Click
here to show/hide instructions.
Instructions on how to use the page:
The commentary for the selected verse is is displayed below.
All commentary was produced against the King James, so the same verse from that translation may appear as well. Hovering your mouse over a commentary's scripture reference attempts to show those verses.
Use the browser's back button to return to the previous page.
Or you can also select a feature from the Just Verses menu appearing at the top of the page.
Selected Verse: Revelation 9:15 - Strong Concordance
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Re 9:15 |
Strong Concordance |
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]. |
| |
King James |
And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
were--"which had been prepared" [TREGELLES rightly].
for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year--rather as Greek, "for (that is, against) THE hour, and day, and month, and year," namely, appointed by God. The Greek article (teen), put once only before all the periods, implies that the hour in the day, and the day in the month, and the month in the year, and the year itself, had been definitely fixed by God. The article would have been omitted had a sum-total of periods been specified, namely, three hundred ninety-one years and one month (the period from A.D. 1281, when the Turks first conquered the Christians, to 1672, their last conquest of them, since which last date their empire has declined).
slay--not merely to "hurt" (Rev 9:10), as in the fifth trumpet.
third part--(See on Rev 8:7-12).
of men--namely, of earthy men, Rev 8:13, "inhabiters of the earth," as distinguished from God's sealed people (of which the sealed of Israel, Rev 7:1-8, form the nucleus). |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
And the four angels were loosed - Who had this mighty host under restraint. The loosening of the angels was, in fact, also a letting loose of all these hosts, that they might accomplish the work which they were commissioned to do.
Which were prepared - See Rev 9:7. The word used here properly refers to what is made ready, suited up, arranged for anything: as persons prepared for a journey, horses for battle, a road for travelers, food for the hungry, a house to live in, etc. See Robinson's Lexicon, sub. voce Ἑτοιμάζω Hetoimazō. As used here, the word means "that whatever was necessary to prepare these angels" - the leaders of this host - for the work which they were commissioned to perform, was now done, and that they stood in a state of readiness to execute the design. In the fulfillment of this it will be necessary to look for some arrangements existing in the vicinity of the Euphrates, by which these restrained hosts were in a state of readiness to be summoned forth to the execution of this work, or in such a condition that they would go forth spontaneously if the restraints existing were removed.
For an hour, ... - Margin, "at." The Greek - εἰς eis - means properly "unto, with reference to"; and the sense is, that, with reference to that hour, they had all the requisite preparation. Prof. Stuart explains it as meaning that they were "prepared for the particular year, month, day, and hour, destined by God for the great catastrophe which is to follow." The meaning, however, rather seems to be that they were prepared, not for the commencement of such a period, but they were prepared for the whole period indicated by the hour, the day, the month, and the year; that is, that the continuance of this "woe" would extend along through the whole period. For:
(a) this is the natural interpretation of the word "for" - εἰς eis;
(b) it makes the whole sentence intelligible - for though it might be proper to say of anything that it was "prepared for an hour," indicating the commencement of what was to be done, it is not usual to say of anything that it is "prepared for an hour, a month, a day, a year," when the design is merely to indicate the beginning of it; and,
(c) it is in accordance with the prediction respecting the first "woe" Rev 9:5, where the time is specified in language similar to this, to wit, "five months." It seems to me, therefore, that we are to regard the time here mentioned as a prophetic indication of the period during which this woe would continue.
An hour, and a day, and a month, and a year - If this were to be taken literally, it would, of course, be but little more than a year. If it be taken, however, in the common prophetic style, where a day is put for a year (see the notes on Dan 9:24 ff; also Editor's Preface, p. xxv. etc.), then the amount of time (360 + 30 + 1 + an hour) would be 391 years, and the portion of a year indicated by an hour - a twelfth part or twenty-fourth part, according as the day was supposed to be divided into twelve or twenty-four hours. That this is the true view seems to be clear, because this accords with the usual style in this book; because it can hardly be supposed that the "preparation" here referred to would have been for so brief a period as the time would be if literally interpreted; and because the mention of so small a portion of time as an "hour," if literally taken, would be improbable in so great transactions. The fair interpretation, therefore, will require us to find some events that will fill up the period of about 391 years.
