Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version But the earth helped the woman by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. New Living Translation But the earth helped her by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that gushed out from the mouth of the dragon. English Standard Version But the earth came to the help of the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth. Berean Standard Bible But the earth helped the woman and opened its mouth to swallow up the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth. Berean Literal Bible And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the river, which the dragon had cast out of his mouth. King James Bible And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. New King James Version But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. New American Standard Bible But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and drank up the river which the dragon had hurled out of his mouth. NASB 1995 But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and drank up the river which the dragon poured out of his mouth. NASB 1977 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and drank up the river which the dragon poured out of his mouth. Legacy Standard Bible But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and drank up the river which the dragon poured out of his mouth. Amplified Bible But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the river which the dragon had hurled out of his mouth. Christian Standard Bible But the earth helped the woman. The earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the river that the dragon had spewed from his mouth. Holman Christian Standard Bible But the earth helped the woman. The earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the river that the dragon had spewed from his mouth. American Standard Version And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth and swallowed up the river which the dragon cast out of his mouth. Contemporary English Version But the earth helped her and swallowed the water that had come from the dragon's mouth. English Revised Version And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the river which the dragon cast out of his mouth. GOD'S WORD® Translation The earth helped the woman by opening its mouth and swallowing the river which had poured out of the serpent's mouth. Good News Translation But the earth helped the woman; it opened its mouth and swallowed the water that had come from the dragon's mouth. International Standard Version But the earth helped the woman by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon had spewed from its mouth. Majority Standard Bible But the earth helped the woman and opened its mouth to swallow up the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth. NET Bible but the earth came to her rescue; the ground opened up and swallowed the river that the dragon had spewed from his mouth. New Heart English Bible The earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the river which the serpent spewed out of his mouth. Webster's Bible Translation And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. Weymouth New Testament But the earth came to the woman's help: it opened its mouth and drank up the river which the Dragon had poured from his mouth. World English Bible The earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the river which the dragon spewed out of his mouth. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the river that the dragon cast forth out of his mouth; Berean Literal Bible And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the river, which the dragon had cast out of his mouth. Young's Literal Translation and the land did help the woman, and the land did open its mouth and did swallow up the river, that the dragon did cast forth out of his mouth; Smith's Literal Translation And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed down the river which the dragon cast out of his mouth. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the river, which the dragon cast out of his mouth. Catholic Public Domain Version But the earth assisted the woman. And the earth opened her mouth and absorbed the river, which the dragon sent out from his mouth. New American Bible But the earth helped the woman and opened its mouth and swallowed the flood that the dragon spewed out of its mouth. New Revised Standard Version But the earth came to the help of the woman; it opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth, and swallowed up the water which the dragon had gushed out of his mouth. Aramaic Bible in Plain English And The Earth helped the woman, and The Earth opened its mouth and swallowed that river which the Dragon had cast from its mouth. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd the earth helped the woman; and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the river that the dragon threw out of his mouth. Godbey New Testament And the earth helped the woman; and the earth opened her mouth, and drank up the river which the dragon cast out of his mouth. Haweis New Testament And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the river which the dragon cast out of his mouth. Mace New Testament but the earth helped the woman, for the earth opened its jaws, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon threw out of his throat, Weymouth New Testament But the earth came to the woman's help: it opened its mouth and drank up the river which the Dragon had poured from his mouth. Worrell New Testament And the earth helped the woman; and the earth opened her mouth, and drank down the river which the dragon cast out of his mouth. Worsley New Testament But the earth helped the woman, and opened it's mouth, and swallowed up the flood, which the dragon threw out of his mouth. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Woman Persecuted…15Then from the mouth of the serpent spewed water like a river to overtake the woman and sweep her away in the torrent. 