King James Version

What Does Revelation 17:8 Mean?

Revelation 17:8 in the King James Version says “The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they ... — study this verse from Revelation chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was , and is not, and yet is.

Revelation 17:8 · KJV


Context

6

And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.

7

And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.

8

The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was , and is not, and yet is.

9

And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth .

10

And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The beast 'was, and is not, and yet is' parodies God's eternal existence ('which is, and which was, and which is to come,' 1:4). This satanic counterfeit astonishes earth-dwellers whose names aren't in the book of life. The beast's emergence from the bottomless pit identifies it as demonic. The going into perdition reveals its certain doom despite temporary power. Reformed theology emphasizes that only those whose names God wrote in the book of life from the foundation of the world will resist deception. Election precedes and secures believers' perseverance. The non-elect naturally marvel at Satan's power, lacking spiritual discernment to see through the counterfeit.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The description may allude to Nero redivivus myth—expectation that Nero would return from death. The beast represents successive kingdoms/emperors embodying satanic opposition to God. First-century Christians needed to recognize that impressive political power, though seemingly resurrected or invincible, was ultimately doomed. The book of life assured them their election secured their endurance.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Satan's counterfeit of divine eternality (was/is not/is) help you recognize false claims to ultimate authority?
  2. What assurance does election (names written before the foundation of the world) provide against deception by seemingly impressive powers?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 49 words
τὸ1 of 49
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θηρίον2 of 49

The beast

G2342

a dangerous animal

3 of 49

that

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

εἶδες4 of 49

thou sawest

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

ἦν5 of 49

was

G2258

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

καὶ6 of 49

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

οὐκ7 of 49

not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἔστιν8 of 49

is

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

καὶ9 of 49

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

μέλλει10 of 49

shall

G3195

to intend, i.e., be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probabili

ἀναβαίνειν11 of 49

ascend

G305

to go up (literally or figuratively)

ἐκ12 of 49

out of

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

τῆς13 of 49
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀβύσσου14 of 49

the bottomless pit

G12

depthless, i.e., (specially) (infernal) "abyss"

καὶ15 of 49

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

εἰς16 of 49

into

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

ἀπώλειαν17 of 49

perdition

G684

ruin or loss (physical, spiritual or eternal)

ὑπάγειν·18 of 49

go

G5217

to lead (oneself) under, i.e., withdraw or retire (as if sinking out of sight), literally or figuratively

καὶ19 of 49

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

θαυμάσονται20 of 49

shall wonder

G2296

to wonder; by implication, to admire

οἱ21 of 49
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κατοικοῦντες22 of 49

they that dwell

G2730

to house permanently, i.e., reside (literally or figuratively)

ἐπὶ23 of 49

in

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τῆς24 of 49
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

γῆς25 of 49

the earth

G1093

soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)

26 of 49

that

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

οὐκ27 of 49

not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

γέγραπται28 of 49

were

G1125

to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe

τὰ29 of 49
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὀνόματα30 of 49

names

G3686

a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)

ἐπὶ31 of 49

in

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τὸ32 of 49
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

βιβλίον33 of 49

the book

G975

a roll

τῆς34 of 49
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ζωῆς35 of 49

of life

G2222

life (literally or figuratively)

ἀπὸ36 of 49

from

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

καταβολῆς37 of 49

the foundation

G2602

a deposition, i.e., founding; figuratively, conception

κόσμου38 of 49

of the world

G2889

orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))

βλεπόντες39 of 49

when they behold

G991

to look at (literally or figuratively)

τὸ40 of 49
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θηρίον41 of 49

The beast

G2342

a dangerous animal

42 of 49

that

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

τι43 of 49
G5100

some or any person or object

ἦν44 of 49

was

G2258

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

καὶ45 of 49

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

οὐκ46 of 49

not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἔστιν47 of 49

is

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

καὶπερ48 of 49

and yet

G2539

and indeed, i.e., nevertheless or notwithstanding

ἔστιν49 of 49

is

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Revelation. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Revelation 17:8 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Revelation 17:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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