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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Revelation 9:10 They had tails with stingers like scorpions, which had the power to injure people for five months.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/revelation/9-10.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/66_Rev_09_10.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Revelation 9:10 - The Fifth Trumpet" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="They had tails with stingers like scorpions, which had the power to injure people for five months." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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Their power was to hurt men five months. <a href="/nasb_/revelation/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> They have tails like scorpions, and stings; and in their tails is their power to hurt people for five months. <a href="/nasb/revelation/9.htm">NASB 1995</a> They have tails like scorpions, and stings; and in their tails is their power to hurt men for five months. <a href="/nasb77/revelation/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And they have tails like scorpions, and stings; and in their tails is their power to hurt men for five months. <a href="/lsb/revelation/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And they have tails like scorpions, and stings; and in their tails is their power to hurt men for five months. <a href="/amp/revelation/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a> They have tails like scorpions, and stingers; and in their tails is their power to hurt people for five months. <a href="/csb/revelation/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> and they had tails with stingers like scorpions, so that with their tails they had the power to harm people for five months. <a href="/hcsb/revelation/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> and they had tails with stingers like scorpions, so that with their tails they had the power to harm people for five months. <a href="/asv/revelation/9.htm">American Standard Version</a> And they have tails like unto scorpions, and stings; and in their tails is their power to hurt men five months. <a href="/cev/revelation/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Their tails were like a scorpion's tail with a stinger that had the power to hurt someone for five months. <a href="/erv/revelation/9.htm">English Revised Version</a> And they have tails like unto scorpions, and stings; and in their tails is their power to hurt men five months. <a href="/gwt/revelation/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> They had tails and stingers like scorpions. They had the power to hurt people with their tails for five months. <a href="/gnt/revelation/9.htm">Good News Translation</a> They have tails and stings like those of a scorpion, and it is with their tails that they have the power to hurt people for five months. <a href="/isv/revelation/9.htm">International Standard Version</a> They had tails and stingers like scorpions, and they had the power to hurt people with their tails for five months. <a href="/msb/revelation/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> They had tails with stingers like scorpions, which had the power to injure people for five months. <a href="/net/revelation/9.htm">NET Bible</a> They have tails and stingers like scorpions, and their ability to injure people for five months is in their tails. <a href="/nheb/revelation/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> They have tails like those of scorpions, and stings. In their tails is their power to harm people for five months. <a href="/wbt/revelation/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And they had tails like scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months. <a href="/wey/revelation/9.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> They had tails like those of scorpions, and also stings; and in their tails lay their power of injuring mankind for five months. <a href="/web/revelation/9.htm">World English Bible</a> They have tails like those of scorpions, with stingers. In their tails they have power to harm men for five months. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/revelation/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and they have tails like to scorpions, and stings were in their tails; and their authority [is] to injure men five months; <a href="/blb/revelation/9.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And they have tails and stingers like scorpions, and their power to injure men for five months is in their tails. <a href="/ylt/revelation/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and they have tails like to scorpions, and stings were in their tails; and their authority is to injure men five months; <a href="/slt/revelation/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And they have tails as scorpions, and goads were in their tails: and their power to injure men five months.