16But the earth helped the woman and opened its mouth to swallow up the river that had poured from the dragon’s mouth. 17And the dragon was enraged at the woman, and went to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And the dragon stood on the shore of the sea.… Cross References Exodus 15:12 You stretched out Your right hand, and the earth swallowed them up. Numbers 16:30-32 But if the LORD brings about something unprecedented, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them and all that belongs to them so that they go down alive into Sheol, then you will know that these men have treated the LORD with contempt.” / As soon as Moses had finished saying all this, the ground beneath them split open, / and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households—all Korah’s men and all their possessions. Isaiah 59:19 So shall they fear the name of the LORD where the sun sets, and His glory where it rises. For He will come like a raging flood, driven by the breath of the LORD. Psalm 124:6-8 Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as prey to their teeth. / We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowler; the net is torn, and we have slipped away. / Our help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. Isaiah 11:15-16 The LORD will devote to destruction the gulf of the Sea of Egypt; with a scorching wind He will sweep His hand over the Euphrates. He will split it into seven streams for men to cross with dry sandals. / There will be a highway for the remnant of His people who remain from Assyria, as there was for Israel when they came up from the land of Egypt. Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze. Psalm 46:2-3 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth is transformed and the mountains are toppled into the depths of the seas, / though their waters roar and foam and the mountains quake in the surge. Selah Isaiah 51:9-10 Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD. Wake up as in days past, as in generations of old. Was it not You who cut Rahab to pieces, who pierced through the dragon? / Was it not You who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made a road in the depths of the sea for the redeemed to cross over? Jeremiah 51:36 Therefore this is what the LORD says: “Behold, I will plead your case and take vengeance on your behalf; I will dry up her sea and make her springs run dry. Daniel 6:22 My God sent His angel and shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, for I was found innocent in His sight, and I have done no wrong against you, O king.” 2 Kings 19:7 Behold, I will put a spirit in him so that he will hear a rumor and return to his own land, where I will cause him to fall by the sword.’” Matthew 24:22 If those days had not been cut short, nobody would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, those days will be cut short. Luke 21:18 Yet not even a hair of your head will perish. Acts 12:11 Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know for sure that the Lord has sent His angel and rescued me from Herod’s grasp and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating.” 2 Corinthians 1:10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. In Him we have placed our hope that He will yet again deliver us, Treasury of Scripture And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. Exodus 12:35,36 And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: … 1 Kings 17:6 And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook. 2 Kings 8:9 So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, forty camels' burden, and came and stood before him, and said, Thy son Benhadad king of Syria hath sent me to thee, saying, Shall I recover of this disease? Jump to Previous Cast Dragon Drank Earth Flood Forth Help Helped Mouth Open Opened Opening Poured River Spewed Swallow Swallowed Swallowing Woman'sJump to Next Cast Dragon Drank Earth Flood Forth Help Helped Mouth Open Opened Opening Poured River Spewed Swallow Swallowed Swallowing Woman'sRevelation 12 1. A woman clothed with the sun travails.4. The great red dragon stands before her, ready to devour her child; 6. when she is delivered she flees into the desert. 7. Michael and his angels fight with the dragon, and prevail. 13. The dragon, being cast down into the earth, persecutes the woman. But the earth helped the woman In the context of Revelation 12, the "woman" is often interpreted as representing Israel or the faithful remnant of God's people. The earth helping the woman signifies divine intervention and protection. This imagery echoes the Old Testament, where the earth often plays a role in God's deliverance of His people, such as in Numbers 16:32, where the earth opened to swallow Korah and his followers. This phrase emphasizes God's sovereignty over creation and His ability to use it to fulfill His purposes. and opened its mouth to swallow up the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth Persons / Places / Events 1. The WomanSymbolically represents God's people, often interpreted as Israel or the Church. She is depicted as being pursued by the dragon, indicating persecution and spiritual warfare. 2. The Dragon Represents Satan, the adversary of God and His people. The dragon's actions symbolize attempts to destroy or deceive the faithful. 3. The Earth Acts as an agent of divine intervention, providing protection to the woman by swallowing the river, which represents the dragon's attack. 4. The River Symbolizes the flood of persecution or false teachings that the dragon uses to try to overwhelm the woman. 5. Divine Intervention The event where the earth helps the woman, illustrating God's sovereignty and protection over His people. