Revelation 13:5
New International Version
The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise its authority for forty-two months.

New Living Translation
Then the beast was allowed to speak great blasphemies against God. And he was given authority to do whatever he wanted for forty-two months.

English Standard Version
And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months.

Berean Standard Bible
The beast was given a mouth to speak arrogant and blasphemous words, and authority to act for 42 months.

Berean Literal Bible
And a mouth was given to it, speaking great things and blasphemy, and it was given authority to act forty and two months.

King James Bible
And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

New King James Version
And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months.

New American Standard Bible
A mouth was given to him speaking arrogant words and blasphemies, and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him.

NASB 1995
There was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies, and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him.

NASB 1977
And there was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies; and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him.

Legacy Standard Bible
And there was given to him a mouth speaking great boasts and blasphemies, and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him.

Amplified Bible
And the beast was given a mouth (the power of speech), uttering great things and arrogant and blasphemous words, and he was given freedom and authority to act and to do as he pleased for forty-two months (three and a half years).

Christian Standard Bible
The beast was given a mouth to utter boasts and blasphemies. It was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
A mouth was given to him to speak boasts and blasphemies. He was also given authority to act for 42 months.

American Standard Version
and there was given to him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and there was given to him authority to continue forty and two months.

Contemporary English Version
The beast was allowed to brag and claim to be God, and for 42 months it was allowed to rule.

English Revised Version
and there was given to him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and there was given to him authority to continue forty and two months.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The beast was allowed to speak arrogant and insulting things. It was given authority to act for 42 months.

Good News Translation
The beast was allowed to make proud claims which were insulting to God, and it was permitted to have authority for forty-two months.

International Standard Version
The beast was allowed to speak arrogant and blasphemous things, and it was given authority for 42 months.

Majority Standard Bible
The beast was given a mouth to speak arrogant and blasphemous words, and authority to make war for 42 months.

NET Bible
The beast was given a mouth speaking proud words and blasphemies, and he was permitted to exercise ruling authority for forty-two months.

New Heart English Bible
A mouth was given to him speaking proud words and blasphemies. There was given to him authority to act for forty-two months.

Webster's Bible Translation
And there was given to him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given to him to continue forty and two months.

Weymouth New Testament
And there was given him a mouth full of boastful and blasphemous words; and liberty of action was granted him for forty-two months.

World English Bible
A mouth speaking great things and blasphemy was given to him. Authority to make war for forty-two months was given to him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And there was given to it a mouth speaking great things, and slanders, and there was given to it authority to make war forty-two months,

Berean Literal Bible
And a mouth was given to it, speaking great things and blasphemy, and it was given authority to act forty and two months.

Young's Literal Translation
And there was given to it a mouth speaking great things, and evil-speakings, and there was given to it authority to make war forty-two months,

Smith's Literal Translation
And a mouth was given him speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given him to make war forty-two months.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And there was given to him a mouth speaking great things, and blasphemies: and power was given to him to do two and forty months.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And there was given to it a mouth, speaking great things and blasphemies. And authority was given to him to act for forty-two months.

New American Bible
The beast was given a mouth uttering proud boasts and blasphemies, and it was given authority to act for forty-two months.

New Revised Standard Version
The beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And there was given to him a mouth that he might utter great things and blasphemies; and power was given to him to make war for forty and two months.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And a mouth that speaks great things and blasphemy was given to it, and authority was given to it to work 42 months.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And there was given him a mouth that spoke great things and impious words; and authority was given to him to continue forty-two months.

Godbey New Testament
and a mouth was given to him speaking great things and blasphemies; and authority was given unto him to prevail forty-two months.

Haweis New Testament
And there was given to him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and there was given to him authority to make war forty-two months.

Mace New Testament
there was given to him a mouth speaking great things, and blasphemy; and power was given to him for two and forty months.

Weymouth New Testament
And there was given him a mouth full of boastful and blasphemous words; and liberty of action was granted him for forty-two months.

Worrell New Testament
And there was given to him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and authority was given him to work forty-two months.

