Revelation 9:16

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Revelation 9:13-21

Here let us consider the preface to this vision, and then the vision itself. I. The preface to this vision: A voice was heard from the horns of the golden altar, Rev. 9:13, 14. Here observe, 1. The power of the church's enemies is restrained till God gives the word to have them turned loose. 2. When nations are ripe for punishment, those instruments of God's anger that were before restrained are let loose upon them, Rev. 9:14. 3. The instruments that God makes use of to punish a people may... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Revelation 9:13-21

9:13-21 The sixth angel sounded a blast on his trumpet and I heard a voice from the four horns of the altar saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet: "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates." So there came the four angels who were prepared for that hour and day and month and year, to kill a third part of the human race. The number of the armed forces of cavalry was twenty thousand times ten thousand. I heard their number, and this was how I saw in appearance... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 9:16

And the number of the army of the horsemen ,.... This shows that the four angels before mentioned were men, and design generals of armies, or armies of men, even of horsemen; and manifestly point at the Turks, who were not only originally Persians, and had their name, as some say F5 Laonic. Chalcocondylas de reb. Turc. l. 1. p. 6. , from Turca in Persia, and פרש , from whence the Persians have their name, signifies an horseman; but the armies of the Turks chiefly consisted of horse,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 9:16

Two hundred thousand thousand - Δυο μυριαδες μυριαδων· Two myriads of myriads; that is, two hundred millions; an army that was never yet got together from the foundation of the world, and could not find forage in any part of the earth. Perhaps it only means vast numbers, multitudes without number. Such a number might be literally true of the locusts. Those who will have their particular system supported by the images in this most obscure book, tell us that the number here means all the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 9:12-21

The inefficiency of judgments to lead all to repentance. The voice of suffering innocence does not pass unheeded. The Lord of sabaoth is long-suffering and very merciful, even towards the disobedient and towards the enemies of the truth; but the angels of judgment and punishment, bound and restrained, must at length be loosed. Though the Lord suffereth long and is kind, yet he will avenge his own elect which cry to him day and night. We learn— I. THAT THE END OF JUDGMENT IS ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 9:16

And the number of the army of the horsemen; and the number of the armies of the cavalry. No horsemen have hitherto been Minded to; but they are apparently the destroying host under the direction of the four angels. The symbol is, no doubt, chosen to signify power, of which horsemen or cavalry are an emblem. Were two hundred thousand thousand; or, twice myriads of myriads (cf. Jud Revelation 1:14-16 , which is a quotation from Enoch; also Daniel 7:10 ). The number is, of course, not to... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 9:16

And the number of the army of the horsemen - It is to be observed here that the strength of the army seemed to be cavalry. In the former plagues there is no distinct mention of horsemen; but here what struck the beholder was the immense and unparalleled number of horsemen.Were two hundred thousand thousand - A thousand thousand is one million, and consequently the number here referred to would be 200 million. This would be a larger army than was ever assembled, and it cannot be supposed that it... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Revelation 9:16-19

Revelation 9:16-19. The number of the army of horsemen were two hundred thousand A description is here given of the forces, and of the means and instruments by which the Othmans should effect the ruin of the eastern empire. The armies are described as very numerous, myriads of myriads. When Mohammed the Second besieged Constantinople, he had about four hundred thousand men in his army, besides a powerful fleet of thirty larger and two hundred lesser ships. They are described, too, chiefly... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Revelation 9:1-21

Fifth and sixth trumpets (9:1-21)Worse than the destruction by the forces of nature is the suffering brought by the forces of demons (fifth trumpet). These demonic forces are pictured in a strange and terrifying army of locusts. Though uncontrollable by any human power, they are not independent of the rule of God. He keeps them imprisoned in the abyss (RSV: bottomless pit), and even when he releases them he determines the extent of their activity (9:1-3).The demons do not harm plant life (as... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Revelation 9:16

army = armies. two . . . thousand. Literally two myriads of myriads, a literal number which John heard and recorded. Compare Revelation 7:4 . See App-197 . and. Omit. read more

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