Revelation 16:16 kjv
And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
Revelation 16:16 nkjv
And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.
Revelation 16:16 niv
Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.
Revelation 16:16 esv
And they assembled them at the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.
Revelation 16:16 nlt
And the demonic spirits gathered all the rulers and their armies to a place with the Hebrew name Armageddon.
Revelation 16 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rev 19:19 | And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth... gathered to make war against Him... | Direct follow-up to this battle gathering. |
| Joel 3:2 | I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat... | Prophecy of nations gathered for divine judgment. |
| Zech 12:3 | On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples... | Nations gathered against Jerusalem, leading to divine intervention. |
| Zech 14:2 | For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle... | Echoes Joel, highlighting a final gathering for battle. |
| Isa 34:2 | For the Lord is enraged against all the nations, and furious against all their host... | God's wrath against nations gathered against His people. |
| Ezek 38:8 | ...in the latter years you will come into a land... | Prophecy of Gog's invasion against Israel, often linked to a final battle. |
| Ezek 38:15-16 | You will come from your place... a great company, a mighty army... | Specifics of the vast army gathered for Gog's war. |
| Ezek 39:2 | ...I will turn you around and drive you on... | God's sovereignty over the gathering of nations. |
| Zeph 3:8 | Therefore wait for Me... for My decision is to gather nations... | God's purposeful gathering of nations for judgment. |
| 2 Thess 1:7-10 | ...when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire... | Describes Christ's coming to judge those who rebel. |
| Rev 17:14 | They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them... | Describes the opposition to Christ and His victory. |
| Rev 16:14 | For they are demonic spirits... to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty. | Immediate preceding context; who does the initial gathering. |
| Deut 32:41-43 | I will take vengeance on my adversaries and repay those who hate me... | Divine vengeance on God's enemies. |
| Psa 2:2 | The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against His Anointed... | Prophecy of earthly rulers opposing God and His Messiah. |
| Psa 110:5-6 | The Lord is at your right hand; He will shatter kings on the day of His wrath... | God's judgment and destruction of hostile kings. |
| Jer 25:31 | The Lord will roar from on high... will enter into judgment with all flesh... | God's universal judgment. |
| Judg 4:15-16 | ...the Lord routed Sisera and all his chariots and all his army... at the sword's point before Barak. | Reference to a historical battle in Megiddo (Taanach). |
| Judg 5:19-20 | The kings came, they fought; then fought the kings of Canaan at Taanach, by the waters of Megiddo... | Another historical battle at Megiddo, divine intervention. |
| 2 Kgs 23:29-30 | ...Pharaoh Neco king of Egypt went up to the river Euphrates. King Josiah went to meet him; and Pharaoh Neco slew him at Megiddo... | A later tragic battle at Megiddo, emphasizing its significance. |
| Psa 83:4-8 | They say, "Come, let us wipe them out as a nation; let the name of Israel be remembered no more!" | Conspiracy of nations against God's people. |
| Rev 20:8 | ...and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle... | Echoes the idea of final rebellion and gathering. |
| Matt 25:32 | Before him will be gathered all the nations... | Jesus's depiction of the final judgment of nations. |
Revelation 16 verses
Revelation 16 16 Meaning
Revelation 16:16 declares that the world's rulers and their armies are assembled by divine allowance or orchestration at a specific, symbolically significant location named in Hebrew, "Armageddon," in preparation for the decisive confrontation on "the great day of God the Almighty." This gathering represents the culmination of earthly rebellion against God, setting the stage for His ultimate judgment and Christ's triumph.
Revelation 16 16 Context
Revelation 16:16 concludes the account of the sixth of the seven bowl judgments (Rev 16:12-16). The preceding verses describe the drying up of the Euphrates River, clearing the way for "kings from the east," and the emergence of three demonic spirits from the mouths of the Dragon, the Beast, and the False Prophet. These spirits, performing signs, go out to deceive and gather "the kings of the whole world" for battle on "the great day of God the Almighty." Verse 16 specifies the location where these forces are assembled. The broader context of Revelation chapter 16 depicts escalating divine judgments against the unrepentant world and its allegiance to the Beast, leading up to the final decisive confrontation between God and all opposing earthly powers. Historically, Megiddo (Armageddon) was a real, strategic geographical location in Israel's Jezreel Valley, known as a place where many significant historical battles were fought (e.g., against Sisera, Midian, Assyria, Egypt), signifying its ancient association with decisive conflict and military defeat. This historical backdrop lends powerful symbolic weight to the final, spiritual conflict described.
