Mount Nebo

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The following questions and possible answers are presented and discussed here.

What is Mt. Nebo and why is it important?
What are the events of the transfiguration?
Who are the two witnesses in Revelation?
How do these places and events appear to be related?

Besides Jesus, the two people most associated with these events are Moses and Elijah.
The two witnesses in Revelation perform the same miracles as done by Moses and Elijah.

The following references are used, unless otherwise noted.

All English Bible verses are from the King James compiled data from www.crosswire.org.
All Greek Bible verses are from the Septuagint (Old Testament) or Textus Receptus (New Testament) compiled data from www.crosswire.org.
All Strong's references are from the Strong's reference compiled data from www.crosswire.org.

Deuteronomy 32:49 Get thee up into this mountain Abarim, unto mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, that is over against Jericho; and behold the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel for a possession: [kjv]

32:50 And die in the mount whither thou goest up, and be gathered unto thy people; as Aaron thy brother died in mount Hor, and was gathered unto his people: [kjv]

32:51 Because ye trespassed against me among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah–Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because ye sanctified me not in the midst of the children of Israel. [kjv]

Moses was to die on Mt. Nebo.

Deuteronomy 32:49

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KJV: Get thee up into this mountain Abarim, unto mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, that is over against Jericho; and behold the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel for a possession:

Hebrew: עלה אל הר העברים הזה הר נבו אשר בארץ מואב אשר על פני ירחו וראה את ארץ כנען אשר אני נתן לבני ישראל לאחזה׃

Greek: αναβηθι εις το ορος το αβαριν τουτο ορος ναβαυ ο εστιν εν γη μωαβ κατα προσωπον ιεριχω και ιδε την γην χανααν ην εγω διδωμι τοις υιοις ισραηλ εις κατασχεσιν

Deuteronomy 32:50

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KJV: And die in the mount whither thou goest up, and be gathered unto thy people; as Aaron thy brother died in mount Hor, and was gathered unto his people:

Hebrew: ומת בהר אשר אתה עלה שמה והאסף אל עמיך כאשר מת אהרן אחיך בהר ההר ויאסף אל עמיו׃

Greek: και τελευτα εν τω ορει εις ο αναβαινεις εκει και προστεθητι προς τον λαον σου ον τροπον απεθανεν ααρων ο αδελφος σου εν ωρ τω ορει και προσετεθη προς τον λαον αυτου

Deuteronomy 32:51

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KJV: Because ye trespassed against me among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah–Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because ye sanctified me not in the midst of the children of Israel.

Hebrew: על אשר מעלתם בי בתוך בני ישראל במי מריבת קדש מדבר צן על אשר לא קדשתם אותי בתוך בני ישראל׃

Greek: διοτι ηπειθησατε τω ρηματι μου εν τοις υιοις ισραηλ επι του υδατος αντιλογιας καδης εν τη ερημω σιν διοτι ουχ ηγιασατε με εν τοις υιοις ισραηλ

Deuteronomy 32:52 Yet thou shalt see the land before thee; but thou shalt not go thither unto the land which I give the children of Israel. [kjv]

Moses would not enter the promised land, but would see it from Mt. Nebo.

Deuteronomy 32:52

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KJV: Yet thou shalt see the land before thee; but thou shalt not go thither unto the land which I give the children of Israel.

Hebrew: כי מנגד תראה את הארץ ושמה לא תבוא אל הארץ אשר אני נתן לבני ישראל׃

Greek: οτι απεναντι οψη την γην και εκει ουκ εισελευση

Numbers 33:47 And they removed from Almon–diblathaim, and pitched in the mountains of Abarim, before Nebo. [kjv]

33:48 And they departed from the mountains of Abarim, and pitched in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho. [kjv]

What is the importance of Mt. Nebo? Let us go back to the wandering in the wilderness of the tribes of Israel.

So the mountains of Abarim are before (i.e., at the foot of) Mt. Nebo. Departing from the mountains of Abarim (i.e., adjacent to here) are the plains of
Moab by the Jordan near Jericho.

Numbers 33:47

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KJV: And they removed from Almon–diblathaim, and pitched in the mountains of Abarim, before Nebo.

Hebrew: ויסעו מעלמן דבלתימה ויחנו בהרי העברים לפני נבו׃

Greek: και απηραν εκ γελμων δεβλαθαιμ και παρενεβαλον επι τα ορη τα αβαριμ απεναντι ναβαυ

Numbers 33:48

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KJV: And they departed from the mountains of Abarim, and pitched in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho.

