Revelation 6:15

Then the kings of the earth, the nobles, the commanders, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and free man hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The author records a vision following the sky rolling up like a scroll and every mountain and island being displaced. The narrative moment captures the immediate reaction of every human class to the opening of the sixth seal.

The words — βασιλεῖς (basileis) translates to kings, and μεγιστᾶνες (megistanes) means great ones or nobles. These terms identify the highest human authorities who are forced to flee alongside common people.

The thread — This flight to caves parallels Isaiah 2:19 and Isaiah 2:21, where people hide from the terror of the LORD. The judgment of earthly rulers also echoes Isaiah 24:21.

Why it lands — The text states that every social rank, wealth, and status fails to provide refuge from divine judgment. It requires the reader to acknowledge that accountability before God applies universally and leaves no earthly position as an exception.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;

Cross-references

Isaiah 2:19 Men will flee to caves in the rocks and holes in the ground, away from the terror of the LORD and from the splendor of His majesty, when He rises to shake the earth.
Isaiah 2:21 They will flee to caverns in the rocks and crevices in the cliffs, away from the terror of the LORD and from the splendor of His majesty, when He rises to shake the earth.
Isaiah 24:21 In that day the LORD will punish the host of heaven above and the kings of the earth below.
Isaiah 2:10 Go into the rocks and hide in the dust from the terror of the LORD and the splendor of His majesty.
Psalms 2:10 Therefore be wise, O kings; be admonished, O judges of the earth.
Revelation 19:13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is The Word of God.
1 Samuel 13:6 Seeing that they were in danger because their troops were hard-pressed, the men of Israel hid in caves and thickets, among the rocks, and in cellars and cisterns.
Job 34:19 who is not partial to princes and does not favor rich over poor? For they are all the work of His hands.
Psalms 49:1 For the choirmaster. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all inhabitants of the world,
Psalms 76:12 He breaks the spirits of princes; He is feared by the kings of the earth.