Rev 9:10 | RWP | e4.org | Tails ( ουρας ). Old word, in N.T. only in , ; . Like unto scorpions ( ομοιας σκορπιοις ). Aleph A wrongly have ομοιοις (agreeing with σκορπιοις instead of with ουρας ). It is a condensed idiom for "like unto the tails of the scorpions" as we have it in (cf. ; ). Stings ( κεντρα ). Old word from κεντρεω (to prick, to sting), in N.T. only here, (about Paul); (about death). It is used "of the spur of a cock, the quill of the porcupine, and the stings of insects" (Vincent). It was the goad used for oxen ( ; ). In their tails ( εν ταις ουραις αυτων ). This locates "their power to hurt" ( η εξουσια αυτων αδικησα , infinitive here, ινα αδικησουσιν in ) in their tails. It might have been in other organs.

‏ Revelation of John 9:10

Tails ( ουρας ). Old word, in N.T. only in Re 9:10, 19; 12:4.

Like unto scorpions ( ομοιας σκορπιοις ). Aleph A wrongly have ομοιοις (agreeing with σκορπιοις instead of with ουρας ). It is a condensed idiom for "like unto the tails of the scorpions" as we have it in 13:11 (cf. Mt 5:20; 1Jo 2:2).

Stings ( κεντρα ). Old word from κεντρεω (to prick, to sting), in N.T. only here, Ac 26:14 (about Paul); 1Co 15:55 (about death). It is used "of the spur of a cock, the quill of the porcupine, and the stings of insects" (Vincent). It was the goad used for oxen (Pr 26:3; Ac 26:14).

In their tails ( εν ταις ουραις αυτων ). This locates "their power to hurt" ( η εξουσια αυτων αδικησα, infinitive here, ινα αδικησουσιν in 9:4) in their tails. It might have been in other organs.