, Daniel 10:21; Daniel 12:1; and see on Judges 1:9. [source]
The correct reading is τοῦ πολεμῆσαι tofight. So Rev., “going forth to war against the dragon ( κατὰ τοῦ δράκοντος ). The correct reading is μετά withi0. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Revelation 12:7
The Man of God (Daniel 8:6; Daniel 9:21). The other angel whose name is given in Scripture is Michael (Daniel 10:13, Daniel 10:21; Judges 1:9; Revelation 12:7). The description of himself is a rebuke to the doubt of Zacharias. [source]
The best MSS. read “blood and flesh.” The verb is perfect active indicative of κοινωνεω koinōneō old verb with the regular genitive, elsewhere in the N.T. with the locative (Romans 12:13) or with εν en or εις eis “The children have become partners Second aorist active indicative of μετεχω metechō to have with, a practical synonym for κοινωνεω koinōneō and with the genitive also That he might bring to naught Purpose of the incarnation clearly stated with ινα hina and the first aorist active subjunctive of καταργεω katargeō old word to render idle or ineffective (from κατα αργος kata class="normal greek">κρατος argos), causative verb (25 times in Paul), once in Luke (Luke 13:7), once in Hebrews (here). “By means of death” (his own death) Christ broke the power (τουτ εστιν kratos) of the devil over death (paradoxical as it seems), certainly in men‘s fear of death and in some unexplained way Satan had sway over the realm of death (Zechariah 3:5.). Note the explanatory tout' estin (that is) with the accusative after it as before it. In Revelation 12:7 Satan is identified with the serpent in Eden, though it is not done in the Old Testament. See Romans 5:12; John 8:44; John 14:30; John 16:11; 1 John 3:12. Death is the devil‘s realm, for he is the author of sin. “Death as death is no part of the divine order” (Westcott). [source]
Second aorist active indicative of μετεχω metechō to have with, a practical synonym for κοινωνεω koinōneō and with the genitive also That he might bring to naught Purpose of the incarnation clearly stated with ινα hina and the first aorist active subjunctive of καταργεω katargeō old word to render idle or ineffective (from κατα αργος kata class="normal greek">κρατος argos), causative verb (25 times in Paul), once in Luke (Luke 13:7), once in Hebrews (here). “By means of death” (his own death) Christ broke the power (τουτ εστιν kratos) of the devil over death (paradoxical as it seems), certainly in men‘s fear of death and in some unexplained way Satan had sway over the realm of death (Zechariah 3:5.). Note the explanatory tout' estin (that is) with the accusative after it as before it. In Revelation 12:7 Satan is identified with the serpent in Eden, though it is not done in the Old Testament. See Romans 5:12; John 8:44; John 14:30; John 16:11; 1 John 3:12. Death is the devil‘s realm, for he is the author of sin. “Death as death is no part of the divine order” (Westcott). [source]
Angels are described in scripture as forming a society with different orders and dignities. This conception is developed in the books written during and after the exile, especially Daniel and Zechariah. Michael (Who is like God? ) is one of the seven archangels, and was regarded as the special protector of the Hebrew nation. He is mentioned three times in the Old Testament (Daniel 10:13, Daniel 10:21; Daniel 12:1), and twice in the New Testament (Judges 1:9; Revelation 12:7). He is adored as a saint in the Romish Church. For legends, see Mrs. Jameson, “Sacred and Legendary Art,” i., 94 sq. [source]
Michael is mentioned also in Daniel 10:13, Daniel 10:21; Daniel 12:1; Revelation 12:7. Αρχαγγελος Archaggelos in N.T. occurs only here and 1 Thessalonians 4:16, but in Daniel 10:13, Daniel 10:20; Daniel 12:1. [source]
The allusion may be partly to the pot of manna which was laid up in the ark in the sanctuary. See Exodus 16:32-34; compare Hebrews 9:4. That the imagery of the ark was familiar to John appears from Revelation 11:19. This allusion however is indirect, for the manna laid up in the ark was not for food, but was a memorial of food once enjoyed. Two ideas seem to be combined in the figure: 1. Christ as the bread from heaven, the nourishment of the life of believers, the true manna, of which those who eat shall never die (John 6:31-43, John 6:48-51); hidden, in that He is withdrawn from sight, and the Christian's life is hid with Him in God (Colossians 3:3). 