Revelation 11:9

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Some from the nations, tribes, languages and peoples see their bodies for three-and-a-half days and do not permit the corpses to be placed in a tomb.

Berean Standard Bible:

For three and a half days all peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will view their bodies and will not permit them to be laid in a tomb.

American Standard Version:

And from among the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations do men look upon their dead bodies three days and a half, and suffer not their dead bodies to be laid in a tomb.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G2532} they^{G991} of^{G1537} the people^{G2992} and^{G2532} kindreds^{G5443} and^{G2532} tongues^{G1100} and^{G2532} nations^{G1484} shall see^{G991} their^{G846} dead bodies^{G4430} three^{G5140} days^{G2250} and^{G2532} an half^{G2255}, and^{G2532} shall^{G863} not^{G3756} suffer^{G863} their^{G846} dead bodies^{G4430} to be put^{G5087} in^{G1519} graves^{G3418}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for Revelation 11:9

Revelation 11:9 is a verse from the Book of Revelation, the final book of the New Testament, traditionally attributed to John the Apostle. This book is apocalyptic literature, characterized by vivid symbolism and visions concerning the end times and the ultimate triumph of God. The verse in question is part of a larger narrative about two witnesses who prophesy during a period of great tribulation.

In the historical context, the Book of Revelation was likely written during a time of persecution for the early Christian church, possibly under the reign of the Roman Emperor Domitian. The themes of the book include the struggle between good and evil, divine judgment, and the eventual establishment of God's kingdom.

The specific verse, Revelation 11:9, speaks of a future event where the bodies of the two witnesses, who have been slain by the beast that arises from the bottomless pit, are left unburied in the streets of a great city. This city is often interpreted as Jerusalem, spiritually called Sodom and Egypt, where Jesus was crucified. The witnesses' bodies are displayed for three and a half days, and people from every people, tribe, language, and nation gaze upon them. This period of public exhibition echoes the theme of divine judgment, as the witnesses' enemies rejoice over their downfall, yet it also sets the stage for their ultimate vindication when they are resurrected and ascend to heaven (Revelation 11:11-12).

The refusal to allow the witnesses' bodies to be buried is significant, as it would have been considered a great indignity and an act of ultimate disrespect in the cultural context of the time. The public display of their bodies serves as a stark image of the witnesses' martyrdom and the defiance of the world's powers against God's messengers. The three and a half days also have symbolic significance, often representing a limited period of evil's triumph before divine intervention occurs.

In summary, Revelation 11:9 is a verse embedded in a complex tapestry of apocalyptic imagery and themes. It reflects the broader narrative of Revelation, which contrasts the temporary victory of evil with the eventual sovereignty of God. The verse encapsulates the tension between the world's resistance to God's message and the ultimate triumph of His divine plan, as seen through the lens of early Christian eschatology.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: G991
   There are 119 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: βλέπω
   Transliteration: blépō
   Pronunciation: blep'-o
   Description: a primary verb; to look at (literally or figuratively):--behold, beware, lie, look (on, to), perceive, regard, see, sight, take heed. Compare ὀπτάνομαι.
   
3. Strong's Number: G1537
   There are 761 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐκ
   Transliteration: ek
   Pronunciation: ex
   Description: a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote):--after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, …ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion.
   
4. Strong's Number: G2992
   There are 139 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: λαός
   Transliteration: laós
   Pronunciation: lah-os'
   Description: apparently a primary word; a people (in general; thus differing from δῆμος, which denotes one's own populace):--people.
   
5. Strong's Number: G5443
   There are 23 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: φυλή
   Transliteration: phylḗ
   Pronunciation: foo-lay'
   Description: from φύω (compare φύλλον); an offshoot, i.e. race or clan:--kindred, tribe.
   
6. Strong's Number: G1100
   There are 47 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: γλῶσσα
   Transliteration: glōssa
   Pronunciation: gloce-sah'
   Description: of uncertain affinity; the tongue; by implication, a language (specially, one naturally unacquired):--tongue.
   
7. Strong's Number: G1484
   There are 152 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἔθνος
   Transliteration: éthnos
   Pronunciation: eth'-nos
   Description: probably from ἔθω; a race (as of the same habit), i.e. a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-Jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan):--Gentile, heathen, nation, people.
   
8. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
9. Strong's Number: G4430
   There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πτῶμα
   Transliteration: ptōma
   Pronunciation: pto'-mah
   Description: from the alternate of πίπτω; a ruin, i.e. (specially), lifeless body (corpse, carrion):--dead body, carcase, corpse.
   
10. Strong's Number: G5140
    There are 60 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: τρεῖς
    Transliteration: treîs
    Pronunciation: tree'-ah
    Description: a primary (plural) number; "three":--three.
    
11. Strong's Number: G2250
    There are 366 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἡμέρα
    Transliteration: hēméra
    Pronunciation: hay-mer'-ah
    Description: feminine (with ὥρα implied) of a derivative of (to sit; akin to the base of ἑδραῖος) meaning tame, i.e. gentle; day, i.e. (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the Jews as inclusive of the parts of both extremes); figuratively, a period (always defined more or less clearly by the context):--age, + alway, (mid-)day (by day, (-ly)), + for ever, judgment, (day) time, while, years.
    
12. Strong's Number: G2255
    There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἥμισυ
    Transliteration: hḗmisy
    Pronunciation: hay'-mee-soo
    Description: neuter of a derivative from an inseparable prefix akin to ἅμα (through the idea of partition involved in connection) and meaning semi-; (as noun) half:--half.
    
13. Strong's Number: G863
    There are 133 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀφίημι
    Transliteration: aphíēmi
    Pronunciation: af-ee'-ay-mee
    Description: from ἀπό and (to send; an intensive form of , to go); to send forth, in various applications (as follow):--cry, forgive, forsake, lay aside, leave, let (alone, be, go, have), omit, put (send) away, remit, suffer, yield up.
    
14. Strong's Number: G3756
    There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: οὐ
    Transliteration: ou
    Pronunciation: ookh
    Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.
    
15. Strong's Number: G5087
    There are 94 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: τίθημι
    Transliteration: títhēmi
    Pronunciation: theh'-o
    Description: a prolonged form of a primary (which is used only as alternate in certain tenses); to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from ἵστημι, which properly denotes an upright and active position, while κεῖμαι is properly reflexive and utterly prostrate):--+ advise, appoint, bow, commit, conceive, give, X kneel down, lay (aside, down, up), make, ordain, purpose, put, set (forth), settle, sink down.
    
16. Strong's Number: G1519
    There are 1513 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: εἰς
    Transliteration: eis
    Pronunciation: ice
    Description: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).
    
17. Strong's Number: G3418
    There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: μνῆμα
    Transliteration: mnēma
    Pronunciation: mnay'-mah
    Description: from μνάομαι; a memorial, i.e. sepulchral monument (burial-place):--grave, sepulchre, tomb.