Rev 9:1-11 | RWP | e4.org | Fallen ( πεπτωκοτα ). Perfect active participle of πιπτω , already down. In note πεσοντα (constative aorist active, like a flash of lightning) after εθεωρουν and in note αναβαινοντα (present active and linear, coming up, picturing the process) after ειδον . Of the pit of the abyss ( του φρεατος της αβυσσου ). Αβυσσος is an old adjective (alpha privative and βυθος , depth, without depth), but η αβυσσος (supply χωρα place), the bottomless place. It occurs in for the common receptacle of the dead for Hades (Sheol), but in a lower depth is sounded (Swete), for the abode of demons, and in this sense it occurs in , , ; ; ; , . Φρεαρ is an old word for well or cistern ( ; .) and it occurs in . for the mouth of the abyss which is pictured as a cistern with a narrow orifice at the entrance and this fifth angel holds the key to it.

‏ Revelation of John 9:1-11

Fallen ( πεπτωκοτα ). Perfect active participle of πιπτω, already down. In Lu 10:18 note πεσοντα (constative aorist active, like a flash of lightning) after εθεωρουν and in Re 7:2 note αναβαινοντα (present active and linear, coming up, picturing the process) after ειδον.

Of the pit of the abyss ( του φρεατος της αβυσσου ). Αβυσσος is an old adjective (alpha privative and βυθος, depth, without depth), but η αβυσσος (supply χωρα place), the bottomless place. It occurs in Ro 10:7 for the common receptacle of the dead for Hades (Sheol), but in Lu 8:31 a lower depth is sounded (Swete), for the abode of demons, and in this sense it occurs in Re 9:1, 2, 11; 11:7; 17:8; 20:1, 3. Φρεαρ is an old word for well or cistern (Lu 14:5; Joh 4:11f.) and it occurs in Re 9:1f. for the mouth of the abyss which is pictured as a cistern with a narrow orifice at the entrance and this fifth angel holds the key to it.

Opened ( ηνοιξεν ). First aorist active indicative of ανοιγνυμ. With the "key" ( κλεις ).

As the smoke of a great furnace ( ως καπνος καμινου μεγαλης ). The plague of demonic locusts is here turned loose. Καμινος is old word for a smelting-furnace, already in 1:15.

Were darkened ( εσκοτωθη ). First aorist passive indicative of σκοτοω, old causative verb from σκοτος, in N.T. only here, 16:10; Eph 4:18.

By reason of ( εκ ). "Out of," as a result of (8:13).

Locusts ( ακριδες ). Also verse 7 and already in Mt 3:4; Mr 1:6 (diet of the Baptist). The Israelites were permitted to eat them, but when the swarms came like the eighth Egyptian plague (Ex 10:13ff.) they devoured every green thing. The smoke was worse than the fallen star and the locusts that came out of the smoke were worse still, "a swarm of hellish locusts" (Swete).

The scorpions ( ο σκορπιο ). Old name for a little animal somewhat like a lobster that lurks in stone walls in warm regions, with a venomous sting in its tail, in N.T. in Lu 10:19; 11:12; Re 9:3, 5, 10. The scorpion ranks with the snake as hostile to man.

It was said ( ερρεθη ). First aorist passive indicative of ειπον.

That they should not hurt ( ινα μη αδικησουσιν ). Sub-final (object clause subject of ερρεθη ) with ινα μη and the future active of αδικεω as in 3:9; 8:3. Vegetation had been hurt sufficiently by the hail (8:7).

But only such men as ( ε μη τους ανθρωπους οιτινες ). "Except (elliptical use of ε μη, if not, unless) the men who (the very ones who)." For this use of οστις see 1:7; 2:24; 20:4.

The seal of God upon their foreheads ( την σφραγιδα του θεου επ των μετωπων ). Provided for in 7:3ff. "As Israel in Egypt escaped the plagues which punished their neighbours, so the new Israel is exempted from the attack of the locusts of the Abyss" (Swete).

That they should not kill them ( ινα μη αποκτεινωσιν αυτους ). Sub-final object clause (subject of εδοθη ) with ινα μη and the subjunctive of αποκτεινω either present (continued action) or aorist (constative, form the same), the usual construction with ινα. The locusts are charged to injure men, but not to kill them.

But that they should be tormented ( αλλ' ινα βασανισθησοντα ). Sub-final clause again with ινα, but this time with the first future passive indicative (like 3:9; 6:4; 8:3; 13:12) of βασανιζω, old verb, to test metals (from βασανος, Mt 4:24) by touchstone, then to torture like Mt 8:29, further in Re 11:10; 12:2; 14:10; 20:10.

Five months ( μηνας πεντε ). Accusative of extent of time. The actual locust is born in the spring and dies at the end of summer (about five months).

Torment ( βασανισμος ). Late word for torture, from βασανιζω, in N.T. only in Re 9:5; 14:11; 18:7, 10, 15. The wound of the scorpion was not usually fatal, though exceedingly painful.

When it striketh a man ( οταν παιση ανθρωπον ). Indefinite temporal clause with οταν and the first aorist active subjunctive of παιω (Mt 26:51), old verb, to smite, "whenever it smites a man."

