Revelation 9 1

Revelation 9:1 kjv

And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.

Revelation 9:1 nkjv

Then the fifth angel sounded: And I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. To him was given the key to the bottomless pit.

Revelation 9:1 niv

The fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. The star was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss.

Revelation 9:1 esv

And the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star fallen from heaven to earth, and he was given the key to the shaft of the bottomless pit.

Revelation 9:1 nlt

Then the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen to earth from the sky, and he was given the key to the shaft of the bottomless pit.

Revelation 9 verses

Revelation 9 1 Meaning

Revelation 9:1 describes the commencement of the fifth trumpet judgment, initiating the first of three woes. It presents John witnessing a symbolic "star" falling from heaven to earth. This star, interpreted as a powerful angelic or spiritual being, is divinely authorized and empowered with "the key of the bottomless pit" to open it. This act unleashes malevolent forces previously confined, bringing about a new phase of tribulation and spiritual torment upon the unredeemed inhabitants of the earth.

Revelation 9 1 Context

Revelation 9:1 is part of a sequence of judgments signaled by seven angels blowing trumpets (Rev 8:6ff). This specific verse introduces the fifth trumpet, which is also identified as the first of the three "woes" for those who dwell on the earth (Rev 8:13). Unlike the first four trumpets, which affected the natural world (earth, sea, rivers, and celestial bodies), the fifth trumpet initiates a spiritual, demonic plague. The preceding verses of Revelation 8 depict a shift from judgments causing environmental destruction to a focus on direct affliction of humanity. Historically and culturally, the "bottomless pit" (ἀβύσσου - abyssou) would have resonated with Jewish apocalyptic literature and rabbinic tradition concerning a dark, primeval void, or a place of confinement for wicked spirits and demons. John’s vision uses familiar apocalyptic imagery to communicate God's unfolding plan of judgment and the unleashing of supernatural forces as a prelude to Christ's ultimate return and reign. The passage underscores God's sovereignty, as even the star, symbolic of an evil entity, is "given" the key, signifying divine permission and control over these dark powers.

Revelation 9 1 Word analysis

• And the fifth angel sounded: This phrase signifies the next stage in God's ordered sequence of judgments, emphasizing that these events are orchestrated divine acts, carried out by angelic agents at specific points in God's prophetic timetable.
• and I saw: A recurring phrase in Revelation (e.g., Rev 1:12, Rev 4:1, Rev 5:1, Rev 6:1), affirming John's direct perception of these apocalyptic visions. It lends an eyewitness authenticity to the revelation, indicating a revealed truth from God.
• a star (ἀστὴρ - astēr): Symbolically refers to a prominent spiritual being or an angel. While literal stars illuminate, this "star" brings darkness and judgment. Biblical contexts (Job 38:7; Rev 1:20) often use "star" as a metaphor for angelic beings, confirming a powerful personal entity rather than a celestial object.
• fall (ἔπεσεν - epesen) from heaven: Denotes a loss of privilege, position, or status. This is not merely a descriptive observation but carries symbolic weight, often associated with a punitive demotion or a divine allowance for action. Echoes of Satan's fall (Isa 14:12, Lk 10:18) are strong here, indicating a once-exalted being. The use of "fall" implies either divine judgment or a divinely permitted descent, suggesting purposeful rather than accidental action.
• unto the earth: Specifies the target and domain of this being's operation and subsequent judgment. The action originating in the heavenly sphere now has direct, devastating consequences upon the human inhabited world.
• and to him (αὐτῷ - autō): The use of the masculine pronoun "him" unequivocally confirms that the "star" is an intelligent, active, and personal entity, distinguishing it from an inanimate object and solidifying the interpretation as a fallen angel or powerful demonic being.
• was given (ἐδόθη - edothē): This crucial Greek passive voice signifies that the authority to act was not inherent or self-derived, but explicitly bestowed by a higher power. It underlines God's ultimate sovereignty and control over even malevolent forces, emphasizing that they operate only by His permission and within His defined boundaries.
• the key (κλεὶς - kleis): A universal symbol of authority, access, and power over a specific domain (Isa 22:22; Matt 16:19). In this context, it grants power to open, and therefore release, what is confined, suggesting control over the bottomless pit.
• of the bottomless pit (τοῦ φρέατος τῆς ἀβύσσου - tou phreatos tēs abyssou):
  • bottomless pit (ἀβύσσου - abyssou): Greek for "abyss," meaning unfathomably deep, a primeval chaotic deep (Gen 1:2), and biblically a realm of confinement for evil spirits and demons (Lk 8:31, Rom 10:7; Rev 11:7, Rev 17:8, Rev 20:1, Rev 20:3). It signifies a place of imprisonment for particular malevolent beings.
  • pit (φρέατος - phreatos): A "well" or "shaft," suggesting a confined or enclosed opening leading to the abyss. This implies a specific point of access, which, when opened, allows the previously confined contents to emerge in a targeted way.

Words-group analysis

• "a star fall from heaven unto the earth": This phrase directly echoes the imagery associated with the fall of Satan from his elevated position in heaven (Isa 14:12; Lk 10:18). It depicts a significant event involving a high-ranking angelic being, whose descent marks a crucial transition from a spiritual fall to an impactful presence on the earthly plane. It suggests either judgment already applied to the being or, more likely here, divine permission for a specific destructive task.
• "to him was given the key of the bottomless pit": This emphasizes divine omnipotence and control. The powerful "star," even a fallen one, possesses no inherent authority over the abyss but must receive it from God. The granting of "the key" underscores that the subsequent unleashing of demonic forces is not chaotic but a directed and limited release by divine will, demonstrating God's ultimate command over the realms of spiritual evil and their timing.

Revelation 9 1 Bonus section

• The nature of the judgment transitions from affecting the physical creation in the initial trumpets to directly unleashing spiritual evil from the abyss, highlighting the deepening intensity and spiritual dimension of God's wrath.
• While the "star" is typically seen as a singular entity, the effect of his action is the release of multitudinous demonic beings, underscoring the destructive influence and cascading consequences of one powerful fallen angel.
• This verse provides theological reassurance that even the most formidable evil beings operate only under God's explicit authorization. Their power, sphere of influence, and the timing of their actions are all strictly subordinate to God's divine will, offering comfort that chaos is always within the divine plan.

Revelation 9 1 Commentary

Revelation 9:1 initiates the unfolding of a grave judgment phase. The "star fallen from heaven" is widely understood to be a powerful angelic entity, commonly interpreted as Satan or a chief demonic figure, given the authority entrusted to him. This entity’s "fall" indicates either his prior rebellion or, more likely in this context, his sanctioned descent to act as an agent of divine wrath. The crucial detail is that the "key of the bottomless pit"—a place consistently depicted as a prison for evil spirits—is "given" to him. This active voice indicates divine delegation, asserting God's ultimate sovereignty; even malevolent forces operate strictly within the bounds of His permission and purpose. The opening of this pit does not signify arbitrary chaos but the orchestrated release of destructive spiritual powers, primarily designed to torment, rather than annihilate, those who lack God’s seal, setting the stage for a period of unparalleled demonic affliction. This distinct form of judgment demonstrates God's intricate control over all events, utilizing even His adversaries to fulfill His righteous judgments against a defiant world.