And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

REVELATION 12:6KJV
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What does Revelation 12:6 mean?

Revelation 12:6 describes a woman fleeing into the wilderness to a place that God has prepared for her, where she will be taken care of for 1,260 days. This verse pictures a time of protection and provision for the woman during a period of danger or trouble.

In the book of Revelation, John is describing a vision, and the "woman" is often understood as a symbol—many readers see her as representing God's people. The wilderness is a place away from society, suggesting isolation but also safety. The specific time—1,260 days—matches other symbolic periods in Revelation and points to a limited but significant span of hardship and divine care.

The Greek behind Revelation 12:6

  • "ἔρημον" (erēmon, G2048) means "wilderness" or "desert." In the ancient world, this word often suggested a place of both danger and refuge, away from civilization.
  • "ἡτοίμασεν" (hētoimasen, G2090) means "prepared." The Greek here emphasizes that God has actively made ready a safe place for the woman, not just found one.
  • "τρέφωσιν" (trephōsin, G5142) means "to feed" or "to nourish." This word shows ongoing care, not just a one-time provision.
  • "χίλια διακόσια ἑξήκοντα" (chilia diakosia hexēkonta, G5507, G1250, G1835) means "a thousand two hundred and sixty." This exact number appears elsewhere in Revelation, often linked to times of trial or persecution.

Why Revelation 12:6 matters

  • Revelation 12:6 clarifies that God’s protection is not accidental but intentional and prepared in advance, highlighting God’s care during times of trouble.
  • The verse connects to a larger pattern in Revelation, where periods of 1,260 days (or 42 months, or "time, times, and half a time") signal a set, limited time of hardship for God’s people.
  • This verse helps readers see that even in times of isolation or danger, the narrative emphasizes God’s ongoing provision and faithfulness.

Where else these words appear

“hundred” Greek G1250 · used in 7 verses

  • Mark 6:37 He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?
  • John 21:8 And the other disciples came in a little ship;(for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.
  • Acts 27:37 And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.

“feed” Greek G5142 · used in 8 verses

  • Matthew 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
  • Luke 4:16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
  • Acts 12:20 And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country.

“threescore” Greek G1835 · used in 8 verses

  • Matthew 13:8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
  • Mark 4:8 And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.
  • Luke 24:13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.

“thousand” Greek G5507 · used in 10 verses

  • 2 Peter 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
  • Revelation 20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
  • Revelation 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.