Men ( ο ανθρωπο ). Generic use of the article (men as a class).

Shall not find it ( ου μη ευρησουσιν αυτον ). Strong double negative ου μη with the future active indicative according to Aleph Q, but ευρωσιν (second aorist active subjunctive) according to A P (either construction regular). The idea here is found in Job 3:21; Jer 8:3. "Such a death as they desire, a death which will end their sufferings, is impossible; physical death is no remedy for the βασανισμος of an evil conscience" (Swete).

They shall desire to die ( επιθυμησουσιν αποθανειν ). Future active of επιθυμεω, a climax to ζητησουσιν (they shall seek), to desire vehemently. Paul in Php 1:23 shows a preference for death if his work is done, in order to be with Christ, a very different feeling from what we have here.

Fleeth ( φευγε ). Vivid futuristic present active indicative of φευγω. Even death does not come to their relief.

The shapes ( τα ομοιωματα ). Old word from ομοιοω, to make like (from ομοιος, like), likeness, in N.T. only here, Ro 5:14; Php 2:7, "the likenesses were like" ( ομοια ). Hομοιωμα is "midway between μορφη and σχημα " (Lightfoot).

Unto horses ( ιπποις ). Associative-instrumental case, as is the rule with ομοιος (1:15; 2:18; 4:6ff.; 9:10, 19; 11:1; 13:2, 11), but with the accusative in 1:13; 14:14. So also ομοιο χρυσω (like gold) in this same verse.

Prepared for war ( ητοιμασμενοις εις πολεμον ). Perfect passive participle of ετοιμαζω. This imagery of war-horses is like that in Joe 2:4f. "The likeness of a locust to a horse, especially to a horse equipped with armour, is so striking that the insect is named in German Heupferd (hay horse), and in Italian cavalett a little horse" (Vincent).

As it were crowns ( ος στεφανο ). Not actual crowns, but what looked like crowns of gold, as conquerors, as indeed they were (4:4; 6:2; 12:1; 14:14). These locusts of the abyss have another peculiar feature.

As men's faces ( ως προσωπα ανθρωπων ). Human-looking faces in these demonic locusts to give added terror, "suggesting the intelligence and capacity of man" (Swete). Vincent actually sees "a distinct resemblance to the human countenance in the face of the locust."

They had ( ειχαν ). Imperfect active, late form as in Mr 8:7 in place of the usual ειχον.

As hair of women ( ως τριχας γυναικων ). That is long hair (1Co 11:15), with no reference to matters of sex at all, for ανθρωπων just before is used, not ανδρων (men as distinct from women). Perhaps the antennae of the locust were unusually long.

As the teeth of lions ( ως λεοντων ). Supply ο οδοντες (the teeth) before λεοντων. See Joe 1:6. The locust is voracious.

As it were breastplates of iron ( ως θωρακας σιδερους ). The θωραξ was originally the breast (from the neck to the navel), then the breastplate, only N.T. usage (Re 9:9, 17; 1Th 5:8; Eph 6:14). The armour for the breastplate was usually of iron ( σιδερους, Re 2:27), but with the locusts it only seemed to be so ( ως ). However, the scaly backs and flanks of the locusts do resemble coats of mail. "The locusts of the Abyss may be the memories of the past brought home at times of Divine visitation" (Swete).

The sound of their wings ( η φωνη των πτερυγων ). Graphic picture of the onrush of the swarms of demonic locusts and the hopelessness of resisting them.

As the sound of chariots, of many horses rushing to war ( ως φωνη αρματων ιππων πολλων τρεχοντων εις πολεμον ). Both metaphors here, the clatter and clangour of the chariot wheels and the prancing of the horses are found in Joe 2:4f. Τρεχοντων is present active predicate participle of τρεχω, to run. Cf. 2Ki 7:6; Jer 47:3.

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.

As king ( βασιλεα ). Predicate accusative and anarthrous. In Pr 30:27 it is stated that the locust has no king, but this is not true of these demonic locusts. Their king is "the angel of the abyss (verse 1) whose orders they obey."

His name is ( ονομα αυτω ). "Name to him" (nominative absolute and dative, as in 6:8).

In Hebrew ( Εβραιστ ). Adverb as in 16:16; Joh 5:2; 19:13, 17, 20; 20:16. Αβαδδων. A word almost confined to the Wisdom books (Job 26:6; Ps 88:11; Pr 15:11). It is rendered in the LXX by Απωλεια, destruction.

In the Greek tongue ( εν τη Hελληνικη ). With γλωσση or διαλεκτω understood. As usual, John gives both the Hebrew and the Greek.

Apollyon ( Απολλυων ). Present active masculine singular participle of απολλυω, meaning "destroying," used here as a name and so "Destroyer," with the nominative case retained though in apposition with the accusative ονομα. The personification of Abaddon occurs in the Talmud also. It is not clear whether by Apollyon John means Death or Satan. Bousset even finds in the name Apollyon an indirect allusion to Apollo, one of whose symbols was the locust, a doubtful point assuredly.