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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 9:5 The locusts were not given power to kill them, but only to torment them for five months, and their torment was like the stinging of a scorpion.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/revelation/9-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/66_Rev_09_05.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Revelation 9:5 - The Fifth Trumpet" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The locusts were not given power to kill them, but only to torment them for five months, and their torment was like the stinging of a scorpion." /><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'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/revelation/9-5.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/revelation/9-5.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/revelation/">Revelation</a> > <a href="/revelation/9.htm">Chapter 9</a> > Verse 5</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad5.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/revelation/9-4.htm" title="Revelation 9:4">◄</a> Revelation 9:5 <a href="/revelation/9-6.htm" title="Revelation 9:6">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/revelation/9.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/revelation/9.htm">New International Version</a> They were not allowed to kill them but only to torture them for five months. And the agony they suffered was like that of the sting of a scorpion when it strikes. <a href="/nlt/revelation/9.htm">New Living Translation</a> They were told not to kill them but to torture them for five months with pain like the pain of a scorpion sting. <a href="/esv/revelation/9.htm">English Standard Version</a> They were allowed to torment them for five months, but not to kill them, and their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it stings someone. <a href="/bsb/revelation/9.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> The locusts were not given power to kill them, but only to torment them for five months, and their torment was like the stinging of a scorpion. <a href="/blb/revelation/9.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And it was granted to them that they should not kill them, but that they shall torment them five months. And their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it might strike a man. <a href="/kjv/revelation/9.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/revelation/9.htm">New King James Version</a> And they were not given authority to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a man. <a href="/nasb_/revelation/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And they were not permitted to kill anyone, but to torment for five months; and their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it stings a person. <a href="/nasb/revelation/9.htm">NASB 1995</a> And they were not permitted to kill anyone, but to torment for five months; and their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it stings a man. <a href="/nasb77/revelation/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And they were not permitted to kill anyone, but to torment for five months; and their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it stings a man. <a href="/lsb/revelation/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And they were not permitted to kill anyone, but to torment for five months, and their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it stings a man. <a href="/amp/revelation/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a> They were not permitted to kill anyone, but to torment and cause them extreme pain for five months; and their torment was like the torment from a scorpion when it stings a man. <a href="/csb/revelation/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> They were not permitted to kill them but were to torment them for five months; their torment is like the torment caused by a scorpion when it stings someone. <a href="/hcsb/revelation/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> They were not permitted to kill them but were to torment them for five months; their torment is like the torment caused by a scorpion when it strikes a man. <a href="/asv/revelation/9.htm">American Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/cev/revelation/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> The locusts were allowed to make them suffer for five months, but not to kill them. The suffering they caused was like the sting of a scorpion. <a href="/erv/revelation/9.htm">English Revised Version</a> 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. <a href="/gwt/revelation/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> They were not allowed to kill them. They were only allowed to torture them for five months. Their torture was like the pain of a scorpion's sting. <a href="/gnt/revelation/9.htm">Good News Translation</a> The locusts were not allowed to kill these people, but only to torture them for five months. The pain caused by the torture is like the pain caused by a scorpion's sting. <a href="/isv/revelation/9.htm">International Standard Version</a> They were not allowed to kill them, but were only allowed to torture them for five months. Their torture was like the pain of a scorpion when it stings someone. <a href="/msb/revelation/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> The locusts were not given power to kill them, but only to torment them for five months, and their torment was like the stinging of a scorpion. <a href="/net/revelation/9.htm">NET Bible</a> The locusts were not given permission to kill them, but only to torture them for five months, and their torture was like that of a scorpion when it stings a person. <a href="/nheb/revelation/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> They were given power not to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion, when it strikes a person. <a href="/wbt/revelation/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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. <a href="/wey/revelation/9.