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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 9:3 And out of the smoke, locusts descended on the earth, and they were given power like that of the scorpions of the earth.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/revelation/9-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/66_Rev_09_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Revelation 9:3 - The Fifth Trumpet" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And out of the smoke, locusts descended on the earth, and they were given power like that of the scorpions of the earth." /><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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And to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. <a href="/nasb_/revelation/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then out of the smoke came locusts upon the earth, and power was given them, as the scorpions of the earth have power. <a href="/nasb/revelation/9.htm">NASB 1995</a> Then out of the smoke came locusts upon the earth, and power was given them, as the scorpions of the earth have power. <a href="/nasb77/revelation/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And out of the smoke came forth locusts upon the earth; and power was given them, as the scorpions of the earth have power. <a href="/lsb/revelation/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then out of the smoke came locusts upon the earth, and power was given them, as the scorpions of the earth have power. <a href="/amp/revelation/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Then out of the smoke came locusts upon the earth, and power [to hurt] was given to them, like the power which the earth’s scorpions have. <a href="/csb/revelation/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Then locusts came out of the smoke on to the earth, and power was given to them like the power that scorpions have on the earth. <a href="/hcsb/revelation/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Then locusts came out of the smoke on to the earth, and power was given to them like the power that scorpions have on the earth. <a href="/asv/revelation/9.htm">American Standard Version</a> And out of the smoke came forth locusts upon the earth; and power was given them, as the scorpions of the earth have power. <a href="/cev/revelation/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Locusts came out of the smoke and covered the earth. They were given the same power that scorpions have. <a href="/erv/revelation/9.htm">English Revised Version</a> And out of the smoke came forth locusts upon the earth; and power was given them, as the scorpions of the earth have power. <a href="/gwt/revelation/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Locusts came out of the smoke onto the earth, and they were given power like the power of earthly scorpions. <a href="/gnt/revelation/9.htm">Good News Translation</a> Locusts came down out of the smoke upon the earth, and they were given the same kind of power that scorpions have. <a href="/isv/revelation/9.htm">International Standard Version</a> Locusts came out of the smoke onto the earth, and they were given power like that of earthly scorpions. <a href="/msb/revelation/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> And out of the smoke, locusts descended on the earth, and they were given power like that of the scorpions of the earth. <a href="/net/revelation/9.htm">NET Bible</a> Then out of the smoke came locusts onto the earth, and they were given power like that of the scorpions of the earth. <a href="/nheb/revelation/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Then out of the smoke came forth locusts on the earth, and power was given to them, as the scorpions of the earth have power. <a href="/wbt/revelation/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. <a href="/wey/revelation/9.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> And from the midst of the smoke there came locusts on to the earth, and power was given to them resembling the power which earthly scorpions possess. <a href="/web/revelation/9.htm">World English Bible</a> Then out of the smoke came locusts on the earth, and power was given to them, as the scorpions of the earth have power. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/revelation/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And out of the smoke came forth locusts to the earth, and there was given to them authority, as scorpions of the earth have authority, <a href="/blb/revelation/9.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And out of the smoke, locusts came forth unto the earth, and power was given to them, like the scorpions of the earth have power. <a href="/ylt/revelation/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And out of the smoke came forth locusts to the earth, and there was given to them authority, as scorpions of the earth have authority, <a href="/slt/revelation/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And out of the smoke came forth locusts into the earth: and power was given them, as the scorpions of the earth have power.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/revelation/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And from the smoke of the pit there came out locusts upon the earth. And power was given to them, as the scorpions of the earth have power: <a href="/cpdv/revelation/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And locusts went forth from the smoke of the well into the earth. And power was given to them, like the power that the scorpions of the earth have. <a href="/nabre/revelation/9.htm">New American Bible</a> Locusts came out of the smoke onto the land, and they were given the same power as scorpions of the earth. <a href="/nrsvce/revelation/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Then from the smoke came locusts on the earth, and they were given authority like the authority of scorpions of the earth.