Devine Scripture

Revelation 9:5

What does Revelation 9:5 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 9:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 9:5 means

The locusts are not allowed to kill but only to torment for five months, a period corresponding to a typical locust season, indicating a real yet limited span. Their sting is like that of scorpions—sharp, burning, and incapacitating. God’s limit shows both judgment and mercy: the pain is severe, but death is withheld. The purpose is chastening rather than annihilation. The verse communicates that heaven sets boundaries even on hellish forces. The sufferers experience a prolonged affliction intended to expose the emptiness of their defenses. This measured severity displays God’s justice while leaving space for repentance, though the chapter will reveal that repentance largely does not come.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And it was given them that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when it striketh a man.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And it was given them that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when it striketh a man.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And orders were given them not to put them to death, but to give them great pain for five months: and their pain was as the pain from the wound of a scorpion.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and it was given to them that they may not kill them, but that they may be tormented five months, and their torment <FI>is<Fi> as the torment of a scorpion, when it may strike a man;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And it was given unto them that they should not kill them: but that they should torment them five months. And their torment was as the torment of a scorpion when he striketh a man.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and it was given to them that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months; and their torment [was] as [the] torment of a scorpion when it strikes a man.

Context

Having identified the targets, the text now defines the scope of the plague. This verse pairs with verse 6 to depict human response—despair without relief. The emphasis on duration and nonlethality differentiates the fifth trumpet from the sixth, which will involve mass death. Verses 7–10 then zoom in on the locusts’ form and equipment, while verse 11 names their leader. The structure contrasts limited torment now with lethal devastation to come.

v.4And it was said unto them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree, but only such men as have not the seal of God on their foreheads.

v.5This passage

v.6And in those days men shall seek death, and shall in no wise find it; and they shall desire to die, and death fleeth from them.

Cross references

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

  • Daniel 5:18

    O thou king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father the kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and majesty:

  • Job 2:6

    And Jehovah said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thy hand; only spare his life.

  • Revelation 9:10

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

  • Revelation 13:5

    and there was given to him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and there was given to him authority to continue forty and two months.

  • Revelation 13:7

    And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and there was given to him authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.

  • Revelation 9:3

    And out of the smoke came forth locusts upon the earth; and power was given them, as the scorpions of the earth have power.

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