Revelation 9:19

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails [were] like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt.

Complete Jewish Bible:

For the power of the horses was in their mouths — and also in their tails, for their tails were like snakes with heads, and with them they could cause injury.

Berean Standard Bible:

For the power of the horses was in their mouths and in their tails; indeed, their tails were like snakes, having heads with which to inflict harm.

American Standard Version:

For the power of the horses is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails are like unto serpents, and have heads; and with them they hurt.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

For^{G1063} their^{G846} power^{G1849} is^{{G1526}{G2076}} in^{G1722} their^{G846} mouth^{G4750}, and^{G2532} in^{G1722} their^{G846} tails^{G3769}: for^{G1063} their^{G846} tails^{G3769} were like^{G3664} unto serpents^{G3789}, and had^{G2192} heads^{G2776}, and^{G2532} with^{G1722} them^{G846} they do hurt^{G91}.

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Commentary for Revelation 9:19

Revelation 9:19 is a verse from the New Testament's Book of Revelation, attributed to the apostle John. This book is apocalyptic literature, characterized by vivid symbolism and visions of the end times. The verse is part of a larger passage describing a terrifying vision of demonic horse-like creatures leading an army to bring destruction upon the earth.

In the verse, the creatures are described as having power both in their mouths and in their tails. The image of their tails being like serpents with heads that inflict harm adds to the grotesque and otherworldly nature of the vision. This imagery is consistent with the apocalyptic genre, which often employs fantastical and fearsome beasts to convey the gravity of divine judgment and the cosmic struggle between good and evil.

The historical context of the Book of Revelation is rooted in the late first century AD, a time when the early Christian community faced persecution, particularly from the Roman Empire. The book's cryptic symbols and prophecies would have resonated with Christians suffering oppression, offering them hope that God would ultimately triumph over evil and justice would prevail. The verse reflects the broader themes of Revelation, including the sovereignty of God over history, the reality of divine judgment, and the ultimate victory of Christ over Satan, sin, and death.

Revelation 9:19, with its disturbing imagery, serves to illustrate the severe consequences of human sinfulness and the fearsome power of the forces arrayed against God's people. At the same time, it reassures believers that, despite appearances, God is in control and will bring about a final resolution to the conflict between light and darkness. The verse, like much of the Book of Revelation, is rich with symbolism and has been the subject of various interpretations throughout Christian history, with many seeing it as a metaphorical representation of the spiritual battles that believers face.

*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: G1063
   There are 1016 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: γάρ
   Transliteration: gár
   Pronunciation: gar
   Description: a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.
   
2. 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.
   
3. Strong's Number: G1849
   There are 93 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐξουσία
   Transliteration: exousía
   Pronunciation: ex-oo-see'-ah
   Description: from ἔξεστι (in the sense of ability); privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence:--authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.
   
4. Strong's Number: G1526
   There are 146 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἰσί
   Transliteration: eisí
   Pronunciation: i-see'
   Description: 3rd person plural present indicative of εἰμί; they are:--agree, are, be, dure, X is, were.
   
5. Strong's Number: G2076
   There are 812 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐστί
   Transliteration: estí
   Pronunciation: es-tee'
   Description: third person singular present indicative of εἰμί; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:--are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.
   
6. Strong's Number: G1722
   There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐν
   Transliteration: en
   Pronunciation: en
   Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
   
7. 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.
   
8. 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.
   
9. Strong's Number: G3769
   There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: οὐρά
   Transliteration: ourá
   Pronunciation: oo-rah'
   Description: apparently a primary word; a tail:--tail.
   
10. Strong's Number: G3664
    There are 43 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὅμοιος
    Transliteration: hómoios
    Pronunciation: hom'-oy-os
    Description: from the base of ὁμοῦ; similar (in appearance or character):--like, + manner.
    
11. Strong's Number: G3789
    There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὄφις
    Transliteration: óphis
    Pronunciation: of'-is
    Description: probably from ὀπτάνομαι (through the idea of sharpness of vision); a snake, figuratively, (as a type of sly cunning) an artful malicious person, especially Satan:--serpent.
    
12. Strong's Number: G2192
    There are 628 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἔχω
    Transliteration: échō
    Pronunciation: skheh'-o
    Description: a primary verb; to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition):--be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use.
    
13. Strong's Number: G2776
    There are 68 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: κεφαλή
    Transliteration: kephalḗ
    Pronunciation: kef-al-ay'
    Description: from the primary (in the sense of seizing); the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figuratively:--head.
    
14. Strong's Number: G91
    There are 70 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀδικέω
    Transliteration: adikéō
    Pronunciation: ad-ee-keh'-o
    Description: from ἄδικος; to be unjust, i.e. (actively) do wrong (morally, socially or physically):--hurt, injure, be an offender, be unjust, (do, suffer, take) wrong.