And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men.
REVELATION 9:7KJVWhat does Revelation 9:7 mean?
Revelation 9:7 describes a vision where locusts appear in strange, frightening forms: they look like horses ready for battle, have something like golden crowns on their heads, and faces that resemble human faces. This verse uses vivid imagery to show that these are not ordinary locusts, but symbolic creatures meant to inspire awe and fear.
In the book of Revelation, the apostle John is describing a vision given to him while he is exiled on the island of Patmos. He is writing to early Christian communities, sharing what he sees about future events and spiritual realities. The locusts in this passage are part of a larger scene where various judgments and strange beings are unleashed, and the unusual details—like crowns and human faces—signal that these are supernatural, not natural, creatures.
The Greek behind Revelation 9:7
- "σχήματα" (schēmata, "shapes"): This word points to the outward form or appearance, highlighting that John is describing what the locusts looked like, not necessarily what they were.
- "ὅμοιοι" (homoioi, "like"): The Greek here is often used to indicate similarity, not identity. The locusts are not literally horses, but they resemble horses in some way, especially in their readiness for battle.
- "στεφάνους" (stephanous, "crowns"): This word usually means a victor’s crown or wreath, not a royal crown, suggesting a sense of authority or conquest rather than kingship.
- "πρόσωπα" (prosōpa, "faces"): The word for "faces" is the same as used for human faces, emphasizing the strange, unsettling blend of human and nonhuman features.
Why Revelation 9:7 matters
- This verse clears up that the locusts are not ordinary insects but symbolic figures with features that suggest power, intelligence, and authority.
- The description connects to the wider passage by showing that the judgments in Revelation are not just natural disasters but involve supernatural forces beyond human experience.
- The details about crowns and human faces help the reader see that these creatures are meant to be both terrifying and significant, not just random monsters but beings with a purpose in the vision’s unfolding story.