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Selected Verse: Revelation 16:12 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Re 16:12	Strong Concordance	And [2532] the sixth [1623] angel [32] poured out [1632] his [846] vial [5357] upon [1909] the great [3173] river [4215] Euphrates [2166]; and [2532] the water [5204] thereof [846] was dried up [3583], that [2443] the way [3598] of the kings [935] of [575] the east [395] [2246] might be prepared [2090].
	King James	And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
angel--so Coptic and ANDREAS. A, B, C, Vulgate, and Syriac omit. kings of the east--Greek, "the kings who are from the rising of the sun." Reference to the Euphrates similarly occurs in the sixth trumpet. The drying up of the Euphrates, I think, is to be taken figuratively, as Babylon itself, which is situated on it, is undoubtedly so, Rev 17:5. The waters of the Euphrates (compare Isa 8:7-8) are spiritual Babylon's, that is, the apostate Church's (of which Rome is the chief, though not exclusive representative) spiritual and temporal powers. The drying up of the waters of Babylon expresses the same thing as the ten kings stripping, eating, and burning the whore. The phrase, "way may be prepared for," is that applied to the Lord's coming (Isa 40:3; Mat 3:3; Luk 1:76). He shall come from the East (Mat 24:27; Eze 43:2, "the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the East"): not alone, for His elect transfigured saints of Israel and the Gentiles shall accompany Him, who are "kings and priests unto God" (Rev 1:6). As the Antichristian ten kings accompany the beast, so the saints accompany as kings the King of kings to the last decisive conflict. DE BURGH and others take it of the Jews, who also were designed to be a kingdom of priests to God on earth. They shall, doubtless, become priest-kings in the flesh to the nations in the flesh at His coming. Abraham from the East (if Isa 41:2, Isa 41:8-9, refers to him, and not Cyrus) conquering the Chaldean kings is a type of Israel's victorious restoration to the priest-kingdom. Israel's exodus after the last Egyptian plagues typifies Israel's restoration after the spiritual Babylon, the apostate Church, has been smitten. Israel's promotion to the priest-kingdom after Pharaoh's downfall, and at the Lord's descent at Sinai to establish the theocracy, typifies the restored kingdom of Israel at the Lord's more glorious descent, when Antichrist shall be destroyed utterly. Thus, besides the transfigured saints, Israel secondarily may be meant by "the kings from the East" who shall accompany the "King of kings" returning "from the way of the East" to reign over His ancient people. As to the drying up again of the waters opposing His people's assuming the kingdom, compare Isa 10:26; Isa 11:11, Isa 11:15; Zac 10:9-11. The name Israel (Gen 32:28) implies a prince with God. Compare Mic 4:8 as to the return of the kingdom to Jerusalem. DURHAM, several centuries ago, interpreted the drying up of the Euphrates to mean the wasting away of the Turkish power, which has heretofore held Palestine, and so the way being prepared for Israel's restoration. But as Babylon refers to the apostate Church, not to Mohammedanism, the drying up of the Euphrates (answering to Cyrus' overthrow of literal Babylon by marching into it through the dry channel of the Euphrates) must answer to the draining off of the apostate Church's resources, the Roman and Greek corrupt Church having been heretofore one of the greatest barriers by its idolatries and persecutions in the way of Israel's restoration and conversion. The kings of the earth who are earthly (Rev 16:14), stand in contrast to the kings from the East who are heavenly.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

angel--so Coptic and ANDREAS. A, B, C, Vulgate, and Syriac omit.

