They 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.
Parallel translations
- KJV And 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.
- BSB The 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.
- NKJV And they were not given authority to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a man.
- NASB And they were not permitted to kill anyone, but to torment for five months; and their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it stings a person.
- NLT They were told not to kill them but to torture them for five months with pain like the pain of a scorpion sting.
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 locusts may torment but not kill, for five months. The judgment is painful yet limited in scope and duration.
Overview
The torment, not death, marks this as a warning judgment still aimed at repentance. "Five months" matches the natural lifespan of locusts and signals a fixed, restrained period—evil cannot exceed God's appointed bounds. The scorpion-sting imagery conveys severe anguish without finality. God's restraint here displays patience, holding back full judgment to leave room for turning to Him.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- Rev 9:10They have tails like those of scorpions, and stings. In their tails they have power to harm men for five months.
- Job 2:6Yahweh said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand. Only spare his life.”
- Rev 9:3Then out of the smoke came locusts on the earth, and power was given to them, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
- Rev 13:5A mouth speaking great things and blasphemy was given to him. Authority to make war for forty-two months was given to him.
- Dan 5:18–22You, king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father the kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and majesty:
- Rev 13:7It was given to him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them. Authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation was given to him.
- Rev 11:7When they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, and overcome them, and kill them.
- John 19:11Jesus answered, “You would have no power at all against me, unless it were given to you from above. Therefore he who delivered me to you has greater sin.”
- Dan 7:6After this I saw, and behold, another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird; the animal had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.
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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 9:5 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.