TRV
Translation
King James Version
And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.
Complete Jewish Bible
and the number of cavalry soldiers was two hundred million! — I heard the number.
Berean Standard Bible
And the number of mounted troops was two hundred million; I heard their number.
American Standard Version
And the number of the armies of the horsemen was twice ten thousand times ten thousand: I heard the number of them.
World English Bible Messianic
The number of the armies of the horsemen was two hundred million. I heard the number of them.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And the nomber of horsemen of warre were twentie thousand times ten thousand: for I heard the nomber of them.
Young's Literal Translation
and the number of the forces of the horsemen is two myriads of myriads, and I heard the number of them.
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In the KJVVerse 30,857 of 31,102
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Commentary on Revelation 9 verses 13–21
13 ¶ And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,
14 Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.
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.
16 And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.
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.
18 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.
19 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.
20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:
21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.
Here let us consider the preface to this vision, and then the vision itself.
I. The preface to this vision: A voice was heard from the horns of the golden altar, Rev 9:13, Rev 9:14. Here observe, 1. The power of the church's enemies is restrained till God gives the word to have them turned loose. 2. When nations are ripe for punishment, those instruments of God's anger that were before restrained are let loose upon them, Rev 9:14. 3. The instruments that God makes use of to punish a people may sometimes lie at a great distance from them, so that no danger may be apprehended from them. These four messengers of divine judgment lay bound in the river Euphrates, a great way from the European nations. Here the Turkish power had its rise, which seems to be the story of this vision.
II. The vision itself: And the four angels that had been bound in the great river Euphrates were now loosed, Rev 9:15, Rev 9:16. And here observe, 1. The time of their military operations and executions is limited to an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year. Prophetic characters of time are hardly to be understood by us; but in general the time is fixed to an hour, when it shall begin and when it shall end; and how far the execution shall prevail, even to a third part of the inhabitants of the earth. God will make the wrath of man praise him, and the remainder of wrath he will restrain. 2. The army that was to execute this great commission is mustered, and the number found to be of horsemen two hundred thousand thousand; but we are left to guess what the infantry must be. In general, it tells us, the armies of the Mahomedan empire should be vastly great; and so it is certain they were. 3. Their formidable equipage and appearance, Rev 9:17. As the horses were fierce, like lions, and eager to rush into the battle, so those who sat upon them were clad in bright and costly armour, with all the ensigns of martial courage, zeal, and resolution. 4. The vast havoc and desolation that they made in the Roman empire, which had now become antichristian: A third part of them were killed; they went as far as their commission suffered them, and they could go no further. 5. Their artillery, by which they made such slaughter, described by fire, smoke, and brimstone, issuing out of the mouths of their horses, and the stings that were in their tails. It is Mr. Mede's opinion that this is a prediction of great guns, those instruments of cruelty which make such destruction: he observes, These were first used by the Turks at the siege of Constantinople, and, being new and strange, were very terrible, and did great execution. However, here seems to be an allusion to what is mentioned in the former vision, that, as antichrist had his forces of a spiritual nature, like scorpions poisoning the minds of men with error and idolatry, so the Turks, who were raised up to punish the antichristian apostasy, had their scorpions and their stings too, to hurt and kill the bodies of those who had been the murderers of so many souls. 6. Observe the impenitency of the antichristian generation under these dreadful judgments (Rev 9:20); the rest of the men who were not killed repented not, they still persisted in those sins for which God was so severely punishing them, which were, (1.) Their idolatry; they would not cast away their images, though they could do them no good, could not see, nor hear, nor walk. (2.) Their murders (Rev 9:21), which they had committed upon the saints and servants of Christ. Popery is a bloody religion, and seems resolved to continue such. (3.) Their sorceries; they have their charms, and magic arts, and rites in exorcism and other things. (4.) Their fornication; they allow both spiritual and carnal impurity, and promote it in themselves and others. (5.) Their thefts; they have by unjust means heaped together a vast deal of wealth, to the injury and impoverishing of families, cities, princes, and nations. These are the flagrant crimes of antichrist and his agents; and, though God has revealed his wrath from heaven against them, they are obstinate, hardened, and impenitent, and judicially so, for they must be destroyed.
