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Revelation 12

Rev. 12:1 KJV (With Strong’s)

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1
And
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
there appeared
optanomai (Greek #3700)
which is used for it in certain tenses; and both as alternate of 3708 to gaze (i.e. with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable; and thus differing from 991, which denotes simply voluntary observation; and from 1492, which expresses merely mechanical, passive or casual vision; while 2300, and still more emphatically its intensive 2334, signifies an earnest but more continued inspection; and 4648 a watching from a distance)
KJV usage: appear, look, see, shew self.
Pronounce: op-tan'-om-ahee
Origin: of the primary (middle voice) ὄπτομαι (op'-tom-ahee)
a great
megas (Greek #3173)
big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)
KJV usage: (+ fear) exceedingly, great(-est), high, large, loud, mighty, + (be) sore (afraid), strong, X to years.
Pronounce: meg'-as
Origin: (including the prolonged forms, feminine μεγάλη, plural μεγάλοι, etc.; compare also 3176, 3187)
γwonder
semeion (Greek #4592)
an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally
KJV usage: miracle, sign, token, wonder.
Pronounce: say-mi'-on
Origin: neuter of a presumed derivative of the base of 4591
in
en (Greek #1722)
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
KJV usage: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
Pronounce: en
Origin: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537)
heaven
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
ouranos (Greek #3772)
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel (Christianity)
KJV usage: air, heaven(-ly), sky.
Pronounce: oo-ran-os'
Origin: perhaps from the same as 3735 (through the idea of elevation)
; a woman
gune (Greek #1135)
a woman; specially, a wife
KJV usage: wife, woman.
Pronounce: goo-nay'
Origin: probably from the base of 1096
g clothed with
periballo (Greek #4016)
to throw all around, i.e. invest (with a palisade or with clothing)
KJV usage: array, cast about, clothe(-d me), put on.
Pronounce: per-ee-bal'-lo
Origin: from 4012 and 906
the sun
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
helios (Greek #2246)
the sun; by implication, light
KJV usage: + east, sun.
Pronounce: hay'-lee-os
Origin: from ἕλη (a ray; perhaps akin to the alternate of 138)
i, and
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
the moon
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
selene (Greek #4582)
the moon
KJV usage: moon.
Pronounce: sel-ay'-nay
Origin: from σέλας (brilliancy; probably akin to the alternate of 138, through the idea of attractiveness)
under
hupokato (Greek #5270)
down under, i.e. beneath
KJV usage: under.
Pronounce: hoop-ok-at'-o
Origin: from 5259 and 2736
her
autos (Greek #846)
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
KJV usage: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare 848.
Pronounce: ow-tos'
Origin: from the particle αὖ (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward)
feet
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
pous (Greek #4228)
a "foot" (figuratively or literally)
KJV usage: foot(-stool).
Pronounce: pooce
Origin: a primary word
, and
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
upon
epi (Greek #1909)
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e. over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.
KJV usage: about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-, (where-))fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-)on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of, through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), with. In compounds it retains essentially the same import, at, upon, etc. (literally or figuratively).
Pronounce: ep-ee'
Origin: a primary preposition
her
autos (Greek #846)
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
KJV usage: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare 848.
Pronounce: ow-tos'
Origin: from the particle αὖ (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward)
head
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
kephale (Greek #2776)
the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figuratively
KJV usage: head.
Pronounce: kef-al-ay'
Origin: from the primary κάπτω (in the sense of seizing)
a crown
stephanos (Greek #4735)
a chaplet (as a badge of royalty, a prize in the public games or a symbol of honor generally; but more conspicuous and elaborate than the simple fillet, 1238), literally or figuratively
KJV usage: crown.
Pronounce: stef'-an-os
Origin: from an apparently primary στέφω (to twine or wreathe)
of twelve
dodeka (Greek #1427)
two and ten, i.e. a dozen
KJV usage: twelve.
Pronounce: do'-dek-ah
Origin: from 1417 and 1176
stars
aster (Greek #792)
a star (as strown over the sky), literally or figuratively
KJV usage: star.
Pronounce: as-tare'
Origin: probably from the base of 4766
:
γ
or, sign.
g
Isa. 54:6• 6For Jehovah hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and as a wife of youth, that hath been refused, saith thy God. (Isa. 54:6)
i
Psa. 84:11• 11For Jehovah Elohim is a sun and shield: Jehovah will give grace and glory; no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. (Psa. 84:11)
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Mal. 4:2• 2And unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth and leap like fatted calves. (Mal. 4:2)

More on:

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Crown,
Head,
Heaven,
Moon,
Star,
Sun,
Twelve,
Woman

