Revelation 8:7
What does Revelation 8:7 mean?
A plain-English look at Revelation 8:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Revelation 8:7 means
At the first trumpet, hail and fire mixed with blood are thrown upon the earth. A third of the earth and trees burn, and all green grass is consumed. The imagery evokes the plagues on Egypt but now on a broader canvas. God judges the land—habitation and agriculture—reminding humanity that the earth is His, not a guarantor of self-sufficiency. The “blood” signals lethal consequence; whether literal or symbolic, the devastation is real. Yet the repeated fraction shows restraint: severe warning without total ruin. Creation groans under fire, and human confidence in fields and forests is shaken. The blast proclaims that the Holy One can touch the ground beneath our feet and upend ordinary security.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And the first sounded, and there followed hail and fire, mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of the earth was burnt up, and the third part of the trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.
KJV
King James Version · 1611The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And the first sounded, and there followed hail and fire, mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of the earth was burnt up, and the third part of the trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And at the sounding of the first, a rain of ice and fire, mixed with blood, was sent on the earth: and a third part of the earth, and of the trees, and all green grass was burned up.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and the first messenger did sound, and there came hail and fire, mingled with blood, and it was cast to the land, and the third of the trees was burnt up, and all the green grass was burnt up.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the first angel sounded the trumpet: and there followed hail and fire, mingled with blood: and it was cast on the earth. And the third part of the earth was burnt up: and the third part of the trees was burnt up: and all green grass was burnt up.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the first sounded [his] trumpet: and there was hail and fire, mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth; and the third part of the earth was burnt up, and the third part of the trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.
Context
This is the first in a quartet of nature-striking trumpets. It targets the land and vegetation, setting a pattern that will range next to the sea (verses 8–9), then to inland and subterranean waters (verses 10–11), and then to the sky (verse 12). Each judgment is partial, building tension and inviting repentance. The second trumpet will keep the theme of fiery catastrophe but shift the arena to the sea, amplifying both ecological and economic consequences.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 7:25
and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon the rock.
- 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.
- Zechariah 13:8
And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith Jehovah, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein.
- Exodus 9:33
And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto Jehovah: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth.
- Revelation 12:4
And his tail draweth the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon standeth before the woman that is about to be delivered, that when she is delivered he may devour her child.
- Revelation 9:15
And the four angels were loosed, that had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, that they should kill the third part of men.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Revelation 8
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Revelation 8.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Adoption as Sons
God’s plan for us includes adoption into his family, bringing us from spiritual orphanhood to beloved children.
Topic
Bible Verses About Authority
Authority in the Bible refers to the divinely instituted right to command and influence, often reflecting God's sovereign rule and delegation to human leaders.
Topic
Bible Verses About Blasphemy
Blasphemy in the Bible refers to irreverence shown toward God, holy things, and even people who represent God.
What the Bible says about…
Verses for this moment
Verses for
Bible Verses for the Fear of Death
When you're afraid to die — what scripture promises about the last enemy.
Verses for
Bible Verses for Grief After Losing Someone You Love
When the room is empty — verses that grieve with you, not around you.
Verses for
Bible Verses for Grief After a Miscarriage
A holy ache the world rarely names — scripture for the weight you're carrying.