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/revelation/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/revelation/9.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And from the smoke, locusts went out over The Earth, and power was given to them which the scorpions of The Earth have.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/revelation/9.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And out of the smoke there came locusts upon the earth; and power was given to them, as the scorpions of the earth have power. <a href="/godbey/revelation/9.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> And locusts came out of the smoke into the earth: and power was given unto them, as the scorpions of the earth have power. <a href="/haweis/revelation/9.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> And out of the smoke came forth locusts upon the earth; and power was given to them, such power as the scorpions of the earth possess. <a href="/mace/revelation/9.htm">Mace New Testament</a> and there came out of the smoke locusts upon the land; and to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. <a href="/wey/revelation/9.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> And from the midst of the smoke there came locusts on to the earth, and power was given to them resembling the power which earthly scorpions possess. <a href="/worrell/revelation/9.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And out of the smoke came forth locusts upon the earth; and authority was given to them, as the scorpions of the earth have authority. <a href="/worsley/revelation/9.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> And out of the smoke there came forth locusts upon the earth; and power was given them, even as the scorpions of the earth have power. <a href="/parallel/revelation/9-3.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=1768" 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> …2The star opened the pit of the Abyss, and smoke rose out of it like the smoke of a great furnace, and the sun and the air were darkened by the smoke from the pit. 3<a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: Kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">And</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ek (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">out of</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- 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/2586.htm" title="2586: kapnou (N-GMS) -- Smoke. Of uncertain affinity; smoke.">smoke,</a> <a href="/greek/200.htm" title="200: akrides (N-NFP) -- A locust. Apparently from the same as akron; a locust.">locusts</a> <a href="/greek/1831.htm" title="1831: exēlthon (V-AIA-3P) -- To go out, come out. From ek and erchomai; to issue.">descended on</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- 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/1093.htm" title="1093: gēn (N-AFS) -- Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.">earth,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autais (PPro-DF3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">they</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 given</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/5613.htm" title="5613: hōs (Adv) -- Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.">like</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."></a> <a href="/greek/1849.htm" title="1849: exousian (N-AFS) -- From exesti; privilege, i.e. force, capacity, competency, freedom, or mastery, delegated influence.">that of</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hoi (Art-NMP) -- 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/4651.htm" title="4651: skorpioi (N-NMP) -- A scorpion. Probably from an obsolete skerpo; a scorpion.">scorpions</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">of the</a> <a href="/greek/1093.htm" title="1093: gēs (N-GFS) -- Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.">earth.</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.…<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/10-4.htm">Exodus 10:4-15</a> But if you refuse to let My people go, I will bring locusts into your territory tomorrow. / They will cover the face of the land so that no one can see it. They will devour whatever is left after the hail and eat every tree that grows in your fields. / They will fill your houses and the houses of all your officials and every Egyptian—something neither your fathers nor your grandfathers have seen since the day they came into this land.’” Then Moses turned and left Pharaoh’s presence. ... <a href="/joel/2-2.htm">Joel 2:2-10</a> a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness. Like the dawn overspreading the mountains a great and strong army appears, such as never was of old, nor will ever be in ages to come. / Before them a fire devours, and behind them a flame scorches. The land before them is like the Garden of Eden, but behind them, it is like a desert wasteland—surely nothing will escape them. / Their appearance is like that of horses, and they gallop like swift steeds. ... <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="/1_kings/8-37.htm">1 