‏ Revelation of John 12:5

 She was delivered of a son ( ετεκεν υιον ). Literally, "she bore a son" (second aorist active indicative of  τικτω ).

 A man child ( αρσεν ). So A C with the neuter  τεκνον or  παιδιον in mind, as often in O.T. ( ετεκεν αρσεν, Ex 1:16ff.; 2:2; Le 12:2, 7; Isa 66:7; Jer 20:15, etc.), but P and some cursives read  αρσενα (masculine accusative), as in verse 13 ( τον αρσενα ), while Aleph Q have  αρρενα. The word is old (either  αρσην or  αρρην ), as in Mt 19:4, only in this chapter in the Apocalypse. It is really redundant after  υιον (son), as in Tob. 6:12 (Aleph).

 Who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron ( ος μελλε ποιμαινειν παντα τα εθνη εν ραβδω σιδηρα ). See 2:27 for these words (from Ps 2:9) applied there to victorious Christians also, and in 19:15 to the triumphant Christian. His rule will go beyond the Jews (Mt 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 ( ηρπασθη ). First aorist passive indicative of  αρπαζω, 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).

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