Bible Strands
Revelation 9:18
A third of mankind was killed by the three plagues of fire, smoke, and sulfur that proceeded from their mouths.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — John records a vision of the fifth trumpet’s execution, describing the lethal output of the demonic horses and riders released in the preceding scene.
The words — ἀπεκτὰνθησαν (apektanthēsan) means "was killed," and τριῶν πληγῶν (triōn plēgōn) translates to "three plagues," specifying the exact number and nature of the agents.
The thread — The casualty figure links to Revelation 9:15, while the mechanism of destruction runs through Revelation 9:17 and Revelation 9:19, which detail the fire, smoke, sulfur, and snake-tails issuing from the horses.
Why it lands — The text reports a precise, divinely permitted death toll without moral commentary, requiring the reader to register the factual severity of the judgment before considering its theological purpose.
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
By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.
Cross-references
- Revelation 9:17 Now the horses and riders in my vision looked like this: The riders had breastplates the colors of fire, sapphire, and sulfur. The heads of the horses were like the heads of lions, and out of their mouths proceeded fire, smoke, and sulfur.
- Revelation 9:15 So the four angels who had been prepared for this hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind.