King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.
Complete Jewish Bible:
It was these three plagues that killed a third of mankind — the fire, smoke and sulfur issuing from the horses’ mouths.
Berean Standard Bible:
A third of mankind was killed by the three plagues of fire, smoke, and sulfur that proceeded from their mouths.
American Standard Version:
By these three plagues was the third part of men killed, by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone, which proceeded out of their mouths.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
By{G5259} these{G5130} three{G5140} was{G615} the third part{G5154} of men{G444} killed{G615}, by{G1537} the fire{G4442}, and{G2532} by{G1537} the smoke{G2586}, and{G2532} by{G1537} the brimstone{G2303}, which{G3588} issued{G1607} out of{G1537} their{G846} mouths{G4750}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Revelation 9:17
- And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses [were] as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone.
Revelation 9:15
- And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Revelation 9:18
Revelation 9:18 is a verse from the Book of Revelation, the final book of the New Testament, traditionally attributed to John the Apostle. This book is an apocalyptic text, which means it deals with the end times and the ultimate triumph of God over evil. The verse is part of a larger passage describing the release of demonic forces from the abyss, which are often symbolically represented as locusts and horses.
In the historical context, the Book of Revelation was likely written during a period of persecution of Christians in the late first century under the Roman Emperor Domitian. It uses vivid and often cryptic imagery to convey its message, which would have resonated with early Christians familiar with the Old Testament and Jewish apocalyptic literature.
The specific themes of Revelation 9:18 include divine judgment and the catastrophic consequences of the end times. The verse speaks of a third of humanity being killed by three means: fire, smoke, and brimstone, which are traditional symbols of divine wrath and judgment in the Bible. These elements issue from the mouths of the demonic beings, suggesting that their words or influence have deadly consequences. The number three could symbolize completeness or finality in biblical numerology, emphasizing the thoroughness of the judgment.
In summary, Revelation 9:18 reflects the apocalyptic genre's preoccupation with the end of the world, divine retribution, and the battle between good and evil. It uses stark and symbolic language to convey the severity of God's judgments, which are executed through supernatural agents. The verse would have served both as a warning to those who might be considered enemies of God and as a source of hope for persecuted Christians, reassuring them that God would ultimately prevail and justice would be served.
*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: G5259
There are 211 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὑπό
Transliteration: hypó
Pronunciation: hoop-o'
Description: a primary preposition; under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (underneath) or where (below) or time (when (at)):--among, by, from, in, of, under, with. In the comparative, it retains the same general applications, especially of inferior position or condition, and specially, covertly or moderately. - Strong's Number: G5130
There are 68 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: τούτων
Transliteration: toútōn
Pronunciation: too'-tone
Description: genitive case plural masculine or neuter of οὗτος; of (from or concerning) these (persons or things):--such, their, these (things), they, this sort, those. - 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. - Strong's Number: G615
There are 71 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀποκτείνω
Transliteration: apokteínō
Pronunciation: ap-ok-ti'-no
Description: from ἀπό and (to slay); to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy:--put to death, kill, slay. - Strong's Number: G5154
There are 49 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: τρίτος
Transliteration: trítos
Pronunciation: tree'-tos
Description: ordinal from τρεῖς; third; neuter (as noun) a third part, or (as adverb) a (or the) third time, thirdly:--third(-ly). - Strong's Number: G444
There are 614 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἄνθρωπος
Transliteration: ánthrōpos
Pronunciation: anth'-ro-pos
Description: from ἀνήρ and (the countenance; from ὀπτάνομαι); man-faced, i.e. a human being:--certain, man. - 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: G4442
There are 73 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πῦρ
Transliteration: pŷr
Pronunciation: poor
Description: a primary word; "fire" (literally or figuratively, specially, lightning):--fiery, fire. - 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: G2586
There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καπνός
Transliteration: kapnós
Pronunciation: kap-nos'
Description: of uncertain affinity; smoke:--smoke. - Strong's Number: G2303
There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: θεῖον
Transliteration: theîon
Pronunciation: thi'-on
Description: probably neuter of θεῖος (in its original sense of flashing); sulphur:--brimstone. - Strong's Number: G3588
There are 498 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὁ
Transliteration: ho
Pronunciation: to
Description: the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc. - Strong's Number: G1607
There are 34 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐκπορεύομαι
Transliteration: ekporeúomai
Pronunciation: ek-por-yoo'-om-ahee
Description: from ἐκ and πορεύομαι; to depart, be discharged, proceed, project:--come (forth, out of), depart, go (forth, out), issue, proceed (out of). - 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: G4750
There are 72 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: στόμα
Transliteration: stóma
Pronunciation: stom'-a
Description: probably strengthened from a presumed derivative of the base of τομώτερος; the mouth (as if a gash in the face); by implication, language (and its relations); figuratively, an opening (in the earth); specially, the front or edge (of a weapon):--edge, face, mouth.