And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!

REVELATION 8:13KJV
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Revelation 8:13 (KJV)

What does Revelation 8:13 mean?

Revelation 8:13 announces that the remaining trumpet blasts will bring severe trouble to people living on earth. The threefold cry of “woe” marks the coming blasts as a serious warning, not merely another sound in the sequence.

John describes seeing an angel flying through the midst of heaven and speaking with a loud voice. The position and volume make the announcement public and striking. Coming after the fourth trumpet, the announcement draws attention to the three angels still waiting to sound theirs.

The Greek behind Revelation 8:13

  • “Woe” — οὐαί (ouai): This word is a cry of grief or alarm. Its threefold repetition gives the warning a force that one cry alone would not carry.
  • “inhabiters” — κατοικέω (katoikeō): This word carries the sense of living or settling in a place. In this verse, the warning is addressed to those who dwell on the earth, rather than to a named city or nation.
  • “other” — λοιπός (loipos): This word can mean “remaining.” It points to the trumpet blasts still ahead in the sequence.

Why Revelation 8:13 matters

  • The three woes correspond to the three trumpets still to sound. The later passage names the end of the first woe in Revelation 9:12 and the end of the second in Revelation 11:14.
  • The announcement marks a change in emphasis. Earlier trumpets describe harm to the earth, sea, waters, and lights; Revelation 8:13 directly names the earth’s inhabitants as the people facing what comes next.

Where else these words appear

“heaven” Greek G3321 · used in 3 verses

  • Revelation 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
  • Revelation 19:17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;

“flying” Greek G4072 · used in 5 verses

  • Revelation 4:7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.
  • Revelation 12:14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
  • Revelation 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,

“trumpet” Greek G4536 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
  • 1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
  • Revelation 4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

“sound” Greek G4537 · used in 12 verses

  • Matthew 6:2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
  • 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 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.