TRV
Translation
King James Version
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.
KJV (with Strong's)
And G2532 thus G3779 I saw G1492 the horses G2462 in G1722 the vision G3706, and G2532 them that sat G2521 on G1909 them G846, having G2192 breastplates G2382 of fire G4447, and G2532 of jacinth G5191, and G2532 brimstone G2306: and G2532 the heads G2776 of the horses G2462 were as G5613 the heads G2776 of lions G3023; and G2532 out of G1537 their G846 mouths G4750 issued G1607 fire G4442 and G2532 smoke G2586 and G2532 brimstone G2303.
Complete Jewish Bible
Here is how the horses looked in the vision: the riders had breastplates that were fire-red, iris-blue and sulfur-yellow; the horses’ heads were like lions’ heads; and from their mouths issued fire, smoke and sulfur.
Berean Standard Bible
Now the horses and riders in my vision looked like this: The riders had breastplates the colors of fire, sapphire, and sulfur. The heads of the horses were like the heads of lions, and out of their mouths proceeded fire, smoke, and sulfur.
American Standard Version
And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates as of fire and of hyacinth and of brimstone: and the heads of the horses are as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths proceedeth fire and smoke and brimstone.
World English Bible Messianic
Thus I saw the horses in the vision, and those who sat on them, having breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of lions. Out of their mouths proceed fire, smoke, and sulfur.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And thus I saw the horses in a vision, and them that sate on them, hauing firie habbergions, and of Iacinth, and of brimstone, and the heads of the horses were as the heades of lyons: and out of their mouthes went foorth fire and smoke and brimstone.
Young's Literal Translation
And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and those sitting upon them, having breastplates of fire, and jacinth, and brimstone; and the heads of the horses are as heads of lions, and out of their mouths proceedeth fire, and smoke, and brimstone;
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In the KJVVerse 30,858 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 9:17
The horses are men, and their riders are evil spirits. Just as we could say in a good sense “You mounted upon your horses,” referring to preachers, “and your victorious cavalry,” so here in an evil sense [these horses] are joined to iniquitous spirits.… And although little similarity can be found between locusts and horses, the same is true concerning lions. Yet each of these is suitable for symbolizing the persons of heretics.… The description of the breastplate signifies the punishments of the impious, for we read that those who worship the beast are promised fire and sulphur, and “the smoke of their torments goes up for ever and ever.”
Andreas of CaesareaAD 614
COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 9:17-19
I think that these “horses” are either men who, like beasts, lust after women, or they are those who are submitted to demons and are ruled by them. For those who sit upon others are those who also govern them. It is common for these to use not only each other as servants but also to use evil people as instruments for plotting against people of similar kind. We interpret “the breastplates of fire and of smoke and of sulfur” to signify the aerial nature of the evil demons and of their destructive work, and that the heads of lions show their murderous and beastly nature.
BedeAD 735
Commentary on Revelation
And from their mouths proceeds fire and smoke and sulfur. He shows what he had said about hyacinth smoke. But these things do not clearly come out of their mouths, but by harmful preaching, they generate punishment for themselves and their listeners. For, he says, I will bring forth a fire from the midst of you, which shall devour you (Ezek. XXVIII).
BedeAD 735
Commentary on Revelation
And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and those who sat on them, etc. The malignant spirits, in whose hearts they preside, are clothed with their punishments. For we read that those worshipping the beast are to be tormented with fire and sulfur, and the smoke of their torment will ascend forever and ever. Note that in the plague of locusts he did not say he saw horsemen, but only horses. Here indeed, the magnitude of the persecutions shows the open presence of the opposing power. Thus, here the heads are of lions, while there the faces are indeed human, but the teeth are only bestial. Because often heretics show some humanity, but the ministers of the final storm extort what they persuade by words and signs even through punishments.
Alcuin of YorkAD 804
COMMENTARY ON REVELATION
And thus I saw the horses in the vision: and they that sat on them, had breastplates of fire and of hyacinth and of brimstone. These horses, that is preachers of errors, in whom the seduced people are also understood, have demons as riders, not to guide them, but to make them fall headlong. By the name of breastplates are symbolized the torments of the wicked, hard and impossible to get rid of with any prayer. By of hyacinth we should understand “of smoke,” for out of fire comes smoke. The very color of hyacinth also indicates this, as it has the appearance of air. And the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions. The heads of the horses are initiators of errors, who are both strong at crushing the weak and full of bad smells; whence it is rightly said after that, and from their mouths proceeded fire, and smoke, and brimstone. By these three plagues was slain the third part of men, by the fire and by the smoke and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths. This is because bad people's preaching prepares eternal torments for its followers, and these torments are metaphorically symbolized by this preaching, the effect being represented by the cause.
