Devine Scripture

Revelation 9:18

What does Revelation 9:18 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 9:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 9:18 means

By means of three plagues—fire, smoke, and brimstone—a third of humanity is killed. The triad suggests comprehensive devastation. Whereas the fifth trumpet inflicted agony without death, the sixth issues lethal judgment on a massive scale. The plagues proceed from the horses’ mouths, underscoring that the force of destruction comes from what they emit. The verse confronts us with the severity of divine justice when mercy is refused. The limitation to a third shows judgment restrained even in its ferocity, leaving room for response—though, as the chapter will lament, that response is tragically absent among survivors.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

By these three plagues was the third part of men killed, by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone, which proceeded out of their mouths.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

By these three plagues was the third part of men killed, by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone, which proceeded out of their mouths.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

By these evils a third part of men was put to death, by the fire, and the smoke, and the burning smell which came out of their mouths.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

by these three were the third of men killed, from the fire, and from the smoke, and from the brimstone, that is proceeding out of their mouth,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And by these three plagues was slain the third part of men, by the fire and by the smoke and by the brimstone which issued out of their mouths.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

By these three plagues were the third part of men killed, by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which goes out of their mouths.

Context

This statement sums up the impact of the imagery described in verse 17. It bridges to verse 19, which will add detail about the horses’ tails and their power. The narrative then turns in verses 20–21 from description to evaluation, recording how the spared majority reacts morally and spiritually to these catastrophic events. The structure emphasizes that the purpose of judgment includes calling for repentance.

v.17And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates as of fire and of hyacinth and of brimstone: and the heads of the horses are as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths proceedeth fire and smoke and brimstone.

v.18This passage

v.19For the power of the horses is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails are like unto serpents, and have heads; and with them they hurt.

Cross references

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

  • 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.

  • Revelation 9:17

    And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates as of fire and of hyacinth and of brimstone: and the heads of the horses are as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths proceedeth fire and smoke and brimstone.

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