Revelation 9:14

KJV

Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.

KJV (with Strong's)

Saying {G3004} to the sixth {G1623} angel {G32} which {G3739} had {G2192} the trumpet {G4536}, Loose {G3089} the four {G5064} angels {G32} which {G3588} are bound {G1210} in {G1909} the great {G3173} river {G4215} Euphrates {G2166}.

Complete Jewish Bible

saying to the sixth angel, the one with the shofar, “Release the four angels that are bound at the great river Euphrates!”

Berean Standard Bible

saying to the sixth angel with the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.”

American Standard Version

one saying to the sixth angel that had the trumpet, Loose the four angels that are bound at the great river Euphrates.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 9:14 marks a pivotal moment in the unfolding trumpet judgments, where a voice from the four horns of the golden altar issues a divine command to the sixth angel. This command orchestrates the release of four powerful angels, previously bound at the great river Euphrates, signaling an escalation of God's judgment upon an unrepentant world. Their liberation initiates the next catastrophic phase of the tribulation, unleashing destructive forces that will impact a significant portion of humanity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the dramatic sequence of the seven trumpet judgments, which began in [Revelation 8](/revelation/8 "Revelation 8 - The Seven Trumpets Begin"). The first four trumpets brought ecological devastation, while the fifth trumpet unleashed demonic locusts from the abyss, tormenting humanity for five months ([Revelation 9:1-11](/revelation/9-1-11 "Revelation 9:1-11 - The Fifth Trumpet and Demonic Locusts")). The sixth trumpet, introduced in [Revelation 9:13](/revelation/9-13 "Revelation 9:13 - The Sixth Trumpet Sounded"), signifies a transition from torment to widespread death. The command in verse 14 directly precipitates the unleashing of an immense, destructive cavalry described in the subsequent verses, leading to the death of a third of mankind ([Revelation 9:15-19](/revelation/9-15-19 "Revelation 9:15-19 - The Unleashed Army")). This progression highlights the escalating severity of divine wrath as humanity continues in its rebellion.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The river Euphrates held immense historical and strategic significance in the ancient world. It formed a natural boundary for the Promised Land and was the traditional invasion route for powerful empires to the east, such as Assyria and Babylon, which historically threatened and conquered Israel. In apocalyptic literature, the Euphrates often serves as a symbolic or literal point of origin for forces hostile to God's people. For John's original audience, this river would evoke memories of past oppressions and future threats, making its mention a potent symbol of impending danger and judgment from the east. The binding of angels there suggests a long-standing divine restraint over these destructive forces, now removed at God's appointed time.

