Revelation 9:6

KJV

And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} in {G1722} those {G1565} days {G2250} shall men {G444} seek {G2212} death {G2288}, and {G2532} shall {G2147} not {G3756} find {G2147} it {G846}; and {G2532} shall desire {G1937} to die {G599}, and {G2532} death {G2288} shall flee {G5343} from {G575} them {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

In those days people will seek death but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them.

Berean Standard Bible

In those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will long to die, but death will escape them.

American Standard Version

And in those days men shall seek death, and shall in no wise find it; and they shall desire to die, and death fleeth from them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 9:6 vividly portrays the horrific intensity of the fifth trumpet judgment, where the torment inflicted upon unrepentant humanity is so extreme that death, typically feared, becomes a desperately sought-after escape, yet remains agonizingly unattainable. This verse underscores a profound reversal of the natural human instinct for self-preservation, revealing a state of unparalleled physical and spiritual anguish from which there is no relief.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the apocalyptic narrative of the fifth trumpet judgment, which begins in [Revelation 9:1](/revelation/9-1 "Revelation 9:1 - The Fifth Trumpet Sounds"). Following the opening of the bottomless pit by a fallen star and the release of smoke and locust-like creatures, the preceding verses establish the nature of their torment. [Revelation 9:4](/revelation/9-4 "Revelation 9:4 - Those Without the Seal") specifies that these creatures are forbidden to harm the earth's vegetation but are empowered to torment only those who do not bear "the seal of God on their foreheads." [Revelation 9:5](/revelation/9-5 "Revelation 9:5 - The Torment of the Locusts") further clarifies that their power is not to kill, but to inflict torment for five months, a torment likened to the sting of a scorpion. Verse 6 serves as the climactic expression of this torment's severity, emphasizing that the suffering is so unbearable that death is desired but withheld, intensifying the agony.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of torment and the desire for death in Revelation would have resonated with ancient audiences familiar with various forms of severe punishment and the concept of a "living death." While specific historical events are not directly referenced in this prophetic vision, the Roman Empire, known for its brutal methods of torture and execution, provides a backdrop against which such descriptions of suffering would be understood. The idea of a torment so profound that one wishes for death, yet cannot find it, taps into universal human fears of inescapable agony. Furthermore, the concept of divine judgment, where God exercises ultimate control over life and death, was a foundational belief in both Jewish and early Christian thought, giving weight to the severity of the judgment described.
* **Key Themes:** [Revelation 9:6](/revelation/9-6 "Revelation 9:6 - The Desire for Death") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Revelation and biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights the **severity and justice of God's judgment** against persistent rebellion and unrepentance, demonstrating that His wrath is not merely punitive but also perfectly controlled, even to the withholding of death as a mercy. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **divine sovereignty over life and death**, as God alone determines when life begins and ends, and in this specific judgment, when death is denied. This contrasts sharply with human attempts to control their own destiny. Thirdly, the verse vividly portrays the **utter hopelessness and despair** that will characterize those who reject God's grace, emphasizing that without His seal, there is no escape from the consequences of sin, even in the most extreme circumstances. Finally, it subtly points to the **preciousness of God's present grace**, as the opportunity to repent and receive His seal is available now, before such dreadful judgments are fully unleashed, as seen in passages like [Revelation 7:3](/revelation/7-3 "Revelation 7:3 - Sealing of God's Servants").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **seek (Greek, _zētéō'_):** From G2212, meaning "to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by Hebraism) to worship (God), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life)." In this context, it signifies an earnest and active pursuit or search for death, indicating a desperate and intentional effort to find an end to their suffering. It's not a passive wish but an active longing.
* **desire (Greek, _epithyméō'_):** From G1937, meaning "to set the heart upon, i.e. long for (rightfully or otherwise); to covet, desire, would fain, lust (after)." This word intensifies "seek," conveying a deep, passionate longing or craving for death. It suggests an emotional and volitional commitment to escaping the torment, highlighting the extreme nature of their suffering that makes death appear as the ultimate relief.
* **flee (Greek, _pheúgō'_):** From G5343, meaning "to run away (literally or figuratively); by implication, to shun; by analogy, to vanish." This word personifies death, depicting it as an entity that actively runs away or vanishes from those who desperately pursue it. This emphasizes the inescapable nature of the torment; the very thing they long for, death, is supernaturally withheld from them, prolonging their agony.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And in those days shall men seek death":** This clause sets the temporal context ("in those days," referring to the period of the fifth trumpet judgment) and introduces the shocking reversal of human instinct. "Men" (G444, _ánthrōpos'_, human beings) will actively "seek" (G2212, _zētéō'_) death, implying a deliberate and desperate search for cessation of life, a stark contrast to the natural human desire for survival.
* **"and shall not find it":** This phrase delivers the cruel irony and the core of the torment. Despite their earnest seeking, death will be "not find" (G3756, _ou'_ + G2147, _heurískō'_), meaning it will be utterly unavailable. This highlights God's absolute control over life and death, as He supernaturally withholds the very relief they crave, prolonging their unbearable suffering.
* **"and shall desire to die":** This clause reiterates and intensifies the previous statement, emphasizing the profound longing for death. "Desire" (G1937, _epithyméō'_) speaks to a deep, heartfelt craving, underscoring the extreme nature of the agony that compels such a wish. The infinitive "to die" (G599, _apothnḗskō'_) makes the object of their desire explicit: an end to their existence.
* **"and death shall flee from them":** This final clause powerfully reinforces the futility of their desire through personification. "Death" (G2288, _thánatos'_) is depicted as actively "fleeing" (G5343, _pheúgō'_) from them, as if it were an elusive entity deliberately avoiding their grasp. This imagery vividly portrays the inescapable nature of their torment, as the ultimate escape is supernaturally denied, leaving them trapped in perpetual agony.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 9:6 employs several powerful **Literary Devices** to convey the intensity of the judgment. **Irony** is central, as the natural human instinct to preserve life is completely inverted; death, normally feared, becomes the most coveted desire. This reversal underscores the extremity of the suffering. **Hyperbole** is also evident in the description of a torment so severe that it drives people to seek death, a state of agony beyond ordinary human experience, emphasizing the unparalleled nature of this divine judgment. Furthermore, **Personification** is used when "death shall flee from them," giving death the agency of an active entity that deliberately avoids those who seek it. This device vividly illustrates the supernatural withholding of relief, making the suffering even more profound and inescapable. The repetition of the idea—seeking death and desiring to die, coupled with death's unavailability—creates a sense of **Emphasis** and reinforces the inescapable nature of the torment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 9:6 serves as a stark reminder of the ultimate consequences of rejecting God's grace and remaining in rebellion. It powerfully illustrates God's absolute sovereignty, not only over life and death but also over the very conditions of existence. The withholding of death, even when desperately sought, demonstrates that God's judgment is precise and controlled, designed to bring about a specific outcome—the full experience of the consequences of sin for those who refuse repentance. This passage underscores the terrifying reality that there is a point beyond which God's patience gives way to righteous judgment, and for those who have hardened their hearts, even the "mercy" of death will be denied, prolonging their agony as a testament to divine justice.

