Revelation 6 15

Revelation 6:15 kjv

And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;

Revelation 6:15 nkjv

And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains,

Revelation 6:15 niv

Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and everyone else, both slave and free, hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains.

Revelation 6:15 esv

Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains,

Revelation 6:15 nlt

Then everyone ? the kings of the earth, the rulers, the generals, the wealthy, the powerful, and every slave and free person ? all hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains.

Revelation 6 verses

Revelation 6 15 Meaning

Revelation 6:15 describes a universal reaction of terror and a futile attempt to hide among people of every status and position on earth in the face of divine judgment. It portrays the realization of inescapable wrath from God and the Lamb, signifying the beginning of cataclysmic events leading to the Great Day of His Wrath. This verse highlights humanity's intrinsic fear when confronted with God's manifest power and holiness, illustrating their preference for concealment over repentance.

Revelation 6 15 Context

Revelation chapter 6 describes the opening of the first six seals by the Lamb (Jesus Christ), revealing a series of judgments that unfold on earth. These seals signify escalating tribulation, warfare, famine, and death, culminating in cosmic disturbances. Verse 15 marks the immediate consequence of the sixth seal's opening, where astronomical and geological phenomena evoke universal dread. It paints a stark picture of global panic, following signs such as a great earthquake, the sun becoming black, the moon turning to blood, and stars falling. This immediate context is a world experiencing divine wrath through dramatic natural upheavals, compelling all people, regardless of their societal standing, to seek shelter from an unseen but universally felt terror. The historical context for the original audience, living under Roman imperial power, would have seen this description as a powerful polemic against the supposed invincibility of Rome and its emperors. All earthly power structures and social distinctions dissolve in the face of God's judgment.

Revelation 6 15 Word analysis

• And the kings of the earth (οἱ βασιλεῖς τῆς γῆς, hoi basileis tēs gēs):

  • "Kings" (basileis): Signifies supreme political rulers, but also broad governmental authority. In a prophetic context, it often symbolizes worldly power systems. This directly challenges Roman claims of ultimate sovereignty.
  • "Of the earth" (tēs gēs): Emphasizes their worldly orientation, in contrast to heavenly authority. This refers to those who derive their power and identity from the world's systems rather than from God.

• and the great men (οἱ μεγιστᾶνες, hoi megistanes):

  • "Great men": Refers to nobles, prominent officials, and powerful aristocrats, those with significant social influence and authority within society, often due to birth or position.

• and the rich men (οἱ πλούσιοι, hoi plousioi):

  • "Rich men": Those with abundant material wealth. Often criticized in prophetic literature for trusting in riches and exploiting others (Jas 5:1).

• and the chief captains (οἱ χιλίαρχοι, hoi chiliarchoi):

  • "Chief captains": Military commanders, chiliarchs typically commanding 1,000 men. Represents military might and leadership.

• and the mighty men (οἱ ἰσχυροί, hoi ischyroi):

  • "Mighty men": Those strong or powerful, whether in physical strength, influence, or ability. Broadly, powerful figures not covered by the preceding categories.

• and every bondman (πᾶς δοῦλος, pas doulos):

  • "Bondman": A slave. Represents the lowest rung of the social hierarchy, owning nothing, lacking freedom.

• and every free man (καὶ πᾶς ἐλεύθερος, kai pas eleutheros):

  • "Free man": One not a slave. Represents common citizens who are not bound but possess no great power.

• hid themselves (ἔκρυψαν ἑαυτοὺς, ekrypsan heautous):

  • "Hid": Signifies a deliberate act of concealment due to extreme fear or shame, an attempt to escape detection or wrath (Gen 3:8). The futility of this act is implied as no place can hide one from God (Amos 9:2).

• in the caves (εἰς τὰ σπήλαια, eis ta spēlaia):

  • "Caves": Natural shelters, dark, concealed places. Represents a primal attempt to find refuge from overwhelming external threat (Isa 2:19).

• and in the rocks of the mountains (καὶ εἰς τὰς πέτρας τῶν ὀρέων, kai eis tas petras tōn oreōn):

  • "Rocks of the mountains": Implying the most secure, inaccessible, and robust natural formations. The very stability of creation is sought as shelter against the Creator's wrath. This is an ironic turning to creation for protection from its Creator.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "The kings of the earth... every free man": This phrase meticulously lists a hierarchical structure of humanity, from the most powerful ruler to the humblest slave. Its exhaustive nature (using "every") emphasizes the universality of the terror and the judgment. It underscores that status, wealth, or power offer no refuge or advantage in the face of divine judgment. This challenges any earthly societal structures and pride.
  • "Hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains": This describes a collective, primal, desperate act of flight. The choice of caves and rocks—places of natural concealment—highlights their fear and the overwhelming nature of what they face. It signifies a vain attempt to escape the visible and unseen signs of divine judgment. Their actions contrast sharply with the appropriate response of repentance and seeking refuge in God Himself.

Revelation 6 15 Bonus section

The scene in Rev 6:15 draws heavily on Old Testament prophetic imagery (e.g., Isa 2:10, 19, Hos 10:8), demonstrating continuity in God's revelation concerning His judgment. This global hiding underscores humanity's inherent guilt before a holy God, recalling Adam's original hiding (Gen 3:8). The phrase "kings of the earth" often refers to rulers opposed to God's reign (Ps 2:2; Rev 16:14), suggesting that these specific classes of people who might typically consider themselves secure or untouchable are the most vulnerable. This comprehensive enumeration serves to eliminate any sense of exemption, teaching that divine justice applies universally. The krusis (crisis, judgment) brings everything to a head, dissolving human-made distinctions and exposing the true nature of all under divine scrutiny. The terror expressed here is not merely physical, but existential; it is the realization that their defiance and worldly pursuits are meaningless before an omnipotent God.

Revelation 6 15 Commentary

Revelation 6:15 offers a sobering glimpse into humanity's universal reaction when confronted by undeniable divine wrath. The verse systematically sweeps across all strata of society – from monarchs to slaves, military leaders to the ordinary free person – underscoring that no position, power, or privilege on earth offers immunity from the Creator's judgment. The prior events of the six seals culminate in such cataclysmic cosmic disturbances that human beings, previously perhaps dismissive or unaware of God, are forced to acknowledge His overwhelming presence and power. Their immediate response is not repentance but flight and a desperate, futile attempt at concealment. This act of hiding in caves and among the mountains symbolizes a flight from reality, a primal fear in the face of the unholy, and a self-preservation instinct against an invincible foe. The terror is so profound that these very stable parts of creation are seen as potential hiding places, illustrating the utter panic and disruption of the natural order caused by divine action. The passage implicitly polemicizes against all human pride, self-reliance, and perceived security in worldly systems. There is no distinction between high and low when facing God's glory and wrath. This serves as a warning and a testament to the ultimate sovereignty of the One who holds the keys of judgment.