Devine Scripture

Revelation 6:13

What does Revelation 6:13 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 6:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 6:13 means

The stars fall like unripe figs in a storm wind, a vivid picture of the heavens shaken beyond stability. Whether describing meteor showers or symbolic collapse of heavenly powers, the effect is the same: what seemed fixed and guiding is dislodged. The simile of figs shaken off underscores suddenness and helplessness; created lights cannot resist the Judge’s hand. The verse contributes to the overall sense that this is no localized judgment but cosmic. God is unmaking the false securities of the world, showing that even the sky, which humans take for granted, answers to His command.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and the stars of the heaven fell unto the earth, as a fig tree casteth her unripe figs when she is shaken of a great wind.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and the stars of the heaven fell unto the earth, as a fig tree casteth her unripe figs when she is shaken of a great wind.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the stars of heaven were falling to the earth, like green fruit from a tree before the force of a great wind.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and the stars of the heaven fell to the earth--as a fig-tree doth cast her winter figs, by a great wind being shaken--

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the stars from heaven fell upon the earth, as the fig tree casteth its green figs when it is shaken by a great wind.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and the stars of heaven fell upon the earth, as a fig tree, shaken by a great wind, casts its unseasonable figs.

Context

Continuing the sixth seal, this verse amplifies the imagery from verse 12. It moves from darkening lights to their dislodging, progressing the theme of total upheaval. Verse 14 will take the picture further by speaking of the heavens rolled back and the earth’s topography altered. The accumulating images prepare for the universal panic and confession in verses 15–17, where humanity acknowledges the divine source of these events.

v.12And I saw when he opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the whole moon became as blood;

v.13This passage

v.14And the heaven was removed as a scroll when it is rolled up; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

Cross references

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

  • Isaiah 34:4

    And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll; and all their host shall fade away, as the leaf fadeth from off the vine, and as a fading leaf from the fig-tree.

  • Isaiah 33:9

    The land mourneth and languisheth; Lebanon is confounded and withereth away; Sharon is like a desert; and Bashan and Carmel shake off their leaves.

  • Revelation 9:1

    And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from heaven fallen unto the earth: and there was given to him the key of the pit of the abyss.

  • Luke 21:25

    And there shall be signs in sun and moon and stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the billows;

  • Ezekiel 32:7

    And when I shall extinguish thee, I will cover the heavens, and make the stars thereof dark; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not give its light.

  • Daniel 4:14

    He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off its branches, shake off its leaves, and scatter its fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from its branches.

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