Hebrew: ויסעו מהרי העברים ויחנו בערבת מואב על ירדן ירחו׃

Greek: και απηραν απο ορεων αβαριμ και παρενεβαλον επι δυσμων μωαβ επι του ιορδανου κατα ιεριχω

Deuteronomy 34:1 And Moses went up from the plains of Moab unto the mountain of Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that is over against Jericho. And the LORD shewed him all the land of Gilead, unto Dan, [kjv]

From Mt. Nebo one can see the "promised land" Canaan to the west. So Mt. Nebo is in the land of Moab (i.e., to the east of the Jordan River).

Deuteronomy 34:1

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KJV: And Moses went up from the plains of Moab unto the mountain of Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that is over against Jericho. And the LORD shewed him all the land of Gilead, unto Dan,

Hebrew: ויעל משה מערבת מואב אל הר נבו ראש הפסגה אשר על פני ירחו ויראהו יהוה את כל הארץ את הגלעד עד דן׃

Greek: και ανεβη μωυσης απο αραβωθ μωαβ επι το ορος ναβαυ επι κορυφην φασγα η εστιν επι προσωπου ιεριχω και εδειξεν αυτω κυριος πασαν την γην γαλααδ εως δαν

Jude 1:9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. [kjv]

In Jude, there as a rather strange reference to this event.

Why would Michael contest the body of Moses with Satan? Why would Satan want the body of Moses?

Jude 1:9

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KJV: Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

Greek: ο δε μιχαηλ ο αρχαγγελος οτε τω διαβολω διακρινομενος διελεγετο περι του μωσεως μωυσεως σωματος ουκ ετολμησεν κρισιν επενεγκειν βλασφημιας αλλ αλλα ειπεν επιτιμησαι σοι κυριος

Isaiah 15:1 The burden of Moab. Because in the night Ar of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence; because in the night Kir of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence; [kjv]

15:2 He is gone up to Bajith, and to Dibon, the high places, to weep: Moab shall howl over Nebo, and over Medeba: on all their heads shall be baldness, and every beard cut off. [kjv]

Mt. Nebo is mentioned in Isaiah.

Isaiah 15:1

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KJV: The burden of Moab. Because in the night Ar of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence; because in the night Kir of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence;

Hebrew: משא מואב כי בליל שדד ער מואב נדמה כי בליל שדד קיר מואב נדמה׃

Greek: το ρημα το κατα της μωαβιτιδος νυκτος απολειται η μωαβιτις νυκτος γαρ απολειται το τειχος της μωαβιτιδος

Isaiah 15:2

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KJV: He is gone up to Bajith, and to Dibon, the high places, to weep: Moab shall howl over Nebo, and over Medeba: on all their heads shall be baldness, and every beard cut off.

Hebrew: עלה הבית ודיבן הבמות לבכי על נבו ועל מידבא מואב ייליל בכל ראשיו קרחה כל זקן גרועה׃

Greek: λυπεισθε εφ εαυτοις απολειται γαρ και δηβων ου ο βωμος υμων εκει αναβησεσθε κλαιειν επι ναβαυ της μωαβιτιδος ολολυζετε επι πασης κεφαλης φαλακρωμα παντες βραχιονες κατατετμημενοι

2 Kings 2:1 And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. [kjv]

How does Elijah fit into this?

2 Kings 2:1

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KJV: And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.

Hebrew: ויהי בהעלות יהוה את אליהו בסערה השמים וילך אליהו ואלישע מן הגלגל׃

Greek: και εγενετο εν τω αναγειν κυριον τον ηλιου εν συσσεισμω ως εις τον ουρανον και επορευθη ηλιου και ελισαιε εκ γαλγαλων

Joshua 4:19 And the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, in the east border of Jericho. [kjv]

So Gilgal is near the east border of Jericho, which is near Mt. Nebo.

Joshua 4:19

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KJV: And the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, in the east border of Jericho.

Hebrew: והעם עלו מן הירדן בעשור לחדש הראשון ויחנו בגלגל בקצה מזרח יריחו׃

Greek: και ο λαος ανεβη εκ του ιορδανου δεκατη του μηνος του πρωτου και κατεστρατοπεδευσαν οι υιοι ισραηλ εν γαλγαλοις κατα μερος το προς ηλιου ανατολας απο της ιεριχω

2 Kings 2:8 And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground. [kjv]

2:9 And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. [kjv]

So Elisha and Elijah crossed over the Jordan. That is, from the west bank to the east bank of the Jordan river.

2 Kings 2:8

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KJV: And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground.

