And out of the smoke, locusts descended on the earth, and they were given power like that of the scorpions of the earth.
Parallel translations
- WEB Then out of the smoke came locusts on the earth, and power was given to them, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
- KJV And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
- NKJV Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth. And to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
- NASB Then out of the smoke came locusts upon the earth, and power was given them, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
- NLT Then locusts came from the smoke and descended on the earth, and they were given power to sting like scorpions.
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
Locusts emerge from the smoke with scorpion-like power. They represent a demonic host given limited authority to afflict.
Overview
Locusts evoke the eighth Egyptian plague (Exodus 10) and Joel's invading army (Joel 1-2), but here they sting like scorpions rather than devour crops, marking them as supernatural tormentors. Their "power" is given, again underscoring that evil operates only by divine permission. The imagery portrays the inner torment that accompanies a world handed over to demonic influence. Believers, sealed by God, are kept from this judgment (v.4).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- Rev 9:5The locusts were not given power to kill them, but only to torment them for five months, and their torment was like the stinging of a scorpion.
- Joel 1:4What the devouring locust has left, the swarming locust has eaten; what the swarming locust has left, the young locust has eaten; and what the young locust has left, the destroying locust has eaten.
- Joel 2:25I will repay you for the years eaten by locusts—the swarming locust, the young locust, the destroying locust, and the devouring locust—My great army that I sent against you.
- Deut 8:15He led you through the vast and terrifying wilderness with its venomous snakes and scorpions, a thirsty and waterless land. He brought you water from the rock of flint.
- Judg 7:12Now the Midianites, Amalekites, and all the other people of the east had settled in the valley like a swarm of locusts, and their camels were as countless as the sand on the seashore.
- Exod 10:4–15But if you refuse to let My people go, I will bring locusts into your territory tomorrow.
- Rev 9:10–11They had tails with stingers like scorpions, which had the power to injure people for five months.
- 1 Kgs 12:11Whereas my father burdened you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. Whereas my father scourged you with whips, I will scourge you with scorpions.’”
- Nah 3:15There the fire will devour you; the sword will cut you down and consume you like a young locust. Make yourself many like the young locust; make yourself many like the swarming locust!
- Nah 3:17Your guards are like the swarming locust, and your scribes like clouds of locusts that settle on the walls on a cold day. When the sun rises, they fly away, and no one knows where.
- Isa 33:4Your spoil, O nations, is gathered as by locusts; like a swarm of locusts men sweep over it.
- Luke 10:19Behold, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you.
- Ezek 2:6But you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns surround you, and you dwell among scorpions. Do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their presence, though they are a rebellious house.
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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 9:3 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.