Revelation 8:9

Translations

Modern

…a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.

Traditional

And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.

Literal

…and a third of the creatures having life in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.

Latin

…et mortua est tertia pars creaturæ eorum, quæ habebant animas in mari, et tertia pars navium interiit.

Original

Greek

English

…a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.

Notes

Revelation 8:8–9

the sea turned to blood: This judgment is like the first plague on Egypt (see Exodus 7:14–25; Psalm 78:44).
The mountain of fire resembles the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, which destroyed ships and sea life (see Pliny the Younger, Letters 6.16.1–22).

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

Related verses

Revelation 8:7
Then the first angel sounded his trumpet, and hail and fire mixed with blood were hurled down upon the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, along with a third of the trees and all the green grass.
Revelation 16:3
And the second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it turned to blood like that of the dead, and every living thing in the sea died.
Isaiah 2:16
…against every ship of Tarshish, and against every stately vessel.
Revelation 8:10
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 8:12
Then the fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun and moon and stars were struck. A third of the stars were darkened, a third of the day was without light, and a third of the night as well.
Psalm 48:7
With a wind from the east You wrecked the ships of Tarshish.
Zechariah 13:8
And in all the land, declares the LORD, two-thirds will be cut off and perish, but a third will be left in it.
Exodus 7:21
The fish in the Nile died, and the river smelled so bad that the Egyptians could not drink its water. And there was blood throughout the land of Egypt.
Isaiah 23:1
This is the burden against Tyre: Wail, O ships of Tarshish, for Tyre is laid waste, without house or harbor. Word has reached them from the land of Cyprus.

Glossary

Book of Revelation

Topics

Angel (A Spirit): Functions of Medium of Revelation to Prophets Meteorology and Celestial Phenomena: Symbolical used in the Revelation of John Sea: Symbolical in John's Apocalyptic Vision Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Mountain That Was Thrown Into the Sea

Revelation 8:9

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