Hebrew: ויקח אליהו את אדרתו ויגלם ויכה את המים ויחצו הנה והנה ויעברו שניהם בחרבה׃

Greek: και ελαβεν ηλιου την μηλωτην αυτου και ειλησεν και επαταξεν το υδωρ και διηρεθη το υδωρ ενθα και ενθα και διεβησαν αμφοτεροι εν ερημω

2 Kings 2:9

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KJV: And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.

Hebrew: ויהי כעברם ואליהו אמר אל אלישע שאל מה אעשה לך בטרם אלקח מעמך ויאמר אלישע ויהי נא פי שנים ברוחך אלי׃

Greek: και εγενετο εν τω διαβηναι αυτους και ηλιου ειπεν προς ελισαιε αιτησαι τι ποιησω σοι πριν η αναλημφθηναι με απο σου και ειπεν ελισαιε γενηθητω δη διπλα εν πνευματι σου επ εμε

2 Kings 2:10 And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so. [kjv]

2:11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. [kjv]

2 Kings 2:10

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KJV: And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.

Hebrew: ויאמר הקשית לשאול אם תראה אתי לקח מאתך יהי לך כן ואם אין לא יהיה׃

Greek: και ειπεν ηλιου εσκληρυνας του αιτησασθαι εαν ιδης με αναλαμβανομενον απο σου και εσται σοι ουτως και εαν μη ου μη γενηται

2 Kings 2:11

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KJV: And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

Hebrew: ויהי המה הלכים הלוך ודבר והנה רכב אש וסוסי אש ויפרדו בין שניהם ויעל אליהו בסערה השמים׃

Greek: και εγενετο αυτων πορευομενων επορευοντο και ελαλουν και ιδου αρμα πυρος και ιπποι πυρος και διεστειλαν ανα μεσον αμφοτερων και ανελημφθη ηλιου εν συσσεισμω ως εις τον ουρανον

2 Kings 2:12 And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces. [kjv]

2:13 He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan; [kjv]

2:14 And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over. [kjv]

So it appears that Elisha did not see death but was taken away in a whirlwind. Who else is recorded as not seeing death?

2 Kings 2:12

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KJV: And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.

Hebrew: ואלישע ראה והוא מצעק אבי אבי רכב ישראל ופרשיו ולא ראהו עוד ויחזק בבגדיו ויקרעם לשנים קרעים׃

Greek: και ελισαιε εωρα και εβοα πατερ πατερ αρμα ισραηλ και ιππευς αυτου και ουκ ειδεν αυτον ετι και επελαβετο των ιματιων αυτου και διερρηξεν αυτα εις δυο ρηγματα

2 Kings 2:13

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KJV: He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan;

Hebrew: וירם את אדרת אליהו אשר נפלה מעליו וישב ויעמד על שפת הירדן׃

Greek: και υψωσεν την μηλωτην ηλιου η επεσεν επανωθεν ελισαιε και επεστρεψεν ελισαιε και εστη επι του χειλους του ιορδανου

2 Kings 2:14

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KJV: And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.

Hebrew: ויקח את אדרת אליהו אשר נפלה מעליו ויכה את המים ויאמר איה יהוה אלהי אליהו אף הוא ויכה את המים ויחצו הנה והנה ויעבר אלישע׃

Greek: και ελαβεν την μηλωτην ηλιου η επεσεν επανωθεν αυτου και επαταξεν το υδωρ και ου διεστη και ειπεν που ο θεος ηλιου αφφω και επαταξεν τα υδατα και διερραγησαν ενθα και ενθα και διεβη ελισαιε

Malachi 4:5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: [kjv]

In the time of John the Baptist and Jesus, the people were looking for Elijah to return, based in part on what Malachi said some 400 years earlier.

Malachi 4:5

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KJV: Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:

Hebrew: הנה אנכי שלח לכם את אליה הנביא לפני בוא יום יהוה הגדול והנורא׃

Greek: και ιδου εγω αποστελλω υμιν ηλιαν τον θεσβιτην πριν ελθειν ημεραν κυριου την μεγαλην και επιφανη

Matthew 16:13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? [kjv]

Matthew 16:13

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KJV: When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

Greek: ελθων δε ο ιησους εις τα μερη καισαρειας καισαριας της φιλιππου ηρωτα τους μαθητας αυτου λεγων τινα με λεγουσιν οι ανθρωποι ειναι τον υιον του ανθρωπου

Mark 9:1 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power. [kjv]

9:2 And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. [kjv]

The transfiguration is detailed in Mark and Matthew. Here are the verses from Mark.

Mark 9:1

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KJV: And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.