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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1-3:  A woman clothed with the sun travails.
4-5:  The great red dragon stands before her, ready to devour her child;
6:  when she is delivered she flees into the wilderness.
7-12:  Michael and his angels fight with the dragon, and prevail.
13-17:  The dragon, being cast down into the earth, persecutes the woman.
there.
Rev. 12:3• 3And another sign was seen in the heaven: and behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems; (Rev. 12:3)
;
Rev. 11:19• 19And the temple of God in the heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen in his temple: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunders, and an earthquake, and great hail. (Rev. 11:19)
;
Rev. 15:1• 1And I saw another sign in the heaven, great and wonderful: seven angels having seven plagues, the last; for in them the fury of God is completed. (Rev. 15:1)
;
2 Chron. 32:31• 31However in the matter of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent to him to inquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart. (2 Chron. 32:31)
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Mark 13:25• 25and the stars of heaven shall be falling down, and the powers which are in the heavens shall be shaken; (Mark 13:25)
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Acts 2:19• 19And I will give wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: (Acts 2:19)
wonder.
or, sign.
Matt. 12:38• 38Then answered him some of the scribes and Pharisees, saying, Teacher, we desire to see a sign from thee. (Matt. 12:38)
;
Matt. 24:30• 30And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven; and then shall all the tribes of the land lament, and they shall see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (Matt. 24:30)
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Luke 21:11,25• 11there shall be both great earthquakes in different places, and famines and pestilences; and there shall be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.
 25And there shall be signs in sun and moon and stars, and upon the earth distress of nations in perplexity at the roar of the sea and rolling waves, (Luke 21:11,25)
a woman.
Isa. 49:14‑23• 14But Zion said, Jehovah hath forsaken me, and the Lord hath forgotten me.
 15Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Even these forget, but I will not forget thee.
 16Lo, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.
 17Thy sons shall make haste; thy destroyers and they that laid thee waste shall go forth from thee.
 18Lift up thine eyes round about and behold: they all gather themselves together, they come to thee. As I live, saith Jehovah, thou shalt indeed clothe thee with them all as with an ornament, and bind them on as a bride doth.
 19For in thy waste and thy desolate places, and thy destroyed land, thou shalt even now be too straitened by reason of the inhabitants, and they that swallowed thee up shall be far away.
 20The children of thy bereavement shall yet say in thine ears, The place is too narrow for me: make room for me, that I may dwell.
 21And thou shalt say in thy heart, Who hath borne me these, seeing I had lost my children and was desolate, an exile, and driven about? and who hath brought up these? behold, I was left alone; these, where were they?
 22Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I will lift up my hand to the nations, and set up my banner to the peoples; and they shall bring thy sons in their bosom, and thy daughters shall be carried upon the shoulder.
 23And kings shall be thy nursing-fathers, and their princesses thy nursing-mothers: they shall bow down to thee with the face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet. And thou shalt know that I am Jehovah; for they shall not be ashamed who wait on me. (Isa. 49:14‑23)
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Isa. 54:5‑7• 5For thy Maker is thy husband: Jehovah of hosts is his name, and thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: the God of the whole earth shall he be called.
 6For Jehovah hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and as a wife of youth, that hath been refused, saith thy God.
 7For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. (Isa. 54:5‑7)
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Isa. 60:1‑4• 1Arise, shine! for thy light is come, and the glory of Jehovah is risen upon thee.
 2For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the peoples; but Jehovah will arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen on thee.
 3And the nations shall walk by thy light, and kings by the brightness of thy rising.
 4Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons come from afar, and thy daughters are carried upon the side. (Isa. 60:1‑4)
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Hos. 2:19‑20• 19And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; and I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in loving-kindness, and in mercies;
 20and I will betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know Jehovah. (Hos. 2:19‑20)
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John 3:29• 29He that has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices in heart because of the voice of the bridegroom: this my joy then is fulfilled. (John 3:29)
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2 Cor. 11:2• 2For I am jealous as to you with a jealousy which is of God; for I have espoused you unto one man, to present you a chaste virgin to Christ. (2 Cor. 11:2)
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Eph. 5:25‑27,32• 25Husbands, love your own wives, even as the Christ also loved the assembly, and has delivered himself up for it,
 26in order that he might sanctify it, purifying it by the washing of water by the word,