OecumeniusAD 990
Commentary on Revelation
The "fire" of wrath and punishment is a symbol;
the "hyacinth" signifies that those sent are heavenly, for heaven is akin to the "hyacinth"; and the godlike ones please God, as if they were divine, for to please is to sing. And who would please God more than the holy angels?
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 9:17 offers a chilling and highly symbolic description of the cavalry unleashed during the sixth trumpet judgment, as witnessed by the Apostle John. This verse meticulously details the terrifying appearance of the horses and their riders, emphasizing their destructive power through vivid imagery of fiery breastplates, lion-like heads, and the emission of fire, smoke, and brimstone from their mouths. It serves as a stark portrayal of divine wrath and the overwhelming nature of the judgments poured out upon an unrepentant world.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Revelation 9:17 is rich in Symbolism and Vivid Imagery, characteristic of apocalyptic literature. The colors of the breastplates—fire (red), jacinth (dark blue/purple), and brimstone (yellow/sulfurous)—are highly symbolic, representing the destructive, consuming, and punitive nature of the judgment. The comparison of the horses' heads to lions is a powerful Simile, immediately conveying ferocity, strength, and a predatory nature, transforming the horses from mere beasts of burden into active agents of terror. The emission of "fire, smoke, and brimstone" from their mouths is a potent Metaphor for the instruments of divine wrath, directly linking this judgment to Old Testament accounts of God's fiery judgment, such as that on Sodom and Gomorrah. The entire description employs Hyperbole to convey the overwhelming and terrifying nature of this supernatural army, pushing beyond literal description to evoke a profound sense of dread and the unstoppable force of God's judgment.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 9:17 powerfully articulates the theme of divine judgment, emphasizing God's absolute sovereignty over all creation and His ultimate right to execute justice upon a rebellious world. The terrifying imagery underscores the severity of sin and the inevitable consequences for those who refuse to repent. This vision serves as a stark reminder that God is not only a God of love and mercy but also a God of righteous wrath, whose patience will eventually give way to judgment. It highlights that even the most dreadful events are part of His sovereign plan, designed to bring about His perfect will, whether through purification or punishment. The passage ultimately calls humanity to acknowledge God's authority and seek reconciliation before the full outpouring of His wrath.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The intense imagery of Revelation 9:17, while describing future apocalyptic events, carries profound implications for believers today. It serves as a potent reminder of the holiness of God and the seriousness of sin. In a world often dismissive of divine judgment, this verse reaffirms that God will indeed hold humanity accountable. For those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ, this passage should not evoke fear but rather a deeper appreciation for the salvation offered through His sacrifice, which delivers us from the wrath to come. It also instills a sense of urgency for evangelism, compelling us to share the Gospel message of repentance and redemption with a world desperately in need of God's mercy. Furthermore, it encourages perseverance in faith, knowing that God remains sovereign even amidst the most terrifying displays of His power, and that His ultimate plan will prevail.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Are the horses and riders in Revelation 9:17 literal or symbolic?
Answer: The description of the horses and riders in Revelation 9:17 is overwhelmingly symbolic, typical of apocalyptic literature like the Book of Revelation. While the "two hundred million" army mentioned in Revelation 9:16 might suggest a literal force, the specific details—horses with lion heads, breastplates of fire, jacinth, and brimstone, and fire, smoke, and brimstone issuing from their mouths—transcend any known literal military or biological reality. These vivid images are intended to convey the terrifying nature, immense destructive power, and supernatural origin of this judgment. They symbolize a divinely permitted, overwhelming force of judgment that will inflict widespread death and torment upon unrepentant humanity, rather than describing literal creatures or a conventional army. The symbolism emphasizes the quality and character of the judgment, not a photographic representation of it.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Revelation 9:17 vividly portrays God's judgment, its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment lies in understanding Jesus' role as both the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world and the righteous Judge who will execute all judgment. The destructive elements seen here—fire, smoke, and brimstone—are the very expressions of God's wrath against sin, a wrath that was fully poured out upon Christ on the cross (Isaiah 53:5). For those who believe, Christ's sacrifice means deliverance from this wrath (Romans 5:9). However, for those who reject Him, Christ Himself, who holds "the keys of hell and of death" (Revelation 1:18), will be the one through whom these judgments are administered. The terrifying power of these horses foreshadows the ultimate, undeniable authority of Christ, who will return not only as Savior but also as the conquering King and Judge, with "eyes like a flame of fire" (Revelation 19:11-12), to bring all things to their just conclusion. Thus, this verse, though grim, implicitly points to the necessity of Christ's atoning work and His final, sovereign rule.