And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,

REVELATION 16:10KJV
Know the Bible

Revelation 16:10 (KJV)

What does Revelation 16:10 mean?

Revelation 16:10 describes the fifth angel pouring out his bowl of judgment onto the throne of the beast, resulting in darkness covering the beast’s kingdom and causing such intense pain that people gnaw their tongues. This verse shows a specific, severe plague targeting the center of the beast’s power and those under its rule.

In the book of Revelation, John is describing a vision where angels pour out bowls as acts of God’s judgment during the end times. The “beast” represents a powerful, evil ruler or system opposed to God. The darkness and pain are not just physical but symbolize the complete disruption and suffering in the beast’s domain, showing that even the most powerful enemies of God cannot escape judgment.

The Greek behind Revelation 16:10

  • θρόνος (thronos, “seat”): This word means a throne or seat of authority. The bowl is poured directly onto the beast’s throne, highlighting that the judgment strikes at the very heart of its power.
  • βασιλεία (basileia, “kingdom”): This term refers to the beast’s entire realm or domain, making it clear that the darkness affects not just the leader but everyone under his rule.
  • ἐγένετο σκότος (egeneto skotos, “was full of darkness”): The Greek phrase carries the sense of a sudden, complete darkness, not just a dimming of light. This emphasizes the total disruption and helplessness experienced.
  • ἐμασῶντο (emasonto, “gnawed”): This verb means to bite or chew intensely, showing the extreme agony and desperation people feel under this judgment.

Why Revelation 16:10 matters

  • This verse clarifies that God’s judgment can reach even the most secure and powerful centers of evil, not just individuals or common people.
  • The focus on darkness and pain connects to earlier biblical plagues (like those in Egypt), showing a pattern of God confronting oppressive powers.
  • By describing the suffering of those loyal to the beast, the verse highlights the consequences of aligning with evil and the futility of resisting God’s ultimate authority.

Where else these words appear

“pain” Greek G4192 · used in 3 verses

  • Revelation 16:11 And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.
  • Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

“fifth” Greek G3991 · used in 4 verses

  • Revelation 6:9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
  • Revelation 9:1 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.
  • Revelation 21:20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.

“vial” Greek G5357 · used in 12 verses

  • Revelation 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
  • Revelation 16:2 And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.
  • Revelation 16:12 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.

“out” Greek G1632 · used in 28 verses

  • Matthew 9:17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.
  • Acts 1:18 Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.
  • Jude 1:11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.