a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.
Parallel translations
- WEB and one third of the living creatures which were in the sea died. One third of the ships were destroyed.
- KJV And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.
- NKJV And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.
- NASB and a third of the creatures which were in the sea and had life, died; and a third of the ships were destroyed.
- NLT one-third of all things living in the sea died, and one-third of all the ships on the sea were destroyed.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
A third of the sea creatures die and a third of the ships are destroyed. The second judgment brings real loss of life and commerce, yet remains partial.
Overview
The death of sea life and wrecking of ships show the judgment touching both nature and human livelihood. The persistent 'one third' underscores God's restraint, leaving most untouched as a summons to repentance. These measured blows display God's justice while still holding back full and final judgment.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- Isa 2:16against every ship of Tarshish, and against every stately vessel.
- Rev 16:3And the second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it turned to blood like that of the dead, and every living thing in the sea died.
- Rev 8:7Then the first angel sounded his trumpet, and hail and fire mixed with blood were hurled down upon the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, along with a third of the trees and all the green grass.
- Rev 8:12Then the fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun and moon and stars were struck. A third of the stars were darkened, a third of the day was without light, and a third of the night as well.
- Rev 8:10Then the third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star burning like a torch fell from heaven and landed on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water.
- Ps 48:7With a wind from the east You wrecked the ships of Tarshish.
- Zech 13:8And in all the land, declares the LORD, two-thirds will be cut off and perish, but a third will be left in it.
- Exod 7:21The fish in the Nile died, and the river smelled so bad that the Egyptians could not drink its water. And there was blood throughout the land of Egypt.
- Isa 23:1This is the burden against Tyre: Wail, O ships of Tarshish, for Tyre is laid waste, without house or harbor. Word has reached them from the land of Cyprus.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Revelation ends the story with the slain-yet-standing Lamb who is worthy, the Lion of Judah, the Alpha and Omega, the returning King who makes all things new and dwells with his people forever.
How Revelation 8:9 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.