* [Deuteronomy 28:65-67](/deuteronomy/28-65-67 "Deuteronomy 28:65-67 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Job 3:20-22](/job/3-20-22 "Job 3:20-22 - Why is Light Given to Him Who Suffers?")
* [Jeremiah 8:3](/jeremiah/8-3 "Jeremiah 8:3 - Death Preferred to Life")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 9:6, while describing a future prophetic event, offers profound implications for our present lives. It serves as a chilling warning about the severity of divine judgment for those who persistently reject God's offer of salvation through Christ. The image of people desperately seeking death but unable to find it should impress upon us the immense value of the grace and mercy God extends today. Now is the time to turn to Him, to receive His "seal" of salvation, and to find refuge in His lovingkindness, before a time comes when relief is impossible. This verse also reminds us of God's ultimate authority over all things, including life and death. This truth should inspire both reverent awe and a deep desire to live in alignment with His will, recognizing that our lives are in His sovereign hands. It compels us to consider the eternal consequences of our choices and to embrace the hope found only in Christ, which delivers us from the wrath to come.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of people seeking death but not finding it challenge or deepen your understanding of divine judgment?**
* **What does this verse reveal about the ultimate sovereignty of God over life and death, and how does that truth impact your perspective on your own life?**
* **In what ways does this prophetic warning compel you to live differently today, especially in light of God's present grace and the opportunity for repentance?**
* **How might this passage motivate you to share the good news of salvation with others, knowing the severity of future judgment for those without God's seal?**

### FAQ
**What is the "seal of God" mentioned in Revelation 9:4, and how does it relate to this verse?**

Answer: The "seal of God" mentioned in [Revelation 9:4](/revelation/9-4 "Revelation 9:4 - Those Without the Seal") refers to a divine mark of protection placed upon God's faithful servants, distinguishing them from those who are subject to the judgments. While its exact nature is debated (some see it as literal, others symbolic of spiritual ownership and preservation), it signifies those who belong to God and are spiritually protected from the specific torment of the locusts. Revelation 9:6 directly relates to this by highlighting the fate of those *without* this seal: they are the ones who will experience such unbearable torment that they seek death, yet cannot find it, precisely because they lack God's protective mark. The seal, therefore, represents immunity from this particular judgment, underscoring the dire consequences for those who have rejected God's authority and grace.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Revelation 9:6 describes a future judgment, its underlying themes find profound Christ-centered fulfillment. The ultimate power to withhold or grant death rests solely with God, and this power is fully embodied in Jesus Christ. He is the one who holds "the keys of Hades and of Death" ([Revelation 1:18](/revelation/1-18 "Revelation 1:18 - Christ Holds the Keys of Death and Hades")), demonstrating His absolute authority over both life and the grave. The torment described in this verse, where death is denied, foreshadows the ultimate and eternal separation from God, which is the true "second death" ([Revelation 21:8](/revelation/21-8 "Revelation 21:8 - The Second Death")) for those who reject Christ. Conversely, for those who are "sealed" by God through faith in Christ, death has lost its sting because Jesus has conquered it through His resurrection ([1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54-57 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Victory Over Death")). He offers not a desperate longing for death, but the promise of eternal life ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")) and deliverance from the wrath to come ([1 Thessalonians 1:10](/1_thessalonians/1-10 "1 Thessalonians 1:10 - Jesus Delivers Us from Wrath")). Thus, Revelation 9:6, by depicting the horror of death withheld, implicitly magnifies the glorious freedom and hope found in Christ, who has overcome death and offers true, everlasting life to all who believe.

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

Jeremiah 8:3

And death shall be chosen rather than life by all the residue of them that remain of this evil family, which remain in all the places whither I have driven them, saith the LORD of hosts.

Luke 23:30

Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.

Revelation 6:16

And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

Isaiah 2:19

And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.

Hosea 10:8

The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed: the thorn and the thistle shall come up on their altars; and they shall say to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us.

Job 7:15

So that my soul chooseth strangling, [and] death rather than my life.

Job 7:16

I loathe [it]; I would not live alway: let me alone; for my days [are] vanity.