Greek: και ελεγεν αυτοις αμην λεγω υμιν οτι εισιν τινες των ωδε των εστηκοτων οιτινες ου μη γευσωνται θανατου εως αν ιδωσιν την βασιλειαν του θεου εληλυθυιαν εν δυναμει

Mark 9:2

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KJV: And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.

Greek: και μεθ μετα ημερας εξ παραλαμβανει ο ιησους τον πετρον και τον ιακωβον και τον ιωαννην και αναφερει αυτους εις ορος υψηλον κατ ιδιαν μονους και μετεμορφωθη εμπροσθεν αυτων

Mark 9:3 And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them. [kjv]

9:4 And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus. [kjv]

The exact location of the transfiguration is not recorded in the Bible. Are the "six days" important? How far could one travel in six days?

Mark 9:3

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KJV: And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.

Greek: και τα ιματια αυτου εγενετο στιλβοντα λευκα λιαν ως χιων οια γναφευς επι της γης ου δυναται ουτως λευκαναι

Mark 9:4

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KJV: And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.

Greek: και ωφθη αυτοις ηλιας συν μωσει μωυσει και ησαν συλλαλουντες τω ιησου

Matthew 16:28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom. [kjv]

17:1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, [kjv]

Here is the transfiguration account from Matthew.

Matthew 16:28

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KJV: Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

Greek: αμην λεγω υμιν οτι εισιν τινες των ωδε εστηκοτων εστωτων οιτινες ου μη γευσωνται θανατου εως αν ιδωσιν τον υιον του ανθρωπου ερχομενον εν τη βασιλεια αυτου

Matthew 17:1

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KJV: And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,

Greek: και μεθ ημερας εξ παραλαμβανει ο ιησους τον πετρον και ιακωβον και ιωαννην τον αδελφον αυτου και αναφερει αυτους εις ορος υψηλον κατ ιδιαν

The chapter references were added in the Middle Ages, about a thousand years later. In Mark, there is no chapter separation between the "shall not taste death" remark and the transfiguration. In Matthew there is. Some try to make deep theological points over the "shall not taste death" remark in Matthew without continuing through the chapter break.

More: Chapter and verse divisions

Matthew 17:2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. [kjv]

17:3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. [kjv]

Matthew 17:2

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KJV: And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

Greek: και μετεμορφωθη εμπροσθεν αυτων και ελαμψεν το προσωπον αυτου ως ο ηλιος τα δε ιματια αυτου εγενετο λευκα ως το φως

Matthew 17:3

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KJV: And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

Greek: και ιδου ωφθησαν ωφθη αυτοις μωσης μωυσης και ηλιας συλλαλουντες μετ αυτου συλλαλουντες

Mark 9:7 And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. [kjv]

9:8 And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves. [kjv]

9:9 And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead. [kjv]

Mark 9:7

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KJV: And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

Greek: και εγενετο νεφελη επισκιαζουσα αυτοις και ηλθεν εγενετο φωνη εκ της νεφελης λεγουσα ουτος εστιν ο υιος μου ο αγαπητος ακουετε αυτου ακουετε

Mark 9:8

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KJV: And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves.

Greek: και εξαπινα περιβλεψαμενοι ουκετι ουδενα ειδον αλλα μεθ εαυτων ει μη τον ιησουν μονον μεθ εαυτων

Mark 9:9

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KJV: And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.

Greek: και καταβαινοντων δε αυτων απο εκ του ορους διεστειλατο αυτοις ινα μηδενι διηγησωνται α ειδον διηγησωνται ει μη οταν ο υιος του ανθρωπου εκ νεκρων αναστη

2 Peter 1:16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. [kjv]

Peter mentions the "Holy Mount" of the transfiguration.

2 Peter 1:16

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KJV: For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

Greek: ου γαρ σεσοφισμενοις μυθοις εξακολουθησαντες εγνωρισαμεν υμιν την του κυριου ημων ιησου χριστου δυναμιν και παρουσιαν αλλ εποπται γενηθεντες της εκεινου μεγαλειοτητος

Revelation 11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. [kjv]

11:4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. [kjv]

What do we know about the two witnesses in Revelation?

The witnesses are compared to olive trees and to candlesticks.

Revelation 11:3

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KJV: And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

Greek: και δωσω τοις δυσιν μαρτυσιν μου και προφητευσουσιν ημερας χιλιας διακοσιας εξηκοντα περιβεβλημενοι περιβεβλημενους σακκους

Revelation 11:4

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KJV: These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.