Kings 8:37</a> When famine or plague comes upon the land, or blight or mildew or locusts or grasshoppers, or when their enemy besieges them in their cities, whatever plague or sickness may come, <a href="/deuteronomy/28-38.htm">Deuteronomy 28:38-42</a> You will sow much seed in the field but harvest little, because the locusts will consume it. / You will plant and cultivate vineyards, but will neither drink the wine nor gather the grapes, because worms will eat them. / You will have olive trees throughout your territory but will never anoint yourself with oil, because the olives will drop off. ... <a href="/psalms/105-34.htm">Psalm 105:34-35</a> He spoke, and the locusts came—young locusts without number. / They devoured every plant in their land and consumed the produce of their soil. <a href="/isaiah/33-4.htm">Isaiah 33:4</a> Your spoil, O nations, is gathered as by locusts; like a swarm of locusts men sweep over it. <a href="/jeremiah/51-14.htm">Jeremiah 51:14</a> The LORD of Hosts has sworn by Himself: “Surely I will fill you up with men as with locusts, and they will shout in triumph over you.” <a href="/nahum/3-15.htm">Nahum 3:15-17</a> There the fire will devour you; the sword will cut you down and consume you like a young locust. Make yourself many like the young locust; make yourself many like the swarming locust! / You have multiplied your merchants more than the stars of the sky. The young locust strips the land and flies away. / 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="/amos/7-1.htm">Amos 7:1</a> This is what the Lord GOD showed me: He was preparing swarms of locusts just after the king’s harvest, as the late spring crop was coming up. <a href="/matthew/24-22.htm">Matthew 24:22</a> If those days had not been cut short, nobody would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, those days will be cut short. <a href="/mark/13-20.htm">Mark 13:20</a> If the Lord had not cut short those days, nobody would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom He has chosen, He has cut them short. <a href="/2_thessalonians/2-9.htm">2 Thessalonians 2:9-11</a> The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder, / and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them. / For this reason God will send them a powerful delusion so that they believe the lie, <a href="/1_corinthians/10-10.htm">1 Corinthians 10:10</a> And do not complain, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel. <a href="/romans/9-17.htm">Romans 9:17</a> For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And there came out of the smoke locusts on the earth: and to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.locusts.<a href="/exodus/10-4.htm">Exodus 10:4-15</a> Else, if thou refuse to let my people go, behold, to morrow will I bring the locusts into thy coast: … <a href="/judges/7-12.htm">Judges 7:12</a> And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude.<a href="/isaiah/33-4.htm">Isaiah 33:4</a> And your spoil shall be gathered like the gathering of the caterpiller: as the running to and fro of locusts shall he run upon them.as.<a href="/revelation/9-5.htm">Revelation 9:5,10,11</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="/deuteronomy/8-15.htm">Deuteronomy 8:15</a> Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint;<a href="/1_kings/12-11.htm">1 Kings 12:11</a> And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/revelation/6-8.htm">Authority</a> <a href="/revelation/9-1.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/1_john/2-16.htm">Earthly</a> <a href="/revelation/6-4.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/malachi/3-11.htm">Locusts</a> <a href="/revelation/8-13.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/revelation/3-11.htm">Possess</a> <a href="/revelation/7-12.htm">Power</a> <a href="/revelation/9-2.htm">Resembling</a> <a href="/luke/10-19.htm">Scorpions</a> <a href="/revelation/9-2.htm">Smoke</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/revelation/9-10.htm">Authority</a> <a href="/revelation/9-4.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/john/3-12.htm">Earthly</a> <a href="/revelation/9-12.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/revelation/9-7.htm">Locusts</a> <a href="/revelation/14-6.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/genesis/15-7.htm">Possess</a> <a href="/revelation/9-5.htm">Power</a> <a href="/revelation/14-14.htm">Resembling</a> <a href="/revelation/9-10.htm">Scorpions</a> <a href="/revelation/9-17.htm">Smoke</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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The smoke symbolizes a spiritual darkness or deception, often associated with judgment or the presence of evil. In biblical context, smoke is frequently linked to divine wrath or the presence of God, as seen in <a href="/exodus/19-18.htm">Exodus 19:18</a> during the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. Here, however, it suggests a malevolent force being unleashed upon the earth.locusts descended on the earth Locusts in the Bible are often symbols of destruction and judgment, as seen in the plagues of Egypt (<a href="/exodus/10-12.htm">Exodus 10:12-15</a>) and the prophecy of Joel (<a href="/joel/1-4.htm">Joel 1:4</a>). These locusts are not ordinary insects but are part of a divine judgment, representing a spiritual or demonic force. The imagery of locusts would have been particularly vivid to ancient readers familiar with the devastation caused by locust swarms in the Middle East.and they were given power The phrase indicates that the