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Their mission was not to kill, but to cause awful agony for five months; and this agony was like that which a scorpion inflicts when it stings a man. <a href="/web/revelation/9.htm">World English Bible</a> They were given power, not to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a person. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/revelation/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and it was given to them that they may not kill them, but that they may be tormented five months, and their torment—as the torment of a scorpion—when it may strike a man; <a href="/blb/revelation/9.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And it was granted to them that they should not kill them, but that they shall torment them five months. And their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it might strike a man. <a href="/ylt/revelation/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and it was given to them that they may not kill them, but that they may be tormented five months, and their torment is as the torment of a scorpion, when it may strike a man; <a href="/slt/revelation/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And it was given them that they should not kill them, but that they should be tortured five months: and their torture as the torture of a scorpion, when he should strike a man.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/revelation/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> 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. <a href="/cpdv/revelation/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And it was given to them that they would not kill them, but that they would torture them for five months. And their torture was like the torture of a scorpion, when he strikes a man. <a href="/nabre/revelation/9.htm">New American Bible</a> They were not allowed to kill them but only to torment them for five months; the torment they inflicted was like that of a scorpion when it stings a person. <a href="/nrsvce/revelation/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> They were allowed to torture them for five months, but not to kill them, and their torture was like the torture of a scorpion when it stings someone.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/revelation/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And they were commanded 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. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/revelation/9.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And it was given to them not to kill them, but that they would suffer pain for five months, and their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it attacks a man.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/revelation/9.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And they were permitted, not to kill them, but to torment them five months; and the torment inflicted by them was like the torment inflicted by a scorpion, when he stings a man. <a href="/godbey/revelation/9.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> 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 he may strike a man. <a href="/haweis/revelation/9.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> And it was given them in charge that they should not kill these men outright, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment is as the torment of a scorpion when he striketh a man. <a href="/mace/revelation/9.htm">Mace New Testament</a> and to them was power given, not to kill them, but to torment them five months: and their pain was like the pain which a scorpion produces when it strikes a man. <a href="/wey/revelation/9.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Their mission was not to kill, but to cause awful agony for five months; and this agony was like that which a scorpion inflicts when it stings a man. <a href="/worrell/revelation/9.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> 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. <a href="/worsley/revelation/9.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> And to them was given power, not to kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it striketh a man. <a href="/parallel/revelation/9-5.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=1788" 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> …4They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. 5<a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autois (PPro-DM3P) -- 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 locusts</a> <a href="/greek/1325.htm" title="1325: edothē (V-AIP-3S) -- To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.">were not given power</a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether."></a> <a href="/greek/2443.htm" title="2443: hina (Conj) -- In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.">to</a> <a href="/greek/615.htm" title="615: apokteinōsin (V-ASA-3P) -- To put to death, kill; fig: I abolish. From apo and kteino; to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy.">kill</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autous (PPro-AM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">them,</a> <a href="/greek/235.htm" title="235: all’ (Conj) -- But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.">but only</a> <a href="/greek/2443.htm" title="2443: hina (Conj) -- In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.">to</a> <a href="/greek/928.htm" title="928: basanisthēsontai (V-FIP-3P) -- To examine, as by torture; I torment; I buffet, as of waves. From basanos; to torture.">torment them</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> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</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.">their</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/929.htm" title="929: basanismos (N-NMS) -- Torture, torment. From basanizo; torture.">torment</a> <a href="/greek/5613.htm" title="5613: hōs (Adv) -- Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.">was like</a> <a href="/greek/929.htm" title="929: basanismos (N-NMS) -- Torture, torment. From basanizo; torture."