The Meaning of Revelation 13:6 Explained

Revelation 13:6

KJV: And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

YLT: and it did open its mouth for evil-speaking toward God, to speak evil of His name, and of His tabernacle, and of those who in the heaven tabernacle,

Darby: And it opened its mouth for blasphemies against God, to blaspheme his name and his tabernacle, and those who have their tabernacle in the heaven.

ASV: And he opened his mouth for blasphemies against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, even them that dwell in the heaven.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  he opened  his  mouth  in  blasphemy  against  God,  to blaspheme  his  name,  and  his  tabernacle,  and  them that dwell  in  heaven. 

What does Revelation 13:6 Mean?

Verse Meaning

He will blaspheme God by claiming to be God ( 2 Thessalonians 2:4). This is evidently what he will do throughout the Great Tribulation, not just at one point in it. Enoixen, "he opened," is a constative aorist. [1] The phrase "he opened his mouth" often indicates the beginning of a prolonged discourse (cf. Matthew 5:2; Acts 8:35). He will speak against God and God"s dwelling place, His heavenly tabernacle ( Daniel 7:25). The phrase "those who dwell in heaven" defines the tabernacle in terms of its inhabitants, namely, God and the holy angels. Apparently the beast will share the dragon"s antagonism to God and the angels for having cast the dragon out of heaven ( Revelation 12:7-9; Revelation 12:12).

Context Summary

Revelation 13:1-18 - The Beast And His Worshipers
The horns symbolize power; the heads, intelligence; and the beast, an earthly kingdom. The dragon must stand for Satan, who has wrought his greatest achievements through earthly potentates and systems. It is through the world-power that the spleen and hatred of hell have been vented on the saints. What a comfort to know that the duration of such power is limited to 42 symbolic months, that is, 1,260 days (or years). If you are enduring hatred and persecution, be of good cheer, for your name is written in the Lamb's book of life, Revelation 13:8. This may well compensate us amid the most violent opposition.
The beast arising from the earth, Revelation 13:11-18, may represent the persecutions of papal Rome as contrasted with those of pagan Rome in the previous verses. Or this symbol may represent some of those modern devices by which men's hearts are turned from God, such as the new semi-religious schools of thought that strive for the empire of men's minds, or the customs of modern trade, Revelation 13:17. Be these as they may, the one outstanding lesson for us all is that the child of God is always in collision with the spirit of His age. [source]

Chapter Summary: Revelation 13

1  A beast rises out of the sea with seven heads and ten horns, to whom the dragon gives his power
11  Another beast comes out of the earth,
14  causes an image to be made of the former beast,
15  and that men should worship it,
16  and receive his mark

Greek Commentary for Revelation 13:6

For blasphemies [εις βλασπημιας]
“For the purpose of blasphemies.” [source]
Against God [προς τον τεον]
“Face to face with God” in sheer defiance, like Milton‘s picture of Satan in Paradise Lost. See Daniel 7:25; Daniel 8:10. The aorist ηνοιχεν — ēnoixen is probably constative, for he repeated the blasphemies, though the phrase This verse explains Revelation 13:5. The Roman emperors blasphemously assumed divine names in public documents. They directed their blasphemy against heaven itself (“his tabernacle,” την σκηνην αυτου — tēn skēnēn autou Revelation 7:15; Revelation 12:12; Revelation 21:3) and against “them that dwell in the heaven” (τους εν τωι ουρανωι σκηνουντας — tous en tōi ouranōi skēnountas), the same phrase of Revelation 12:12 (either angels or the redeemed or both). [source]
In blasphemy [εἰς βλασφημίαν]
Read βλασφημίας blasphemiesRev., giving the force of εἰς more correctly, “for blasphemies.” [source]
And them that dwell in heaven [καὶ τοὺς ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ σκηνοῦντας]
The best texts omit καὶ andmaking the following words in apposition with ὄνομα and σκηνὴν nameand tabernacle. Thus the literal sense would be to blaspheme the name and tabernacle which dwell in heaven. “The meaning is to enhance the enormity of the blasphemy by bringing out the lofty nature of God's holy name and dwelling-place” (Alford). The word dwell is, literally, tabernacle. See on Revelation 12:12. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Revelation 13:6

