What Does Revelation 13:7 Mean in the King James?

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 13:7 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

The beast receives both the violence it wields and the worldwide reach of its authority.

THE MEANING

You see the beast receive permission to make war on the set-apart ones and overcome them, with authority across every kindred, tongue, and nation. That reach is vast; the repeated “was given” presents it as received authority rather than something the beast originates.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The lie this undoes is that any force that overwhelms you owns its authority by itself.

THE ROOT

ἐδόθη

edothē

GROWS FROM

⁨δίδωμι⁩ (didōmi), from ⁨δο-⁩/⁨δω-⁩ (do-/dō-)

To give, grant, or hand over; to place something in another’s hands.

The Greek repeats ⁨ἐδόθη⁩ (edothē, “was given”) before both the act of making war and dominion over peoples. The same verbal seed forms words for a gift and a handover, portraying the beast’s reach as transferred rather than native possession.

ALSO GROWS

dosis: Giving; a gift

δόσις

This noun makes the act of giving visible as a transfer, like the authority granted in this verse.

paradidōmi: Hand over; deliver up

παραδίδωμι

This compound uses the same give-verb and shows how its seed can describe something being placed in another’s hands.

ἐξουσία

exousia

GROWS FROM

ἔξεστι

exesti

Permission or possibility: it is permitted or possible. The related noun names authority, right, or jurisdiction.

Here power carries a sense of authority or jurisdiction alongside force: exousia names a right to act. The repeated grant-language presents that authority as received, even while the violence remains real.

ALSO GROWS

exousia: Authority; right; jurisdiction

ἐξουσία

This is the noun used for the beast’s reach, giving the verse’s power the shade of assigned authority.

exousiazō: Exercise authority; have dominion

ἐξουσιάζω

This related verb names authority in action, matching the rule exercised across peoples.

THE PATTERN

Dominion is portrayed as granted before it is exercised, even when its reach becomes worldwide.

I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;

Daniel 7:21 · KJVThe horn’s war on the saints mirrors the beast’s assault, showing the conflict’s recurring shape.

Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Luke 10:19 · KJVAuthority over the enemy is described as something given, with the direction of that authority reversed.

And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

Revelation 6:2 · KJVThe crown is granted before the rider goes out conquering, pairing conquest with received authority.

THE THREAD

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Matthew 28:18 · KJV

Matthew uses the same Greek give-verb ⁨δίδωμι⁩ (didōmi, give) and authority noun ⁨ἐξουσία⁩ (exousia, authority). The speaker’s name is Yeshua (⁨יֵשׁוּעַ⁩, Yeshua, deliverance), and here universal authority is given to deliverance itself; Revelation’s beast receives authority to wage war, exposing radically different uses of authority.

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