Then out of the smoke came locusts upon the earth, and power was given them, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
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.
- BSB And out of the smoke, locusts descended on the earth, and they were given power like that of the scorpions of the earth.
- 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.
- 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 9:5They were given power not to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion, when it strikes a person.
- Joel 1:4What the swarming locust has left, the great locust has eaten. What the great locust has left, the grasshopper has eaten. What the grasshopper has left, the caterpillar has eaten.
- Joel 2:25I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the great locust, the grasshopper, and the caterpillar, my great army, which I sent among you.
- Deut 8:15who led you through the great and terrible wilderness, with venomous snakes and scorpions, and thirsty ground where there was no water; who poured water for you out of the rock of flint;
- Judg 7:12The Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like locusts for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand which is on the seashore for multitude.
- Exod 10:4–15Or else, if you refuse to let my people go, behold, tomorrow I will bring locusts into your country,
- Rev 9:10–11They have tails like those of scorpions, and stings. In their tails they have power to harm men for five months.
- 1 Kgs 12:11Now my father burdened you with a heavy yoke, but I will add to your yoke. My father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.’”
- Nah 3:15There the fire will devour you. The sword will cut you off. It will devour you like the grasshopper. Multiply like grasshoppers. Multiply like the locust.
- Nah 3:17Your guards are like the locusts, and your officials like the swarms of locusts, which settle on the walls on a cold day, but when the sun appears, they flee away, and their place is not known where they are.
- Isa 33:4Your plunder will be gathered as the caterpillar gathers. Men will leap on it as locusts leap.
- Luke 10:19Behold, I give you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will in any way hurt you.
- Ezek 2:6You, son of man, don’t be afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you, and you do dwell among scorpions. Don’t be afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, 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.