The Meaning of Revelation 8:12 Explained

Revelation 8:12

KJV: And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.

YLT: And the fourth messenger did sound, and smitten was the third of the sun, and the third of the moon, and the third of the stars, that darkened may be the third of them, and that the day may not shine -- the third of it, and the night in like manner.

Darby: And the fourth angel sounded his trumpet: and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so that the third part of them should be darkened, and that the day should not appear for the third part of it, and the night the same.

ASV: And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; that the third part of them should be darkened, and the day should not shine for the third part of it, and the night in like manner.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  the fourth  angel  sounded,  and  the third part  of the sun  was smitten,  and  the third part  of the moon,  and  the third part  of the stars;  so as  the third part  of them  was darkened,  and  the day  shone  not  for a third part  of it,  and  the night  likewise. 

What does Revelation 8:12 Mean?

Study Notes

angel
.
angels
Angel, Summary: Angel, "messenger," is used of God, of men, and of an order of created spiritual beings whose chief attributes are strength and wisdom. 2 Samuel 14:20 ; Psalms 103:20 ; Psalms 104:4 . In the O.T. the expression "the angel of the Lord" (sometimes "of God") usually implies the presence of Deity in angelic form.; Genesis 16:1-13 ; Genesis 21:17-19 ; Genesis 22:11-16 ; Genesis 31:11-13 ; Exodus 3:2-4 ; Judges 2:1 ; Judges 6:12-16 ; Judges 13:3-22 (See Scofield " Malachi 3:1 ") . The word "angel" is used of men in; Luke 7:24 ; James 2:25 ; Revelation 1:20 ; Revelation 2:1 ; Revelation 2:8 ; Revelation 2:12 ; Revelation 2:18 ; Revelation 3:1 ; Revelation 3:7 ; Revelation 3:14 In Revelation 8:3-5 . Christ is evidently meant. Sometimes angel is used of the spirit of man.; Matthew 18:10 ; Acts 12:15 . Though angels are spirits; Psalms 104:4 ; Hebrews 1:14 power is given them to become visible in the semblance of human form. Genesis 19:1 cf; Genesis 19:5 ; Exodus 3:2 ; Numbers 22:22-31 ; Judges 2:1 ; Judges 6:11 ; Judges 6:22 ; Judges 13:3 ; Judges 13:6 ; 1 Chronicles 21:16 ; 1 Chronicles 21:20 ; Matthew 1:20 ; Luke 1:26 ; John 20:12 ; Acts 7:30 ; Acts 12:7 ; Acts 12:8 etc.). The word is always used in the masculine gender, though sex, in the human sense, is never ascribed to angels.; Matthew 22:30 ; Mark 12:25 . They are exceedingly numerous.; Matthew 26:53 ; Hebrews 12:22 ; Revelation 5:11 ; Psalms 68:17 . The power is inconceivable. 2 Kings 19:35 . Their place is about the throne of God.; Revelation 5:11 ; Revelation 7:11 . Their relation to the believer is that of "ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation," and this ministry has reference largely to the physical safety and well-being of believers.; 1 Kings 19:5 ; Psalms 34:7 ; Psalms 91:11 ; Daniel 6:22 ; Matthew 2:13 ; Matthew 2:19 ; Matthew 4:11 ; Luke 22:43 ; Acts 5:19 ; Acts 12:7-10 . From; Hebrews 1:14 ; Matthew 18:10 ; Psalms 91:11 it would seem that this care for the heirs of salvation begins in infancy and continues through life. The angels observe us; 1 Corinthians 4:9 ; Ephesians 3:10 ; Ecclesiastes 5:6 a fact which should influence conduct. They receive departing saints. Luke 16:22 . Man is made "a little lower than the angels," and in incarnation Christ took "for a little "time" this lower place.; Psalms 8:4 ; Psalms 8:5 ; Hebrews 2:6 ; Hebrews 2:9 that He might lift the believer into His own sphere above angels. Hebrews 2:9 ; Hebrews 2:10 . The angels are to accompany Christ in His second advent. Matthew 25:31 . To them will be committed the preparation of the judgment of the nations. Matthew 13:30 ; Matthew 13:39 ; Matthew 13:41 ; Matthew 13:42 . See Scofield " Matthew 25:32 ". The kingdom-age is not to be subject to angels, but to Christ and those for whom He was made a little lower than the angels. Hebrews 2:5 An archangel, Michael, is mentioned as having a particular relation to Israel and to the resurrections.; Daniel 10:13 ; Daniel 10:21 ; Daniel 12:1 ; Daniel 12:2 ; Judges 1:9 ; 1 Thessalonians 4:16 . The only other angel whose name is revealed Gabriel, was employed in the most distinguished services.; Daniel 8:16 ; Daniel 9:21 ; Luke 1:19 ; Luke 1:26 .
Fallen angels. Two classes of these are mentioned:
(1) "The angels which kept not their first estate place, but left their own habitation," are "chained under darkness," awaiting judgment. 2 Peter 2:4 ; Judges 1:6 ; 1 Corinthians 6:3 ; John 5:22 .
(See Scofield " Genesis 6:4 ")
(2) The angels who have Satan Genesis 3:1 as leader.
(See Scofield " Revelation 20:10 ") .
The origin of these is nowhere explicitly revealed. They may be identical with the demons.
(See Scofield " Matthew 7:22 ") . For Satan and his angels everlasting fire is prepared. Matthew 25:41 ; Revelation 20:10 .

