The number of the armies of the horsemen was two hundred million. I heard the number of them.
Parallel translations
- KJV And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.
- BSB And the number of mounted troops was two hundred million; I heard their number.
- NKJV Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them.
- NASB The number of the armies of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them.
- NLT I heard the size of their army, which was 200 million mounted troops.
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 vast army of two hundred million horsemen is unleashed. The sheer number conveys an overwhelming, terrifying force of judgment.
Overview
The colossal figure—literally "two myriads of myriads"—is symbolic of an innumerable, unstoppable host rather than a precise census. John notes he "heard the number," emphasizing its reality in the vision. This demonic or supernatural cavalry dwarfs any human army, picturing judgment beyond resistance. Such imagery presses the reader to seek refuge in God, for no earthly power can withstand the forces He commands.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 7
- Rev 7:4I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the children of Israel:
- Dan 7:10A fiery stream issued and came out from before him: thousands of thousands ministered to him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.
- Ps 68:17The chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands. The Lord is among them, from Sinai, into the sanctuary.
- Ezek 38:4and I will turn you around, and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, with all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed in full armor, a great company with buckler and shield, all of them handling swords;
- Dan 11:40At the time of the end shall the king of the south contend with him; and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass through.
- Rev 5:11I saw, and I heard something like a voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousands of ten thousands, and thousands of thousands;
- Ezek 23:6who were clothed with blue, governors and rulers, all of them desirable young men, horsemen riding on horses.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
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 9:16 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.