2. The satisfaction of the believer's desire when Christ shall be revealed. The hidden manna shall not remain for ever hidden. We shall see Christ as He is, and be like Him (1 John 3:2). Christ gives the manna in giving Himself “The seeing of Christ as He is, and, through this beatific vision, being made like to Him, is identical with the eating of the hidden manna, which shall, as it were, be then brought forth from the sanctuary, the holy of holies of God's immediate presence where it was withdrawn from sight so long, that all may partake of it; the glory of Christ, now shrouded and concealed, being then revealed to His people” (Trench). -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- This is one of numerous illustrations of the dependence of Revelation upon Old Testament history and prophecy. “To such an extent is this the case,” says Professor Milligan, “that it may be doubted whether it contains a single figure not drawn from the Old Testament, or a single complete sentence not more or less built up of materials brought from the same source.” See, for instance, Balaam (Revelation 2:14); Jezebel (Revelation 2:20); Michael (Revelation 12:7, compare Daniel 10:13; Daniel 12:1); Abaddon (Revelation 9:11); Jerusalem, Mt. Zion, Babylon, the Euphrates, Sodom, Egypt (Revelation 21:2; Revelation 14:1; Revelation 16:19; Revelation 9:14; Revelation 11:8); Gog and Magog (Revelation 20:8, compare Revelation href="/desk/?q=re+2:7&sr=1">Revelation 2:7, Revelation 2:17, Revelation 2:27, Revelation 2:28). Heaven is described under the figure of the tabernacle in the wilderness (Revelation 11:1, Revelation 11:19; Revelation 6:9; Revelation 8:3; Revelation 11:19; Revelation 4:6). The song of the redeemed is the song of Moses (Revelation 15:3). The plagues of Egypt appear in the blood, fire, thunder, darkness and locusts (Revelation 8:1-13). “The great earthquake of chapter 6 is taken from Haggai; the sun becoming black as sackcloth of hair and the moon becoming blood (Revelation 8:1-13) from Joel: the stars of heaven falling, the fig-tree casting her untimely figs, the heavens departing as a scroll (Revelation 8:1-13) from Isaiah: the scorpions of chapter 9 from Ezekiel: the gathering of the vine of the earth (chapter 14) from Joel, and the treading of the wine-press in the same chapter from Isaiah.” So too the details of a single vision are gathered out of different prophets or different parts of the same prophet. For instance, the vision of the glorified Redeemer (Revelation 1:12-20). The golden candlesticks are from Exodus and Zechariah; the garment down to the foot from Exodus and Daniel; the golden girdle and the hairs like wool from Isaiah and Daniel; the feet like burnished brass, and the voice like the sound of many waters, from Ezekiel; the two-edged sword from Isaiah and Psalms; the countenance like the sun from Exodus; the falling of the seer as dead from Exodus, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel; the laying of Jesus' right hand on the seer from Daniel. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- “Not indeed that the writer binds himself to the Old Testament in a slavish spirit. He rather uses it with great freedom and independence, extending, intensifying, or transfiguring its descriptions at his pleasure. Yet the main source of his emblems cannot be mistaken. The sacred books of his people had been more than familiar to him. They had penetrated his whole being. They had lived within him as a germinating seed, capable of shooting up not only in the old forms, but in new forms of life and beauty. In the whole extent of sacred and religious literature there is to be found nowhere else such a perfect fusion of the revelation given to Israel with the mind of one who would either express Israel's ideas, or give utterance, by means of the symbols supplied by Israel's history, to the present and most elevated thoughts of the Christian faith “(this note is condensed from Professor Milligan's “Baird Lectures on the Revelation of St. John”).A white stone ( ψῆφον λευκὴν )See on counteth, Luke 14:28; and see on white, Luke 9:29. The foundation of the figure is not to be sought in Gentile but in Jewish customs. “White is everywhere the color and livery of heaven” (Trench). See Revelation 1:14; Revelation 3:5; Revelation 7:9; Revelation 14:14; Revelation 19:8, Revelation 19:11, Revelation 19:14; Revelation 20:11. It is the bright, glistering white. Compare Matthew 28:3; Luke 24:4; John 20:12; Revelation 20:11; Daniel 7:9. It is impossible to fix the meaning of the symbol with any certainty. The following are some of the principal views: The Urim and Thummim concealed within the High-Priest's breastplate of judgment. This is advocated by Trench, who supposes that the Urim was a peculiarly rare stone, possibly the diamond, and engraven with the ineffable name of God. The new name he regards as the new name of God or of Christ (Revelation 3:12); some revelation of the glory of God which can be communicated to His people only in the higher state of being, and which they only can understand who have actually received. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- Professor Milligan supposes an allusion to the plate of gold worn on the High-Priest's forehead, and inscribed with the words “Holiness to the Lord,” but, somewhat strangely, runs the figure into the stone or pebble used in voting, and regards the white stone as carrying the idea of the believer's acquittal at the hands of God. