¶ And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.
Complete Jewish Bible:
The fifth angel sounded his shofar; and I saw a star that had fallen out of heaven onto the earth, and he was given the key to the shaft leading down to the Abyss.
Berean Standard Bible:
Then the fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from heaven to earth, and it was given the key to the pit of the Abyss.
American Standard Version:
And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from heaven fallen unto the earth: and there was given to him the key of the pit of the abyss.
And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;
And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.
And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep.
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Commentary for Revelation 9:1
Revelation 9:1 is part of the Book of Revelation, traditionally attributed to John of Patmos, and is the final book of the New Testament. This apocalyptic text is rich with symbolism and vivid imagery, and is believed to have been written during a period of Christian persecution, likely towards the end of the first century AD. The verse in question is situated within a sequence of events triggered by the sounding of the seventh trumpet by seven angels, which heralds the final judgment and the end of the world as known.
In Revelation 9:1, the fifth angel blows his trumpet, and John witnesses a star—often interpreted as an angel or celestial being—falling from heaven to earth. This star is then given the key to the bottomless pit, also known as the abyss. The bottomless pit is a recurring motif in Revelation, symbolizing a place of confinement for evil spirits and the source of chaos and destruction. The act of giving the key to the pit suggests that this being has the authority to unleash what is confined within, setting the stage for the events that follow, which include the release of locust-like creatures that torment those without the seal of God.
The themes present in this verse include divine judgment, the cosmic battle between good and evil, and the sovereignty of God over the forces of chaos. Historically, the imagery would resonate with early Christian readers who saw in it a coded message of hope and vindication amidst suffering and oppression. The verse reflects the broader eschatological narrative of Revelation, which promises ultimate victory to the faithful and the establishment of a new heaven and earth after the defeat of Satan and all forces of wickedness.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
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.
Strong's Number: G3991 There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: πέμπτος Transliteration: pémptos Pronunciation: pemp'-tos Description: from πέντε; fifth:--fifth.
Strong's Number: G32 There are 228 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: ἄγγελος Transliteration: ángelos Pronunciation: ang'-el-os Description: from (probably derived from ἄγω; compare ἀγέλη) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor:--angel, messenger.
Strong's Number: G4537 There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: σαλπίζω Transliteration: salpízō Pronunciation: sal-pid'-zo Description: from σάλπιγξ; to trumpet, i.e. sound a blast (literally or figuratively):--(which are yet to) sound (a trumpet).
Strong's Number: G1492 There are 626 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: εἴδω Transliteration: eídō Pronunciation: i'-do Description: a primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent ὀπτάνομαι and ὁράω; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know:--be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) know(-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wish, wot. Compare ὀπτάνομαι.
Strong's Number: G792 There are 21 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: ἀστήρ Transliteration: astḗr Pronunciation: as-tare' Description: probably from the base of στρώννυμι; a star (as strown over the sky), literally or figuratively:--star.
Strong's Number: G4098 There are 85 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: πίπτω Transliteration: píptō Pronunciation: pet'-o Description: probably akin to πέτομαι through the idea of alighting; to fall (literally or figuratively):--fail, fall (down), light on.
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.
Strong's Number: G3772 There are 264 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: οὐρανός Transliteration: ouranós Pronunciation: oo-ran-os' Description: perhaps from the same as ὄρος (through the idea of elevation); the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel (Christianity):--air, heaven(-ly), sky.
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).
Strong's Number: G1093 There are 226 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: γῆ Transliteration: gē Pronunciation: ghay Description: contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application):--country, earth(-ly), ground, land, world.
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.
Strong's Number: G1325 There are 377 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: δίδωμι Transliteration: dídōmi Pronunciation: did'-o-mee Description: a prolonged form of a primary verb (which is used as an alternative in most of the tenses); to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection):--adventure, bestow, bring forth, commit, deliver (up), give, grant, hinder, make, minister, number, offer, have power, put, receive, set, shew, smite (+ with the hand), strike (+ with the palm of the hand), suffer, take, utter, yield.
Strong's Number: G2807 There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: κλείς Transliteration: kleís Pronunciation: klice Description: from κλείω; a key (as shutting a lock), literally or figuratively:--key.
Strong's Number: G12 There are 1289 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: ἄβυσσος Transliteration: ábyssos Pronunciation: ab'-us-sos Description: from Α (as a negative particle) and a variation of βυθός; depthless, i.e. (specially) (infernal) "abyss":--deep, (bottomless) pit.
Strong's Number: G5421 There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: φρέαρ Transliteration: phréar Pronunciation: freh'-ar Description: of uncertain derivation; a hole in the ground (dug for obtaining or holding water or other purposes), i.e. a cistern or well; figuratively, an abyss (as a prison):--well, pit.