></a> <a href="/greek/3752.htm" title="3752: hotan (Conj) -- When, whenever. From hote and an; whenever; also causatively inasmuch as."></a> <a href="/greek/3817.htm" title="3817: paisē (V-ASA-3S) -- To strike, smite, sting. A primary verb; to hit; specially, to sting.">the stinging</a> <a href="/greek/444.htm" title="444: anthrōpon (N-AMS) -- A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being."></a> <a href="/greek/4651.htm" title="4651: skorpiou (N-GMS) -- A scorpion. Probably from an obsolete skerpo; a scorpion.">of a scorpion.</a> 6In those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will long to die, but death will escape them.…<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="/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="/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/2-25.htm">Joel 2:25</a> I will repay you for the years eaten by locusts—the swarming locust, the young locust, the destroying locust, and the devouring locust—My great army that I sent against you. <a href="/deuteronomy/28-27.htm">Deuteronomy 28:27</a> The LORD will afflict you with the boils of Egypt, with tumors and scabs and itch from which you cannot be cured. <a href="/deuteronomy/28-35.htm">Deuteronomy 28:35</a> The LORD will afflict you with painful, incurable boils on your knees and thighs, from the soles of your feet to the top of your head. <a href="/isaiah/13-8.htm">Isaiah 13:8</a> Terror, pain, and anguish will seize them; they will writhe like a woman in labor. They will look at one another, their faces flushed with fear. <a href="/isaiah/66-24.htm">Isaiah 66:24</a> “As they go forth, they will see the corpses of the men who have rebelled against Me; for their worm will never die, their fire will never be quenched, and they will be a horror to all mankind.” <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/9-15.htm">Jeremiah 9:15</a> Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Behold, I will feed this people wormwood and give them poisoned water to drink. <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="/matthew/24-21.htm">Matthew 24:21</a> For at that time there will be great tribulation, unseen from the beginning of the world until now, and never to be seen again. <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. <a href="/luke/21-26.htm">Luke 21:26</a> Men will faint from fear and anxiety over what is coming upon the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. <a href="/2_corinthians/12-7.htm">2 Corinthians 12:7</a> or because of these surpassingly great revelations. So to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>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.it was.<a href="/revelation/13-5.htm">Revelation 13:5,7</a> And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months… <a href="/daniel/5-18.htm">Daniel 5:18-22</a> O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour: … <a href="/daniel/7-6.htm">Daniel 7:6</a> After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.they should not.<a href="/revelation/11-7.htm">Revelation 11:7</a> And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.<a href="/job/2-6.htm">Job 2:6</a> And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.they should be.<a href="/revelation/9-10.htm">Revelation 9:10</a> And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months.five.and their.<a href="/revelation/9-3.htm">Revelation 9:3</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="/2_corinthians/12-7.htm">Agony</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/2-4.htm">Allowed</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-31.htm">Awful</a> <a href="/revelation/6-4.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/revelation/6-9.htm">Death</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-24.htm">Five</a> <a href="/revelation/9-2.htm">Great</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/3-6.htm">Inflicts</a> <a href="/revelation/6-8.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/galatians/2-9.htm">Mission</a> <a href="/james/5-17.htm">Months</a> <a href="/1_peter/3-20.htm">Orders</a> <a href="/1_john/4-18.htm">Pain</a> <a href="/revelation/6-4.htm">Permitted</a> <a href="/revelation/9-3.htm">Power</a> <a href="/luke/11-12.htm">Scorpion</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-56.htm">Sting</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-32.htm">Stings</a> <a href="/revelation/7-16.htm">Strike</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-8.htm">Strikes</a> <a href="/hosea/14-5.htm">Striketh</a> <a href="/1_peter/5-10.htm">Suffered</a> <a href="/1_john/4-18.htm">Torment</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-8.htm">Tormented</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-35.htm">Torture</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/8-12.htm">Wound</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/revelation/12-2.htm">Agony</a> <a href="/revelation/13-5.htm">Allowed</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-21.htm">Awful</a> <a href="/revelation/12-15.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/revelation/9-6.htm">Death</a> <a href="/revelation/9-10.htm">Five</a> <a href="/revelation/9-6.htm">Great</a> <a href="/job/5-18.htm">Inflicts</a> <a href="/revelation/9-15.