Verse Meaning

This time the trumpet blast announced judgment on a third of the heavenly bodies. Darkness is a common symbol of judgment in the Old Testament, and the day of the Lord was to be a time of darkness ( Amos 5:18; cf. Isaiah 13:10; Joel 2:2; Mark 13:24). The darkening of the heavenly bodies predicted in this verse also serves to warn of more judgment to come. Evidently God will cut off light from the sun, moon, and stars from the earth by one-third (cf. Exodus 10:21-23). The text seems to imply that God will reduce the intensity of light from these sources by one-third (cf. Matthew 27:45). Perhaps a partial eclipse or pollution in the atmosphere is in view. Such a reduction in light, and consequently temperature, would have a devastating effect on the earth. A non-literal interpretation views the darkness as spiritual darkness.

Context Summary

Revelation 8:1-13 - The Four First Trumpets Include The Devastation Of Natural Objects. The Dumb Creation, And Even The Earth Itself, Suffers For Man's Sin. Think Of The Horses Wounded In Battle, Dying In Long Agony; Of Vast Tracks Of Country Once Smiling, With Harvest Becoming A Wilderness; Of The Soil Compelled To Produce The Ingredients Of Poisoning And Intoxication. Poor Mother Earth! Goethe Said That He Could Hear Her Sighing As A Captive For Redemption.
The seventh seal includes the seven trumpets. What a contrast that pause must have been to the jubilant songs of the great multitude! In the Jewish temple, we are told, the musical instruments and chanting resounded during the offering of the sacrifices, which occupied the first part of the service; but at the offering of the incense a solemn silence was observed, Psalms 62:1. The people prayed quietly without, at the time of incense. What a glimpse is here afforded of the intercession of our great High Priest! The smoke of the incense of His great merit arises with the prayers of the saints. Pray on, believer, though your voice be feeble, and so much imperfection mingles with your efforts to serve God. The incense of Christ's intercession is fragrant enough to make even you acceptable.
The four first trumpets include the devastation of natural objects. The dumb creation, and even the earth itself, suffers for man's sin. Think of the horses wounded in battle, dying in long agony; of vast tracks of country once smiling, with harvest becoming a wilderness; of the soil compelled to produce the ingredients of poisoning and intoxication. Poor Mother Earth! Goethe said that he could hear her sighing as a captive for redemption. [source]

Chapter Summary: Revelation 8

1  At the opening of the seventh seal,
2  Seven angels have seven trumpets given them
6  Four of them sound their trumpets and great plagues follow
9  Another angel puts incense to the prayers of the saints on the golden altar

Greek Commentary for Revelation 8:12

Was smitten [επληγη]
Second aorist passive indicative of πλησσω — plēssō old verb (like πληγη — plēgē plague), here only in N.T. [source]
That should be darkened [ινα σκοτιστηι]
Purpose clause with ινα — hina and the first aorist passive subjunctive of σκοτιζω — skotizō from σκοτος — skotos (darkness) as in Matthew 24:29, but σκοτοω — skotoō in Revelation 9:2.And the day should not shine (και η ημερα μη πανηι — kai hē hēmera mē phanēi). Negative purpose clause with ινα μη — hina mē and the first aorist active subjunctive of παινω — phainō to shed light upon, as in Revelation 18:23, not the second aorist passive subjunctive πανηι — phanēi with different accent. The eclipse here is only partial and is kin to the ninth Egyptian plague (Exodus 10:21). [source]
And the day should not shine [και η ημερα μη πανηι]
Negative purpose clause with ινα μη — hina mē and the first aorist active subjunctive of παινω — phainō to shed light upon, as in Revelation 18:23, not the second aorist passive subjunctive πανηι — phanēi with different accent. The eclipse here is only partial and is kin to the ninth Egyptian plague (Exodus 10:21). [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Revelation 8:12

