Revelation 16:4

Translations

Modern

And the third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and springs of water, and they turned to blood.

Traditional

And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.

Literal

And the third poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of the waters, and they became blood.

Latin

Et tertius effudit phialam suam super flumina, et super fontes aquarum, et factus est sanguis.

Original

Greek

English

And the third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and springs of water, and they turned to blood.

Notes

Revelation 16:3–4

The plagues of the second and third bowls are similar to the first plague of Egypt (Exodus 7:17–21). John may have thought about how much of Rome’s food and wealth came from the sea. After Julius Caesar cleared the sea of pirates, shipping became vital for Rome. Its end would mean economic collapse for the empire (see Revelation 18:17–19).

Revelation 16:1–21

These seven bowls filled with God's wrath symbolize the final judgments on the world. With the seventh bowl, a voice from God's throne shouts, It is done! (Revelation 16:17; compare John 19:30).

Theme notes and profiles

Angels Visions

Related verses

Exodus 7:17–20
This is what the LORD says: By this you will know that I am the LORD. Behold, with the staff in my hand I will strike the water of the Nile, and it will turn to blood.
Revelation 8:10–11
Then the third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star burning like a torch fell from heaven and landed on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water.
Revelation 14:7
And he said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come. Worship the One who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and the springs of waters.”
Hosea 13:15
Although he flourishes among his brothers, an east wind will come—a wind from the LORD rising up from the desert. His fountain will fail, and his spring will run dry. The wind will plunder his treasury of every precious article.
Revelation 16:5
And I heard the angel of the waters say: “Righteous are You, O Holy One, who is and was, because You have brought these judgments.
Isaiah 50:2
Why was no one there when I arrived? Why did no one answer when I called? Is My hand too short to redeem you? Or do I lack the strength to deliver you? Behold, My rebuke dries up the sea; I turn the rivers into a desert; the fish rot for lack of water and die of thirst.
Exodus 8:5
And the LORD said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Stretch out your hand with your staff over the rivers and canals and ponds, and cause the frogs to come up onto the land of Egypt.’”
Ezekiel 35:8
I will fill its mountains with the slain; those killed by the sword will fall on your hills, in your valleys, and in all your ravines.

Glossary

Armageddon Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Book of Revelation Lucifer

Topics

Temple: Sending Forth the Forces of Righteousness Against the Powers of Evil Water: Symbolical Water: Turned Into Blood

Revelation 16:4

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