Worsley New Testament
And there was given him a mouth speaking great and blasphemous things, and power was given him to make war forty two months.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Beast from the Sea
4They worshiped the dragon who had given authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can wage war against it?” 5 The beast was given a mouth to speak arrogant and blasphemous words, and authority to act for 42 months. 6And the beast opened its mouth to speak blasphemies against God and to slander His name and His tabernacle—those who dwell in heaven.…

Cross References
Daniel 7:8
While I was contemplating the horns, suddenly another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like those of a man and a mouth that spoke words of arrogance.

Daniel 7:11
Then I kept watching because of the arrogant words the horn was speaking. As I continued to watch, the beast was slain, and its body was destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire.

Daniel 7:25
He will speak out against the Most High and oppress the saints of the Most High, intending to change the appointed times and laws; and the saints will be given into his hand for a time, and times, and half a time.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
Let no one deceive you in any way, for it will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness—the son of destruction—is revealed. / He will oppose and exalt himself above every so-called god or object of worship. So he will seat himself in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.

Daniel 11:36
Then the king will do as he pleases and will exalt and magnify himself above every god, and he will speak monstrous things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been decreed must be accomplished.

Daniel 8:24-25
His power will be great, but it will not be his own. He will cause terrible destruction and succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy the mighty men along with the holy people. / Through his craft and by his hand, he will cause deceit to prosper, and in his own mind he will make himself great. In a time of peace he will destroy many, and he will even stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be broken off, but not by human hands.

2 Thessalonians 2:8-10
And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the breath of His mouth and annihilate by the majesty of His arrival. / The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder, / and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them.

Daniel 9:27
And he will confirm a covenant with many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of the temple will come the abomination that causes desolation, until the decreed destruction is poured out upon him.”

Matthew 24:15
So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand),

Daniel 12:7
And the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by Him who lives forever, saying, “It will be for a time, and times, and half a time. When the power of the holy people has finally been shattered, all these things will be completed.”

1 John 2:18
Children, it is the last hour; and just as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have appeared. This is how we know it is the last hour.

1 John 4:3
and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and which is already in the world at this time.

Mark 13:14
So when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

1 Timothy 4:1
Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,

2 Peter 2:1
Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.


Treasury of Scripture

And there was given to him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given to him to continue forty and two months.

a mouth.

Daniel 7:8,11,25
I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things…

Daniel 11:36
And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.

and power.

Revelation 11:2,3
But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months…

Revelation 12:6,14
And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days…

to continue.

Revelation 13:7
And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

Revelation 11:7
And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

Jump to Previous
Act Action Allowed Arrogant Authority Beast Blasphemies Blasphemous Blasphemy Boastful Career Continue Evil-Speakings Exercise Forty Forty-Two Full Granted Great Haughty Liberty Months Mouth Power Pride Pursue Speaking Utter Uttering War Words
Jump to Next
Act Action Allowed Arrogant Authority Beast Blasphemies Blasphemous Blasphemy Boastful Career Continue Evil-Speakings Exercise Forty Forty-Two Full Granted Great Haughty Liberty Months Mouth Power Pride Pursue Speaking Utter Uttering War Words
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.














The beast
In the context of Revelation, "the beast" symbolizes a powerful, malevolent entity or system that opposes God and His people. The Greek word used here is "θηρίον" (thērion), which often denotes a wild, dangerous animal. Historically, this imagery has been associated with oppressive regimes or leaders who embody rebellion against divine authority. The beast represents the culmination of human pride and defiance against God, a recurring theme throughout biblical prophecy.

was given
The phrase "was given" indicates that the beast's power is not inherent but permitted by a higher authority. This reflects the biblical principle that God remains sovereign, even over evil forces. The passive voice suggests divine allowance, reminding believers that God’s ultimate plan and purpose will prevail, even when evil seems to have the upper hand.

a mouth to speak
The "mouth to speak" signifies the beast's ability to influence and deceive through speech. In biblical terms, speech is a powerful tool, capable of both creation and destruction. The beast's words are a direct challenge to God's truth, echoing the serpent's deception in Genesis. This highlights the importance of discernment and the need for believers to be grounded in Scripture to withstand false teachings.

