Revelation 9:7 Meaning and Explanation
“And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The locusts appear like war-horses crowned as for victory, with human faces.
What Does Revelation 9:7 Mean?
John now describes the creatures themselves, piling up likenesses because nothing earthly quite matches them. They look like horses arrayed for battle, wearing what seem to be golden crowns, and their faces are like human faces. The picture borrows from Joel's vision of an invading army, vast and disciplined and terrible.
The crowns claim victory, and the human faces hint at intelligence and intent; this is no mindless plague but a purposeful assault. Yet the word as it were runs through the whole description, reminding the reader that John strains to portray a reality beyond ordinary sight. What matters is the menace and its limits. However fearsome the foe appears, its crowns are only as it were gold, and its reign is brief beneath the everlasting crown of the Lamb.
Frequently Asked Questions About Revelation 9:7
What does Revelation 9:7 mean?
The locusts appear like war-horses crowned as for victory, with human faces.