And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months.

REVELATION 9:10KJV
Know the Bible

Revelation 9:10 (KJV)

What does Revelation 9:10 mean?

Revelation 9:10 describes a vision where strange, locust-like creatures have tails resembling those of scorpions, with stingers in their tails, and they are given the ability to harm people for five months. This verse highlights the torment these creatures inflict, focusing on their power to hurt but not kill.

In the book of Revelation, John is describing a symbolic vision given to him while exiled on the island of Patmos. He is writing to early Christian communities facing persecution, using vivid imagery to communicate spiritual truths. The mention of scorpion-like tails and a five-month period draws on familiar natural dangers and seasonal cycles, emphasizing the limited but intense suffering these creatures bring.

The Greek behind Revelation 9:10

  • σκορπίοις (skorpiois) — "scorpions": This word points to a real animal known for its painful sting, which helps the reader imagine the severity of the torment described.
  • ἐξουσία (exousia) — "power": This term often means authority or delegated ability, suggesting these creatures are allowed to harm but only within set limits.
  • πέντε (pente) μῆνας (mēnas) — "five months": The specific time frame matches the typical lifespan of locusts in the Middle East, reinforcing the sense of a divinely controlled, temporary judgment.

Why Revelation 9:10 matters

  • The verse clarifies that the torment is not random or endless; it is limited to five months, showing that even in judgment, there are boundaries set by God.
  • The focus on hurting but not killing emphasizes suffering rather than destruction, which fits the larger context of Revelation 9, where the goal is to warn and call for repentance rather than to annihilate.
  • The detailed description of the creatures connects to Old Testament imagery and helps the reader see the vision as symbolic, not literal, encouraging careful interpretation of apocalyptic language.

Where else these words appear

“tails” Greek G3769 · used in 3 verses

  • Revelation 9:19 For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt.
  • Revelation 12:4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

“scorpions” Greek G4651 · used in 5 verses

  • Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
  • Luke 11:12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
  • Revelation 9:3 And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.

“stings” Greek G2759 · used in 5 verses

  • Acts 9:5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
  • Acts 26:14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

“months” Greek G3376 · used in 18 verses

  • Luke 1:24 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,
  • Acts 7:20 In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father's house three months:
  • James 5:17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.