Revelation 9:3 Meaning and Explanation
“And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Out of the smoke come locusts armed with the stinging power of scorpions.
What Does Revelation 9:3 Mean?
From the smoke emerge locusts, but not the ordinary swarm that strips a field. These are given a power like that of scorpions, whose sting brings searing pain. The locust plague of Egypt and the army of locusts in Joel stand behind the picture, but this swarm is stranger and more menacing than any seen on earth.
Again the language is given power. These creatures act only by permission and within strict limits set from above. The torment they carry is real, yet bounded. For the reader the lesson holds steady: the forces of destruction are never sovereign in themselves. They serve, unwillingly, a purpose larger than their malice, and they cannot pass the line their Maker has drawn.
Frequently Asked Questions About Revelation 9:3
What does Revelation 9:3 mean?
Out of the smoke come locusts armed with the stinging power of scorpions.