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/revelation/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And they had tails like to scorpions, and there were stings in their tails; and their power was to hurt men five months. And they had over them <a href="/cpdv/revelation/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And they had tails similar to scorpions. And there were stingers in their tails, and these had the power to harm men for five months. <a href="/nabre/revelation/9.htm">New American Bible</a> They had tails like scorpions, with stingers; with their tails they had power to harm people for five months. <a href="/nrsvce/revelation/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> They have tails like scorpions, with stingers, and in their tails is their power to harm people for five months.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/revelation/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and they had power to hurt men five months. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/revelation/9.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And they had tails like scorpions and a sting in their tails, and their authority is to hurt people for five months.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/revelation/9.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And they had tails like scorpions, and there were stings in their tails; and they had power to hurt men five months. <a href="/godbey/revelation/9.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> And they have tails like scorpions, and stings: and their power is in their tails, to hurt men five months: <a href="/haweis/revelation/9.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> And they had tails like scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and they had power to hurt men five months. <a href="/mace/revelation/9.htm">Mace New Testament</a> they had stings in their tails like scorpions; and they had leave to molest men for five months with their stings. <a href="/wey/revelation/9.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> They had tails like those of scorpions, and also stings; and in their tails lay their power of injuring mankind for five months. <a href="/worrell/revelation/9.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And they have tails like scorpions, and stings; and in their tails is their power to hurt men five months. <a href="/worsley/revelation/9.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> And they had tails like scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months. <a href="/parallel/revelation/9-10.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LJfD7KQcx0I?start=1837" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/revelation/9.htm">The Fifth Trumpet</a> …9They also had thoraxes like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the roar of many horses and chariots rushing into battle. 10<a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: echousin (V-PIA-3P) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">They had</a> <a href="/greek/3769.htm" title="3769: ouras (N-AFP) -- A tail. Apparently a primary word; a tail.">tails</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">with</a> <a href="/greek/2759.htm" title="2759: kentra (N-ANP) -- A sting, goad; met: of death. From kenteo; a point, i.e. A sting or goad.">stingers</a> <a href="/greek/3664.htm" title="3664: homoias (Adj-AFP) -- Like, similar to, resembling, of equal rank. From the base of homou; similar.">like</a> <a href="/greek/4651.htm" title="4651: skorpiois (N-DMP) -- A scorpion. Probably from an obsolete skerpo; a scorpion.">scorpions,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autōn (PPro-GF3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tais (Art-DFP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3769.htm" title="3769: ourais (N-DFP) -- A tail. Apparently a primary word; a tail.">which</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autōn (PPro-GF3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">had</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/1849.htm" title="1849: exousia (N-NFS) -- From exesti; privilege, i.e. force, capacity, competency, freedom, or mastery, delegated influence.">power</a> <a href="/greek/91.htm" title="91: adikēsai (V-ANA) -- To act unjustly towards, injure, harm. From adikos; to be unjust, i.e. do wrong.">to injure</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tous (Art-AMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/444.htm" title="444: anthrōpous (N-AMP) -- A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.">people</a> <a href="/greek/4002.htm" title="4002: pente (Adj-AMP) -- Five. A primary number; five.">for five</a> <a href="/greek/3376.htm" title="3376: mēnas (N-AMP) -- A (lunar) month. A primary word; a month.">months.</a> 11They were ruled by a king, the angel of the Abyss. His name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek it is Apollyon.