Devine Scripture

Revelation 9:19

What does Revelation 9:19 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 9:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 9:19 means

The horses’ power lies both in their mouths and in their tails. Their tails are like serpents with heads, by which they inflict harm. The double-ended danger conveys inescapability and relentless injury. What they breathe kills; what trails them also hurts. The serpent imagery adds a further note of sinister, deceptive malice. John’s aim is to portray a judgment that is comprehensive and unnerving, leaving no apparent avenue of safe approach. Human strength and strategy offer no sure defense when the instruments of wrath are animated by forces beyond human control.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For the power of the horses is in their mouths and in their tails: because their tails are like snakes, and have heads, and with them they give wounds.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for their authorities are in their mouth, and in their tails, for their tails <FI>are<Fi> like serpents, having heads, and with them they do injure;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For the power of the horses is in their mouths and in their tails. For, their tails are like to serpents and have heads: and with them they hurt.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For the power of the horses is in their mouth and in their tails: for their tails [are] like serpents, having heads, and with them they injure.

Context

This completes the description of the army’s weaponry and the nature of its harm after verse 18’s report of deaths. With the vivid portrayal concluded, the chapter shifts in verses 20–21 to the moral assessment of those who survive. The transition moves from what happens to what should have happened—repentance—and sadly, to what did not happen, underscoring the hardness of the human heart under judgment.

v.18By 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.

v.19This passage

v.20And the rest of mankind, who were not killed with these plagues, repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and the idols of gold, and of silver, and of brass, and of stone, and of wood; which can neither see, nor hear, nor walk:

Cross references

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

  • Ephesians 4:14

    that we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error;

  • Revelation 9:10

    And they have tails like unto scorpions, and stings; and in their tails is their power to hurt men five months.

  • Isaiah 9:15

    The elder and the honorable man, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail.

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