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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - Revelation 12:5 - 12:5
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
She was delivered of a son (eteken huion). Literally, “she bore a son” (second aorist active indicative of tiktō).
A man child (arsen). So A C with the neuter teknon or paidion in mind, as often in O.T. (eteken arsen, Exo 1:16.; Exo 2:2; Lev 12:2, Lev 12:7; Isa 66:7; Jer 20:15, etc.), but P and some cursives read arsena (masculine accusative), as in Rev 12:13 (ton arsena), while Aleph Q have arrena. The word is old (either arsēn or arrēn), as in Mat 19:4, only in this chapter in the Apocalypse. It is really redundant after huion (son), as in Tob. 6:12 (Aleph).
Who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron (hos mellei poimainein panta ta ethnē en rabdōi sidērāi). See Rev 2:27 for these words (from Psa 2:9) applied there to victorious Christians also, and in Rev 19:15 to the triumphant Christian. His rule will go beyond the Jews (Mat 2:6). There is here, of course, direct reference to the birth of Jesus from Mary, who thus represented in her person this “ideal woman” (God’s people).
Was caught unto God (hērpasthē). First aorist passive indicative of harpazō, old verb for seizing or snatching away, as in Joh 10:12, here alone in the Apocalypse. Reference to the ascension of Christ, with omission of the ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection of Christ because he is here simply showing that “the Dragon’s vigilance was futile” (Swete). “The Messiah, so far from being destroyed, is caught up to a share in God’s throne” (Beckwith).