{She was delivered of a son} (eteken huion). Literally,
"she bore a son" (second aorist active indicative of ikt(935c)). {A
man child} (arsen). So A C with the neuter eknon or
paidion in mind, as often in O.T. (eteken arsen, Ex 1:16ff. 2:2 Le 12:2,7 Isa 66:7 Jer 20:15 , etc.), but P and some
cursives read arsena (masculine accusative), as in verse 13
( on arsena), while Aleph Q have arrena. The word is old
(either ars(886e) or arr(886e)), as in Mt 19:4 , only in this
chapter in the Apocalypse. It is really redundant after huion
(son), as in Tob. 6:12 (Aleph). {Who is to rule all the nations
with a rod of iron} (hos mellei poimainein panta ta ethn(8820)en
rabd(9369) sid(8872)(8369)). 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} (h(8872)pasth(885c)). First
aorist passive indicative of harpaz(935c), 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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