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty and ProtectionGod is in control and provides protection for His people, even in the face of overwhelming adversity. Spiritual Warfare Believers are engaged in a spiritual battle, but they are not alone; God intervenes on their behalf. The Role of Creation Creation itself can be used by God to fulfill His purposes and protect His people. Perseverance in Faith Despite the attacks from the enemy, believers are called to remain steadfast, trusting in God's deliverance. Symbolism and Reality Understanding the symbolic language of Revelation helps believers grasp the reality of spiritual truths and God's ultimate victory.(16) And the earth . . .--Translate, And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and drank up the river, &c. This is generally understood of some earthly power which is raised up to protect the Church against persecution. Just as Persia was raised up to aid Israel after they had been swept away by the flood of Babylonish conquest, so does help come to the persecuted Church through the cultured Roman world, or through some other worldly power, "barbarian and godless in its beginning, but destined in due time to embrace, in name at least, the faith once abhorred, and to introduce that new order of things which should make a nominal Christianity the religion of states and nations, and secure it for ever against the risk of a repetition of bygone persecutions" (Dr. Vaughan). The passage seems to want a wider interpretation. By the flood or river we understand all great popular movements against Christianity: the earth swallows up these; they diffuse themselves for a time, but mother earth absorbs them all, for the earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof, and no movement hostile to truth can permanently succeed: the eternal laws of truth and right are ultimately found stronger than all the half truths, whole falsehoods, and selfishness which give force to such movements. In a mysterious way, every devil-born flood of opinion, or violence, or sentiment, will sink beneath the surface; they rise like a river, they are tasted, and then rejected. The laws of the earth are against their permanent success. The finest epic of the world might have for its motto: "The earth helped the woman." Creation is ultimately a witness for righteousness and truth. It is not one nation, one age, which is represented here; it is an eternal law.Verse 16. - And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth; swallowed up the river (Revised Version). "The earth" frequently, but not invariably, in the Revelation signifies "the wicked." It is doubtful, therefore, how far the figure here employed should be pressed. What is certain is that the writer intends to express the idea that the Church is preserved in a wonderful and even miraculous way from the efforts of the devil. Further than this we cannot proceed safely. Possibly we may see in the passage an allusion to the world embracing Christianity, by which the instrument of Satan's ill will became a defence to the Church; though an earlier period and earlier deliverances seem more likely to be intended (such as the conversion of St. Paul); for after endeavouring to destroy the woman at one stroke, the dragon proceeds to war with her seed. The words recall another incident in the history of the Israelitish flight from Egypt and sojourn in the wilderness, viz. that of the destruction of Korah and his company; though, of course, the nature of the incidents is not the same in both cases. Parallel Commentaries ... Greek [But]καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. the ἡ (hē) Article - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. earth γῆ (gē) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 1093: Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe. helped ἐβοήθησεν (eboēthēsen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 997: To come to the rescue of, come to help, help. From boethos; to aid or relieve. the τῇ (tē) Article - Dative Feminine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. woman γυναικί (gynaiki) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular Strong's 1135: A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. opened ἤνοιξεν (ēnoixen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 455: To open. From ana and oigo; to open up. its αὐτῆς (autēs) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Feminine 3rd Person Singular Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. mouth στόμα (stoma) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular Strong's 4750: The mouth, speech, eloquence in speech, the point of a sword. to swallow up κατέπιεν (katepien) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 2666: To drink down, swallow, devour, destroy, consume. From kata and pino; to drink down, i.e. Gulp entire. the τὸν (ton) Article - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. river ποταμὸν (potamon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 4215: A river, torrent, stream. Probably from a derivative of the alternate of pino; a current, brook or freshet, i.e. Running water. that ὃν (hon) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that. had poured ἔβαλεν (ebalen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 906: (a) I cast, throw, rush, (b) often, in the weaker sense: I place, put, drop. A primary verb; to throw. from ἐκ (ek) Preposition Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. the ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. dragon’s δράκων (drakōn) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 1404: A dragon or huge serpent; met: Satan. Probably from an alternate form of derkomai; a fabulous kind of serpent. mouth. στόματος (stomatos) Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular Strong's 4750: The mouth, speech, eloquence in speech, the point of a sword. Links Revelation 12:16 NIVRevelation 12:16 NLT Revelation 12:16 ESV Revelation 12:16 NASB Revelation 12:16 KJV Revelation 12:16 BibleApps.com Revelation 12:16 Biblia Paralela Revelation 12:16 Chinese Bible Revelation 12:16 French Bible Revelation 12:16 Catholic Bible NT Prophecy: Revelation 12:16 The earth helped the woman and (Rev. Re Apocalypse) |