Revelation 16 9

Revelation 16:9 kjv

And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.

Revelation 16:9 nkjv

And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory.

Revelation 16:9 niv

They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him.

Revelation 16:9 esv

They were scorched by the fierce heat, and they cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues. They did not repent and give him glory.

Revelation 16:9 nlt

Everyone was burned by this blast of heat, and they cursed the name of God, who had control over all these plagues. They did not repent of their sins and turn to God and give him glory.

Revelation 16 verses

Revelation 16 9 Meaning

Revelation 16:9 describes the reaction of humanity under the sixth of God's seven bowl judgments. Despite suffering intense heat and physical pain caused by divine wrath, the afflicted did not turn from their rebellion. Instead of acknowledging God's power and sovereignty over these cataclysms and responding with repentance and adoration, they defiantly cursed His name. This verse powerfully illustrates humanity's persistent sinfulness and obstinacy, refusing to humble themselves even in the face of overwhelming divine judgment, thus compounding their guilt and demonstrating a profound spiritual blindness.

Revelation 16 9 Context

Revelation 16 describes the outpouring of the seven bowl judgments, which represent the consummation of God's wrath, distinct from the partial judgments of the seals and trumpets. These bowls are swift, intense, and universal in their impact on the earth, sea, rivers, sun, and the very throne of the beast. Verse 9 specifically falls within the period of the fourth bowl (Rev 16:8), which gave the sun power to scorch people with fire. The sixth bowl (Rev 16:12-16) continues with another specific plague affecting the Euphrates river.

Historically, John writes to Christians in Asia Minor facing severe persecution from the Roman Empire, which often demanded emperor worship and claimed divine authority. The bowl judgments are God's decisive intervention against an unrepentant world allied with the forces of evil (the Dragon, the Beast, and the False Prophet). The passage implicitly critiques the Roman defiance of the one true God and affirms His ultimate sovereignty, even in extreme acts of judgment. The human response here—blasphemy instead of repentance—underscores the pervasive wickedness and stubborn refusal to submit to God's reign, despite unmistakable signs of His power.

Revelation 16 9 Word analysis

• They were scorched: (ἐκαύθησαν - ekauthēsan - 'they were burned' or 'they were scorched', from καίω - kaiō - to burn/light up). Passive voice, indicating they were acted upon by an external force (the intense heat from the sun under the fourth bowl). The experience was physically agonizing and pervasive.
• by the great heat: (καῦμα μέγα - kauma mega - 'burning heat, great heat'). This specific term highlights the severity and intensity of the thermal agony. It links directly to Rev 16:8 where the sun was given power to scorch men.
• and they cursed: (ἐβλασφήμησαν - eblasphēmēsan - 'they blasphemed' or 'they cursed', from βλασφημέω - blasphēmeō - to slander, revile, speak evil of, blaspheme). This word denotes speaking impiously or irreverently about God. It is not just about words but a heart attitude of defiance and hatred toward the divine. In the Bible, blasphemy is a serious offense, signifying a rejection of God's authority and honor.
• the name of God: (τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ Θεοῦ - to onoma tou Theou). In biblical thought, 'the name' of God represents His character, His being, His authority, and His revealed essence. To curse or blaspheme His name is to attack God Himself, rejecting His sovereignty and character. This implies they recognized who was behind the plagues, yet chose defiance over submission.
• who has power: (ὁ ἔχων ἐξουσίαν - ho echōn exousian - 'the one having authority' or 'the one possessing power'). This phrase emphasizes God's sovereign control over the judgments. The unrepentant know God is in charge, yet rebel. Exousia implies inherent right and dominion.
• over these plagues: (ἐπὶ τὰς πληγὰς ταύτας - epi tas plēgas tautas - 'over these strikes/blows/plagues'). Reinforces God's direct agency and ownership of these severe judgments. It is not random suffering, but divine chastisement.
• They did not repent: (καὶ οὐ μετενόησαν - kai ou metenoēsan - 'and they did not change their mind' or 'they did not turn from sin'). Metanoeō (from which 'repent' comes) signifies a profound change of mind that results in a fundamental reorientation of life and conduct. It's not mere regret, but a turning from sin to God. This is the crux of their condemnation: a stubborn refusal to change.
• and give Him glory: (δοῦναι αὐτῷ δόξαν - dounai autō doxan - 'to give Him glory' or 'to offer Him praise/honor'). This phrase is juxtaposed with 'cursed the name of God'. Instead of acknowledging God's majesty and holiness by submitting to Him in awe and praise, they rejected Him. "Glory" (doxa) means praise, honor, majesty, the very manifestation of divine excellence.
• Words-group by words-group analysis:
  • "They were scorched by the great heat": Highlights the severity and direct divine causation of their suffering, preparing for the paradox of their reaction.
  • "and they cursed the name of God": Shows their utter defiance and the perverse nature of their response. Despite physical agony, their spiritual rebellion intensified. They identified the source of their pain (God) but hated Him for it, confirming their enmity.
  • "who has power over these plagues": This parenthetical clarification reveals that their blasphemy was not born of ignorance but of willful rebellion against a known sovereign power. Their refusal was a direct challenge to the Divine authority that wielded these very judgments.
  • "They did not repent and give Him glory": This phrase encapsulates their ultimate moral failure. The desired and rational response to divine judgment, in hopes of averting further wrath, would be repentance leading to acknowledgment and adoration of God. Their refusal sealed their doom, indicating an entrenched, incurable animosity towards God, even under the most compelling demonstrations of His might.