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/joel/2-4.htm">Joel 2:4-5</a> Their appearance is like that of horses, and they gallop like swift steeds. / With a sound like that of chariots they bound over the mountaintops, like the crackling of fire consuming stubble, like a mighty army deployed for battle. <a href="/joel/2-7.htm">Joel 2:7-10</a> They charge like mighty men; they scale the walls like men of war. Each one marches in formation, not swerving from the course. / They do not jostle one another; each proceeds in his path. They burst through the defenses, never breaking ranks. / They storm the city; they run along the wall; they climb into houses, entering through windows like thieves. ... <a href="/exodus/10-14.htm">Exodus 10:14-15</a> The locusts swarmed across the land and settled over the entire territory of Egypt. Never before had there been so many locusts, and never again will there be. / They covered the face of all the land until it was black, and they consumed all the plants on the ground and all the fruit on the trees that the hail had left behind. Nothing green was left on any tree or plant in all the land of Egypt. <a href="/deuteronomy/28-42.htm">Deuteronomy 28:42</a> Swarms of locusts will consume all your trees and the produce of your land. <a href="/1_kings/12-11.htm">1 Kings 12:11</a> Whereas my father burdened you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. Whereas my father scourged you with whips, I will scourge you with scorpions.’” <a href="/1_kings/12-14.htm">1 Kings 12:14</a> and spoke to them as the young men had advised, saying, “Whereas my father made your yoke heavy, I will add to your yoke. Whereas my father scourged you with whips, I will scourge you with scorpions.” <a href="/isaiah/9-15.htm">Isaiah 9:15</a> The head is the elder and honorable man, and the tail is the prophet who teaches lies. <a href="/isaiah/14-29.htm">Isaiah 14:29</a> Do not rejoice, all you Philistines, that the rod that struck you is broken. For a viper will spring from the root of the snake, and a flying serpent from its egg. <a href="/isaiah/30-6.htm">Isaiah 30:6</a> This is the burden against the beasts of the Negev: Through a land of hardship and distress, of lioness and lion, of viper and flying serpent, they carry their wealth on the backs of donkeys and their treasures on the humps of camels, to a people of no profit to them. <a href="/jeremiah/8-17.htm">Jeremiah 8:17</a> “For behold, I will send snakes among you, vipers that cannot be charmed, and they will bite you,” declares the LORD. <a href="/jeremiah/46-22.htm">Jeremiah 46:22-23</a> Egypt will hiss like a fleeing serpent, for the enemy will advance in force; with axes they will come against her like woodsmen cutting down trees. / They will chop down her forest, declares the LORD, dense though it may be, for they are more numerous than locusts; they cannot be counted. <a href="/ezekiel/2-6.htm">Ezekiel 2:6</a> But you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns surround you, and you dwell among scorpions. Do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their presence, though they are a rebellious house. <a href="/ezekiel/28-24.htm">Ezekiel 28:24</a> For the people of Israel will no longer face a pricking brier or a painful thorn from all around them who treat them with contempt. Then they will know that I am the Lord GOD.’ <a href="/nahum/3-17.htm">Nahum 3:17</a> Your guards are like the swarming locust, and your scribes like clouds of locusts that settle on the walls on a cold day. When the sun rises, they fly away, and no one knows where. <a href="/luke/10-19.htm">Luke 10:19</a> Behold, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And they had tails like to scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months.tails.<a href="/revelation/9-3.htm">Revelation 9:3,5</a> And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/revelation/9-3.htm">Authority</a> <a href="/revelation/9-5.htm">Five</a> <a href="/revelation/9-4.htm">Harm</a> <a href="/revelation/9-4.htm">Hurt</a> <a href="/ezekiel/28-24.htm">Hurting</a> <a href="/revelation/9-4.htm">Injure</a> <a href="/acts/7-27.htm">Injuring</a> <a href="/revelation/4-10.htm">Lay</a> <a href="/revelation/9-4.htm">Mankind</a> <a href="/revelation/9-5.htm">Months</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-16.htm">Pointed</a> <a href="/revelation/9-5.htm">Power</a> <a href="/revelation/9-3.htm">Scorpions</a> <a href="/revelation/9-5.htm">Stings</a> <a href="/isaiah/7-4.htm">Tails</a> <a href="/revelation/9-5.htm">Torment</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-24.htm">Wounds</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/revelation/11-3.htm">Authority</a> <a href="/revelation/17-10.htm">Five</a> <a href="/revelation/9-19.htm">Harm</a> <a href="/revelation/9-19.htm">Hurt</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-34.htm">Hurting</a> <a href="/revelation/9-19.htm">Injure</a> <a href="/genesis/4-23.htm">Injuring</a> <a href="/genesis/4-1.htm">Lay</a> <a href="/revelation/9-15.htm">Mankind</a> <a href="/revelation/11-2.htm">Months</a> <a href="/genesis/24-44.htm">Pointed</a> <a href="/revelation/9-19.htm">Power</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/8-15.htm">Scorpions</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-32.htm">Stings</a> <a href="/revelation/9-19.htm">Tails</a> <a href="/revelation/11-10.htm">Torment</a> <a href="/revelation/9-19.htm">Wounds</a><div class="vheading2">Revelation 9</div>1. <a href="/revelation/9-1.htm">At the sounding of the fifth angel, a star falls from heaven, to whom is given the key to the bottomless pit.</a> 2. <a href="/revelation/9-2.htm">He opens the pit, and there come forth locusts like scorpions.</a> 12. <a href="/revelation/9-12.htm">The first woe past.</a> 13. <a href="/revelation/9-13.htm">The sixth trumpet sounds.</a> 14. <a href="/revelation/9-14.htm">Four angels who were bound are let loose.