Revelation 19:18 kjv
That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.
Revelation 19:18 nkjv
that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great."
Revelation 19:18 niv
so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and the mighty, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, great and small."
Revelation 19:18 esv
to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great."
Revelation 19:18 nlt
Come and eat the flesh of kings, generals, and strong warriors; of horses and their riders; and of all humanity, both free and slave, small and great."
Revelation 19 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Eze 39:17-20 | "Speak unto every feathered fowl, and to every beast of the field, Assemble yourselves... from all sides to My sacrifice... that ye may eat flesh... of mighty men... and drink blood of the princes..." | God's judgment as a feast for birds/beasts. |
| Isa 34:6-7 | "For the Lord hath a sacrifice in Bozrah, and a great slaughter... with the fat of rams... and the blood of goats..." | Divine judgment, imagery of slaughter. |
| Jer 7:33 | "And the carcases of this people shall be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth; and none shall fray them away." | Utter destruction, no burial. |
| Jer 16:4 | "They shall die of grievous deaths; they shall not be lamented... they shall be as dung upon the face of the earth: and they shall be consumed by the sword, and by famine; and their carcases shall be meat for the fowls of heaven, and for the beasts of the earth." | Extensive judgment, bodies left for carrion. |
| Jer 19:7 | "And I will cause them to fall by the sword before their enemies... and their carcases will I give to be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth." | Prophetic judgment by sword, no burial. |
| Deut 28:26 | "And thy carcase shall be meat unto all fowls of the air, and unto the beasts of the earth, and no man shall fray them away." | Curse for disobedience, body eaten. |
| Psa 79:2-3 | "The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth. Their blood have they shed like water..." | Lament over Israel's dead left unburied. |
| Rev 14:19-20 | "And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God... and blood came out of the winepress..." | Symbolic image of great final judgment. |
| Rev 6:15 | "And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men... hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains." | High-ranking men fear God's wrath. |
| Isa 66:24 | "And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against Me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh." | Final judgment for transgressors. |
| Psa 110:5-6 | "The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of His wrath. He shall judge among the heathen, He shall fill the places with the dead bodies..." | Messiah's kingship and judgment on kings. |
| Nah 1:5-6 | "The mountains quake at Him... The earth is burned at His presence... Who can stand before His indignation? And who can abide in the fierceness of His anger? His fury is poured out like fire..." | God's overwhelming wrath. |
| Zeph 1:17 | "And I will bring distress upon men... and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung." | God's judgment, bodies like dung. |
| Rev 19:7-9 | "Let us be glad and rejoice... for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready... Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb." | Contrasting joyous feast of the redeemed. |
| Prov 1:24-31 | "Because I have called, and ye refused... they shall eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices." | Consequence of rejecting divine wisdom. |
| Luke 17:37 | "Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together." | Proverbial expression for a place of judgment. |
| Matt 24:28 | "For wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together." | Foreshadowing of swift, inevitable judgment. |
| 2 Pet 2:12 | "But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption." | Fate of ungodly, like animals for slaughter. |
| Jude 1:8,10 | "Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities... But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves." | Unbelievers' contempt for authority leads to their bestial fate. |
| Eze 38:20-22 | "The fish of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven... and all men that are upon the face of the earth, shall shake at My presence... And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood..." | Universal impact of God's judgment. |
| Zec 14:12 | "And this shall be the plague wherewith the Lord will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet..." | Physical destruction for Jerusalem's enemies. |
| Jer 34:20 | "And I will give them into the hand of their enemies... and their dead bodies shall be for meat unto the fowls of the heaven, and to the beasts of the earth." | Punishment involving bodies as carrion. |
Revelation 19 verses
Revelation 19 18 Meaning
This verse graphically describes the horrific aftermath of the ultimate judgment upon the enemies of God. It depicts scavenging birds devouring the corpses of all who opposed Christ in battle, symbolizing a complete and irreversible destruction. It encompasses every level of human society and military might, from the most powerful kings and commanders to the lowest bondservants, signifying the absolute totality and humiliation of their defeat by God and His Messiah.