* **Key Themes:** Revelation 9:14 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Control**, demonstrating that even the most destructive forces, whether angelic or demonic, are ultimately under God's absolute command and are released only at His precise timing and for His purposes of judgment. Secondly, it emphasizes the theme of **Unleashing of Restrained Evil**, indicating that God, in His patience, has held back certain destructive elements, but at a specific point, He removes that restraint, allowing greater evil or divine judgment to manifest. This serves as a stark warning of the consequences of persistent unrepentance, a theme explicitly stated later in the chapter as people refuse to turn from their sins despite the plagues ([Revelation 9:20-21](/revelation/9-20-21 "Revelation 9:20-21 - Humanity's Unrepentance")). Finally, the **Geographical and Symbolic Significance of the Euphrates** reinforces the idea that these judgments have both a literal, earthly impact and a deeper, spiritual meaning, drawing on historical patterns of invasion and judgment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Saying (Greek, _légō'_):** This verb signifies a direct, authoritative utterance or command. It implies that the voice from the altar is not merely suggesting but actively decreeing the release of the angels, underscoring the divine authority behind this action. The use of "saying" here emphasizes the verbal, intentional nature of God's decree.
* **Loose (Greek, _lýō'_):** Meaning "to untie," "release," or "destroy," this imperative verb denotes the immediate and decisive action required. It highlights the transition from a state of being bound or restrained to one of freedom and activity. The command to "loose" directly counteracts the previous state of "bound," indicating a deliberate divine act to unleash these entities.
* **Bound (Greek, _déō'_):** This word means "to bind," "to be in bonds," or "to tie." Its use here indicates that the four angels were previously held in a state of confinement or restraint. This binding was not accidental but a deliberate act, likely by divine power, suggesting that their release is also a deliberate act, part of God's preordained plan for judgment.
* **Euphrates (Greek, _Euphrátēs'_):** This proper noun refers to the literal river, but in an apocalyptic context, it carries significant symbolic weight. As a historical boundary and invasion route, its mention here points to a literal or symbolic origin of the destructive forces that are about to emerge, connecting the future judgment to past historical patterns of divine intervention and judgment through eastern powers.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet":** This clause identifies the recipient of the command: the sixth angel, who has just sounded his trumpet, initiating this phase of judgment. The "saying" comes from a voice from the four horns of the golden altar before God ([Revelation 9:13](/revelation/9-13 "Revelation 9:13 - Voice from the Altar")), emphasizing that this is a divine directive, originating from the very presence of God and His place of judgment and intercession.
* **"Loose the four angels":** This is the direct, imperative command. It reveals that there are specific "four angels" who are to be released. The number "four" often symbolizes universality or the four cardinal directions, suggesting that the impact of their release will be widespread, affecting the entire earth. Their release is an act of divine will, initiating the next stage of judgment.
* **"which are bound in the great river Euphrates":** This phrase specifies the current state and location of these angels. They are not free but "bound," indicating a prior act of divine restraint. Their binding "in the great river Euphrates" is highly significant, linking them to a historically and prophetically important geographical location that often symbolizes a source of hostile forces against God's people. Their release from this specific location underscores the strategic and symbolic nature of the impending judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 9:14 employs several powerful literary devices. **Symbolism** is prominent, particularly with the "four angels" and the "great river Euphrates." The number four often symbolizes global reach or the four corners of the earth, suggesting that the destructive power unleashed will affect the entire world. The Euphrates, as discussed, is a potent symbol of historical invasion routes and hostile powers, connecting this apocalyptic event to ancient threats and patterns of judgment. The act of "binding" and "loosing" itself functions as **Symbolism** for divine control and the removal of divine restraint. The passage also utilizes **Foreshadowing**, as the command to loose these angels immediately precedes the description of a massive, destructive army, hinting at the catastrophic events that are about to unfold. The entire scene is presented with **Dramatic Irony**, as humanity remains unrepentant despite these escalating judgments, unaware of the full extent of the divine wrath being unleashed upon them.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 9:14 powerfully illustrates God's absolute sovereignty over all creation, including angelic and demonic forces, and His meticulous timing in executing judgment. The fact that these angels were "bound" for a specific period and are "loosed" at a divine command underscores that nothing happens outside of God's permissive or active will. This passage serves as a stark reminder that divine patience has a limit, and when that limit is reached, God removes His restraining hand, allowing the consequences of human rebellion to manifest in devastating ways. It highlights the seriousness of sin and the inevitability of divine judgment for those who refuse to repent, even in the face of overwhelming evidence of God's power and wrath. The scene also foreshadows the ultimate triumph of God's justice and the eventual purification of the earth from evil.

* [Job 1:12](/job/1-12 "Job 1:12 - Satan's Limited Power")
* [2 Peter 2:4](/2_peter/2-4 "2 Peter 2:4 - Angels in Chains of Darkness")
* [Romans 1:24-28](/romans/1-24-28 "Romans 1:24-28 - God Gives Them Over")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 9:14, with its depiction of bound angels unleashed for judgment, serves as a sobering reminder of the gravity of God's justice and the consequences of persistent rebellion against Him. In a world that often dismisses divine judgment or presumes upon God's grace, this verse calls us to a profound sense of awe and reverence for the Lord's power and righteousness. It compels us to consider our own standing before a holy God and to live with an urgent awareness of His ultimate authority over all things, visible and invisible. For believers, it reinforces the comfort that even amidst escalating chaos, God remains firmly on His throne, orchestrating all events according to His perfect will. This should inspire us to greater faithfulness, prayer, and evangelism, recognizing the brevity of time and the eternal weight of unrepentance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of "bound" angels being "loosed" deepen your understanding of God's sovereignty over evil and judgment?**
* **What does humanity's continued unrepentance in the face of such severe judgments (as seen in [Revelation 9:20-21](/revelation/9-20-21 "Revelation 9:20-21 - Unrepentance Despite Plagues")) reveal about the human heart?**
* **How should the certainty of future judgment motivate believers to live more faithfully and share the Gospel more urgently?**
* **In what ways can we cultivate a deeper reverence for God's justice alongside His mercy in our daily lives?**