III. From this sixth trumpet we learn, 1. God can make one enemy of the church to be a scourge and plague to another. 2. He who is the Lord of hosts has vast armies at his command, to serve his own purposes. 3. The most formidable powers have limits set them, which they cannot transgress. 4. When God's judgments are in the earth, he expects the inhabitants thereof should repent of sin, and learn righteousness. 5. Impenitency under divine judgments is an iniquity that will be the ruin of sinners; for where God judges he will overcome.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 13–21. Public domain.
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Primasius of HadrumetumAD 560
COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 9:16
“The number of that cavalry was eighty thousand.” … He again uses different ways to suggest the whole body of evil persons. Here it says eighty thousand. Just as through the perfection of the number six, he signifies for us the form of sixty good people, so that we read “there were sixty queens,” so sometimes the number eighty is used in a bad sense. [Eighty] arises from that which is fourfold, on account of the four well-known qualities of the body—cold and heat, moisture and dryness—or on account of the four passions that often vex humans in life—dread, desire, pain and joy. When these four are doubled because of the two sexes, they become eight. This number similarly increasing by way of tens makes eighty, and in some way this shows that portion of evil persons who as cavalry fight against the body of Christ, which is the church. Therefore, that verse continued, “there are eighty concubines,” as though they were not united by a legitimate union but by a fraudulent one. And this is characteristic of all heresies that lay hold of the sacraments of faith for a time while they are clothed in the name of Christ. Yet just like concubines who do not remain permanently in the home, they desire to profit from the name of Christ by gaining influence or advantage or authority or human praise.… Tyconius comments upon another translation, “And the number of soldiers was twice ten thousand times ten thousand.” … It seems to us that also in this translation the portion of the people of perdition are aptly indicated. For twice ten thousand is twenty thousand, and this is the number which the Lord in the Gospel placed against the king who had ten thousand, so that, as it were, the duplicity of those who are evil opposes the simplicity of the Christians.
BedeAD 735
Commentary on Revelation
And the number of the mounted troops was two hundred million. This number designates the deceptive duplicity of the perverse army. Which another translation, saying "twice ten thousand times ten thousand," can be more easily understood; and this number is also opposed by the evangelical parable to the king having ten thousand (Matt. IV), as the duplicity of the wicked resists the simple faith of Christ, to whom thousands of thousands minister and ten thousand times ten thousand stand (Dan. VII).
Alcuin of YorkAD 804
COMMENTARY ON REVELATION
And the number of the army of horsemen was twenty thousand times ten thousand. I heard the number of them. This number refers specifically to preachers of errors, but in such a way that the seduced people are also understood in the seducers. We see that this number coming against the number of the elect is both double and multiplied by two thousand; for it is said about the elect, The chariot of God is ten thousands, [Variant of Ps. 67:18] and about these people, twenty thousand times ten thousand. It is double, then, because it consists of evil spirits and reprobate men. There remains therefore for the twofold evil to be fought against by the onefold good.
OecumeniusAD 990
Commentary on Revelation
When this happened, they went out with an innumerable "cavalry" force. And he says this is the invincible power of the divine angels, accompanied by the greatest cavalry; and he says he saw those sitting on the "horses" wearing fiery, "hyacinth", and divine "breastplates".
