Revelation 12 15

Revelation 12:15 kjv

And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.

Revelation 12:15 nkjv

So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood.

Revelation 12:15 niv

Then from his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river, to overtake the woman and sweep her away with the torrent.

Revelation 12:15 esv

The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood.

Revelation 12:15 nlt

Then the dragon tried to drown the woman with a flood of water that flowed from his mouth.

Revelation 12 verses

Revelation 12 15 Meaning

Revelation 12:15 describes the ongoing war waged by the "serpent" (Satan) against the "woman" (God's people, often understood as representing faithful Israel and the church). Following his failed attempt to destroy the male child (Jesus), and having been cast down to earth, Satan actively persecutes the woman. The verse specifically portrays Satan's attempt to obliterate the woman by metaphorically spewing "water like a river" from his mouth, aiming to overwhelm and sweep her away, leading to her utter destruction. This imagery signifies a deluge of spiritual attacks, persecution, false doctrines, or worldly opposition aimed at engulfing God's elect.

Revelation 12 15 Context

Revelation chapter 12 vividly depicts the cosmic struggle between God's kingdom and Satan. It opens with the "woman" giving birth to the male child, who is immediately caught up to God's throne (Christ's ascension). This triggers a celestial war, resulting in the dragon (Satan) being cast down to earth. Enraged by his defeat and unable to harm Christ directly, Satan then redirects his fury toward the "woman" who bore the child. This persecution signifies the intensified hostility toward God's people in the interim period between Christ's ascension and His second coming. Revelation 12:15 specifically describes Satan's direct action to destroy the woman, portraying his malevolent intent and the nature of his attacks. Historically and culturally, the original audience would understand "flood" imagery in terms of devastating natural disasters, military invasions, or political turmoil that overwhelm populations, adding to the verse's dramatic impact.

Revelation 12 15 Word analysis

• And the serpent (καὶ ἔβαλεν ὁ δράκων, kai ebalen ho drakōn):
  • serpent (δράκων, drakōn): This refers directly to the "great dragon" of Rev 12:9, explicitly identified as "that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world." It signifies Satan's malevolent personality and cunning, recalling Gen 3:1.
• poured water like a river (ἐκ τοῦ στόματος αὐτοῦ ὕδωρ ὡς ποταμόν, ek tou stomatos autou hydor hōs potamon):
  • poured (ἔβαλεν, ebalen): Literally "cast" or "threw." It implies a forceful, intentional discharge, emphasizing the aggressive nature of Satan's act.
  • water like a river (ὕδωρ ὡς ποταμόν, hydor hōs potamon): A powerful metaphor. This is not literal water but symbolizes an overwhelming torrent of destructive forces. In prophetic literature (e.g., Isa 8:7-8; Jer 46:7-8), floods often represent invading armies, overwhelming persecution, false doctrines, slander, or a torrent of spiritual attacks aimed at wiping out God's people.
  • out of his mouth (ἐκ τοῦ στόματος αὐτοῦ, ek tou stomatos autou): What comes out of one's mouth in Scripture often represents words, lies, decrees, or, in this apocalyptic context, the origin of a destructive force. It signifies that the attack originates directly from Satan's deceptive and destructive will.
• after the woman (ὀπίσω τῆς γυναικὸς, opisō tēs gynaikos):
  • after the woman: Denotes pursuit and targeted persecution. Satan's aggression is directed precisely at God's people.
• that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood (ἵνα αὐτὴν ποταμοφόρητον ποιήσῃ, hina autēn potamophorēton poiēsē):
  • that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood: (literally "that he might make her carried away by a river"). This clearly states the dragon's ultimate objective: to sweep away the woman, leading to her complete obliteration or overwhelming. The passive voice ("to be carried away") emphasizes the woman's vulnerability to such a powerful onslaught, yet hints at divine intervention.
  • flood (ποταμοφόρητον, potamophorēton): This unique compound word (from potamos "river/flood" and pherō "carry") specifically means "carried away by a river/flood." It intensifies the image of a force so mighty it physically sweeps away its target, making escape seem impossible.

Revelation 12 15 Bonus section

The "water like a river" from the dragon's mouth has been interpreted in various ways by scholars:

• Persecution and Political Power: Many see it as state-sponsored persecution, overwhelming military forces, or governmental decrees influenced by demonic powers aimed at crushing believers (e.g., Roman persecution of Christians).
• False Doctrine and Heresy: Another interpretation suggests the "flood" represents a deluge of false teachings, heresies, and deceptions aimed at spiritually drowning the woman, turning her away from truth, as heresy often spreads like a torrent.
• Slander and Accusations: As Satan is "the accuser of our brothers" (Rev 12:10), the flood could also represent a torrent of slander, lies, and accusations aimed at demoralizing and discrediting believers.
• General Worldly Hostility: Broadly, it can encompass any overwhelming force of worldly hatred, corruption, or pressure that attempts to overwhelm and dilute the Church's witness.The imagery stands in contrast to the "river of the water of life" (Rev 22:1) that flows from God's throne, highlighting the opposition between divine sustenance and satanic destruction. The dragon's method mirrors his "mouth" in Rev 13:5, which speaks blasphemies, indicating that the source of his destructive efforts is deeply rooted in his verbal deception and anti-God proclamations.

Revelation 12 15 Commentary

Revelation 12:15 serves as a potent spiritual allegory describing Satan's persistent and ferocious war against God's chosen people after his expulsion from heaven. The "water like a river" symbolizes a multi-faceted assault: fierce persecution by worldly powers stirred by Satan, overwhelming tides of deception and false doctrines designed to erode faith, or perhaps even waves of societal corruption and moral decay aimed at disorienting and weakening the Church. This verse underscores the relentless malice of the adversary, whose goal is the utter destruction of those who align with Christ. It shows that Satan's war is deliberate and comprehensive, leveraging overwhelming forces. However, as subsequent verses reveal, despite the apparent power of this "flood," God's protective hand will always provide an escape or deliver the "woman," showcasing His ultimate sovereignty over all spiritual conflict. This imagery resonates across Christian experience, from broad historical persecutions to individual spiritual struggles against sin and error.