For to slay the third part of men - Compare Rev 8:7, Rev 8:9,Rev 8:12. The meaning here is, that the immense host which was restrained on the Euphrates would, when loosed, spread desolation over about a third part of the world. We are not to suppose that this is to be understood in exactly a literal sense; but the meaning is, that the desolation would be so widespread that it would seem to embrace a third of the world. No such event as the cutting off of a few thousands of Jews in the siege of Jerusalem would correspond with the language here employed, and we must look for events more general and more disastrous to mankind at large. |
| The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917] |
angels
(See Scofield) - (Heb 1:4). |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
For an hour and a day and a month and a year
This rendering is wrong, since it conveys the idea that the four periods mentioned are to be combined as representing the length of the preparation or of the continuance of the plague. But it is to be noted that neither the article nor the preposition are repeated before day and month and year. The meaning is that the angels are prepared unto the hour appointed by God, and that this hour shall fall in its appointed day and month and year. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
And the four angels were loosed, who were prepared - By loosing them, as well as by their strength and rage. To kill the third part of men - That is, an immense number of them. For the hour, and day, and month, and year - All this agrees with the slaughter which the Saracens made for a long time after Mahomet's death. And with the number of angels let loose agrees the number of their first and most eminent caliphs. These were Ali, Abubeker, Omar, and Osman. Mahomet named Ali, his cousin and son - in - law, for his successor; but he was soon worked out by the rest, till they severally died, and so made room for him. They succeeded each other, and each destroyed innumerable multitudes of men. There are in a prophetic
Com. Years. Com. Days.
Hour 8 Day 196 in all 212 years. Month 15 318 Year 196 117 |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
| For an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year - We have in this place a year resolved into its component parts. Twenty-four hours constitute a day, seven days make a week, four weeks make a month, and twelve months make a year. Probably no more is meant than that these four angels were at all times prepared and permitted to inflict evil on the people against whom they had received their commission. There are some who understand these divisions of time as prophetical periods, and to these I must refer, not professing to discuss such uncertainties. |
1 And [2532] after [3326] these things [5023] I saw [1492] four [5064] angels [32] standing [2476] on [1909] the four [5064] corners [1137] of the earth [1093], holding [2902] the four [5064] winds [417] of the earth [1093], that [3363] the wind [417] should [4154] not [3363] blow [4154] on [1909] the earth [1093], nor [3383] on [1909] the sea [2281], nor [3383] on [1909] any [3956] tree [1186].
2 And [2532] I saw [1492] another [243] angel [32] ascending [305] [305] from [575] the east [395] [2246], having [2192] the seal [4973] of the living [2198] God [2316]: and [2532] he cried [2896] with a loud [3173] voice [5456] to the four [5064] angels [32], to whom [3739] it [846] was given [1325] to hurt [91] the earth [1093] and [2532] the sea [2281],
3 Saying [3004], Hurt [91] not [3361] the earth [1093], neither [3383] the sea [2281], nor [3383] the trees [1186], till [891] [3739] we have sealed [4972] [4972] the servants [1401] of our [2257] God [2316] in [1909] their [846] foreheads [3359].
4 And [2532] I heard [191] the number [706] of them which were sealed [4972]: and there were sealed [4972] an hundred [1540] and forty [5062] and four [5064] thousand [5505] of [1537] all [3956] the tribes [5443] of the children [5207] of Israel [2474].
5 Of [1537] the tribe [5443] of Juda [2455] were sealed [4972] twelve [1427] thousand [5505]. Of [1537] the tribe [5443] of Reuben [4502] were sealed [4972] twelve [1427] thousand [5505]. Of [1537] the tribe [5443] of Gad [1045] were sealed [4972] twelve [1427] thousand [5505].
6 Of [1537] the tribe [5443] of Aser [768] were sealed [4972] twelve [1427] thousand [5505]. Of [1537] the tribe [5443] of Nepthalim [3508] were sealed [4972] twelve [1427] thousand [5505]. Of [1537] the tribe [5443] of Manasses [3128] were sealed [4972] twelve [1427] thousand [5505].
7 Of [1537] the tribe [5443] of Simeon [4826] were sealed [4972] twelve [1427] thousand [5505]. Of [1537] the tribe [5443] of Levi [3017] were sealed [4972] twelve [1427] thousand [5505]. Of [1537] the tribe [5443] of Issachar [2466] were sealed [4972] twelve [1427] thousand [5505].
8 Of [1537] the tribe [5443] of Zabulon [2194] were sealed [4972] twelve [1427] thousand [5505]. Of [1537] the tribe [5443] of Joseph [2501] were sealed [4972] twelve [1427] thousand [5505]. Of [1537] the tribe [5443] of Benjamin [958] were sealed [4972] twelve [1427] thousand [5505].
13 And [2532] I beheld [1492], and [2532] heard [191] an [1520] angel [32] flying [4072] through [1722] the midst of heaven [3321], saying [3004] with a loud [3173] voice [5456], Woe [3759], woe [3759], woe [3759], to the inhabiters [2730] of [1909] the earth [1093] by reason of [1537] the other [3062] voices [5456] of the trumpet [4536] of the three [5140] angels [32], which [3588] are yet [3195] to sound [4537] !