locusts' ability to harm is not inherent but granted. This suggests divine sovereignty, as God allows these creatures to execute judgment. It reflects the biblical theme that even forces of evil operate under God's ultimate control, as seen in <a href="/job/1-12.htm">Job 1:12</a>, where Satan is permitted to test Job but within limits set by God.like that of the scorpions of the earth Scorpions are known for their painful sting, symbolizing torment and suffering. In the ancient Near East, scorpions were feared for their venomous sting, which could cause intense pain and even death. The comparison to scorpions emphasizes the severity and intensity of the judgment these locusts bring. This imagery is consistent with other biblical references to scorpions as symbols of danger and suffering, such as in <a href="/luke/10-19.htm">Luke 10:19</a>, where Jesus speaks of giving authority over scorpions, symbolizing spiritual adversaries.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/l/locusts.htm">Locusts</a> Symbolic creatures that emerge from the smoke, representing a form of divine judgment. Unlike natural locusts, these have a destructive power akin to scorpions. 2. <a href="/topical/s/smoke.htm">Smoke</a> Originating from the abyss, the smoke symbolizes the release of evil forces upon the earth, obscuring truth and bringing chaos. 3. <a href="/topical/s/scorpions.htm">Scorpions</a> Known for their painful sting, scorpions here symbolize the torment and suffering that the locusts are empowered to inflict. 4. <a href="/topical/e/earth.htm">Earth</a> The realm where the locusts descend, representing humanity and the physical world subjected to this judgment. 5. <a href="/topical/a/abyss.htm">Abyss</a> The source of the smoke and locusts, often interpreted as a place of confinement for evil spirits, indicating the unleashing of demonic forces.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_divine_judgment.htm">Understanding Divine Judgment</a> <a href="/revelation/9-3.htm">Revelation 9:3</a> illustrates the severity of God's judgment. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and the reality of spiritual warfare. <a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_locusts_and_scorpions.htm">Symbolism of Locusts and Scorpions</a> The imagery of locusts and scorpions highlights the destructive power of sin and evil. Believers are called to remain vigilant and spiritually prepared. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_abyss.htm">The Role of the Abyss</a> The abyss represents the source of evil and chaos. Christians are encouraged to seek refuge in Christ, who has authority over all spiritual realms. <a href="/topical/c/call_to_repentance.htm">Call to Repentance</a> The passage serves as a warning and a call to repentance, urging believers to turn away from sin and seek God's mercy. <a href="/topical/s/spiritual_authority_in_christ.htm">Spiritual Authority in Christ</a> While the locusts have power to torment, believers are reminded of their authority in Christ to overcome spiritual adversities.<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/what_do_locusts_symbolize_in_the_bible.htm">What does a locust swarm symbolize in the Bible?</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>(3) And there came . . .--Better, And out of the smoke there came forth locusts upon the earth; and there was given to them power, as the scorpions of the earth (? land-scorpions) have power. The outcome of the gloom is the power of devastation and pain. We still have reference to the Egyptian plagues--this time to the locusts (<a href="/context/exodus/10-12.htm" title="And the LORD said to Moses, Stretch out your hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come up on the land of Egypt, and eat every herb of the land, even all that the hail has left.">Exodus 10:12-15</a>): "They covered the face of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened." Similarly, Joel describes the darkening of the land through the plague of locusts (<a href="/context/joel/2-3.htm" title="A fire devours before them; and behind them a flame burns: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yes, and nothing shall escape them.">Joel 2:3-10</a>): "The sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining." But the locusts of our vision are armed with the power of scorpions, to sting and to torture (<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>): the scorpions are called scorpions of the earth. Some have thought that this expression is equivalent to land-scorpions, in contradistinction from so-called sea-scorpions. This hardly seems likely or necessary. Their power to torment men is the prominent idea. The locusts are not literal locusts: this scorpion- like power given to them is enough to convince us of this, even it the next verse did not clearly show it. The scorpion-like power seems to depict a malicious energy, as the locusts depict a devastating multitude.