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 6:9KJV
Know the Bible

Revelation 6:9 (KJV)

What does Revelation 6:9 mean?

Revelation 6:9 describes a vision where John sees the souls of people who were killed because they remained faithful to God’s word and their testimony, gathered under an altar in heaven after the opening of the fifth seal. This verse shows that those who suffered and died for their faith are remembered and honored before God.

In this scene, the apostle John is witnessing a series of events as each seal on a heavenly scroll is opened, revealing different visions. The “altar” refers to a place of sacrifice, which would have been familiar imagery to John’s readers. The verse highlights that these souls were “slain for the word of God,” meaning their deaths were directly connected to their loyalty to God’s message and their witness, emphasizing the cost and value of faithfulness.

The Greek behind Revelation 6:9

  • ψυχὰς (psuchas, “souls”): This word refers to the inner life or essence of a person, not just their physical life. The focus is on the ongoing existence of those who have died for their faith.
  • θυσιαστηρίου (thusiastēriou, “altar”): In the context of Revelation, this likely alludes to the altar of sacrifice in the temple, suggesting that the deaths of these faithful ones are seen as offerings to God.
  • ἐσφαγμένων (esphagmenōn, “slain”): This word carries the sense of being killed in a violent or sacrificial way, underlining that their deaths were not accidental but directly related to their testimony.
  • λόγον (logon, “word”) and μαρτυρίαν (marturian, “testimony”): These terms highlight that the reason for their suffering was their commitment to God’s message and their witness about Him.

Why Revelation 6:9 matters

  • Revelation 6:9 clarifies that suffering and even death for faithfulness to God is seen and valued by God, not forgotten or ignored.
  • The verse connects the idea of sacrifice in the Old Testament (the altar) to the sacrifices made by believers, showing continuity in how God views faithful devotion.
  • This vision sets up the following verses, where these souls cry out for justice, helping readers understand the unfolding story of God’s response to suffering and injustice.

Where else these words appear

“fifth” Greek G3991 · used in 4 verses

  • 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 16:10 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 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.

“under” Greek G5270 · used in 9 verses

  • Mark 6:11 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
  • Luke 8:16 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.
  • Revelation 5:3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

“slain” Greek G4969 · used in 9 verses

  • 1 John 3:12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.
  • Revelation 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
  • Revelation 13:3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.

“seal” Greek G4973 · used in 16 verses

  • Romans 4:11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
  • Revelation 5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
  • Revelation 6:7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.