Revelation 8 12

Revelation 8:12 kjv

And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.

Revelation 8:12 nkjv

Then the fourth angel sounded: And a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night.

Revelation 8:12 niv

The fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them turned dark. A third of the day was without light, and also a third of the night.

Revelation 8:12 esv

The fourth angel blew his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, and a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of their light might be darkened, and a third of the day might be kept from shining, and likewise a third of the night.

Revelation 8:12 nlt

Then the fourth angel blew his trumpet, and one-third of the sun was struck, and one-third of the moon, and one-third of the stars, and they became dark. And one-third of the day was dark, and also one-third of the night.

Revelation 8 verses

Revelation 8 12 Meaning

Revelation 8:12 describes the fourth trumpet judgment, initiated by an angel, causing a third of the sun, moon, and stars to be struck. This divine act results in a corresponding one-third reduction in their light output, leading to a significant darkening of both a third of the day and a third of the night. This signifies a partial yet profound disruption of the natural order and a judgment affecting fundamental aspects of life on earth, specifically light and time.

Revelation 8 12 Context

Revelation 8:12 is positioned as the fourth in a series of seven trumpet judgments, which themselves are released after the Lamb breaks the seventh and final seal (Rev 8:1). Following an interlude of silence in heaven and prayers offered by an angel with incense (Rev 8:1-5), the first three trumpets unleash judgments upon the earth's vegetation (fire and hail), the sea (turning to blood), and the freshwater sources (making them bitter). The fourth trumpet judgment described in verse 12 directly impacts the fundamental sources of light – the sun, moon, and stars – essential for human existence and time-keeping. This escalation in judgment moves from earthly and aquatic realms to the very heavens, signifying God's sovereign control over creation. The preceding judgments indicate that a large segment of the unrepentant world is facing increasingly severe consequences for rejecting divine truth.

Revelation 8 12 Word analysis

• "The fourth angel": (Greek: ho angelos ho tetartos) – Refers to a specific angelic being designated to sound the fourth of seven trumpets. Each angel's sounding initiates a distinct, sequential judgment, indicating an organized and purposeful divine plan unfolding.
• "sounded": (Greek: esalspisen) – From salpizō, "to blow a trumpet." In biblical contexts, trumpets often announce momentous events: assembly, war, royal proclamation, or, as here, divine intervention and judgment. It marks a clear, public, and unmistakable declaration.
• "a third of the sun": (Greek: to triton tou hēliou) – The fraction "a third" (triton) appears consistently in Revelation's trumpet judgments (Rev 8:7-12; 9:15, 18), denoting a partial but widespread and devastating impact. The sun (hēlios) is the primary source of light, warmth, and life. Its impairment is a blow to the natural order.
• "was struck": (Greek: eplēgē) – From plēssō, meaning "to strike, smite, wound." This passive verb emphasizes that an external, powerful, and deliberate divine force inflicted the damage. The celestial bodies are not merely failing; they are being actively judged.
• "a third of the moon": (Greek: to triton tēs selēnēs) – The moon (selēnē) provides nocturnal light and governs tides and calendars. Its diminishment adds to the pervasive darkening.
• "and a third of the stars": (Greek: kai to triton tōn asterōn) – Stars (astēr) are points of light in the night sky. In ancient cosmologies, they held symbolic significance, sometimes representing rulers or divine powers. Their darkening extends the cosmic disturbance.
• "so that a third of them were darkened": (Greek: hina skotisthē to triton autōn) – The Greek hina introduces a purpose or result clause. The striking of the celestial bodies had a specific outcome: they became dim (skotizō, to become dark or obscured). This reinforces the literal impact on light.
• "and a third of the day did not shine": (Greek: kai to triton tēs hēmeras mē phanē) – "Day" (hēmera) refers to the period of daylight. "Did not shine" (phanē, from phainō) means to not appear or give light. This directly states the effect on human daily experience: a tangible reduction of natural light during daytime hours.
• "and likewise a third of the night": (Greek: kai to triton tēs nuktos) – "Night" (nyx). The effect is not confined to the day but similarly impacts the night. The diminished light from the moon and stars causes a significant part of the night to lose its accustomed luminosity, adding to the pervasive gloom.

Words-group Analysis:

• "a third of the sun...a third of the moon...a third of the stars": This repetition of "a third of" emphasizes a universal and comprehensive judgment affecting the fundamental cosmic elements. It highlights God's sovereign power over creation. The focus on celestial bodies serves as a powerful polemic against any worship of creation or reliance on astral deities common in ancient cultures, asserting that God alone controls these ultimate sources of light and warmth.
• "so that a third of them were darkened, and a third of the day did not shine, and likewise a third of the night": This sequence elaborates on the consequence. It translates the abstract concept of celestial bodies being "struck" into concrete effects on time and the environment. The result is a pervasive dimness affecting all living things and human activities, a harbinger of increasing darkness, both physical and potentially spiritual, upon the earth. This reduced light impacts agriculture, human activity, and overall well-being, symbolizing confusion and distress.

Revelation 8 12 Bonus section

• The judgment on light sources in Rev 8:12 echoes the ninth plague upon Egypt, the "darkness that can be felt" (Ex 10:21-23), indicating a pattern of divine judgment where light—symbolizing blessing, truth, and life—is withdrawn as a consequence of rebellion.
• Biblical theology frequently connects light with God's presence, goodness, truth, and life, while darkness is associated with sin, judgment, death, and spiritual blindness. Thus, a literal darkening of the physical world also carries profound symbolic implications for the spiritual state of humanity under judgment.
• The progression of Revelation's judgments—from limited and localized (earth, sea, rivers) to affecting the global cosmic order (sun, moon, stars)—demonstrates the escalating severity of divine wrath poured out upon those who refuse to repent, leading to profound universal impacts.
• This cosmic judgment stands as a powerful testament to God's absolute sovereignty over creation, challenging any pagan belief systems that worshipped celestial bodies or attributed independent power to them. God remains the orchestrator and controller of all.

Revelation 8 12 Commentary

Revelation 8:12 portrays a vivid and fearsome judgment where the very light of the world is diminished. This partial obscuring of the sun, moon, and stars signifies a disruption of God's established cosmic order, impacting not just light but also the perception of time. It directly attacks elements fundamental to life and civilization. The repeated emphasis on "a third" indicates a significant, painful, and widespread affliction, yet it is not a complete annihilation, hinting that even more severe judgments might follow (which they do in later trumpets and bowl judgments). This event resonates with Old Testament prophecies of cosmic disturbances heralding the Day of the LORD, underscoring God's ultimate authority over all creation, even the celestial bodies that were sometimes deified or feared in ancient cultures. For those experiencing this, it would cause widespread alarm, confusion, and discomfort, illustrating that life's most basic elements are subject to God's wrath when His grace is persistently rejected.