Revelation 19 18 Context
Revelation chapter 19 shifts dramatically from the lament over Babylon's destruction to the praise for God's righteousness and the joyful anticipation of the Lamb's marriage. However, this verse falls within a section that quickly transitions to the climactic second coming of Christ and His triumph over all earthly rebellion (Rev 19:11-21). It follows the grand vision of Christ the Warrior King emerging from heaven, leading the armies of heaven, and His command to "smite the nations." This verse then details the specific fate of those nations and their leaders who dare to gather and fight against Him. It is the fulfillment of divine judgment against humanity's final stand of rebellion, starkly contrasting the "great supper of God" (a feast of carrion for birds) with the "marriage supper of the Lamb" (a celebration for the redeemed) mentioned earlier in the chapter. The historical-cultural context for the original audience, who would be familiar with the practice of leaving unburied bodies as a sign of disgrace and defeat, would intensify the horror of this prophetic judgment.
Revelation 19 18 Word analysis
- to eat (φαγεῖν - phagein): A direct and visceral verb, emphasizing the act of consumption. This is not just a defeat, but a literal and gruesome annihilation where the remains are utterly scavenged, denying any dignified burial, which was considered a deep dishonor in the ancient world.
- the flesh (σάρκας - sarkas): This term repeatedly used in the verse denotes the physical bodies. It highlights the material reality of the judgment—the literal human and animal remains. The repetition underscores the comprehensive nature of the judgment, showing that all physical life opposing God will be brought to ruin. It signifies utter dehumanization and disgrace.
- of kings (βασιλέων - basileōn): The highest human authority, earthly rulers. This points to the downfall of sovereign powers who exalt themselves against God. It signifies the dethronement of earthly dominion and the absolute sovereignty of Christ.
- of captains (χιλιάρχων - chiliarchōn): Military commanders, literally "commanders of a thousand" (chiliarchs). These are leaders of armed forces, signifying the destruction of military might and strategic leadership arrayed against Christ.
- and the flesh of mighty men (καὶ σάρκας ἰσχυρῶν - kai sarkas iskhyrōn): Refers to the powerful warriors, the elite fighting forces, or physically strong individuals. It points to the inability of human strength, no matter how great, to stand against divine power.
- and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them: Represents the entire cavalry, the primary and most formidable component of ancient armies. This signifies the obliteration of the military apparatus itself, alongside those who ride and control it, emphasizing the total destruction of all that constitutes their war-making ability.
- and the flesh of all men: A comprehensive summary encompassing everyone else. This emphasizes the universal scope of the judgment beyond specific ranks or roles.
- both free and bond: Encompasses the entire social spectrum from those who possess freedom and status to those who are slaves or servants. This demonstrates that no social class or economic standing provides immunity from divine judgment.
- both small and great: An encompassing phrase covering everyone from the lowest in status, influence, or physical stature, to the most prominent or physically imposing. This ensures that every single individual involved in rebellion, regardless of their position or power, faces the same judgment, highlighting God's impartiality and the complete nature of His wrath.
Revelation 19 18 Bonus section
This verse carries a strong polemic against earthly powers and rulers who demand allegiance and seek to usurp God's sovereignty. The fact that kings, captains, and mighty men are reduced to carrion for birds starkly demonstrates the ephemeral and futile nature of human pride and defiance when confronted with the true King of Kings. In the Roman context, where emperor worship was enforced and military might was celebrated, this depiction of ultimate defeat for human armies and their leaders would have served as a powerful reminder of God's supreme authority and judgment over all earthly systems. It reinforces that earthly glory, military might, and political power, when arrayed against God, are utterly worthless and lead only to desecration and oblivion.
Revelation 19 18 Commentary
Revelation 19:18 presents a horrifying tableau of divine retribution following Christ's triumphant return. It is a direct and gruesome fulfillment of ancient prophecies foretelling God's judgment on His enemies, most notably paralleling Ezekiel's prophecy against Gog and Magog. The deliberate listing of various ranks—from kings to commoners, cavalry to footsoldiers—emphasizes the comprehensiveness and inescapable nature of this judgment. It signifies that no human power, no matter how exalted, organized, or numerous, can stand against the returning Messiah. The lack of proper burial and the consumption by carrion birds represent ultimate degradation and shame, demonstrating God's complete triumph over rebellion and the definitive end of earthly opposition to His reign. This "great supper of God" stands as a chilling counterpoint to the blessed "marriage supper of the Lamb," showcasing the two immutable destinies: one of fellowship and eternal joy for those who submit to Christ, and the other of utter annihilation for those who resist Him.