John 1:14 Dwelt [ἐσκήνωσεν]
Literally, tabernacled, fixed, or had His tabernacle: from σκηνή , a tent or tabernacle. The verb is used only by John: in the Gospel only here, and in Revelation 7:15; Revelation 12:12; Revelation 13:6; Revelation 21:3. It occurs in classical writings, as in Xenophon, ἐν τῷ πεδίῳ ἐσκήνου , he pitched his tent in the plain (“Anabasis,” vii., 4,11). So Plato, arguing against the proposition that the unjust die by the inherent destructive power of evil, says that “injustice which murders others keeps the murderer alive - aye, and unsleeping too; οὕτω πόῤῥω του ὡς ἔοικεν ἐσκήνωται τοῦ θανάσιμος εἶναι , i.e., literally, so far has her tent been spread from being a house of death” (“Republic,” 610). The figure here is from the Old Testament (Leviticus 27:11; 2 Samuel 7:6; 1 John 1:1-39sqq.; Ezekiel 37:27). The tabernacle was the dwelling-place of Jehovah; the meeting-place of God and Israel. So the Word came to men in the person of Jesus. As Jehovah adopted for His habitation a dwelling like that of the people in the wilderness, so the Word assumed a community of nature with mankind, an embodiment like that of humanity at large, and became flesh. “That which was from the beginning, we heard, we saw, we beheld, we handled. Our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ” (1711706098_21. Compare Philemon 2:7, Philemon 2:8). Some find in the word tabernacle, a temporary structure (see the contrast between σκῆνος , tabernacle, and οἰκοδομή , building, in 2 Corinthians 5:1), a suggestion of the transitoriness of our Lord's stay upon earth; which may well be, although the word does not necessarily imply this; for in Revelation 21:3, it is said of the heavenly Jerusalem “the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will set up His tabernacle ( σκηνώσει ) with them.”-DIVIDER-
Dante alludes to the incarnation in the seventh canto of the “Paradiso:”- “the human species down belowLay sick for many centuries in great error, Till to descend it pleased the Word of God-DIVIDER-
To where the nature, which from its own Maker-DIVIDER-
Estranged itself, He joined to Him in personBy the sole act of His eternal love.” [source]

Revelation 12:12 Dwell [σκηνοῦντες]
See on John 1:14. Compare Revelation 7:15; Revelation 13:6; Revelation 21:3. [source]
Revelation 12:12 Rejoice [ευπραινεστε]
Present middle imperative of ευπραινω — euphrainō as in Revelation 11:10; Revelation 18:20.O heavens (οι ουρανοι — hoi ouranoi). Plural here alone in the Apocalypse, though common elsewhere in the N.T. Satan is no longer in the heavens.They that dwell therein Present active articular participle of σκηνοω — skēnoō (see Revelation 7:15; Revelation 13:6) to dwell (tabernacle) as of Christ in John 1:14 and of God in Revelation 21:3. The inhabitants of heaven (angels and saints) have cause to rejoice, and earth reason to mourn.Woe for the earth and for the sea (ουαι την γην και την ταλασσαν — ouai tēn gēn kai tēn thalassan). The accusative after ουαι — ouai as in Revelation 8:13, but nominative in Revelation 18:10, Revelation 18:16, Revelation 18:19 in place of the usual dative (Matthew 11:21; Matthew 18:7, etc.).Is gone down Second aorist (effective) active indicative of καταβαινω — katabainō “did go down.”But a short time (ολιγον καιρον — oligon kairon). Accusative of extent of time, “a little time.” The devil‘s departure from his warfare in the heavens reveals (ειδως — eidōs knowing, perfect active participle) to him that his time for doing harm to men is limited, and hence his great wrath (τυμον — thumon boiling rage). [source]
Revelation 12:12 They that dwell therein [οι εν αυτοις σκηνουντες]
Present active articular participle of σκηνοω — skēnoō (see Revelation 7:15; Revelation 13:6) to dwell (tabernacle) as of Christ in John 1:14 and of God in Revelation 21:3. The inhabitants of heaven (angels and saints) have cause to rejoice, and earth reason to mourn.Woe for the earth and for the sea (ουαι την γην και την ταλασσαν — ouai tēn gēn kai tēn thalassan). The accusative after ουαι — ouai as in Revelation 8:13, but nominative in Revelation 18:10, Revelation 18:16, Revelation 18:19 in place of the usual dative (Matthew 11:21; Matthew 18:7, etc.).Is gone down Second aorist (effective) active indicative of καταβαινω — katabainō “did go down.”But a short time (ολιγον καιρον — oligon kairon). Accusative of extent of time, “a little time.” The devil‘s departure from his warfare in the heavens reveals (ειδως — eidōs knowing, perfect active participle) to him that his time for doing harm to men is limited, and hence his great wrath (τυμον — thumon boiling rage). [source]
Revelation 21:3 And he shall dwell with them [και σκηνωσει μετ αυτων]
Future active of σκηνοω — skēnoō already in Revelation 7:15 from Ezekiel 37:27; Zechariah 2:10; Zechariah 8:8 and used of the Incarnate Christ on earth by John (John 1:14), now a blessed reality of the Father. The metaphor stands for the Shekinah Glory of God in the old tabernacle (Revelation 7:15; Revelation 13:6; Revelation 15:5), the true tabernacle of which it was a picture (Hebrews 8:2; Hebrews 9:11). God is now Immanuel in fact, as was true of Christ (Matthew 1:23). [source]
Revelation 16:9 With great heat [καυμα μεγα]
Cognate accusative retained with the passive verb. Old word (from καιω — kaiō to burn), in N.T. only Revelation 7:16 and here. For blaspheming the name of God see Revelation 13:6; James 2:7; Romans 2:24; 1 Timothy 6:1. They blamed God for the plagues.They repented not (ου μετενοησαν — ou metenoēsan). This solemn negative aorist of μετανοεω — metanoeō is a refrain like a funeral dirge (Revelation 9:20.; Revelation 16:11). In Revelation 11:13 some did repent because of the earthquake. Even deserved punishment may harden the heart.To give him glory Second aorist active infinitive of διδωμι — didōmi almost result. For the phrase see Revelation 11:13; Revelation 14:7; Revelation 19:7. [source]
Revelation 7:15 They serve him [λατρευουσιν αυτωι]
Dative case with λατρευω — latreuō (present active indicative, old verb, originally to serve for hire λατρον — latron then service in general, then religious service to God, Matthew 4:10, then in particular ritual worship of the priests, Hebrews 8:5). All the redeemed are priests (Revelation 16:5, Revelation 16:10) in the heavenly temple (Revelation 6:9) as here. But this service is that of spiritual worship, not of external rites (Romans 12:1; Philemon 3:3).Day and night (ημερας και νυκτος — hēmeras kai nuktos). Genitive of time, “by day and night,” as in Revelation 4:8 of the praise of the four living creatures.Shall spread his tabernacle over them Future (change of tense from present in λατρευουσιν — latreuousin) active of σκηνοω — skēnoō old verb from σκηνος — skēnos (tent, tabernacle), used in John 1:14 of the earthly life of Christ, elsewhere in N.T. only in Rev (Revelation 7:14; Revelation 12:12; Revelation 13:6; Revelation 21:3). In Revelation 12:12; Revelation 13:6 of those who dwell in tents, here of God spreading his tent “over” (επ αυτους — ep' autous) the redeemed in heaven, in Revelation 21:3 of God tabernacling “with” (μετ αυτων — met' autōn) the redeemed, in both instances a picture of sacred fellowship, and “the further idea of God‘s Presence as a protection from all fear of evil” (Swete) like the overshadowing of Israel by the Shekinah and a possible allusion also to the tents (σκηναι — skēnai) of the feast of tabernacles and to the tent of meeting where God met Moses (Exodus 33:7-11). [source]
Revelation 7:15 Shall spread his tabernacle over them [σκηνωσει επ αυτους]
Future (change of tense from present in λατρευουσιν — latreuousin) active of σκηνοω — skēnoō old verb from σκηνος — skēnos (tent, tabernacle), used in John 1:14 of the earthly life of Christ, elsewhere in N.T. only in Rev (Revelation 7:14; Revelation 12:12; Revelation 13:6; Revelation 21:3). In Revelation 12:12; Revelation 13:6 of those who dwell in tents, here of God spreading his tent “over” (επ αυτους — ep' autous) the redeemed in heaven, in Revelation 21:3 of God tabernacling “with” (μετ αυτων — met' autōn) the redeemed, in both instances a picture of sacred fellowship, and “the further idea of God‘s Presence as a protection from all fear of evil” (Swete) like the overshadowing of Israel by the Shekinah and a possible allusion also to the tents (σκηναι — skēnai) of the feast of tabernacles and to the tent of meeting where God met Moses (Exodus 33:7-11). [source]

