Devine Scripture

Revelation 16:12

What does Revelation 16:12 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 16:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 16:12 means

The sixth bowl dries up the Euphrates, the great river that long served as a boundary and defense. Its drying prepares a roadway for “the kings that come from the sunrising,” likely rulers from the east. The point is not their identity so much as the divine preparation: God removes obstacles so that opposing powers may assemble for their downfall. History’s rivers are not ultimate barriers when the Almighty orchestrates events. As in former times, threats arise from beyond the Euphrates, but here the scene widens to a final muster. The Lord sovereignly sets the stage on which the world’s rebellion will meet His decisive judgment.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And the sixth poured out his bowl upon the great river, the river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way might be made ready for the kings that come from the sunrising.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And the sixth poured out his bowl upon the great river, the river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way might be made ready for the kings that come from the sunrising.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the sixth let what was in his vessel come out on the great river Euphrates; and it became dry, so that the way might be made ready for the kings from the east.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And the sixth messenger did pour out his vial upon the great river, the Euphrates, and dried up was its water, that the way of the kings who are from the rising of the sun may be made ready;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon that great river Euphrates and dried up the water thereof, that a way might be prepared for the kings from the rising of the sun.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And the sixth poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates; and its water was dried up, that the way of the kings from the rising of the sun might be prepared.

Context

This preparation bowl differs from the others by clearing a path rather than inflicting pain. Verses 13–14 will explain how satanic forces exploit this opening, sending out deceptive spirits to gather the world’s rulers. The parenthetical blessing of verse 15 then calls believers to vigilance in the midst of rising conflict. Finally, verse 16 names the place of assembly—Har-Magedon—before the seventh bowl announces the completion of God’s wrath.

v.11and they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores; and they repented not of their works.

v.12This passage

v.13And I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits, as it were frogs:

Cross references

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

  • Jeremiah 51:36

    Therefore thus saith Jehovah: Behold, I will plead thy cause, and take vengeance for thee; and I will dry up her sea, and make her fountain dry.

  • Revelation 9:14

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

  • Isaiah 41:2

    Who hath raised up one from the east, whom he calleth in righteousness to his foot? he giveth nations before him, and maketh him rule over kings; he giveth them as the dust to his sword, as the driven stubble to his bow.

  • Isaiah 42:15

    I will lay waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and will dry up the pools.

  • 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.

  • Jeremiah 50:38

    A drought is upon her waters, and they shall be dried up; for it is a land of graven images, and they are mad over idols.

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