And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.

REVELATION 16:21KJV
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Revelation 16:21 (KJV)

What does Revelation 16:21 mean?

Revelation 16:21 describes a devastating judgment where enormous hailstones, each weighing about a talent (roughly 75–100 pounds), fall from heaven onto people. Despite this overwhelming disaster, people respond by blaspheming God instead of turning to Him, because the plague of hail is so severe.

In the book of Revelation, John is describing a vision of God’s final judgments during a time of great upheaval. This verse comes near the end of a series of plagues called the “bowl judgments.” The scene shows not only the physical destruction caused by the hail but also the spiritual hardness of people who, even in the face of such clear signs, refuse to repent and instead speak against God.

The Greek behind Revelation 16:21

  • ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos, G444): This word means “men” or “people.” The verse emphasizes that the judgment falls directly on humanity, not just on the land or objects.
  • ταλαντιαία (talantiaia, G5006): This is the word for “talent,” a large unit of weight. Mentioning the size of each hailstone highlights the extraordinary and supernatural nature of the disaster.
  • ἐβλασφήμησαν (eblasphēmesan, G987): This word means “blasphemed” or “spoke evil against.” The Greek here carries the sense of cursing or speaking irreverently, showing a deliberate rejection of God even in crisis.
  • πληγὴ (plēgē, G4127): This word for “plague” or “blow” is used twice, underlining the severity and repeated nature of the judgment.

Why Revelation 16:21 matters

  • Revelation 16:21 clears up the idea that people automatically turn to God in times of disaster; instead, it shows that some may harden their hearts even more.
  • The verse emphasizes the scale and seriousness of the final judgments, using vivid language to show that these are not ordinary natural events.
  • This verse connects to the larger theme in Revelation of humanity’s response to God’s actions—highlighting the tragic reality that even unmistakable signs can be met with stubborn resistance rather than repentance.

Where else these words appear

“hail” Greek G5464 · used in 3 verses

  • Revelation 8:7 The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.
  • Revelation 11:19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

“exceeding” Greek G4970 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
  • Matthew 18:31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
  • Matthew 27:54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

“plague” Greek G4127 · used in 20 verses

  • Luke 10:30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
  • Revelation 9:20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:
  • Revelation 15:6 And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.

“blasphemed” Greek G987 · used in 35 verses

  • Matthew 9:3 And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.
  • Acts 18:6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.
  • Titus 3:2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.