Bible Commentaries
Revelation 9

Verse 1

saw. App-133 .

star. The symbol of him who had already become "fallen" before John "saw". Compare Luke 10:18 . Isaiah 14:12 .

fall = fallen.

from. App-104 .

heaven. See Revelation 3:12 .

unto. App-104 .

earth. App-129 .

the . . . pit = the pit (Greek. phrear. Here, Revelation 9:2 .Luke 14:5 .John 4:11 , John 4:12 , "well") of the abyss (Greek. abussos. Here, verses: Revelation 2:11 ; Revelation 11:7 ; Revelation 17:8 ; Revelation 20:1 , Revelation 20:3 .Luke 8:31 .Romans 10:7; Romans 10:7 ). See App-197 .

Verse 2

out of. App-104 .

furnace. Compare Revelation 1:15 . Indicating a place of fire, but not to be confused with Hades (Sheol) or with Tartarus. Compare Jeremiah 4:23-28 , where the judgments are against Judah and the Land. Here, John sees them extended to the whole earth.

by reason of Greek. ek. App-104 .

Verse 3

locusts. Greek. akris . Here; Revelation 9:7 . Matthew 3:4 .Mark 1:6 .

unto = to.

power. App-172 .

scorpions. Greek. skorpios. Here; verses: Revelation 9:5 , Revelation 9:10 . Luke 10:19 ; Luke 11:12 . As in Exodus 10:14 , these are no ordinary locusts, which "have no king" (Proverbs 30:27 ). See Revelation 9:11 and compare Joel 2:25 . Here "men" are the objects of their power to inflict hurt.

Verse 4

commanded = said.

that . . . not = in order that (Greek. hina). . . not ( App-105 ).

neither. Greek. oude.

but. Greek. ei ( App-118 ) me ( App-105 ).

only. The texts omit.

men . App-123 .

in = upon. Greek. epi . App-104 .

Verse 5

that . . . not. As in Revelation 9:4 .

tormented. Greek. basanizo, literally to test (metals) by the touchstone, then to torture. Occurs: Revelation 11:10 ; Revelation 12:2 (pained); Revelation 14:10 ; Revelation 20:10 . See Matthew 8:29 . Mark 5:7 . Luke 8:28 . "Torment" is specially connected with demons.

five months. Compare the fixed periods of Numbers 11:19 , Numbers 11:20 ; 2 Samuel 24:13 ; where the term is taken literally, as it should be here also. The period of locusts is five months: May-September. See Genesis 7:24 .

torment. Greek. basanismos. Here; Revelation 14:11 ; Revelation 18:7 , Rev 10:15 . See App-197 . The verb, above.

he = it.

Verse 6

seek. As in Romans 2:7 .

not. The texts read "in nowise", the strong negative. App-105 .

shall flee = fleeth.

Verse 7

shapes = likenesses. See Romans 1:23 .

horses . See Joel 2:0 for similar creatures which (Revelation 2:8 ) it is impossible to wound or kill.

were. Omit.

Crowns. Greek. stephanos. Occ eight times in Rev., always connected with heavenly purposes except here.

Verse 9

sound. Locusts in flight give out a great sound. These supernatural creatures will appal by the sound of their wings.

Verse 10

had = have.

Verse 11

And. The texts omit.

over. App-104 .

in . . . tongue. Greek. Hebraisti.

Abaddon. Hebrew word. The "destruction" of Job 26:6 ; Job 28:22 ; Job 31:12 .Psalms 88:11 .Proverbs 15:11 ; Proverbs 27:20 . Here personified as Abaddon and Apollyon, the "Destroyer". Compare Isaiah 16:4 .Jeremiah 4:7 ; Jeremiah 6:26 . Daniel 8:24 , Daniel 8:25 ; Daniel 9:26 ; Daniel 11:44 .

his = a.

Verse 12

One. i.e. the first woe.

and. Omit.

behold. App-133 .

more = yet.

hereafter. Greek. meta tauta.

Verse 13

a = one (Revelation 8:13 ).

four. Omit.

altar. See Revelation 6:9 .

Verse 14

in. Greek. epi. App-104 .

Euphrates. Connected with the judgments of the great day. See Jeremiah 46:4-10 .

Verse 15

were = had been.

for. Greek. eis. App-104 .

an = the

hour, day, month, year. A fixed point of time, not a period of duration. The four notes of time being under one article and one preposition show that the occasion is one particular moment appointed by God.

for = in order. Greek. hina.

third part. See Revelation 8:7 .

Verse 16

army = armies.

two . . . thousand. Literally two myriads of myriads, a literal number which John heard and recorded. Compare Revelation 7:4 . See App-197 .

and. Omit.

Verse 17

vision. Greek. horasis. Occurs: Revelation 4:3 and Acts 2:17 . Compare App-133 .

on. App-104 .

of fire. Greek. purinos. Only here.

brimstone. Greek. theiodes. Only here.

brimstone. Greek. theion, six times in Rev., and in Luke 17:29 . See App-197 .

Verse 18

By. Greek. apo. App-104 . as the texts.

three. The texts add "plagues". See App-197 .

by. Greek. ek. App-104 . The texts omit the last two occurances of ek : (by).

Verse 19

their power. The texts read "the power of the horses".

serpents. Greek. ophis, as in Revelation 12:9 , Revelation 12:14 , Revelation 12:15 ; Revelation 20:2 . See Jeremiah 8:17 .

Verse 20

rest. App-124 .

plagues. See note, Revelation 9:18 .

repented. App-111 .

that . . . not. See Revelation 9:5 .

worship. App-137 .

devils = demons. A worship which is widespread over the world at this hour, despite the Divine warnings. Distinguished from worship of idols.

idols = the idols. Greek. eidolon. Only occurrence in Rev. Not found in the Gospels.

neither, nor. Greek. oute.

see. App-133 . Compare Psalms 115:4-8 .

Verse 21

Neither = And . . . not ( App-105 ).

sorceries. Greek. pharmakeia. Occurs: Revelation 18:23 . See Galatians 1:5 , Galatians 1:20 (witchcraft).