7 [2532] The first [4413] angel [32] sounded [4537], and [2532] there followed [1096] hail [5464] and [2532] fire [4442] mingled [3396] with blood [129], and [2532] they were cast [906] upon [1519] the earth [1093]: and [2532] the third part [5154] of trees [1186] was burnt up [2618], and [2532] all [3956] green [5515] grass [5528] was burnt up [2618].
8 And [2532] the second [1208] angel [32] sounded [4537], and [2532] as it were [5613] a great [3173] mountain [3735] burning [2545] with fire [4442] was cast [906] into [1519] the sea [2281]: and [2532] the third part [5154] of the sea [2281] became [1096] blood [129];
9 And [2532] the third part [5154] of the creatures [2938] which [3588] were in [1722] the sea [2281], and had [2192] life [5590], died [599]; and [2532] the third part [5154] of the ships [4143] were destroyed [1311].
10 And [2532] the third [5154] angel [32] sounded [4537], and [2532] there fell [4098] a great [3173] star [792] from [1537] heaven [3772], burning [2545] as it were [5613] a lamp [2985], and [2532] it fell [4098] upon [1909] the third part [5154] of the rivers [4215], and [2532] upon [1909] the fountains [4077] of waters [5204];
11 And [2532] the name [3686] of the star [792] is called [3004] Wormwood [894]: and [2532] the third part [5154] of the waters [5204] became [1096] [1519] wormwood [894]; and [2532] many [4183] men [444] died [599] of [1537] the waters [5204], because [3754] they were made bitter [4087].
12 And [2532] the fourth [5067] angel [32] sounded [4537], and [2532] the third part [5154] of the sun [2246] was smitten [4141], and [2532] the third part [5154] of the moon [4582], and [2532] the third part [5154] of the stars [792]; so as [2443] the third part [5154] of them [846] was darkened [4654], and [2532] the day [2250] shone [5316] not [3361] for a third part [5154] of it [846], and [2532] the night [3571] likewise [3668].
10 And [2532] they had [2192] tails [3769] like [3664] unto scorpions [4651], and [2532] there were [2258] stings [2759] in [1722] their [846] tails [3769]: and [2532] their [846] power [1849] was to hurt [91] men [444] five [4002] months [3376].
12 And [2532] the fourth [5067] angel [32] sounded [4537], and [2532] the third part [5154] of the sun [2246] was smitten [4141], and [2532] the third part [5154] of the moon [4582], and [2532] the third part [5154] of the stars [792]; so as [2443] the third part [5154] of them [846] was darkened [4654], and [2532] the day [2250] shone [5316] not [3361] for a third part [5154] of it [846], and [2532] the night [3571] likewise [3668].
9 And [2532] the third part [5154] of the creatures [2938] which [3588] were in [1722] the sea [2281], and had [2192] life [5590], died [599]; and [2532] the third part [5154] of the ships [4143] were destroyed [1311].
7 [2532] The first [4413] angel [32] sounded [4537], and [2532] there followed [1096] hail [5464] and [2532] fire [4442] mingled [3396] with blood [129], and [2532] they were cast [906] upon [1519] the earth [1093]: and [2532] the third part [5154] of trees [1186] was burnt up [2618], and [2532] all [3956] green [5515] grass [5528] was burnt up [2618].
24 Seventy [07657] weeks [07620] are determined [02852] upon thy people [05971] and upon thy holy [06944] city [05892], to finish [03607] the transgression [06588], and to make an end [08552] [02856] of sins [02403], and to make reconciliation [03722] for iniquity [05771], and to bring in [0935] everlasting [05769] righteousness [06664], and to seal up [02856] the vision [02377] and prophecy [05030], and to anoint [04886] the most [06944] Holy [06944].
5 And [2532] to them [846] it was given [1325] that [3363] they should [615] not [3363] kill [615] them [846], but [235] that [2443] they should be tormented [928] five [4002] months [3376]: and [2532] their [846] torment [929] was as [5613] the torment [929] of a scorpion [4651], when [3752] he striketh [3817] a man [444].
7 And [2532] the shapes [3667] of the locusts [200] were like [3664] unto horses [2462] prepared [2090] unto [1519] battle [4171]; and [2532] on [1909] their [846] heads [2776] were as it were [5613] crowns [4735] like [3664] gold [5557], and [2532] their [846] faces [4383] were as [5613] the faces [4383] of men [444].
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].