Revelation 9 17

Revelation 9:17 kjv

And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone.

Revelation 9:17 nkjv

And thus I saw the horses in the vision: those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and brimstone.

Revelation 9:17 niv

The horses and riders I saw in my vision looked like this: Their breastplates were fiery red, dark blue, and yellow as sulfur. The heads of the horses resembled the heads of lions, and out of their mouths came fire, smoke and sulfur.

Revelation 9:17 esv

And this is how I saw the horses in my vision and those who rode them: they wore breastplates the color of fire and of sapphire and of sulfur, and the heads of the horses were like lions' heads, and fire and smoke and sulfur came out of their mouths.

Revelation 9:17 nlt

And in my vision, I saw the horses and the riders sitting on them. The riders wore armor that was fiery red and dark blue and yellow. The horses had heads like lions, and fire and smoke and burning sulfur billowed from their mouths.

Revelation 9 verses

Revelation 9 17 Meaning

Revelation 9:17 presents a vivid description of a massive, destructive cavalry army seen in a divine vision during the sixth trumpet judgment. It details the frightening appearance of the riders' breastplates—colored fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow—and the terrifying nature of their mounts, whose heads resemble lions and from whose mouths pour forth fire, smoke, and sulfur. This verse underscores the supernatural and calamitous instruments of divine wrath being unleashed upon an unrepentant world.

Revelation 9 17 Context

Revelation 9:17 falls within the description of the sixth trumpet judgment, a severe outpouring of God's wrath upon an unrepentant humanity. Following the release of four demonic angels from the river Euphrates (Rev 9:13-15) and the mustering of an enormous cavalry army of two hundred million (Rev 9:16), this verse provides the horrific visual details of this destructive force. It immediately precedes the devastating impact of this army, where a third of mankind is killed by the very fire, smoke, and sulfur that emerge from the horses' mouths (Rev 9:18). Historically, this context alludes to potential threats from the East, especially from the Parthian empire known for its formidable cavalry and devastating weaponry, although the depiction here transcends any mere human army to describe supernatural, divinely appointed agents of judgment.

Revelation 9 17 Word analysis

• "And thus I saw" (Καὶ οὕτως εἶδον, Kai houtōs eidov): The phrase emphasizes the revelatory, visual nature of John's experience. He reports a specific, divine insight, not a natural observation. It implies authenticity and precision in his testimony.
• "the horses" (τοὺς ἵππους, tous hippous): While appearing as horses, these are not ordinary animals. In biblical prophecy (e.g., Zech 6:1-8, Rev 6:2-8), horses often symbolize military power, swift execution of judgment, or the carrying out of divine decrees. Here, their characteristics are clearly monstrous and supernatural.
• "in the vision" (ἐν τῷ ὁράματι, en tō horamati): Explicitly states that this is a symbolic or spiritual sight, distinguishing it from literal reality. This signifies its prophetic and divinely communicated nature.
• "and those who sat on them" (καὶ τοὺς καθημένους ἐπ᾿ αὐτῶν, kai tous kathēmenous ep’ autōn): Refers to the riders of these monstrous horses. While the focus quickly shifts to the horses, the riders are part of this terrifying force. They are the controlling agents of the destructive mounts, although their appearance details are limited to their breastplates.
• "they had breastplates" (θώρακας ἔχοντες, thōrakas echontes): Armor protecting the chest. While typically for defense, here it describes the striking colors of the riders' defensive gear, linking their appearance directly to the nature of the judgment they inflict.
• "of fiery red" (πυρίνους, pyrinous): From πῦρ (pyr), meaning fire. This color indicates destruction, divine wrath, and consumption by fire. It immediately signals the nature of the judgment to follow.
• "hyacinth blue" (ὑακινθίνους, hyacinthinous): A deep blue-violet or dark purplish color, reminiscent of bruises, smoke, or even the deep color of lead. Some interpret this as symbolizing death, pestilence, or the dark smoke often accompanying intense fires. It creates a sinister and foreboding hue.
• "and sulfur yellow" (καὶ θειώδεις, kai theiōdeis): Directly relates to sulfur or "brimstone," a potent symbol of divine judgment, particularly remembered from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 19:24). It implies burning, toxic elements, and absolute devastation.
• "and the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions" (καὶ αἱ κεφαλαὶ τῶν ἵππων ὡς κεφαλαὶ λεόντων, kai hai kephalai tōn hippōn hōs kephalai leontōn): A crucial descriptive detail. The lion symbolizes power, ferocity, predatory nature, and devastating strength (Prov 30:30, Amos 3:8). This imagery indicates that these horses are not just beasts of burden, but aggressive, lethal engines of destruction.
• "and out of their mouths came" (καὶ ἐκ τοῦ στόματος αὐτῶν ἐκπορεύεται, kai ek tou stomatos autōn ekporeuetai): This phrase highlights the source of their destructive power. Their breath is not life-giving but a deadly emission, signifying their demonic or supernaturally empowered origin.
• "fire, smoke, and sulfur" (πῦρ καὶ καπνὸς καὶ θεῖον, pyr kai kapnos kai theion): These are the specific instruments of judgment. Fire consumes, smoke suffocates and obscures, and sulfur (brimstone) causes intense burning and poisoning. Together, they represent comprehensive and agonizing destruction, a hallmark of divine retribution.

• "the horses in the vision and those who sat on them": This grouping establishes the combined force of these agents of judgment. The rider controls the horse, but the horse's nature (monstrous, lion-headed) indicates the inherent destructive power wielded.
• "they had breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow": These colors are symbolic, mirroring the very elements of destruction later mentioned (fire, smoke, sulfur). They create a terrifying visual ensemble, where the appearance of the warriors foreshadows their devastating attack. The three colors are also suggestive of different aspects or stages of combustion, further reinforcing the theme of destruction by fire and brimstone.
• "the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions, and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and sulfur": This specific description defines the unique horror of these entities. The lion-heads emphasize predatory and ruthless power, while the elemental discharge from their mouths indicates a direct, supernatural, and utterly destructive attack, confirming their role as instruments of divine vengeance rather than conventional military might.

Revelation 9 17 Bonus section

The tripartite nature of the colors and destructive elements (fire, smoke, sulfur) in this verse highlights a comprehensive and multifaceted judgment. It evokes images of industrial-scale burning, toxic pollution, and total devastation, exceeding the scope of typical warfare. The description of these horse-like entities breathes an almost living horror into the concept of divine retribution, emphasizing that God orchestrates events beyond human understanding to fulfill His just purposes. The scene points to a profound level of suffering directly tied to a continued refusal to repent by those remaining after earlier judgments (Rev 9:20-21).

Revelation 9 17 Commentary

Revelation 9:17 presents a vivid, multi-sensory image of a terrifying army. The divine origin of the vision underscores the prophetic weight of this disclosure. The colors of the riders' breastplates—fiery red, hyacinth blue (suggesting darkness/death), and sulfur yellow—are not arbitrary; they directly prefigure the "fire, smoke, and sulfur" that become the literal instruments of death issuing from the horses. This creates a striking visual and thematic unity of destruction. The lion-headed horses reinforce a theme of ferocity and unparalleled strength, portraying them as engines of overwhelming power, while the combination of fire, smoke, and sulfur points to a judgment reminiscent of the Old Testament condemnations, signifying total annihilation and agonizing torment. This portrayal emphasizes that God's justice is deliberate and inescapable, bringing about calamitous consequences for human defiance and unrepentance.