Revelation 13:11 Meaning and Explanation
“And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A second beast rises from the earth, gentle as a lamb in appearance but speaking with the voice of the dragon.
What Does Revelation 13:11 Mean?
A second beast now appears, rising not from the sea but out of the earth. It has two horns like a lamb, a mild and harmless look, yet when it speaks its voice is that of the dragon. The contrast between its appearance and its speech is the whole point of the picture.
Here is the danger of deception that wears a gentle face. The lamb-like horns invite trust; the dragon's voice betrays the true source. This beast works not chiefly by terror but by imitation and persuasion, counterfeiting innocence to lead people astray. The reader is taught to test what is presented as harmless, to listen past the costume to the voice underneath, and to measure every teacher against the true Lamb, who is what he appears to be.
Revelation 13:11 in the Original Language
arnion (ἀρνίον), 'lamb' -- a young lamb, the very image used of Christ, here counterfeited to disarm.
Frequently Asked Questions About Revelation 13:11
What does Revelation 13:11 mean?
A second beast rises from the earth, gentle as a lamb in appearance but speaking with the voice of the dragon.