kings of the east--Greek, "the kings who are from the rising of the sun." Reference to the Euphrates similarly occurs in the sixth trumpet. The drying up of the Euphrates, I think, is to be taken figuratively, as Babylon itself, which is situated on it, is undoubtedly so, Rev 17:5. The waters of the Euphrates (compare Isa 8:7-8) are spiritual Babylon's, that is, the apostate Church's (of which Rome is the chief, though not exclusive representative) spiritual and temporal powers. The drying up of the waters of Babylon expresses the same thing as the ten kings stripping, eating, and burning the whore. The phrase, "way may be prepared for," is that applied to the Lord's coming (Isa 40:3; Mat 3:3; Luk 1:76). He shall come from the East (Mat 24:27; Eze 43:2, "the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the East"): not alone, for His elect transfigured saints of Israel and the Gentiles shall accompany Him, who are "kings and priests unto God" (Rev 1:6). As the Antichristian ten kings accompany the beast, so the saints accompany as kings the King of kings to the last decisive conflict. DE BURGH and others take it of the Jews, who also were designed to be a kingdom of priests to God on earth. They shall, doubtless, become priest-kings in the flesh to the nations in the flesh at His coming. Abraham from the East (if Isa 41:2, Isa 41:8-9, refers to him, and not Cyrus) conquering the Chaldean kings is a type of Israel's victorious restoration to the priest-kingdom. Israel's exodus after the last Egyptian plagues typifies Israel's restoration after the spiritual Babylon, the apostate Church, has been smitten. Israel's promotion to the priest-kingdom after Pharaoh's downfall, and at the Lord's descent at Sinai to establish the theocracy, typifies the restored kingdom of Israel at the Lord's more glorious descent, when Antichrist shall be destroyed utterly. Thus, besides the transfigured saints, Israel secondarily may be meant by "the kings from the East" who shall accompany the "King of kings" returning "from the way of the East" to reign over His ancient people. As to the drying up again of the waters opposing His people's assuming the kingdom, compare Isa 10:26; Isa 11:11, Isa 11:15; Zac 10:9-11. The name Israel (Gen 32:28) implies a prince with God. Compare Mic 4:8 as to the return of the kingdom to Jerusalem. DURHAM, several centuries ago, interpreted the drying up of the Euphrates to mean the wasting away of the Turkish power, which has heretofore held Palestine, and so the way being prepared for Israel's restoration. But as Babylon refers to the apostate Church, not to Mohammedanism, the drying up of the Euphrates (answering to Cyrus' overthrow of literal Babylon by marching into it through the dry channel of the Euphrates) must answer to the draining off of the apostate Church's resources, the Roman and Greek corrupt Church having been heretofore one of the greatest barriers by its idolatries and persecutions in the way of Israel's restoration and conversion. The kings of the earth who are earthly (Rev 16:14), stand in contrast to the kings from the East who are heavenly.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates - On the situation of that river, and the symbolical meaning of this language, see the notes on Rev 9:14-21. The reference there was supposed to be to the Turkish power, and the analogy of interpretation would seem to require that it should be so understood here. There is every reason, therefore, to suppose that this passage has reference to something in the future history of the Turkish dominions, and to some bearing of the events which are to occur in that history on the ultimate downfall of the anti-Christian power referred to by the "beast." And the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared - That is, as the effect of pouring out the vial. There is an allusion here, undoubtedly, to the dividing of the waters of the Red Sea, so that the children of Israel might pass. See Exo 14:21-22. Compare the notes on Isa 11:15. In this description the Euphrates is represented as a barrier to prevent the passage of "the kings of the East," on their way to the West for some purpose not yet specified; that is, applying the symbol of the Euphrates as being the seat of the Turkish power, the meaning is, that "that power" is such a hindrance, and that, in some way that hindrance is to be removed as if the waters of an unbridged and unfordable river were dried up so as to afford a safe and easy passage through. Still there are several inquiries as to the application of this, which is not easy, and, as it refers to what is still future, it may be impossible to answer. The language requires us to put upon it the following interpretation: (a) The persons here referred to as "kings of the East," were ready to make a movement toward the West, over the Euphrates, and would do this if this obstruction were not in their way. Who these "kings of the East" are is not said, and perhaps cannot be conjectured. The natural interpretation is, that they are the kings that reign in the East, or that preside over the countries of the eastern hemisphere. "Why" there was a proposed movement to the West is not said. It might have been for conquest, or it might have been that they were to bring their tribute to the spiritual Jerusalem, in accordance with what is so often said in the prophets, that under the gospel kings and princes would consecrate themselves and their wealth to God. See Psa 72:10-11; "The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. Yea, all kings shall fall down before him." So also Isa 60:4-6, Isa 60:9,Isa 60:11; "Thy sons shall come from far - The forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee - All they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense - The isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them - Thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought." All that is fairly implied in the language used here is, that the kings of the East would be converted to the true religion, or that they were, at the time referred to, in a state of readiness to be converted, if there were no hindrance or obstruction. (b) There was some hindrance or obstruction to their conversion; that is, as explained, from the Turkish power: in other words, they would be converted to the true faith if it were not for the influence of that power. (c) The destruction of that power, represented by the drying up of the Euphrates, would remove that obstruction, and the way would thus be "prepared" for their conversion to the true religion. We should most naturally, therefore, look, in the fulfillment of this, for some such decay of the Turkish power as would be followed by the conversion of the rulers of the East to the gospel.