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/numbers/23-20.htm">Mission</a> <a href="/revelation/9-10.htm">Months</a> <a href="/revelation/11-3.htm">Orders</a> <a href="/revelation/12-2.htm">Pain</a> <a href="/revelation/13-14.htm">Permitted</a> <a href="/revelation/9-10.htm">Power</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/8-15.htm">Scorpion</a> <a href="/ezekiel/28-24.htm">Sting</a> <a href="/revelation/9-10.htm">Stings</a> <a href="/revelation/11-6.htm">Strike</a> <a href="/genesis/32-8.htm">Strikes</a> <a href="/exodus/21-12.htm">Striketh</a> <a href="/genesis/13-6.htm">Suffered</a> <a href="/revelation/9-10.htm">Torment</a> <a href="/revelation/11-10.htm">Tormented</a> <a href="/revelation/18-7.htm">Torture</a> <a href="/revelation/9-19.htm">Wound</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'; 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However, these locusts are unique in that they are not permitted to kill. This limitation suggests a controlled judgment, emphasizing God's sovereignty even in wrath. The restraint shown here aligns with God's character of mercy, as seen in <a href="/lamentations/3-22.htm">Lamentations 3:22-23</a>, where His mercies are described as new every morning.but only to torment them for five months The five-month period is significant as it corresponds to the typical lifespan of a locust, from May to September in the Middle Eastern climate. This time frame indicates a temporary judgment, not eternal, reflecting God's patience and desire for repentance (<a href="/2_peter/3-9.htm">2 Peter 3:9</a>). The torment without death echoes the plagues in Egypt, where suffering was intended to lead to repentance and acknowledgment of God's power.and their torment was like the stinging of a scorpion The comparison to a scorpion's sting highlights the intense pain and suffering inflicted by these locusts. In the ancient Near East, scorpions were feared for their painful and sometimes deadly sting. This imagery conveys the severity of the judgment. The use of simile here underscores the symbolic nature of the vision, pointing to a spiritual or psychological torment rather than a physical one. This torment can be seen as a precursor to the final judgment, urging repentance and faith in Christ, who offers deliverance from such suffering (<a href="/john/3-16.htm">John 3:16-18</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/the_locusts.htm">The Locusts</a> These are not ordinary locusts but symbolic creatures released from the abyss, representing a form of divine judgment. They are given power to torment but not to kill. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_abyss.htm">The Abyss</a> A place of confinement for evil spirits, from which the locusts emerge. It symbolizes the source of demonic activity and judgment. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_tormented.htm">The Tormented</a> The people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. They experience the torment inflicted by the locusts. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_five_months.htm">The Five Months</a> A specific period during which the torment occurs. This time frame may symbolize a limited period of judgment, reflecting the lifespan of a natural locust swarm. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_scorpion's_sting.htm">The Scorpion's Sting</a> A metaphor for the intense pain and suffering inflicted by the locusts, emphasizing the severity of the judgment.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_divine_judgment.htm">Understanding Divine Judgment</a> The passage illustrates that God's judgments are purposeful and controlled. The locusts are limited in their power, showing that God remains sovereign even in judgment. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_god's_seal.htm">The Importance of God's Seal</a> Those without God's seal are tormented, emphasizing the protection and security found in belonging to God. Believers are called to ensure their lives reflect their identity in Christ. <a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_spiritual_warfare.htm">The Reality of Spiritual Warfare</a> The torment by the locusts is a reminder of the ongoing spiritual battle. Christians must remain vigilant and equipped with the armor of God. <a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_repentance.htm">The Call to Repentance</a> The limited time of torment (five months) suggests an opportunity for repentance. Believers should use times of trial to turn back to God and seek His mercy. <a href="/topical/h/hope_in_god's_sovereignty.htm">Hope in God's Sovereignty</a> Even in the midst of judgment, God's control and purpose offer hope. Believers can trust in His ultimate plan for redemption and restoration.<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/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/what_do_locusts_symbolize_in_the_bible.htm">What does a locust swarm symbolize in the Bible?</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/what_are_revelation's_seven_trumpets.htm">What are Revelation's seven trumpets?</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>(5) And to them . . .--Better, And it was given to them that they should not kill them (i.e., those who had not the seal of God in their foreheads), but that they should be tortured five months. The general period of a locust plague is about five months: "as the natural locusts commit their ravages only for five months, so the ravages of these symbolical ones will be only for a short period" (Stuart). Their power is to inflict torment, and not death. The next verse tells us that men would consider death preferable to this torment; but the relief of the grave is denied them.And their torment . . .