What do the individual words in Revelation 13:6 mean?

And it opened the mouth of it unto blasphemies against - God to blaspheme name of Him the tabernacle those in - heaven dwelling
καὶ ἤνοιξεν τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ εἰς βλασφημίας πρὸς τὸν Θεόν βλασφημῆσαι ὄνομα αὐτοῦ τὴν σκηνὴν τοὺς ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ σκηνοῦντας

ἤνοιξεν  it  opened 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἀνοίγω 
Sense: to open.
στόμα  mouth 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: στόμα  
Sense: the mouth, as part of the body: of man, of animals, of fish, etc.
αὐτοῦ  of  it 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Neuter 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
εἰς  unto 
Parse: Preposition
Root: εἰς  
Sense: into, unto, to, towards, for, among.
βλασφημίας  blasphemies 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Plural
Root: βλασφημία  
Sense: slander, detraction, speech injurious, to another’s good name.
πρὸς  against 
Parse: Preposition
Root: πρός  
Sense: to the advantage of.
τὸν  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Θεόν  God 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.
βλασφημῆσαι  to  blaspheme 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Active
Root: βλασφημέω 
Sense: to speak reproachfully, rail at, revile, calumniate, blaspheme.
ὄνομα  name 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: ὄνομα  
Sense: name: univ.
αὐτοῦ  of  Him 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
σκηνὴν  tabernacle 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: σκηνή  
Sense: tent, tabernacle, (made of green boughs, or skins or other materials).
τοὺς  those 
Parse: Article, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
τῷ  - 
Parse: Article, Dative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
οὐρανῷ  heaven 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: οὐρανός  
Sense: the vaulted expanse of the sky with all things visible in it.
σκηνοῦντας  dwelling 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: σκηνόω  
Sense: to fix one’s tabernacle, have one’s tabernacle, abide (or live) in a tabernacle (or tent), tabernacle.