1 John 2:8 Shineth [φαίνει]
See on John 1:5. Compare Revelation 1:16; Revelation 8:12; Revelation 21:23; 2 Peter 1:19. See also Romans 13:11sqq.; Titus 2:11; Titus 3:4. [source]
Revelation 16:8 Upon the sun [επι τον ηλιον]
Not εις — eis (into) as in Revelation 16:2, Revelation 16:3, Revelation 16:4. The fourth trumpet (Revelation 8:12) affected a third of the sun, moon, and stars with a plague of darkness, but here it is a plague of extreme heat. [source]
Revelation 18:23 Shall shine no more at all [ου μη πανηι]
Fifth instance in these verses of ου μη — ou mē with the aorist subjunctive, here the active of παινω — phainō as in Revelation 8:12. It is not known whether Rome had street lights or not.The voice of the bridegroom and of the bride (πωνη νυμπιου και νυμπης — phōnē numphiou kai numphēs). See John 3:29; Jeremiah 7:34; Jeremiah 16:9. “Even the occasional flash of the torches carried by bridal processions (Matthew 25:1.) is seen no more” (Swete). The sixth instance of ου μη — ou mē in Revelation 18:21-23, occurs with ακουστηι — akousthēi (third instance of ακουστηι — akousthēi two in Revelation 18:22).Were the princes of the earth For μεγισταν — megistān see Revelation 6:15; Mark 6:21. “Thy merchants were the grandees” once, but now these merchant princes are gone.With thy sorcery (εν τηι παρμακιαι σου — en tēi pharmakiāi sou). Εν — En (instrumental use) and the locative case of παρμακια — pharmakia old word (from παρμακευω — pharmakeuō to prepare drugs, from παρμακον — pharmakon sorcery, Revelation 9:21), in N.T. only here and Galatians 5:20 for sorcery and magical arts. If one is puzzled over the connection between medicine and sorcery as illustrated by this word (our pharmacy), he has only to recall quackery today in medicine (patent medicines and cure-alls), witch-doctors, professional faith-healers, medicine-men in Africa. True medical science has had a hard fight to shake off chicanery and charlatanry.Were deceived First aorist passive indicative of πλαναω — planaō These charlatans always find plenty of victims. See Mark 12:24. [source]
Revelation 8:7 Sounded [εσαλπισεν]
First aorist active indicative of σαλπιζω — salpizō repeated with each angel in turn (Revelation 8:8, Revelation 8:10, Revelation 8:12; Revelation 9:1, Revelation 9:13; Revelation 11:15). [source]

What do the individual words in Revelation 8:12 mean?

And the fourth angel sounded [his] trumpet was struck a third of the sun of the moon of the stars so that should be darkened of them the day not should appear [for] of it night likewise
Καὶ τέταρτος ἄγγελος ἐσάλπισεν ἐπλήγη τὸ τρίτον τοῦ ἡλίου τῆς σελήνης τῶν ἀστέρων ἵνα σκοτισθῇ αὐτῶν ἡμέρα μὴ φάνῃ αὐτῆς νὺξ ὁμοίως

τέταρτος  fourth 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: τέταρτος  
Sense: the fourth.
ἄγγελος  angel 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἄγγελος  
Sense: a messenger, envoy, one who is sent, an angel, a messenger from God.
ἐσάλπισεν  sounded  [his]  trumpet 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: σαλπίζω  
Sense: to sound a trumpet.
ἐπλήγη  was  struck 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: πλήσσω  
Sense: to strike, smite.
τρίτον  third 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: τρίτον 
Sense: the third.
τοῦ  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἡλίου  sun 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: ἥλιος  
Sense: the sun.
τῆς  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
σελήνης  moon 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: σελήνη  
Sense: the moon.
τῶν  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἀστέρων  stars 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root: ἀστήρ  
Sense: a star.
ἵνα  so  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ἵνα  
Sense: that, in order that, so that.
σκοτισθῇ  should  be  darkened 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: σκοτίζομαι  
Sense: to cover with darkness, to darken.
αὐτῶν  of  them 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
ἡμέρα  day 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: ἡμέρα  
Sense: the day, used of the natural day, or the interval between sunrise and sunset, as distinguished from and contrasted with the night.
φάνῃ  should  appear  [for] 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: φαίνω  
Sense: to bring forth into the light, cause to shine, shed light.
αὐτῆς  of  it 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
νὺξ  night 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: νύξ  
Sense: night.
ὁμοίως  likewise 
Parse: Adverb
Root: ὁμοίως  
Sense: likewise, equally, in the same way.