Revelation 16 9 Bonus section

The consistent refusal to repent despite escalating plagues (seen also in Rev 9:20-21 and subsequent Rev 16:11, 21) underscores a theological point: God's justice is perfect, and human will remains free. These judgments serve not primarily as instruments to force repentance on those already irrevocably hardened, but as declarations of God's absolute righteousness and ultimate triumph over evil, vindicating His long-suffering and patient mercy that was previously rejected. The scene presents a vivid picture of individuals experiencing their "last opportunity" but actively choosing against God, thereby fully revealing their heart's posture. This extreme defiance ultimately justifies God's full and final wrath.

Revelation 16 9 Commentary

Revelation 16:9 is a poignant and stark portrayal of the hardened human heart in the face of unmistakable divine judgment. It follows the unleashing of unprecedented cosmic and environmental devastation, demonstrating God's sovereign power over creation and judgment. Yet, humanity's response is not humility, contrition, or a turning to the Almighty, but an escalation of blasphemy. They are "scorched by the great heat," experiencing excruciating pain, but rather than seeing this as a call to repentance, they respond with profound animosity.

The critical insight from this verse is that God's judgments, even when severe, do not inherently force repentance. Instead, they often expose the depth of underlying wickedness and intensify pre-existing defiance. The people understand that God is the one "who has power over these plagues," meaning their blasphemy is not born of ignorance, but of a willful, conscious rejection of His sovereignty. Their sin is not merely passive omission, but active rebellion.

The antithesis is clear: they cursed instead of glorifying; they hardened instead of repenting. God's ultimate desire, even in judgment, is for repentance and the offering of glory (Rev 14:7). However, for these individuals, their stubbornness eclipses even self-preservation, demonstrating that their spiritual state is irredeemably set against God. This serves as a solemn warning against procrastination in repentance, highlighting the possibility of reaching a point of no return where the heart becomes so calcified that even overwhelming pain and evidence of God's power fail to produce a salvific response.

Practically, this verse reminds believers that witnessing divine power or even experiencing difficult circumstances in life does not guarantee spiritual conversion or renewal. True repentance is a work of God's grace met with a willing heart. For the unbeliever, it is a sober call to respond to God's manifestations, whether in creation, His Word, or even in trials, with humility and a willingness to turn from sin before such a point of hardened finality is reached.