### FAQ
**Who are these "four angels" and why were they "bound"?**

Answer: The identity of these "four angels" is not explicitly stated, leading to various interpretations. Some scholars believe them to be fallen angels or demonic entities, given their role in unleashing destruction, similar to the "angel of the bottomless pit" in [Revelation 9:11](/revelation/9-11 "Revelation 9:11 - Abaddon/Apollyon"). Others suggest they are literal holy angels appointed by God for this specific task of judgment, much like the angels who poured out the bowls of wrath in [Revelation 16](/revelation/16 "Revelation 16 - The Seven Bowl Judgments"). Regardless of their nature, the key point is that they were "bound," indicating a divine act of restraint. This binding suggests that God had them held in check until the precise moment in His prophetic timeline when their release would serve His purposes of judgment, demonstrating His absolute control over all forces, good or evil.

**What is the significance of the "great river Euphrates" as their place of binding?**

Answer: The "great river Euphrates" holds profound historical and symbolic significance. Historically, it was a major geographical boundary and a traditional invasion route for powerful empires (like Assyria and Babylon) that threatened Israel from the east. In biblical prophecy, particularly in apocalyptic literature, the Euphrates often symbolizes a source from which great hostile forces emerge. For instance, in [Revelation 16:12](/revelation/16-12 "Revelation 16:12 - Euphrates Dried Up for Kings of the East"), the river is dried up to prepare the way for the "kings from the East." Therefore, its mention in [Revelation 9:14](/revelation/9-14 "Revelation 9:14 - The Sixth Trumpet and the Euphrates Angels") connects the impending judgment to ancient patterns of invasion and divine judgment, suggesting that the destructive forces unleashed will come from or be associated with this region, having a significant impact on the world.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Revelation 9:14 describes a moment of terrifying judgment, it ultimately points to the supreme authority and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The unleashing of these bound angels, though destructive, is part of God's sovereign plan to bring all things to their appointed end, a plan ultimately centered on Christ's triumph. Jesus himself spoke of a time when He would send His angels to gather His elect and execute judgment ([Matthew 13:41](/matthew/13-41 "Matthew 13:41 - Son of Man Sends His Angels")). The very fact that these angels are "bound" and "loosed" by divine command underscores Christ's ultimate dominion over all powers, whether angelic or demonic. He is the one who holds the keys of death and Hades ([Revelation 1:18](/revelation/1-18 "Revelation 1:18 - Jesus Holds the Keys")). The judgments described in Revelation, including this one, serve to prepare the way for the establishment of Christ's eternal kingdom, where He will reign in perfect justice and peace ([Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdom of the World Becomes the Kingdom of Christ")). Thus, even in the midst of terrifying wrath, Revelation 9:14 implicitly affirms the absolute control of the Lamb of God, who alone is worthy to open the scrolls and execute God's perfect will ([Revelation 5:1-5](/revelation/5-1-5 "Revelation 5:1-5 - The Lamb Who Is Worthy")). The final outcome of these judgments is not chaos, but the glorious revelation of Christ's righteous rule and the ultimate redemption of His people.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Revelation 16:12

¶ And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.

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.

Genesis 2:14

And the name of the third river [is] Hiddekel: that [is] it which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river [is] Euphrates.

Jeremiah 51:63

And it shall be, when thou hast made an end of reading this book, [that] thou shalt bind a stone to it, and cast it into the midst of Euphrates:

2 Samuel 8:3

David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates.

Revelation 8:6

And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.

Revelation 7:1

¶ And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.