Revelation 9 19

Revelation 9:19 kjv

For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt.

Revelation 9:19 nkjv

For their power is in their mouth and in their tails; for their tails are like serpents, having heads; and with them they do harm.

Revelation 9:19 niv

The power of the horses was in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails were like snakes, having heads with which they inflict injury.

Revelation 9:19 esv

For the power of the horses is in their mouths and in their tails, for their tails are like serpents with heads, and by means of them they wound.

Revelation 9:19 nlt

Their power was in their mouths and in their tails. For their tails had heads like snakes, with the power to injure people.

Revelation 9 verses

Revelation 9 19 Meaning

Revelation 9:19 vividly describes the horrifying destructive capabilities of the demonic cavalry unleashed during the sixth trumpet judgment. It reveals that the power of these entities stems from two primary sources: their mouths and their tails. From their mouths issues the destructive force of fire, smoke, and brimstone, which causes death. Complementing this is the unique and unsettling power residing in their tails, which are explicitly described as being like serpents, possessing their own heads, and through them, inflicting precise and deliberate harm. This imagery underscores the monstrous, deceptive, and intelligent malevolence behind these instruments of divine judgment.

Revelation 9 19 Context

Revelation 9:19 concludes a detailed description of the cavalry judgment under the sixth trumpet. Preceding this verse, the fifth trumpet judgment introduced demonic "locusts" that tormented humanity (Rev 9:1-12). The sixth trumpet then reveals four bound angels released to unleash a massive army of two hundred million horsemen (Rev 9:13-16). Verses 17 and 18 describe these horses as having heads like lions, with fire, smoke, and brimstone issuing from their mouths, causing the death of a third of humanity. Verse 19 specifically elaborates on their destructive mechanisms, solidifying the terrifying nature of this divinely permitted, supernatural assault. The chapter concludes by lamenting humanity's continued unrepentance despite such horrific judgments (Rev 9:20-21). Historically, the detailed imagery draws upon Old Testament prophecies of judgment and uses common Greco-Roman military symbolism and mythological allusions (like multi-headed creatures), twisted to portray demonic horror and God's ultimate dominion over all forces, visible or unseen.

Revelation 9 19 Word analysis

• For their power: (Greek: ἐξουσία, exousia). Signifies authority, ability, or legitimate control. Here, it is the assigned destructive capacity these creatures possess. It is not an inherent natural power, but one given or permitted by God for a specific judgment, even if wielded by demonic forces. This power is absolute and effective in their destructive task.
• is in their mouth: (Greek: στόμα, stoma). Refers to the frontal means of attack. As per Rev 9:17-18, this relates to the fire, smoke, and brimstone. It implies a direct, verbal, or front-facing destructive emission. The mouth is also the organ of speech, linking this power to declaration, cursing, or commanding destruction, even if the primary imagery is of physical efflux.
• and in their tails: (Greek: οὐραῖς, ourais). Highlights a second, distinct, and equally potent source of power, originating from the rear. This suggests an unexpected, subtle, or pervasive form of attack that cannot be easily foreseen or avoided by facing the direct assault.
• for their tails were like unto serpents: (Greek: ὄφεσιν, ophesin). "Serpent" here immediately evokes the symbolism of evil, deceit, temptation, and the adversarial nature of Satan (Genesis 3; Revelation 12, 20). This imagery imbues the tails with malice and cunning, not just raw power. It's a living, slithering weapon.
• and had heads: (Greek: ἔχουσαι κεφαλὰς, echousai kephalas). The presence of heads on the tails is highly significant. It transforms a mere whip-like appendage into an instrument of directed, intelligent, and focused attack. Each "head" implies a capacity for vision, intention, and specific application of harm, multiplying their ability to "do hurt" and making the torment more deliberate and terrifying. It’s an unnatural, grotesque perversion.
• and with them they do hurt: (Greek: ἀδικοῦσιν, adikousin). This verb means "to wrong," "to injure," "to harm," or "to do injustice." It emphasizes the specific, injurious nature of their actions. The harm inflicted is not accidental or collateral, but intentional and wrongful. It highlights the deliberate suffering caused to those who are struck by these serpentine tails.

Revelation 9 19 Bonus section

The "serpentine tails with heads" may echo ancient multi-headed mythological beasts (e.g., Hydra) which often symbolized chaos or formidable opposition, thus immediately conveying to a contemporary audience the supernatural and monstrous nature of these forces. Furthermore, the very existence of such grotesque instruments of power underscores the depth of humanity's sin and the severity of divine wrath. While these creatures are described in a highly symbolic and visionary language, their effect—the "hurt" or harm they cause—is real. This suggests that ultimate judgment involves both overwhelming destructive force and specific, targeted suffering that cannot be evaded. The imagery emphasizes that nothing, not even a "tail," is without deadly purpose when it comes to God's judgments against unrepentant hearts.

Revelation 9 19 Commentary

Revelation 9:19 provides chilling clarity regarding the dual-pronged attack mechanisms of the destructive cavalry in the sixth trumpet judgment. The passage distinguishes between power from the mouth (direct, visible assault of fire, smoke, and brimstone, which causes death, as seen in the preceding verses) and a more insidious, directed power from the tails. The description of tails like serpents with heads suggests not just brute force, but cunning, deception, and precise application of malevolent will, capable of inflicting specific injuries. This reflects the insidious nature of evil, operating from both overt destruction and subtle, venomous attacks. It emphasizes that these instruments of divine judgment are supernaturally empowered, acting with an unnatural, grotesque, yet highly effective capability, reflecting the gravity of the unrepentant state of humanity. It serves as a stark warning of the terrifying consequences of persistent rejection of God, showcasing judgment that employs not only visible devastation but also hidden, serpent-like precision in inflicting harm.