11And I saw another wild beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it was speaking like a dragon. [13:12] And it exercises all the authority of the first wild beast in its presence, and it makes the earth and those dwelling in it that they will worship the first wild beast, whose wound of death was healed. [13:13] And it works great signs, so that it may even cause fire to come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men. [13:14] And it leads astray those dwelling on the earth through the signs that were given to it to perform before the wild beast, telling those dwelling on the earth to make an image to the wild beast who has the wound of the sword and lived. [13:15] And it was given to it to give breath to the image of the wild beast, so that the image of the wild beast might also speak and might cause that as many as would not worship the image of the wild beast shall be killed.
REV 13:11-15
The Beast from the Earth
In the world it was spoken into
First-century listeners would have understood the imagery of a 'wild beast' as a powerful, destructive force, often associated with empires or rulers. The description of this second beast having 'little lamb' horns but speaking like a dragon would have evoked a sense of deceptive appearance. Lambs were common sacrificial animals, symbolizing innocence, while dragons were figures of chaos and evil in various ancient mythologies. The beast's ability to perform great signs, including calling fire from heaven, would have resonated with familiar accounts of divine power or powerful sorcery. The phrase 'leads astray' would have implied a spiritual or moral deviation, not merely a misunderstanding. Those 'dwelling permanently' on the earth would have been understood as those whose allegiance was fixed on earthly powers rather than transcendent ones.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
REV 13:11
- KJV
- And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
- BSB
- Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. This beast had two horns like a lamb, but spoke like a dragon.
- Koinōnos
- And I saw another wild beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it was speaking like a dragon.
REV 13:12
- KJV
- And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
- BSB
- And this beast exercised all the authority of the first beast and caused the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose mortal wound had been healed.
- Koinōnos
- And it exercises all the authority of the first wild beast in its presence, and it makes the earth and those dwelling in it that they will worship the first wild beast, whose wound of death was healed.
REV 13:13
- KJV
- And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
- BSB
- And the second beast performed great signs, even causing fire from heaven to come down to earth in the presence of the people.
- Koinōnos
- And it works great signs, so that it may even cause fire to come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men.
REV 13:14
- KJV
- And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
- BSB
- Because of the signs it was given to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived those who dwell on the earth, telling them to make an image to the beast that had been wounded by the sword and yet had lived.
- Koinōnos
- And it leads astray those dwelling on the earth through the signs that were given to it to perform before the wild beast, telling those dwelling on the earth to make an image to the wild beast who has the wound of the sword and lived.
REV 13:15
- KJV
- And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
- BSB
- The second beast was permitted to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship it to be killed.
- Koinōnos
- And it was given to it to give breath to the image of the wild beast, so that the image of the wild beast might also speak and might cause that as many as would not worship the image of the wild beast shall be killed.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
REV 13:11
- beast:The word translated 'beast' refers to a wild, untamed animal, often one that is hunted. It carries a sense of danger and ferocity, rather than just any animal.
- as a lamb:The term used here for 'lamb' is a diminutive form, emphasizing a small, young, and innocent lamb. This contrasts sharply with the beastly nature described.
REV 13:12
- dwelling:The word translated 'dwelling' implies a settled habitation, to colonize or inhabit a place permanently, rather than just a temporary stay.
REV 13:14
- it deceives:The word translated 'it deceives' means to lead astray or cause to wander, often implying a deviation from truth or a correct path, not just simple trickery.