And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions.
Parallel translations
- WEB They had hair like women’s hair, and their teeth were like those 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 is come up upon my land, strong, and without number, whose teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he hath the cheek teeth of a great lion.
- 1 Pet 3:3Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
- 1 Cor 11:14–15Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
- 1 Tim 2:9In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
- 2 Kgs 9:30And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window.
- Isa 3:24And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle a rent; and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth; and burning instead of beauty.
- Ps 57:4My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that 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.