--Literally, and the torture of them (i.e., the torture inflicted by them) is as the torture of a scorpion when it has stricken a man. The wound of a scorpion occasions intense suffering: we have in it the symbol of the malicious cruelty of the merciless. The emblem is used in Ezekiel: the rebellious and malicious opponents of the prophet being compared to scorpions (<a href="/ezekiel/2-6.htm" title="And you, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with you, and you do dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.">Ezekiel 2:6</a>). We may compare the similar imagery of the bee for the Assyrian power (<a href="/isaiah/7-18.htm" title="And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall hiss for the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.">Isaiah 7:18</a>), and the Psalmist's complaint that his enemies came about him like bees--a swarm, irritating him with wing and sting. The tenth verse tells us the way in which the injury was inflicted: there were stings in their tails.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/revelation/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 5 - And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months; and it was given them [i.e. the locusts] that they [the locusts] should not kill them [the unsealed], but that they [the unsealed] should be tormented five months. The devil and his agents have not unlimited power committed to them; they are restrained within limits by the will of God. The evils which follow in the train of heresy and infidelity are not as yet permitted to kill (cf. <a href="/job/1-12.htm">Job 1:12</a>), for this judgment extends only to the natural life of man. God reserves the final killing to himself at the great judgment day. This is shown in the limitation, "five months." This apparently meaningless period becomes explicable, when we remember that the usual duration of a locust plague is five months, viz. from April to September. The visitation is for the natural period of such occurrences; the torment is to extend to the natural period of man's sojourn on the earth. It does not extend into the next life; other and special means are adopted for man's punishment then, as set forth under the seventh trumpet. Various other explanations have been given of the five months. (1) Five years of Gothic rule (Vitringa). (2) Five months = 5 × 30 days; each day represents one year; therefore 150 years are signified, viz. (a) of the Saracens, A.D. 830 - A.D. 980 (Mede); . . . <a href="/commentaries/revelation/9-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>[The locusts] αὐτοῖς (autois) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 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. were not given power ἐδόθη (edothē) Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1325.htm">Strong's 1325: </a> To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give. to ἵνα (hina) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2443.htm">Strong's 2443: </a> In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that. kill ἀποκτείνωσιν (apokteinōsin) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_615.htm">Strong's 615: </a> To put to death, kill; fig: I abolish. From apo and kteino; to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy. them, αὐτούς (autous) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 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. but only ἀλλ’ (all’) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_235.htm">Strong's 235: </a> But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise. to ἵνα (hina) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2443.htm">Strong's 2443: </a> In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that. torment [them] βασανισθήσονται (basanisthēsontai) Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_928.htm">Strong's 928: </a> To examine, as by torture; I torment; I buffet, as of waves. From basanos; to torture. [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. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. their 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. torment βασανισμὸς (basanismos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_929.htm">Strong's 929: </a> Torture, torment. From basanizo; torture. [was] like ὡς (hōs) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_5613.htm">Strong's 5613: </a> Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner. the stinging παίσῃ (paisē) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3817.htm">Strong's 3817: </a> To strike, smite, sting. A primary verb; to hit; specially, to sting. of a scorpion. σκορπίου (skorpiou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4651.htm">Strong's 4651: </a> A scorpion. Probably from an obsolete skerpo; a 'scorpion'. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/revelation/9-5.htm">Revelation 9:5 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/revelation/9-5.htm">Revelation 9:5 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/revelation/9-5.htm">Revelation 9:5 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/revelation/9-5.htm">Revelation 9:5 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/revelation/9-5.htm">Revelation 9:5 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/revelation/9-5.htm">Revelation 9:5 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/revelation/9-5.htm">Revelation 9:5 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/revelation/9-5.htm">Revelation 9:5 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/revelation/9-5.htm">Revelation 9:5 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/revelation/9-5.htm">Revelation 9:5 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/revelation/9-5.htm">NT Prophecy: Revelation 9:5 They were given power not to kill (Rev. Re Apocalypse)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/revelation/9-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Revelation 9:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Revelation 9:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/revelation/9-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Revelation 9:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Revelation 9:6" /></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>