Greek: ουτοι εισιν αι δυο ελαιαι και αι δυο λυχνιαι αι ενωπιον του θεου κυριου της γης εστωσαι εστωτες

Revelation 11:5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. [kjv]

11:6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. [kjv]

These witnesses have two powers during their time of prophecy:

1. Shut heaven such that it rain not.
2. Waters to turn them to blood and smite the earth with plagues.

Who in the Bible had these powers?

Revelation 11:5

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KJV: And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.

Greek: και ει τις αυτους θελη θελει αδικησαι πυρ εκπορευεται εκ του στοματος αυτων και κατεσθιει τους εχθρους αυτων και ει τις θεληση αυτους θελη αδικησαι ουτως δει αυτον αποκτανθηναι

Revelation 11:6

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KJV: These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.

Greek: ουτοι εχουσιν την εξουσιαν κλεισαι τον ουρανον ινα μη βρεχη υετος εν ημεραις αυτων βρεχη τας ημερας της προφητειας αυτων και εξουσιαν εχουσιν επι των υδατων στρεφειν αυτα εις αιμα και παταξαι την γην εν παση πληγη οσακις εαν θελησωσιν

James 5:17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. [kjv]

5:18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. [kjv]

James says that Elias shut heaven such that it did not rain.

James 5:17

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KJV: Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.

Greek: ηλιας ανθρωπος ην ομοιοπαθης ημιν και προσευχη προσηυξατο του μη βρεξαι και ουκ εβρεξεν επι της γης ενιαυτους τρεις και μηνας εξ

James 5:18

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KJV: And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

Greek: και παλιν προσηυξατο και ο ουρανος υετον εδωκεν και η γη εβλαστησεν τον καρπον αυτης

Who in the Bible turned waters to blood and brought forth plagues?

What else do these witnesses do?

Revelation 11:7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. [kjv]

11:8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. [kjv]

Note: The Greek word translated "street" often means (as it does today in Greek) a city or town "square" or "plaza".

Who is this beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit?

More: Tartarus and the bottomless pit

Revelation 11:7

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KJV: And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

Greek: και οταν τελεσωσιν την μαρτυριαν αυτων το θηριον το αναβαινον εκ της αβυσσου ποιησει πολεμον μετ αυτων πολεμον και νικησει αυτους και αποκτενει αυτους

Αποκάλυψη Ιωάννη ια΄:8

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Greek: και τα πτωματα το πτωμα αυτων επι της πλατειας της πολεως της μεγαλης ητις καλειται πνευματικως σοδομα και αιγυπτος οπου και ο κυριος ημων αυτων εσταυρωθη

Revelation 11:9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. [kjv]

11:10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. [kjv]

This appears to include all "earth dwellers".

How is it possible that everyone in the world shall see their dead bodies?

Revelation 11:9

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KJV: And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.

Greek: και βλεψουσιν βλεπουσιν εκ των λαων και φυλων και γλωσσων και εθνων τα πτωματα το πτωμα αυτων ημερας τρεις και ημισυ και τα πτωματα αυτων ουκ αφησουσιν αφιουσιν τεθηναι εις μνηματα μνημα

Revelation 11:10

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KJV: And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.

Greek: και οι κατοικουντες επι της γης χαρουσιν χαιρουσιν επ αυτοις και ευφρανθησονται ευφραινονται και δωρα πεμψουσιν αλληλοις οτι ουτοι οι δυο προφηται εβασανισαν τους κατοικουντας επι της γης

Revelation 11:11 And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. [kjv]

11:12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. [kjv]

These witnesses, though dead, would rise again. The world will take notice.

How will the world react to this event?

Revelation 11:11

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KJV: And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.

Greek: και μετα τας τας τρεις ημερας και ημισυ πνευμα ζωης εκ του θεου εισηλθεν επ αυτους εν αυτοις και εστησαν επι τους ποδας αυτων και φοβος μεγας επεσεν επεπεσεν επι τους θεωρουντας αυτους

Revelation 11:12

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KJV: And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

Greek: και ηκουσαν φωνην μεγαλην φωνης μεγαλης εκ του ουρανου λεγουσαν λεγουσης αυτοις αναβητε αναβατε ωδε και ανεβησαν εις τον ουρανον εν τη νεφελη και εθεωρησαν αυτους οι εχθροι αυτων

A plausible conjecture from the patterns in the Bible are that the two witnesses are, in spirit if not in reality, Moses and Elijah. The physical death of Moses and the translation of Elijah were physically located in the same area of the earth, Mount Nebo. It is possible that the "meeting" of Jesus with Moses and Elijah, as the future witnesses in Revelation, took place during the transformation at Mount Nebo.