Revelation 13:2 kjv
And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
Revelation 13:2 nkjv
Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.
Revelation 13:2 niv
The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority.
Revelation 13:2 esv
And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear's, and its mouth was like a lion's mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority.
Revelation 13:2 nlt
This beast looked like a leopard, but it had the feet of a bear and the mouth of a lion! And the dragon gave the beast his own power and throne and great authority.
Revelation 13 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Dan 7:4 | The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings... | First beast in Dan 7 as a lion. |
| Dan 7:5 | And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear... | Second beast in Dan 7 as a bear. |
| Dan 7:6 | After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard... | Third beast in Dan 7 as a leopard. |
| Rev 12:9 | And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil... | Identifies the dragon as Satan. |
| Rev 12:3-4 | And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon... and his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven... | Dragon's appearance and influence. |
| Rev 17:3 | So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast... | Beast from the abyss, composite nature implied. |
| Psa 22:13 | They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion. | Lion imagery for powerful enemies. |
| Hos 13:7 | Therefore I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe them... | God using animal imagery for judgment. |
| Ezek 1:10 | As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion... | Composite creatures in divine visions. |
| John 14:30 | Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh... | Satan as the "prince of this world." |
| 2 Cor 4:4 | In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them that believe not... | Satan as the "god of this world." |
| 1 John 5:19 | And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. | World influenced by evil one. |
| Eph 2:2 | Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air... | Satan's dominion over the air. |
| Matt 4:8-9 | Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them... and saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. | Satan's claim to earthly kingdoms and authority. |
| Luke 4:6-7 | And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me... | Satan offering power over kingdoms. |
| Dan 2:40 | And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron... | Prophetic kingdoms of varying strengths. |
| 1 Pet 5:8 | Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. | Devil portrayed as a predatory lion. |
| Rom 13:1 | Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God... | God as ultimate source of authority. |
| Isa 14:12 | How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! | Satan's fall and desire for a throne. |
| Rev 16:13 | And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. | Trinity of evil opposing God's trinity. |
| Rev 17:12 | And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet... | Kings given authority for a short time. |
| Dan 7:7 | After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible... | Daniel's fourth beast combining destructive aspects. |
Revelation 13 verses
Revelation 13 2 Meaning
Revelation 13:2 describes the appearance of the first beast, portraying it as a composite creature bearing features of a leopard, a bear, and a lion. This imagery signifies its predatory and destructive nature, combining the characteristics of dominant earthly empires. Crucially, the verse reveals the ultimate source of this beast's might: the dragon, identified elsewhere as Satan, who grants the beast its power, its throne, and extensive authority. This establishes the beast as a tool for the dragon's schemes, operating with a divinely counterfeited authority to oppose God and His people.
Revelation 13 2 Context
Revelation 13 introduces two beasts that become central to the unfolding of end-time events. This chapter immediately follows Revelation 12, which describes the dragon (Satan) being cast out of heaven and persecuting the woman (God's people). Unable to destroy God's people directly, the dragon now empowers earthly proxies to continue his war against them. Revelation 13:2 describes the first of these beasts, often interpreted as a worldwide political-religious power or system, drawing heavily on Old Testament prophetic imagery, particularly Daniel 7. Historically, this vision resonated with early Christians facing severe persecution under the Roman Empire, which displayed a global reach and demanded imperial worship. The composite animal imagery would have directly challenged the notion of Rome's divinely sanctioned authority by presenting it as a monstrous entity empowered by evil rather than God. This also served as a polemic against emperor worship, presenting the empire not as a deity but as an agent of the "dragon."
Revelation 13 2 Word analysis
And the beast (καὶ τὸ θηρίον - kai to thērion):
- καὶ (kai): "And"; a simple conjunction, linking this description to the previous vision of the beast rising from the sea (Rev 13:1).
- τὸ θηρίον (to thērion): "the beast." The definite article points to a specific entity, previously introduced. Thērion signifies a wild, untamed animal, dangerous and ferocious, unlike domestic beasts. Its use emphasizes its destructive and savage nature.
which I saw (ὃ εἶδον - ho eidon):
- ὃ (ho): "which"; a relative pronoun.
- εἶδον (eidon): "I saw"; refers to John's direct observation in the prophetic vision, establishing the authenticity and eyewitness nature of the revelation.
was like unto a leopard (ἦν ὅμοιον παρδάλει - ēn homoion pardalei):
- ἦν (ēn): "was"; past tense, indicating a state of being in the vision.
- ὅμοιον (homoion): "like unto" or "resembling"; denotes a strong likeness but not exact identity. This is symbolic imagery.
- παρδάλει (pardalei): "a leopard." Leopards are known for their swiftness, agility, spots (deceitfulness), and sudden, deadly attacks. In prophetic symbolism, it often represents a fast-moving, adaptable, and formidable empire. This parallels Daniel 7:6, which depicts a leopard-like kingdom (often understood as Greece under Alexander the Great).
and his feet were as the feet of a bear (καὶ οἱ πόδες αὐτοῦ ὡς ἄρκου - kai hoi podes autou hōs arkou):
- οἱ πόδες αὐτοῦ (hoi podes autou): "his feet." Feet symbolize a kingdom's stability, foundation, or its ability to crush and move forward.
- ὡς (hōs): "as"; indicates similarity.
