Devine Scripture

Revelation 6:9

What does Revelation 6:9 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 6:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 6:9 means

When the fifth seal opens, the scene moves to heaven’s altar, where John sees the souls of those slain for the word of God and their testimony. The altar image suggests sacrifice: their lives were poured out in devotion to God. They are not forgotten; they are gathered in a place of worship and atonement. Their identity is clear—they were killed for fidelity to God’s truth. This verse affirms both the cost of discipleship and the dignity God gives to His martyrs. Their presence at the altar declares that God counts their deaths as precious and that their story continues in His presence.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And 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:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And 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:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And when the fifth stamp was undone, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been put to death for the word of God, and for the witness which they kept.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And when he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony that they held,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And when it opened the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of them that had been slain for the word ofGod, and for the testimony which they held;

Context

The focus now shifts from earthly judgments to heavenly perspective. Instead of a rider bringing calamity, we see the faithful who have suffered under those conditions or under persecution. Verse 10 will give voice to their longing for justice; verse 11 will reveal God’s answer of comfort and timing. The fifth seal thus addresses the moral question raised by the first four: What of the righteous who suffer? God shows He sees, hears, and will vindicate.

v.8And I saw, and behold, a pale horse: and he that sat upon him, his name was Death; and Hades followed with him. And there was given unto them authority over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with famine, and with death, and by the wild beasts of the earth.

v.9This passage

v.10and 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?

Cross references

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

  • Philippians 1:23

    But I am in a strait betwixt the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ; for it is very far better:

  • 2 Corinthians 5:8

    we are of good courage, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.

  • Revelation 16:7

    And I heard the altar saying, Yea, O Lord God, the Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.

  • Leviticus 4:7

    And the priest shall put of the blood upon the horns of the altar of sweet incense before Jehovah, which is in the tent of meeting; and all the blood of the bullock shall he pour out at the base of the altar of burnt-offering, which is at the door of the tent of meeting.

  • Revelation 14:18

    And another angel came out from the altar, he that hath power over fire; and he called with a great voice to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Send forth thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.

  • Revelation 11:3

    And I will give unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

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