Rev 14:20 | RWP | e4.org | Was trodden ( επατηθη ). First aorist passive indicative of πατεω , to tread. The image of treading out the grapes is a familiar one in the East. Perhaps is in mind. Without the city ( εξωθεν της πολεως ). Ablative case with εξωθεν (like εξω ). This was the usual place ( ). See εξωθεν in . Joel ( ) pictures the valley of Jehoshaphat as the place of the slaughter of God's enemies. Cf. . Blood from the winepress ( αιμα εκ της ληνου ). Bold imagery suggested by the colour of the grapes. Unto the bridles ( αχρ των χαλινων ). Old word (from χαλαω to slacken), in N.T. only here and . Bold picture. As far as a thousand and six hundred furlongs ( απο σταδιων χιλιων εξακοσιων ). A peculiar use of απο , for "distance from (of)" as also in ; , somewhat like the use of προ in . The distance itself covers the length of Palestine, but it is more likely that "the metaphor is worked out with the exuberance of apocalyptic symbolism" (Swete) for the whole earth.

‏ Revelation of John 14:20

Was trodden ( επατηθη ). First aorist passive indicative of πατεω, to tread. The image of treading out the grapes is a familiar one in the East. Perhaps Isa 63:3 is in mind.

Without the city ( εξωθεν της πολεως ). Ablative case with εξωθεν (like εξω ). This was the usual place (Heb 13:12). See εξωθεν in 11:2. Joel (Joe 3:12) pictures the valley of Jehoshaphat as the place of the slaughter of God's enemies. Cf. Zec 14:4.

Blood from the winepress ( αιμα εκ της ληνου ). Bold imagery suggested by the colour of the grapes.

Unto the bridles ( αχρ των χαλινων ). Old word (from χαλαω to slacken), in N.T. only here and Jas 3:3. Bold picture.

As far as a thousand and six hundred furlongs ( απο σταδιων χιλιων εξακοσιων ). A peculiar use of απο, for "distance from (of)" as also in Joh 11:18; 21:8, somewhat like the use of προ in Joh 12:1. The distance itself covers the length of Palestine, but it is more likely that "the metaphor is worked out with the exuberance of apocalyptic symbolism" (Swete) for the whole earth.