The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917]
angel (See Scofield) - (Heb 1:4).

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Euphrates See on Rev 9:14. Of the east (ἀπὸ τῶν ἀνατολῶν ἡλίου) Lit., as Rev., from the sunrising. See on Mat 2:2; and see on dayspring, Luk 1:78.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
And the sixth poured out his phial upon the great river Euphrates - Affected also by the sixth trumpet. And the water of it - And of all the rivers that flow into it. Was dried up - The far greater part of the Turkish empire lies on this side the Euphrates. The Romish and Mahometan affairs ran nearly parallel to each other for several ages. In the seventh century was Mahomet himself; and, a little before him, Boniface III., with his universal bishopric. In the eleventh, both the Turks and Gregory VII. carried all before them. In the year 1300, Boniface appeared with his two swords at the newly - erected jubilee. In the self - same year arose the Ottoman Porte; yea, and on the same day. And here the phial, poured out on the throne of the beast, is immediately followed by that poured out on the Euphrates; that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared - Those who lie east from the Euphrates, in Persia, India, &c., who will rush blindfold upon the plagues which are ready for them, toward the Holy Land, which lies west of the Euphrates.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
Upon the great river Euphrates - Probably meaning the people in the vicinity of this river; though some think that the Tiber is intended. The water thereof was dried up - The people discomfited, and all impediments removed. The kings of the east - There seems to be an allusion here to the ruin of Babylon by Cyrus, predicted by the Prophet Jeremiah, Jeremiah 50:1-51:64. But what city or people is pointed out by this Babylon it is in vain to conjecture.

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¹⁴ For [1063] they are [1526] the spirits [4151] of devils [1142], working [4160] miracles [4592], which go forth [1607] [3739] [1607] unto [1909] the kings [935] of the earth [1093] and [2532] of the whole [3650] world [3625], to gather [4863] them [846] to [1519] the battle [4171] of that [1565] great [3173] day [2250] of God [2316] Almighty [3841].

⁸ And thou, O tower [04026] of the flock [05739] [04029], the strong hold [06076] of the daughter [01323] of Zion [06726], unto thee shall it come [0857], even the first [07223] dominion [04475]; the kingdom [04467] shall come [0935] to the daughter [01323] of Jerusalem [03389].

²⁸ And he said [0559], Thy name [08034] shall be called [0559] no more Jacob [03290], but Israel [03478]: for as a prince hast thou power [08280] with God [0430] and with men [0582], and hast prevailed [03201].

⁹ And I will sow [02232] them among the people [05971]: and they shall remember [02142] me in far countries [04801]; and they shall live [02421] with their children [01121], and turn again [07725].
¹⁰ I will bring them again [07725] also out of the land [0776] of Egypt [04714], and gather [06908] them out of Assyria [0804]; and I will bring [0935] them into the land [0776] of Gilead [01568] and Lebanon [03844]; and place shall not be found [04672] for them.
¹¹ And he shall pass through [05674] the sea [03220] with affliction [06869], and shall smite [05221] the waves [01530] in the sea [03220], and all the deeps [04688] of the river [02975] shall dry up [03001]: and the pride [01347] of Assyria [0804] shall be brought down [03381], and the sceptre [07626] of Egypt [04714] shall depart away [05493].

¹⁵ And the LORD [03068] shall utterly destroy [02763] the tongue [03956] of the Egyptian [04714] sea [03220]; and with his mighty [05868] wind [07307] shall he shake [05130] his hand [03027] over the river [05104], and shall smite [05221] it in the seven [07651] streams [05158], and make men go over [01869] dryshod [05275].

¹¹ And it shall come to pass in that day [03117], that the Lord [0136] shall set [03254] his hand [03027] again [03254] the second time [08145] to recover [07069] the remnant [07605] of his people [05971], which shall be left [07604], from Assyria [0804], and from Egypt [04714], and from Pathros [06624], and from Cush [03568], and from Elam [05867], and from Shinar [08152], and from Hamath [02574], and from the islands [0339] of the sea [03220].

²⁶ And the LORD [03068] of hosts [06635] shall stir up [05782] a scourge [07752] for him according to the slaughter [04347] of Midian [04080] at the rock [06697] of Oreb [06159]: and as his rod [04294] was upon the sea [03220], so shall he lift it up [05375] after the manner [01870] of Egypt [04714].

