Their power was in their mouths and in their tails. For their tails had heads like snakes, with the power to injure people.
Parallel translations
- WEB For the power of the horses is in their mouths, and in their tails. For their tails are like serpents, and have heads, and with them they harm.
- KJV For 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.
- BSB For the power of the horses was in their mouths and in their tails; indeed, their tails were like snakes, having heads with which to inflict harm.
- NKJV For their power is in their mouth and in their tails; for their tails are like serpents, having heads; and with them they do harm.
- NASB For the power of the horses is in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails are like serpents and have heads, and with them they do harm.
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
The horses' power lies in their mouths and in their serpent-like tails. Even their tails wound, picturing a thoroughly destructive and deceptive force.
Overview
The mouths breathe deadly plagues while the tails, like serpents with heads, also do harm—evil that strikes from every direction. The serpent imagery links this force to the deceiver, Satan, the ancient serpent (Revelation 12:9). It portrays a power that both destroys openly and deceives subtly. Such a foe is overcome not by human strength but by the Lamb whose blood conquers the serpent's power (Revelation 12:11).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 3
- Rev 9:10They have tails like those of scorpions, and stings. In their tails they have power to harm men for five months.
- Isa 9:15The elder and the honorable man is the head, and the prophet who teaches lies is the tail.
- Eph 4:14that we may no longer be children, tossed back and forth and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error;
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 9:19 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.