Revelation 7:3

“Do not harm the land or sea or trees until we have placed a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.”

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The angel bearing the seal of the living God (v. 2) addresses the four angels who hold power to harm the land and sea, issuing a hold-order before judgment is released.

The words — ἀδικήσητε (adikēsēte) is the verb for "harm" here; its root ἀδικέω carries the sense of injustice or wrongdoing, not merely physical damage, framing the coming harm as a judicial act.

The thread — The forehead mark echoes Ezekiel 9:4, where a sign distinguishes those who grieve over Jerusalem's abominations from those who do not; Revelation 9:4 reuses the seal as the sole protection from the locusts; Revelation 22:4 closes the book with the name of God on the foreheads of the redeemed.

Why it lands — The seal is a declaration of ownership, not a reward for moral performance; it asks the reader to see that God's people are identified by belonging before the full weight of judgment falls.

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

Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

Cross-references

Ezekiel 9:4 “Go throughout the city of Jerusalem,” said the LORD, “and put a mark on the foreheads of the men sighing and groaning over all the abominations committed there.”
Revelation 22:4 They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.
Revelation 9:4 They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads.
Revelation 13:16 And the second beast required all people, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their forehead,
Exodus 12:13 The blood on the houses where you are staying will be a sign; when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No plague will fall on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.
Revelation 14:1 Then I looked and saw the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him 144,000 who had His name and His Father’s name written on their foreheads.
Revelation 20:4 Then I saw the thrones, and those seated on them had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or hands. And they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
Isaiah 26:20 Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut your doors behind you. Hide yourselves a little while until the wrath has passed.
Isaiah 54:17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.
Exodus 12:23 When the LORD passes through to strike down the Egyptians, He will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway; so He will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down.