⁸ But thou, Israel [03478], art my servant [05650], Jacob [03290] whom I have chosen [0977], the seed [02233] of Abraham [085] my friend [0157].
⁹ Thou whom I have taken [02388] from the ends [07098] of the earth [0776], and called [07121] thee from the chief men [0678] thereof, and said [0559] unto thee, Thou art my servant [05650]; I have chosen [0977] thee, and not cast thee away [03988].

² Who raised up [05782] the righteous [06664] man from the east [04217], called [07121] him to his foot [07272], gave [05414] the nations [01471] before [06440] him, and made him rule [07287] over kings [04428]? he gave [05414] them as the dust [06083] to his sword [02719], and as driven [05086] stubble [07179] to his bow [07198].

⁶ And [2532] hath made [4160] us [2248] kings [935] and [2532] priests [2409] unto God [2316] and [2532] his [846] Father [3962]; to him [846] be glory [1391] and [2532] dominion [2904] for [1519] ever [165] and ever [165]. Amen [281].

² And, behold, the glory [03519] of the God [0430] of Israel [03478] came [0935] from the way [01870] of the east [06921]: and his voice [06963] was like a noise [06963] of many [07227] waters [04325]: and the earth [0776] shined [0215] with his glory [03519].

²⁷ For [1063] as [5618] the lightning [796] cometh [1831] out of [575] the east [395], and [2532] shineth [5316] even unto [2193] the west [1424]; so [3779] shall [2071] also [2532] the coming [3952] of the Son [5207] of man [444] be [2071].

⁷⁶ And [2532] thou [4771], child [3813], shalt be called [2564] the prophet [4396] of the Highest [5310]: for [1063] thou shalt go [4313] before [4253] the face [4383] of the Lord [2962] to prepare [2090] his [846] ways [3598];

³ For [1063] this [3778] is he [2076] that was spoken [4483] of by [5259] the prophet [4396] Esaias [2268], saying [3004], The voice [5456] of one crying [994] in [1722] the wilderness [2048], Prepare ye [2090] the way [3598] of the Lord [2962], make [4160] his [846] paths [5147] straight [2117].

³ The voice [06963] of him that crieth [07121] in the wilderness [04057], Prepare [06437] ye the way [01870] of the LORD [03068], make straight [03474] in the desert [06160] a highway [04546] for our God [0430].

⁷ Now therefore, behold, the Lord [0136] bringeth up [05927] upon them the waters [04325] of the river [05104], strong [06099] and many [07227], even the king [04428] of Assyria [0804], and all his glory [03519]: and he shall come up [05927] over all his channels [0650], and go over [01980] all his banks [01415]:
⁸ And he shall pass [02498] through Judah [03063]; he shall overflow [07857] and go over [05674], he shall reach [05060] even to the neck [06677]; and the stretching out [04298] of his wings [03671] shall fill [04393] the breadth [07341] of thy land [0776], O Immanuel [06005] [0410].

⁵ And [2532] upon [1909] her [846] forehead [3359] was a name [3686] written [1125], MYSTERY [3466], BABYLON [897] THE GREAT [3173], THE MOTHER [3384] OF HARLOTS [4204] AND [2532] ABOMINATIONS [946] OF THE EARTH [1093].

¹¹ Therefore thy gates [08179] shall be open [06605] continually [08548]; they shall not be shut [05462] day [03119] nor night [03915]; that men may bring [0935] unto thee the forces [02428] of the Gentiles [01471], and that their kings [04428] may be brought [05090].

⁹ Surely the isles [0339] shall wait [06960] for me, and the ships [0591] of Tarshish [08659] first [07223], to bring [0935] thy sons [01121] from far [07350], their silver [03701] and their gold [02091] with them, unto the name [08034] of the LORD [03068] thy God [0430], and to the Holy One [06918] of Israel [03478], because he hath glorified [06286] thee.

⁴ Lift up [05375] thine eyes [05869] round about [05439], and see [07200]: all they gather themselves together [06908], they come [0935] to thee: thy sons [01121] shall come [0935] from far [07350], and thy daughters [01323] shall be nursed [0539] at thy side [06654].
⁵ Then thou shalt see [07200] [03372], and flow together [05102], and thine heart [03824] shall fear [06342], and be enlarged [07337]; because the abundance [01995] of the sea [03220] shall be converted [02015] unto thee, the forces [02428] of the Gentiles [01471] shall come [0935] unto thee.
⁶ The multitude [08229] of camels [01581] shall cover [03680] thee, the dromedaries [01070] of Midian [04080] and Ephah [05891]; all they from Sheba [07614] shall come [0935]: they shall bring [05375] gold [02091] and incense [03828]; and they shall shew forth [01319] the praises [08416] of the LORD [03068].

