Revelation 9:4 Meaning and Explanation
“And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The locusts are forbidden to harm the earth, and may touch only those without God's seal.
What Does Revelation 9:4 Mean?
A command restrains the swarm. Unlike natural locusts that devour all green things, these are told to spare grass, plant, and tree, and to strike only people who lack the seal of God on their foreheads. The sealing of God's servants in chapter 7 now proves its purpose: it marks out those who belong to Him.
Here is the heart of the chapter's mercy. In the storm of judgment, God knows His own, and His mark of ownership is also protection. The seal is not a charm against all suffering, but a sign that those who bear it are kept by Him through every trial. Christ knows His sheep by name, and not one of them is lost in the chaos. To belong to God is to be remembered when all else is shaken.
Revelation 9:4 in the Original Language
sphragis (σφραγίς), 'seal' -- an owner's mark of belonging and protection.
Frequently Asked Questions About Revelation 9:4
What does Revelation 9:4 mean?
The locusts are forbidden to harm the earth, and may touch only those without God's seal.