Revelation 16 16 Word analysis
- And (kai): A conjunction, linking this verse to the preceding one, emphasizing that the gathering is the direct outcome or purpose of the demonic spirits' activity described in Revelation 16:13-14.
- He (autos): This pronoun typically refers to the subject of the previous sentence. In the immediate context (Rev 16:13-14), "they" (the three demonic spirits) "go abroad... to assemble them for battle." However, the ultimate "He" orchestrating this gathering for divine judgment is understood by many scholars as God Himself, working through these permitted, malevolent instruments to bring about His purposes, as God frequently "gathers" nations for judgment in the Old Testament. This implies divine permission or overarching direction for the final confrontation.
- gathered (synēgagen): From synagō, meaning "to lead together, collect, assemble." It highlights a deliberate, concerted assembly. The term implies a drawing together for a specific, often confrontational, purpose. Though the spirits incite, the overall gathering is presented as fulfilling God's ultimate plan for judgment.
- them (autous): Refers back to the "kings of the whole world" and their armies mentioned in Revelation 16:14. It is the global, unified force of humanity in rebellion against God.
- together (eis ton topon): Literally, "unto the place." This signifies a concentration into a singular, appointed location. The coming together is not random but divinely intended for a specific site.
- to the place (eis ton topon): Emphasizes a definitive, singular location. It's not just a general area, but the place set aside for this specific purpose.
- called (kaloumenon): Indicates that this name is well-known or divinely appointed and recognized for this site.
- in Hebrew (Ebraisti): This linguistic identifier is significant. It emphasizes the Hebraic (Old Testament) prophetic roots and Jewish understanding of this final conflict, drawing upon centuries of prophetic anticipation regarding Israel's ultimate vindication and God's judgment of the nations. It grounds the vision in God's covenantal history with Israel.
- Armageddon (Harmagedōn): A Greek transliteration of the Hebrew Har Megiddo, meaning "Mount of Megiddo" or "Hill of Megiddo." Megiddo was a highly strategic ancient city in the Jezreel Valley (also known as the Valley of Esdraelon or Armageddon Plain) in northern Israel. It was historically a prominent battlefield where many decisive conflicts occurred (e.g., Judges 5, 2 Kings 23). While a real geographical location, in Revelation, it functions primarily as a powerful symbol for the ultimate, global battle where the forces opposed to God will be decisively judged. It signifies a point of final, irreversible divine victory over human rebellion, rather than strictly a single hill.
Revelation 16 16 Bonus section
- The emphasis "in Hebrew, Armageddon" not only roots the prophecy in the Old Testament but also affirms the continuity of God's redemptive plan throughout history, connecting the visions of John to ancient prophetic streams concerning God's judgment and vindication.
- The "gathering" to Armageddon is less about a single military confrontation in one literal spot on earth and more about the worldwide unification of human systems, ideologies, and military might under a common banner of rebellion against God, leading to their common demise at Christ's return. It is a spiritual confrontation made manifest in physical events.
- The irony is profound: these kings and armies are gathered for their own destruction, believing they are preparing for victory. God's permissive will uses their wicked intentions to fulfill His sovereign purposes of judgment.
Revelation 16 16 Commentary
Revelation 16:16 vividly portrays the climactic moment preceding God's ultimate judgment: the convergence of global powers at a single, highly symbolic location called Armageddon. This is not merely a geographic point but represents the culmination of all earthly opposition against God and His Christ. The "He" who gathers them can be understood as God Himself, allowing and orchestrating the demonic deception to bring the world's rebellious forces to their appointed place of defeat, showcasing His ultimate sovereignty even over the plans of evil. The name "Armageddon," steeped in Old Testament history of battles and divine intervention, powerfully signifies a final, decisive showdown where God's justice will be undeniably manifest, leading to the crushing of His enemies and the establishment of His righteous reign. This verse encapsulates the readiness for the great harvest of divine wrath, setting the stage for the definitive triumph of God and the Lamb.