arrogant and blasphemous words
The words "arrogant and blasphemous" describe the nature of the beast's speech. "Arrogant" (Greek: "μεγάλους" - megalous) implies grandiose claims and self-exaltation, while "blasphemous" (Greek: "βλασφημίας" - blasphēmias) refers to speech that shows contempt or lack of reverence for God. This combination underscores the beast's role as an antithesis to Christ, who is humble and reverent. Historically, blasphemy has been a hallmark of those who oppose God, from ancient rulers to modern ideologies.

and authority to act
The "authority to act" suggests that the beast is not only a speaker but also a doer, with the power to implement its blasphemous agenda. The Greek word for authority, "ἐξουσία" (exousia), implies a delegated power, again emphasizing that the beast's reign is temporary and under divine control. This serves as a reminder to believers that earthly power is fleeting and subject to God's ultimate authority.

for forty-two months
The period of "forty-two months" is significant in biblical prophecy, often representing a time of trial and tribulation. This duration, equivalent to three and a half years, is symbolic of incompleteness and imperfection, contrasting with the number seven, which signifies completeness. Historically, this timeframe has been linked to periods of persecution and suffering for God's people, as seen in the book of Daniel. It reassures believers that the beast's reign is limited and that endurance will lead to eventual victory in Christ.

(5) And there was given . . .--In these verses the words and the works of the wild beast are described. The 5th verse tells us that the liberty to speak and work was given to him. There is consolation in the words: he has no power beyond what is given; behind his reckless and apparently irresistible power there stands the veiled but real power of God. "Thou couldest have no power" (the saints may take up their Lord's words) "against me, except it were given thee from above." He speaks great things, and blasphemy. And there was given him authority to act (literally, to do) forty-two months. Again the familiar period, the limited time of the world-power.

Verse 5. - And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies. So the horn which sprang from the fourth beast of Daniel 7:8 had given to it "a mouth speaking great things." The power of the beast is, after all, only held by the consent of God, who for his own good purpose permits him to exercise it for a time. The "great things" are the promises of superior power and good, with which the devil seeks to allure men, as he did Adam and Eve at the first. All attempts to decry God's omnipotence and the power of Christ are blasphemies. And power was given unto him to continue forty and two months; or, to work forty and two months. Again note the power is given to him; that is, he holds it only subject to the will of God. The "forty and two months," or three years and a half, signify the period of the world's existence. (For a full discussion of the subject, see on Revelation 11:2.) It is the "little time" of Revelation 6:10, 11, during which will be fulfilled the number of the saints. It is the "little season" of Revelation 20:3, during which Satan is "loosed," that is, during which he has this power to work given to him (cf. Revelation 11:2, 3; Revelation 12:14). The different readings in this passage, though resting on insufficient authority, serve to amplify the meaning. א reads πουιῆσαι ὅ θέλει, "to do what he willeth." Ποιῆσαι with πόλεμον, "to wage war," is found in 13 and others, and is the marginal reading of the Authorized Version, but is rightly omitted in the Revised Version.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[The beast]
αὐτῷ (autō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Neuter 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.

was given
ἐδόθη (edothē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1325: To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.

a mouth
στόμα (stoma)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4750: The mouth, speech, eloquence in speech, the point of a sword.

to speak
λαλοῦν (laloun)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2980: A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words.

arrogant
μεγάλα (megala)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3173: Large, great, in the widest sense.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

blasphemous [words],
βλασφημίας (blasphēmias)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 988: Abusive or scurrilous language, blasphemy. From blasphemos; vilification.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

authority
ἐξουσία (exousia)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1849: From exesti; privilege, i.e. force, capacity, competency, freedom, or mastery, delegated influence.

to act
ποιῆσαι (poiēsai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

for 42
τεσσεράκοντα (tesserakonta)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5062: Forty. The decade of tessares; forty.

months.
μῆνας (mēnas)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3376: A (lunar) month. A primary word; a month.


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NT Prophecy: Revelation 13:5 A mouth speaking great things and blasphemy (Rev. Re Apocalypse)
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