Keraia
Revelation 8

Revelation 8:11

The First Four Trumpets · Revelation 8:6–13
Read Revelation 8

Translations

Modern
The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters turned bitter like wormwood oil, and many people died from the bitter waters.
Traditional
And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.
Literal
And the name of the star is called Wormwood. And a third of the waters became wormwood, and many of the men died from the waters, because they were made bitter.
Latin
…et nomen stellæ dicitur Absinthium, et facta est tertia pars aquarum in absinthium; et multi hominum mortui sunt de aquis, quia amaræ factæ sunt.

Original

Greek
English
The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters turned bitter like wormwood oil, and many people died from the bitter waters.

Notes

Revelation 8:10–11

The star named Wormwood (a shrubby plant that produces a bitter extract) is symbolic, not physical. Bitter water is linked to judgment from early in Israel’s history (Exodus 15:22–26; Numbers 5:18; Jeremiah 9:13–16; 23:15). The message is that widespread judgment has started.

Revelation 8:7–12

Each of the first four trumpets affects one-third of its target (see Ezekiel 5:1–4, 12; Zechariah 13:8). This does not convey an exact measurement. Instead, it shows that God's judgment on the earth is starting but has not reached its peak. Together, the first four trumpets deliver a unified message of judgment on the entire physical world (as with Revelation 6:1–8).

Revelation 8:2–11:19

  • The second series of judgments involves seven trumpets. Like the first series (Revelation 6:1–8:1), it includes a pause (10:1–11:14; compare 7:1–17) and concludes with a view of God's eternal kingdom (11:15–19; see 7:9–8:1).

  • The trumpet judgments are similar to the ten plagues of Egypt (Exodus 7:14–11:10). They aim to show that earthly gods (or evil powers) are powerless and to clearly demonstrate God's power and control.

Theme notes and profiles

Visions

Glossary

Book of Revelation Wormwood

Topics

Angel (A Spirit): Functions of Medium of Revelation to Prophets Astronomy: Sidereal Phenomena Meteorology and Celestial Phenomena: Symbolical used in the Revelation of John Nuclear War Stars: Darkening of Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Falling Star Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Seventh Seal and the Seven Angels Water: Symbolical Wormwood: Symbolical