- ἄρκου (arkou): "a bear." Bears are known for their immense strength, brute force, and destructive crushing power. They are slow but relentless, crushing everything in their path. This again recalls Daniel 7:5, depicting a bear-like kingdom (often interpreted as Persia), noted for its voraciousness.
and his mouth as the mouth of a lion (καὶ τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ ὡς στόμα λέοντος - kai to stoma autou hōs stoma leontos):
- τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ (to stoma autou): "his mouth." The mouth is an instrument of speech, deception, blasphemy, and devouring/destroying.
- λέοντος (leontos): "a lion." Lions symbolize raw power, majesty, ferocity, and royalty. A roaring lion inspires terror and often speaks of devouring or dominant rule. This relates to Daniel 7:4, portraying a lion-like kingdom (often seen as Babylon), famous for its majestic but oppressive rule.
and the dragon (καὶ ὁ δράκων - kai ho drakōn):
- ὁ δράκων (ho drakōn): "the dragon." The definite article and capitalization indicate a specific, well-known entity from Rev 12, explicitly identified as Satan, the Devil, and the old serpent (Rev 12:9). He is the ultimate power behind the beast.
gave him his power (ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ τὴν δύναμιν αὐτοῦ - edōken autō tēn dynamin autou):
- ἔδωκεν (edōken): "gave"; denotes a clear act of transference.
- αὐτῷ (autō): "him" (the beast).
- τὴν δύναμιν αὐτοῦ (tēn dynamin autou): "his power." Dynamin refers to inherent might, ability, or inherent strength. It implies the dragon's own supernatural ability is imparted to the beast. This is a crucial statement: the beast's power is not inherent or God-given but comes directly from the arch-enemy.
and his seat (καὶ τὸν θρόνον αὐτοῦ - kai ton thronon autou):
- θρόνον (thronon): "seat" or "throne." A throne is a symbol of ruling authority, dominion, and a place from which to govern. By giving his "throne," the dragon makes the beast his representative, granting it the right to rule and exercise its influence globally, essentially appointing it as a viceroy.
and great authority (καὶ ἐξουσίαν μεγάλην - kai exousian megalēn):
- ἐξουσίαν (exousian): "authority." This is the right to act, command, and enforce laws, distinct from dynamis (power/ability). It speaks of legitimate, delegated rule. The dragon grants not just power, but also the justification/right to use that power, albeit an unholy one.
- μεγάλην (megalēn): "great." Emphasizes the extensive and comprehensive nature of the authority given. The beast's influence will be vast and far-reaching.
Words-group analysis
- Like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: This composite imagery is profoundly significant. It reverses the order of the beasts from Daniel 7:4-6 (lion, bear, leopard), possibly indicating that the Revelation beast encompasses all the dreadful qualities of previous tyrannical empires into one ultimate, terrifying entity. The combination implies swiftness, brutal force, majesty, ferocity, and a devouring nature—all rolled into one global, dominating system. This beast embodies the characteristics of all historical oppressive powers that have warred against God's people.
- And the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority: This phrase explicitly states the direct relationship between the dragon (Satan) and the beast. It emphasizes that the beast is not merely an earthly political power, but a divinely permitted, supernaturally energized tool of the evil one. The transference of "power," "seat," and "great authority" signifies a counterfeit trinity. Just as God shares His power and throne with Christ (Matt 28:18; Heb 1:3; Rev 22:1, 3), the dragon delegates his anti-divine authority to the beast, enabling it to fulfill his ultimate aim of global worship and persecution of God's saints (Rev 13:7-8). This counters the idea that earthly powers derive their authority from God (Rom 13:1); this particular power is explicitly empowered by Satan.
Revelation 13 2 Bonus section
The composite imagery in Revelation 13:2, particularly the beast's "lion's mouth," foreshadows its later actions of speaking great things and blasphemies against God (Rev 13:5-6). The mouth represents its ability to dominate through decrees, false doctrines, and direct verbal attacks on God and His truth. The detail of the dragon giving his "seat" (thronon) carries profound theological weight. Satan himself attempted to usurp God's throne in heaven (Isa 14:12-14), and failing that, seeks to establish a counterfeit dominion on Earth through the beast. This reveals Satan's ultimate goal: not just to possess power, but to receive worship and establish an anti-God kingdom, mirroring God's rightful kingdom and rule. This imagery underscores the global extent of the beast's influence, extending to every facet of life – political, economic, and religious, demanding worship that belongs solely to God.
Revelation 13 2 Commentary
Revelation 13:2 presents the first beast as a direct descendant of the fearsome empires described in Daniel's prophecies, embodying their combined, tyrannical might. The reordered composite imagery (leopard, bear, lion from Rev 13, vs. lion, bear, leopard from Dan 7) is a crucial interpretive point, suggesting that this final beast inherits and merges the characteristics of all preceding world powers – the swift cruelty of the leopard (Greece), the crushing power of the bear (Medo-Persia), and the regal, devastating authority of the lion (Babylon). It represents a final, ultimate manifestation of human rebellion and anti-God rule on Earth, drawing on the strengths and weaknesses of all past tyrannical empires.
The pivotal statement in this verse is that "the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority." This identifies Satan (the dragon from Rev 12:9) as the true orchestrator and empowerment behind the beast's operations. The beast does not operate through its own strength or by divine mandate but as a direct proxy for the evil one. "Power" speaks to its inherent capacity for action, "seat" (throne) denotes its claim to dominion and royal status, and "great authority" refers to its broad jurisdiction and right to command obedience globally. This transference establishes the beast as a counterfeit messianic figure or empire, mimicking God's delegating authority to Christ. This beast acts as Satan's direct agent, deceiving and persecuting humanity with supernatural enablement, making its conflict not just political but spiritual. The world's submission to the beast (Rev 13:4) is, in essence, submission to the dragon.