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.
Parallel translations
- WEB 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.
- 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.
- 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 had tails with stingers like scorpions, which had the power to injure people for five months.
- Job 2:6“Very well,” said the LORD to Satan. “He is in your hands, but you must spare his life.”
- Rev 9:3And out of the smoke, locusts descended on the earth, and they were given power like that of the scorpions of the earth.
- Rev 13:5The beast was given a mouth to speak arrogant and blasphemous words, and authority to act for 42 months.
- Dan 5:18–22As for you, O king, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty and greatness, glory and honor.
- Rev 13:7Then the beast was permitted to wage war against the saints and to conquer them, and it was given authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.
- Rev 11:7When the two witnesses have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will wage war with them, and will overpower and kill them.
- John 19:11Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed Me over to you is guilty of greater sin.”
- Dan 7:6Next, as I watched, another beast appeared. It was like a leopard, and on its back it had four wings like those of a bird. The beast also had four heads, and it was given authority to rule.
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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.