¹⁰ The kings [04428] of Tarshish [08659] and of the isles [0339] shall bring [07725] presents [04503]: the kings [04428] of Sheba [07614] and Seba [05434] shall offer [07126] gifts [0814].
¹¹ Yea, all kings [04428] shall fall down [07812] before him: all nations [01471] shall serve [05647] him.

²¹ And Moses [04872] stretched out [05186] his hand [03027] over the sea [03220]; and the LORD [03068] caused the sea [03220] to go [03212] back by a strong [05794] east [06921] wind [07307] all that night [03915], and made [07760] the sea [03220] dry [02724] land, and the waters [04325] were divided [01234].
²² And the children [01121] of Israel [03478] went [0935] into the midst [08432] of the sea [03220] upon the dry [03004] ground: and the waters [04325] were a wall [02346] unto them on their right hand [03225], and on their left [08040].

¹⁴ Saying [3004] to the sixth [1623] angel [32] which [3739] had [2192] the trumpet [4536], Loose [3089] the four [5064] angels [32] which [3588] are bound [1210] in [1909] the great [3173] river [4215] Euphrates [2166].
¹⁵ And [2532] the four [5064] angels [32] were loosed [3089], which [3588] were prepared [2090] for [1519] an hour [5610], and [2532] a day [2250], and [2532] a month [3376], and [2532] a year [1763], for to [2443] slay [615] the third part [5154] of men [444].
¹⁶ And [2532] the number [706] of the army [4753] of the horsemen [2461] were two hundred [1417] thousand [3461] thousand [3461]: and [2532] I heard [191] the number [706] of them [846].
¹⁷ And [2532] thus [3779] I saw [1492] the horses [2462] in [1722] the vision [3706], and [2532] them that sat [2521] on [1909] them [846], having [2192] breastplates [2382] of fire [4447], and [2532] of jacinth [5191], and [2532] brimstone [2306]: and [2532] the heads [2776] of the horses [2462] were as [5613] the heads [2776] of lions [3023]; and [2532] out of [1537] their [846] mouths [4750] issued [1607] fire [4442] and [2532] smoke [2586] and [2532] brimstone [2303].
¹⁸ By [5259] these [5130] three [5140] was [615] the third part [5154] of men [444] killed [615], by [1537] the fire [4442], and [2532] by [1537] the smoke [2586], and [2532] by [1537] the brimstone [2303], which [3588] issued [1607] out of [1537] their [846] mouths [4750].
¹⁹ For [1063] their [846] power [1849] is [1526] [2076] in [1722] their [846] mouth [4750], and [2532] in [1722] their [846] tails [3769]: for [1063] their [846] tails [3769] were like [3664] unto serpents [3789], and had [2192] heads [2776], and [2532] with [1722] them [846] they do hurt [91].
²⁰ And [2532] the rest [3062] of the men [444] which [3739] were [615] not [3756] killed [615] by [1722] these [5025] plagues [4127] yet [3777] repented [3340] not [3777] of [1537] the works [2041] of their [846] hands [5495], that [3363] they should [4352] not [3363] worship [4352] devils [1140], and [2532] idols [1497] of gold [5552], and [2532] silver [693], and [2532] brass [5470], and [2532] stone [3035], and [2532] of wood [3585]: which [3739] neither [3777] can [1410] see [991], nor [3777] hear [191], nor [3777] walk [4043]:
²¹ Neither [2532] [3756] repented they [3340] of [1537] their [846] murders [5408], nor [3777] of [1537] their [846] sorceries [5331], nor [3777] of [1537] their [846] fornication [4202], nor [3777] of [1537] their [846] thefts [2809].

⁴ Being made [1096] so much [5118] better than [2909] the angels [32], as [3745] he hath by inheritance obtained [2816] a more excellent [1313] name [3686] than [3844] they [846].

⁷⁸ Through [1223] the tender [4698] mercy [1656] of our [2257] God [2316]; whereby [1722] [3739] the dayspring [395] from [1537] on high [5311] hath visited [1980] us [2248],

² Saying [3004], Where [4226] is [2076] he that is born [5088] King [935] of the Jews [2453]? for [1063] we have seen [1492] his [846] star [792] in [1722] the east [395], and [2532] are come [2064] to worship [4352] him [846].