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/revelation/9.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/revelation/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/revelation/9.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>They had tails with stingers like scorpions The imagery of scorpions is significant in biblical literature, often symbolizing danger and judgment. In the ancient Near East, scorpions were feared for their painful and sometimes deadly sting. This description emphasizes the torment and suffering inflicted by these creatures. The use of "tails with stingers" suggests a method of attack that is both unexpected and difficult to defend against, highlighting the relentless nature of the judgment being described. This imagery connects to the locusts in <a href="/joel/1-4.htm">Joel 1:4</a>, where locusts are also used as instruments of divine judgment.which had the power to injure people The power to injure indicates a limited but significant authority granted to these creatures. This power is not to kill but to cause suffering, reflecting a period of intense trial and testing. The limitation on their power suggests divine control over the extent of the judgment, aligning with the theme of God's sovereignty throughout Revelation. This echoes the plagues in Egypt (<a href="/exodus/10-12.htm">Exodus 10:12-15</a>), where God used natural phenomena to demonstrate His power and call for repentance.for five months The specific time frame of five months is noteworthy, as it corresponds to the typical lifespan of a locust from May to September in the Middle East. This period signifies a complete cycle of torment, yet it is temporary, indicating that the suffering has an end. The number five, often associated with grace in biblical numerology, may suggest that even in judgment, there is an opportunity for repentance and redemption. This time limitation is reminiscent of the restraint shown in other biblical judgments, such as the forty days of rain during the flood (<a href="/genesis/7-12.htm">Genesis 7:12</a>) or the seventy years of Babylonian captivity (<a href="/jeremiah/25-11.htm">Jeremiah 25:11</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/the_locusts.htm">The Locusts</a> These are symbolic creatures described in <a href="/bsb/revelation/9.htm">Revelation 9</a>, representing a form of divine judgment. They are not ordinary locusts but are given power to torment those who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_abyss.htm">The Abyss</a> The locusts emerge from the Abyss, a place often associated with the abode of demonic forces or the dead. It signifies a realm of chaos and evil. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_five_months.htm">The Five Months</a> This specific time period during which the locusts have the power to torment is significant. It suggests a limited duration of suffering, indicating God's control over the judgment. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_stingers.htm">The Stingers</a> The tails with stingers like scorpions symbolize the painful and tormenting nature of the judgment. In the ancient world, scorpion stings were known for their intense pain. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_unsealed.htm">The Unsealed</a> Those who are tormented are specifically those who do not have the seal of God, indicating a distinction between the faithful and the unfaithful.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_divine_judgment.htm">Understanding Divine Judgment</a> The imagery of locusts with scorpion-like stingers highlights the severity and reality of divine judgment. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and rebellion against God. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_god's_seal.htm">The Importance of God's Seal</a> The distinction between those who are sealed by God and those who are not emphasizes the importance of belonging to God. It encourages believers to seek assurance of their faith and relationship with God. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_over_time.htm">God's Sovereignty Over Time</a> The specified period of five months for the locusts' torment underscores God's control over time and events. It reassures believers that even in judgment, God’s purposes are precise and measured. <a href="/topical/s/spiritual_warfare_awareness.htm">Spiritual Warfare Awareness</a> The tormenting power of the locusts serves as a metaphor for spiritual attacks. Believers are called to be vigilant and equipped with the armor of God to withstand spiritual warfare.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_revelation_9.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Revelation 9</a> <a href="/q/can_revelation's_locusts_be_literal.htm">How can the 'locusts' with scorpion-like stings (Revelation 9:3-10) be taken literally given their bizarre hybrid descriptions?</a> <a href="/q/why_eat_a_scroll_in_revelation_10_9.htm">Why would John be commanded to eat a scroll (Revelation 10:9), given no clear precedent in mainstream historical or cultural records?</a> <a href="/q/why_allow_5_months_of_torment,_no_redemption.htm">Why would God allow such torment from these creatures for exactly five months (Revelation 9:5) without any mention of redemption?