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Revelation 9:16 presents a staggering numerical detail within John's apocalyptic vision, describing the immense scale of an army of horsemen unleashed as part of the sixth trumpet judgment. The verse states that the number of this destructive force is "two hundred thousand thousand," a figure so vast it underscores the unparalleled magnitude and devastating impact of divine judgment, emphasizing both its severity and the precise, sovereign control God maintains over even the most terrifying events of the end times.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. Hyperbole is prominently used in the numerical description "two hundred thousand thousand," which represents an impossibly large number for any earthly army, thereby emphasizing the overwhelming, supernatural scale of the judgment. This exaggerated figure serves to instill awe and dread. Symbolism is also at play, as the "army of horsemen" likely symbolizes not just a physical military force but possibly a demonic host or a divinely empowered instrument of judgment, given the apocalyptic context of Revelation 9. The specific mention of "horsemen" carries symbolic weight, often associated with warfare and divine judgment throughout biblical prophecy. Furthermore, Auditory Imagery is present in the phrase "I heard the number of them," which grounds the vision in John's sensory experience and lends credibility to the revelation. This detail highlights that the number is not an estimation but a divinely communicated, precise figure, reinforcing the theme of God's sovereign control and meticulous planning.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 9:16 powerfully communicates the reality of God's impending judgment and His absolute sovereignty over all creation, even over the forces of destruction. The immense scale of the army signifies that divine wrath, when it comes, will be comprehensive and inescapable for those who reject God's grace. This verse reminds us that God is not merely a distant observer but an active participant in human history, orchestrating events to bring about His ultimate purposes, including the righteous punishment of sin and the eventual establishment of His kingdom. It challenges humanity to consider the gravity of unrepentance and the inevitable consequences of rebellion against a holy God.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The overwhelming imagery of Revelation 9:16 serves as a profound call to spiritual sobriety and vigilance. It reminds us that while God is merciful and patient, His justice is real and will ultimately be executed. The sheer scale of the judgment described should ignite within believers a renewed urgency for sharing the Gospel, for the message of salvation through Jesus Christ offers the only true escape from the wrath to come. Furthermore, the fact that God knows and controls the number of this vast army, even in its destructive capacity, provides immense comfort. It assures us that even in the midst of global chaos and terrifying prophecies, God remains sovereign. His plans are unfolding according to His perfect will, and nothing, not even an army of two hundred million, can thwart His ultimate purpose. This truth should lead us to trust Him implicitly, to live lives of faithful obedience, and to find our peace and security in His unshakeable reign.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Is the "two hundred thousand thousand" army in Revelation 9:16 a literal human army or a symbolic representation?
Answer: While some interpretations suggest a future literal human army, the overwhelming consensus among biblical scholars is that the "two hundred thousand thousand" (200,000,000) army is primarily a symbolic representation. This number is far beyond the capacity of any historical or foreseeable human military force. In apocalyptic literature like Revelation, numbers often carry symbolic rather than literal meaning, emphasizing magnitude, completeness, or divine significance. The figure "two myriads of myriads" (2 x 10,000 x 10,000) is best understood as hyperbole, conveying an unimaginably vast, overwhelming, and divinely appointed force of judgment. It highlights the unparalleled scale of the destruction to come, whether executed by literal forces, demonic entities, or a combination, all under God's sovereign control. The focus is on the devastating impact and the divine authority behind it, rather than a precise military headcount.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Revelation 9:16 depicts a terrifying instrument of divine judgment, its ultimate fulfillment points to the supremacy and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. This vast army, unleashed as part of God's wrath, underscores the severity of sin and the righteous judgment that awaits a rebellious world. Yet, it is Christ who is the ultimate Judge, the one to whom "all authority in heaven and on earth has been given" (Matthew 28:18). He is the Lamb who was slain, whose sacrifice provides the only escape from such wrath (John 1:29). The very judgments described in Revelation, including this immense army, are part of God's plan to bring all things under Christ's dominion, culminating in His glorious return as King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:11-16). Thus, even in the face of such overwhelming destruction, the believer finds hope and security in Christ, who has conquered sin, death, and all the powers of darkness, ensuring that those who are "in Christ Jesus" will not face condemnation (Romans 8:1).