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/revelation/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 3. - And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth. The locust is constantly referred to in the Bible, and various illustrations are drawn from their characteristic features. In the East they appear in great numbers and men are helpless against their devastating power. Sometimes an attempt is made to check their progress by lighting fires, and this practice may have suggested the above description of the locusts proceeding from the smoke. The irresistible destruction which they cause is alluded to in <a href="/deuteronomy/28-38.htm">Deuteronomy 28:38</a>; <a href="/joel/2-25.htm">Joel 2:25</a>; <a href="/2_chronicles/7-13.htm">2 Chronicles 7:13</a>; their number in <a href="/psalms/105-34.htm">Psalm 105:34</a>; <a href="/nahum/3-15.htm">Nahum 3:15</a>. The air is sometimes tainted with their dead bodies (<a href="/joel/2-20.htm">Joel 2:20</a>). The natural features of the locust are fully dwelt upon in vers. 7-10. As an illustration, we may quote Niebuhr, who gives an Arab's description of the locust: "In head like the horse, in breast like the lion, in feet like the camel, in body like the serpent, in tail like the scorpion, in antennae like a virgin's hair." Three out of these five points of resemblance are mentioned in vers. 7-10. The locusts here symbolize heretics and infidels. Some writers (e.g. Wordsworth) apply the symbol to the Mohammedans (see Wordsworth, in loc., where the parallel is very fully worked out). But though this may be, and probably is, a fulfilment of the vision, it would be wrong to thus restrict our interpretation. Scarcely any one cause has contributed more to the trouble and destruction of men than the violence which is the result of religious hatred. Whether it be the heathen idolater, the warlike Mohammedan, or the Christian bigot, who is the agent, the effect is the same. It may be said, too, that if the minds of Christians also had not been darkened by the prejudicial influence of Satan, who is the cause of their unhappy divisions, heresies, and apostasies, these troubles could scarcely have fallen upon mankind. The innumerable occasions of such violence may be well illustrated by the countless number of the locusts; and the effect lives after the death of the authors, tainting the moral atmosphere. It is true that the true Christian sometimes suffers also; but tidal is an aspect which is set forth in the visions of the seals. Here another view is set forth, namely, that the ungodly are themselves punished, and punished severely, by means of this evil influence of the devil. Many other interpretations have been suggested: (1) evil spirits (Andrea,); (2) Roman wars in Judaea (Grotius); (3) the Gothic invasion (Vitringa); . . . <a href="/commentaries/revelation/9-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>And Καὶ (Kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. out of ἐκ (ek) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. the τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Masculine 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. smoke, καπνοῦ (kapnou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2586.htm">Strong's 2586: </a> Smoke. Of uncertain affinity; smoke. locusts ἀκρίδες (akrides) Noun - Nominative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_200.htm">Strong's 200: </a> A locust. Apparently from the same as akron; a locust. descended on ἐξῆλθον (exēlthon) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1831.htm">Strong's 1831: </a> To go out, come out. From ek and erchomai; to issue. the τὴν (tēn) Article - Accusative 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. earth, γῆν (gēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1093.htm">Strong's 1093: </a> Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. they αὐταῖς (autais) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 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. were given 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. 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. 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. [that of] ἐξουσίαν (exousian) Noun - Accusative 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. the οἱ (hoi) Article - Nominative Masculine Plural <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. scorpions σκορπίοι (skorpioi) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4651.htm">Strong's 4651: </a> A scorpion. Probably from an obsolete skerpo; a 'scorpion'. of the τῆς (tēs) Article - Genitive 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. earth. γῆς (gēs) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1093.htm">Strong's 1093: </a> Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/revelation/9-3.htm">Revelation 9:3 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/revelation/9-3.htm">Revelation 9:3 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/revelation/9-3.htm">Revelation 9:3 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/revelation/9-3.htm">Revelation 9:3 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/revelation/9-3.htm">Revelation 9:3 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/revelation/9-3.htm">Revelation 9:3 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/revelation/9-3.htm">Revelation 9:3 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/revelation/9-3.htm">Revelation 9:3 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/revelation/9-3.htm">Revelation 9:3 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/revelation/9-3.htm">Revelation 9:3 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/revelation/9-3.htm">NT Prophecy: Revelation 9:3 Then out of the smoke came forth (Rev. Re Apocalypse)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/revelation/9-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Revelation 9:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Revelation 9:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/revelation/9-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Revelation 9:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Revelation 9:4" /></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>