</a> <a href="/q/why_no_proof_of_safe_snake_handling.htm">Luke 10:19 - If authority over snakes and scorpions was literal, why isn't there consistent historical evidence of Christians demonstrating this without harm?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/revelation/9.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(10)And they had tails . . .--Better, And they have tails like to scorpions, and stings, and in their tails is their power to hurt men five months. In this verse the secret of their power is mentioned: they have tails like scorpions' tails, and stings which wound and so cause agony to men. On the period of five months, see <a href="/revelation/9-5.htm" title="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 strikes a man.">Revelation 9:5</a>. In the exposition of this passage it is utterly vain to look for features of the ordinary natural locust corresponding to the several particulars set forth by the sacred seer: this is admitted even by those who seem anxious to find such counterparts. "We must regard the comparison as rather belonging to the supernatural portion of our description." The rule is a good one. Like the description of the Divine Presence in Revelation 4, most of the visions of the book are incapable of pictorial realisation without incongruities which would be grotesque and profane; nor need we be surprised, since the principles and truths are the main points with the writer. This general rule must be kept in mind if we would avoid the danger of dwelling too much on the bearing of details. It is not in the locust that we shall find even the suggestive basis of the details in the description here. The smoke rises from the pit of the abyss; the heaven is darkened, and out of the smoke emerges the pitchy cloud of locusts. The seer then adds certain characteristics of this locust plague, partly drawn from the earlier prophets, but, as his custom is, with some original additions. They are locusts, but they have the malice of scorpions; they advance like horse-soldiers to battle; they wear crowns; they bear a resemblance to men; there is something womanlike also in their appearance, and in their voracity they are as lions. The exigencies of the symbolism are quite beyond the features of the ordinary locust: the sacred writer shows us a plague in which devastation, malice, kinglike authority, intelligence, seductiveness, fierceness, strength, meet together under one directing spirit, to torment men. Some parts may be purely graphic, as Alford says, but surely the vision shows us a great symbolical army multitudinous as locusts, malicious as scorpions, ruling as kings, intelligent as men, wily as womanhood, bold and fierce as lions, resistless as those clad in iron armour. The symbolism of course must not be pressed too closely, but its meaning must be allowed to widen as new elements are added, especially when those elements are not suggested by anything in the locust itself, but are additions clearly designed to give force to the symbol employed. The locust-like army has characteristics partly human, partly diabolical, partly civilised, partly barbarous. They have been variously interpreted: the historical school have seen in them the Saracens under Mohammed, who gave to them a religion which was "essentially a military system;" others are inclined to refer them to "the hordes of Goths and others whose unkempt locks and savage ferocity" resemble this locust host. There is a good ground for taking the vision to prefigure the hosts of a fierce invading army. Even those who believe that Joel's prophecy foretold a plague of literal locusts, yet acknowledge that these "may in a subsidiary manner" represent "the northern, or Assyrian enemies of Judah" (Introduction to Joel, Speaker's Commentary). But, as the writer there says, these were "themselves types of still future scourges;" so may we see here a vision which neither the history of the Zealots, nor that of Gothic hordes, nor of Saracens, have exhausted, but one which draws our thoughts mainly to its spiritual and moral bearing, and teaches us that in the history of advancing truth there will come times when confused ideas will darken simple truth and right, and out of the darkness will emerge strange and mongrel teachings, with a certain enforced unity, but without moral harmony, a medley of fair and hideous, reasonable and barbarous, dignified and debased, which enslave and torment mankind. The outcome of these teachings is oftentimes war and tyrannous oppression; but the sacred seer teaches us distinctly that those who hold fast by the seal of God are those who cannot be injured, for he would have us remember that the true sting of false conceptions is not in the havoc of open war, but in the wounded soul and conscience. Nor is it altogether out of place to notice (by way of one example) that the power of Mohammed was more in a divided and debased Christendom than in his own creed or sword; the smoke of ill-regulated opinions and erroneous teachings preceded the scourge. Here, as in other parts of the book, we may notice that subtle, plausible errors pave the way for dire troubles and often sanguinary revolutions. Falsehoods and false worships that have been diffused over the world become "the forerunners and foretellers of a conflict between the powers of good and evil." Yet as the trumpet sounds we know that every battle is a step towards the end of a victorious war.