Devine Scripture

Revelation 12:15

What does Revelation 12:15 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 12:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 12:15 means

In response, the serpent pours water like a river from his mouth after the woman, aiming to sweep her away. The torrent symbolizes overwhelming, destructive force—words, pressures, or persecutions unleashed to carry God’s people off their feet. The source from his mouth suggests deception and threats as instruments of harm. The intent is clear: erase the people of God despite their God-given refuge. The image acknowledges that even when God provides shelter, assaults continue and may feel overpowering. Yet the narrative direction hints that such schemes will ultimately be frustrated by God’s governance over creation itself.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And the serpent cast out of his mouth after the woman water as a river, that he might cause her to be carried away by the stream.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And the serpent cast out of his mouth after the woman water as a river, that he might cause her to be carried away by the stream.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the snake sent out of his mouth after the woman a river of water, so that she might be taken away by the stream.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and the serpent did cast forth after the woman, out of his mouth, water as a river, that he may cause her to be carried away by the river,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the serpent cast out of his mouth, after the woman, water, as it were a river: that he might cause her to be carried away by the river.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And the serpent cast out of his mouth behind the woman water as a river, that he might make her be [as] one carried away by a river.

Context

After God’s provision in verse 14, verse 15 depicts the serpent’s intensified tactics to reach the woman despite her divinely granted escape. The focus remains on relentless opposition. The following verse will show that creation, under God’s hand, intervenes to nullify the flood. Understanding this verse as part of the attack-protection rhythm readies the reader to see deliverance come from an unexpected quarter.

v.14And there were given to the woman the two wings of the great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness unto her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

v.15This passage

v.16And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth and swallowed up the river which the dragon cast out of his mouth.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Revelation 17:15

    And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the harlot sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

  • Isaiah 28:2

    Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one; as a tempest of hail, a destroying storm, as a tempest of mighty waters overflowing, will he cast down to the earth with the hand.

  • Isaiah 59:19

    So shall they fear the name of Jehovah from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun; for he will come as a rushing stream, which the breath of Jehovah driveth.

  • Psalms 93:3

    The floods have lifted up, O Jehovah, The floods have lifted up their voice; The floods lift up their waves.

  • Psalms 18:4

    The cords of death compassed me, And the floods of ungodliness made me afraid.

  • Isaiah 8:7

    now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the River, strong and many, even the king of Assyria and all his glory: and it shall come up over all its channels, and go over all its banks;

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