Devine Scripture

Revelation 6:10

What does Revelation 6:10 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 6:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 6:10 means

The martyrs cry out with a great voice, asking how long the holy and true Master will refrain from judging and avenging their blood on earth-dwellers. Their prayer is not vindictive but appeals to God’s holiness and truth—His character requires that evil not finally prevail. They seek righteous judgment, the public setting right of wrongs. Their unified cry shows that heaven welcomes honest lament and that saints long for God’s name to be honored on earth. The timing is God’s prerogative, but the plea affirms that justice delayed is not justice denied. The Lord hears, and the question itself anticipates His certain answer.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and they cried with a great voice, saying, How long, O Master, the holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and they cried with a great voice, saying, How long, O Master, the holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And they gave a great cry, saying, How long will it be, O Ruler, holy and true, before you take your place as judge and give punishment for our blood to those on the earth?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and they were crying with a great voice, saying, `Till when, O Master, the Holy and the True, dost Thou not judge and take vengeance of our blood from those dwelling upon the land?'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And they cried with a loud voice, saying: How long, O Lord (Holy and True), dost thou not judge and revenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O sovereign Ruler, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell upon the earth?

Context

Following the revelation of who these souls are, this verse gives their petition. It connects the earlier judgments to moral accountability: if the earth is shaken, will the oppressors answer? The request for vengeance sets up the response in verse 11, where God provides assurance and a divinely set delay. This prepares readers to understand the sixth seal’s cosmic upheaval as part of that answer—God’s wrath is real and will be revealed.

v.9And when he opened the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of them that had been slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:

v.10This passage

v.11And there was given them to each one a white robe; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little time, until their fellow-servants also and their brethren, who should be killed even as they were, should have fulfilled their course.

Cross references

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

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:6

    if so be that it is a righteous thing with God to recompense affliction to them that afflict you,

  • Psalms 94:3

    Jehovah, how long shall the wicked, How long shall the wicked triumph?

  • Psalms 13:1

    How long, O Jehovah? wilt thou forget me for ever? How long wilt thou hide thy face from me?

  • Daniel 8:13

    Then I heard a holy one speaking; and another holy one said unto that certain one who spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the continual burnt-offering, and the transgression that maketh desolate, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?

  • 1 Samuel 24:12

    Jehovah judge between me and thee, and Jehovah avenge me of thee; but my hand shall not be upon thee.

  • Zechariah 1:12

    Then the angel of Jehovah answered and said, O Jehovah of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years?

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