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/revelation/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 10. - And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails; and they have tails like unto scorpions, and stings (Revised Version). The next words are included in the following clause. Not that their tails possessed the appearance of scorpions (as Bengel, Hengstenberg, and others), but that their tails were like the tails of scorpions in respect of having stings in them. Cf. <a href="/2_samuel/22-34.htm">2 Samuel 22:34</a>; <a href="/psalms/18-33.htm">Psalm 18:33</a>, "He maketh my feet like hands" (omit "feet"); also <a href="/revelation/13-11.htm">Revelation 13:11</a>, "Two horns like a lamb" (see the description of the scorpion quoted above, under ver. 3). And their power was to hurt men five months; and in their tails is their power to hurt, etc. (Revised Version) (see the preceding clause). As no Greek manuscript gives the reading of the Textus Receptus followed by the Authorized Version, the probability is that this is an example of a passage in which the Greek of his edition was supplied by Erasmus, by the simple process of retranslating into Greek the Vulgate Version. By the possession of the noxious sting, the locusts here described are represented as being yet more terrible than the natural locusts. (See the description of the locusts given under ver. 3. For the signification of the "five months," see on ver. 5.) They limit the period of this judgment to the time of man's existence on this earth. <a href="/commentaries/revelation/9-10.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>They had ἔχουσιν (echousin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold. tails οὐρὰς (ouras) Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3769.htm">Strong's 3769: </a> A tail. Apparently a primary word; a tail. with καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. stingers κέντρα (kentra) Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2759.htm">Strong's 2759: </a> A sting, goad; met: of death. From kenteo; a point, i.e. A sting or goad. like ὁμοίας (homoias) Adjective - Accusative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3664.htm">Strong's 3664: </a> Like, similar to, resembling, of equal rank. From the base of homou; similar. scorpions, σκορπίοις (skorpiois) Noun - Dative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4651.htm">Strong's 4651: </a> A scorpion. Probably from an obsolete skerpo; a 'scorpion'. [which] οὐραῖς (ourais) Noun - Dative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3769.htm">Strong's 3769: </a> A tail. Apparently a primary word; a tail. had αὐτῶν (autōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Feminine 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. the ἡ (hē) Article - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. power ἐξουσία (exousia) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1849.htm">Strong's 1849: </a> From exesti; privilege, i.e. force, capacity, competency, freedom, or mastery, delegated influence. to injure ἀδικῆσαι (adikēsai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_91.htm">Strong's 91: </a> To act unjustly towards, injure, harm. From adikos; to be unjust, i.e. do wrong. people ἀνθρώπους (anthrōpous) Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_444.htm">Strong's 444: </a> A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being. for five πέντε (pente) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4002.htm">Strong's 4002: </a> Five. A primary number; 'five'. months. μῆνας (mēnas) Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3376.htm">Strong's 3376: </a> A (lunar) month. A primary word; a month. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/revelation/9-10.htm">Revelation 9:10 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/revelation/9-10.htm">Revelation 9:10 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/revelation/9-10.htm">Revelation 9:10 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/revelation/9-10.htm">Revelation 9:10 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/revelation/9-10.htm">Revelation 9:10 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/revelation/9-10.htm">Revelation 9:10 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/revelation/9-10.htm">Revelation 9:10 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/revelation/9-10.htm">Revelation 9:10 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/revelation/9-10.htm">Revelation 9:10 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/revelation/9-10.htm">Revelation 9:10 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/revelation/9-10.htm">NT Prophecy: Revelation 9:10 They have tails like those of scorpions (Rev. Re Apocalypse)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/revelation/9-9.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Revelation 9:9"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Revelation 9:9" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/revelation/9-11.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Revelation 9:11"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Revelation 9:11" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>