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- Dean Plumptre sees in the stone the signet by which, in virtue of its form or of the characters inscribed on it, he who possessed it could claim from the friend who gave it, at any distance of time, a frank and hearty welcome; and adds to this an allusion to the custom of presenting such a token, with the guest's name upon it, of admission to the feast given to those who were invited to partake within the temple precincts - a feast which consisted wholly or in part of sacrificial meats. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- Others, regarding the connection of the stone with the manna, refer to the use of the lot cast among the priests in order to determine which one should offer the sacrifice. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- Others, to the writing of a candidate's name at an election by ballot upon a stone or bean. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- In short, the commentators are utterly divided, and the true interpretation remains a matter of conjecture.A new nameSome explain the new name of God or of Christ (compare Revelation 3:12); others, of the recipient's own name. “A new name however, a revelation of his everlasting title as a son of God to glory in Christ, but consisting of and revealed in those personal marks and signs of God's peculiar adoption of himself, which he and none other is acquainted with” (Alford). Bengel says: “Wouldst thou know what kind of a new name thou wilt obtain? Overcome. Before that thou wilt ask in vain, and after that thou wilt soon read it inscribed on the white stone.” [source]
Future active of πολεμεο polemeo to war. As allies of the beast (the servant of the dragon, Revelation 12:7) they will wage war with the Lamb (the enemy of the dragon). These kings gather for battle as in Revelation 16:13.And the Lamb shall overcome them (και το αρνιον νικησει αυτους kai to arnion nikēsei autous). Future active of νικαω nikaō This is the glorious outcome, victory by the Lamb over the coalition of kings as against the beast before.For he is Lord of lords and King of kings The same words are again descriptive of Christ in Revelation 19:16, as of God in Deuteronomy 10:17 (God of gods and Lord of lords) and Daniel 10:17 (God of gods and Lord of kings). Cf. also 1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 1:5. Crowned heads are Christ‘s subjects.And they also shall overcome that are with him (και οι μετ αυτου kai hoi met' autou). “And those with him shall also overcome” (supply νικησουσιν nikēsousin not εισιν eisin). They will share in the triumph of the Lamb, as they shared in the conflict. Cf. μετα του τηριου meta tou thēriou in Revelation 17:12.Called and chosen and faithful These are the three notes of those who share in the victory. For κλητος klētos and εκλεκτος eklektos see Matthew 22:14 (contrasted); Romans 8:28.; 2 Peter 1:10; Revelation 2:10, Revelation 2:13. The elect are called and prove faithful. [source]
See Revelation 12:7 for Michael and angels warring with the dragon, and also Matthew 26:53 for the angels at Christ‘s call, not to say Hebrews 1:6., Hebrews 1:14; Matthew 13:41; and Revelation 5:11. [source]
First aorist active infinitive of ποιεω poieō to express purpose. See πολεμεω μετα polemeō meta in Revelation 12:7 and the use of συναγω εις πολεμον sunagō eis polemon in Revelation 16:14; Revelation 20:8. The beast (for his army see Revelation 16:13.) led a league of ten kings against Babylon in Revelation 17:16., but with the purpose also of fighting the Lamb (Revelation 17:14). [source]
This proposition with πολεμεω polemeō rather than κατα kata (against) is common in the lxx, but in the N.T. only in Revelation 2:16; Revelation 12:7; Revelation 13:4; Revelation 17:14 and the verb itself nowhere else in N.T. except James 4:2. “An eternal roll of thunder from the throne” (Renan). “The glorified Christ is in this book a Warrior, who fights with the sharp sword of the word” (Swete). [source]
Futuristic present middle indicative, “I am coming” (imminent), as in Revelation 2:5 with ταχυ tachu as in Revelation 3:11; Revelation 11:14; Revelation 22:7, Revelation 22:12, Revelation 22:20. As with εν ταχει en tachei (Revelation 1:1), we do not know how soon “quickly” is meant to be understood. But it is a real threat.Against them (μετ αυτων met' autōn). This proposition with πολεμεω polemeō rather than κατα kata (against) is common in the lxx, but in the N.T. only in Revelation 2:16; Revelation 12:7; Revelation 13:4; Revelation 17:14 and the verb itself nowhere else in N.T. except James 4:2. “An eternal roll of thunder from the throne” (Renan). “The glorified Christ is in this book a Warrior, who fights with the sharp sword of the word” (Swete).With Instrumental use of εν en For the language see Revelation 1:16; Revelation 2:12; Revelation 19:15. [source]