 27that *he* might present the assembly to himself glorious, having no spot, or wrinkle, or any of such things; but that it might be holy and blameless.
 32This mystery is great, but *I* speak as to Christ, and as to the assembly. (Eph. 5:25‑27,32)
clothed.
Rev. 21:23• 23And the city has no need of the sun nor of the moon, that they should shine for it; for the glory of God has enlightened it, and the lamp thereof is the Lamb. (Rev. 21:23)
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Psa. 84:11• 11For Jehovah Elohim is a sun and shield: Jehovah will give grace and glory; no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. (Psa. 84:11)
;
Isa. 60:19‑20• 19The sun shall be no more thy light by day, neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee; but Jehovah shall be thine everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.
 20Thy sun shall no more go down, neither shall thy moon withdraw itself; for Jehovah shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended. (Isa. 60:19‑20)
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Isa. 61:10• 10I will greatly rejoice in Jehovah, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with the priestly turban, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. (Isa. 61:10)
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Mal. 4:2• 2And unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth and leap like fatted calves. (Mal. 4:2)
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Rom. 3:22• 22righteousness of God by faith of Jesus Christ towards all, and upon all those who believe: for there is no difference; (Rom. 3:22)
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Rom. 13:14• 14But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not take forethought for the flesh to fulfil its lusts. (Rom. 13:14)
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Gal. 3:27• 27For ye, as many as have been baptised unto Christ, have put on Christ. (Gal. 3:27)
and the.
Gal. 6:14• 14But far be it from me to boast save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world. (Gal. 6:14)
;
Titus 2:11‑12• 11For the grace of God which carries with it salvation for all men has appeared,
 12teaching us that, having denied impiety and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, and justly, and piously in the present course of things, (Titus 2:11‑12)
crown.
Rev. 1:20• 20The mystery of the seven stars which thou hast seen on my right hand, and the seven golden lamps.--The seven stars are angels of the seven assemblies; and the seven lamps are seven assemblies. (Rev. 1:20)
;
Rev. 21:14• 14And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. (Rev. 21:14)
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Isa. 62:3• 3And thou shalt be a crown of beauty in the hand of Jehovah, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God. (Isa. 62:3)
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Zech. 9:16• 16And Jehovah their God shall save them in that day as the flock of his people; for they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up upon his land. (Zech. 9:16)
• The sun speaks of supreme authority—Israel will be head of the nations, and not the tail; the moon under her feet tells of complete delegated authority, for all authority in this world is delegated; finally she wears a crown of seven stars, speaking of full administrative power, the twelve possibly referring to the twelve apostles, who in the future day will judge the twelve tribes of Israel. (“Brief Exposition of Revelation 12” by A.J. Pollock)
• John is going to enter into the final scenes after this; but before this is done, we have God's counsel shown about Israel. (“Brief Exposition of Revelation 12” by A.J. Pollock)
• Israel was the mother of Christ. It was of them, as concerning the flesh, that the Christ was born. (“Lectures on Revelation 12” by W. Kelly)
• I think it probable there may be an allusion here to the well-known dream that Joseph had of the sun, moon, and stars, explained by himself as alluding to his parents and brethren. Here the symbols are more general, and naturally refer — the sun to supreme glory, the moon to that which is derived, and the stars to inferior or subordinate authority. All this is seen in connection with Israel; for God intends, as far as this world is concerned, all power and glory to circle round Israel. See Micah 5:1-2. (“Lectures on Revelation 12” by W. Kelly)
• Woman: Israel; the Jewish mother of Christ personified in Jerusalem (Isa. 9:6). (“Revelation 12 Symbols” by A.H. Burton)
• Clothed with the Sun: Israel or Jerusalem invested with supreme authority. (“Revelation 12 Symbols” by A.H. Burton)
• The Moon Under Her Feet: The whole reflected light of her previous state under her feet. (“Revelation 12 Symbols” by A.H. Burton)
• Crown of Twelve Stars: Complete human authority (Compare Gen. 37:9; Isa. 60). (“Revelation 12 Symbols” by A.H. Burton)

J. N. Darby Translation

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1
And a great sign was seen in the heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars;

W. Kelly Translation

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1
And a great sign was seena in the heaven: a woman clothedb with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars;

WK Translation Notes

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a
In the RV "sign," as previously given in the KJV margin, takes the place of "wonder" as in 3. The KJV should have been consistent with its own rendering in 15:1. The order of the Greek is also better kept in the RV, as will appear from comparing 1 and 3; but there is no great reason for dropping "appeared" here after adopting it almost everywhere else in the New Testament. No doubt the KJV had preceded them in giving "was seen," in 11:19, and so they might have given in 12:1 and 3. Generally both give "appeared."
b
The words "arrayed" and "clothed" are interchanged as in the KJV, though the Revisers use the former.