They had hair like women’s hair, and their teeth were like those of lions.
Parallel translations
- KJV And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions.
- BSB They had hair like that of women, and teeth like those of lions.
- NKJV They had hair like women’s hair, and their teeth were like lions’ teeth.
- NASB They had hair like the hair of women, and their teeth were like the teeth of lions.
- NLT They had hair like women’s hair and teeth like the teeth of a lion.
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
They have hair like women's and teeth like lions'. The details add to their fierce, devouring, and unnatural appearance.
Overview
Continuing the grotesque portrait, the long hair may suggest wildness or terror, while lions' teeth (Joel 1:6) convey ferocity and destructive power. Each feature deepens the sense of a terrifying, otherworldly foe. The accumulation of images is meant to impress the reader with the dreadfulness of demonic affliction. Such a foe is no match, however, for the Lion of the tribe of Judah who has triumphed (Revelation 5:5).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 7
- Joel 1:6For a nation has come up on my land, strong, and without number. His teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he has the fangs of a lioness.
- 1 Pet 3:3Let your beauty be not just the outward adorning of braiding the hair, and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on fine clothing;
- 1 Cor 11:14–15Doesn’t even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him?
- 1 Tim 2:9In the same way, that women also adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and propriety; not just with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing;
- 2 Kgs 9:30When Jehu had come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her eyes, and adorned her head, and looked out at the window.
- Isa 3:24It shall happen that instead of sweet spices, there shall be rottenness; instead of a belt, a rope; instead of well set hair, baldness; instead of a robe, a wearing of sackcloth; and branding instead of beauty.
- Ps 57:4My soul is among lions. I lie among those who are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
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 9:8 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.