And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months.
Parallel translations
- WEB They have tails like those of scorpions, and stings. In their tails they have power to harm men for five months.
- BSB They had tails with stingers like scorpions, which had the power to injure people for five months.
- NKJV They had tails like scorpions, and there were stings in their tails. Their power was to hurt men five months.
- NASB They have tails like scorpions, and stings; and in their tails is their power to hurt people for five months.
- NLT They had tails that stung like scorpions, and for five months they had the power to torment people.
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
Their scorpion tails can hurt people for five months. Their God-given power to torment is real but strictly bounded.
Overview
The sting in the tail repeats the scorpion imagery of verse 5 and again names the five-month limit. The repeated emphasis on a fixed period and on torment rather than death keeps the focus on restraint: even unleashed demonic power is leashed by God. This warning judgment is meant to drive sinners to repentance while time remains. It assures the reader that no affliction exceeds the limits the sovereign Lord sets.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 3
- Rev 9:5And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.
- Rev 9:3And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
- Rev 9:19For 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.
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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 9:10 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
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