The Meaning of Revelation 16:3 Explained

Revelation 16:3

KJV: And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.

YLT: And the second messenger did pour out his vial to the sea, and there came blood as of one dead, and every living soul died in the sea.

Darby: And the second poured out his bowl on the sea; and it became blood, as of a dead man; and every living soul died in the sea.

ASV: And the second poured out his bowl into the sea; and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living soul died, even the things that were in the sea.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  the second  angel  poured out  his  vial  upon  the sea;  and  it became  as  the blood  of a dead  [man]: and  every  living  soul  died  in  the sea. 

What does Revelation 16:3 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 judgment resulted in the destruction of all sea life, not just one-third of it, as in the second trumpet judgment ( Revelation 8:8-9). This may involve actual coagulated, rotting blood or a liquid that resembles blood (cf. Exodus 7:19-25). I think it probably means real blood. Some commentators interpret the sea as the masses of humanity, but there are no clues in the text that this sea is any more symbolic than the waters that Moses turned to blood.
"The sea is a great reservoir of life. It is teeming with life, and the salty water is a cathartic for the filth of the earth. However, in this plague, blood is the token of death; the sea becomes a grave of death instead of a womb of life." [1]

Context Summary

Revelation 16:1-9 - Recompense For The Blood Of Saints
It makes us pause to hear that angels, who rejoice over one sinner that repenteth, are employed in these terrible judgments. It is very startling to hear their outspoken acquiescence in the plagues that vitiate the earth, sea, springs, and sun. The angel of the waters insists that God has judged righteously, and the altar, beneath which are the souls of the martyrs, assents.
Our softer age shrinks from such conceptions of the divine judgments, but it is likely that our standards are weakened and warped by our daily contact with what is earthly and human. God's love is not soft and emasculated, but strong, vigorous, and righteous. Only when we reach the land of light and glory, shall we understand the true horror of sin and the inveteracy of human apostasy. Then we also shall be able to take up those solemn words of endorsement in Revelation 15:7, Even so, Lord God, Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments. [source]

Chapter Summary: Revelation 16

1  The angels pour out their bowls of wrath
6  The plagues that follow
16  Armageddon

Greek Commentary for Revelation 16:3

Into the sea [εις την ταλασσαν]
Like the first Egyptian plague (Exodus 7:12 -41) though only the Nile affected then. [source]
Blood as of a dead man [αιμα ως νεκρου]
At the trumpet (Revelation 8:11) the water becomes wormwood. Here ως νεκρου — hōs nekrou is added to Exodus 7:14-24, “the picture of a murdered man weltering in his blood” (Swete). “Coagulated blood, fatal to animal life” (Moffatt).Every living soul (πασα πσυχη ζωης — pāsa psuchē zōēs). “Every soul of life” (Hebraism, Genesis 1:21, marked by life).Even the things that were in the sea “The things in the sea,” in apposition with πσυχη — psuchē Complete destruction, not partial as in Revelation 8:9. [source]
Every living soul [πασα πσυχη ζωης]
“Every soul of life” (Hebraism, Genesis 1:21, marked by life). [source]
Even the things that were in the sea [τα εν τηι ταλασσηι]
“The things in the sea,” in apposition with πσυχη — psuchē Complete destruction, not partial as in Revelation 8:9. [source]
It became [ἐγένετο]
Or there came. [source]
Blood []
Compare Exodus 7:19. [source]
As of a dead man []
Thick, corrupt, and noisome. [source]
Living soul [ψυχὴ ζῶσα]
The best texts read ψυχὴ ζωῆς soulof life. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Revelation 16:3

3 John 1:2 Soul [ψυχή]
See on Mark 12:30; see on Luke 1:46. The soul ( ψυχή ) is the principle of individuality, the seat of personal impressions. It has a side in contact with both the material and the spiritual element of humanity, and is thus the mediating organ between body and spirit. Its meaning, therefore, constantly rises above life or the living individual, and takes color from its relation to either the emotional or the spiritual side of life, from the fact of its being the seat of the feelings, desires, affections, aversions, and the bearer and manifester of the divine life-principle ( πνεῦμα ). Consequently ψυχή is often used in our sense of heart (Luke 1:46; Luke 2:35; John 10:24; Acts 14:2); and the meanings of ψυχή souland πνεῦμα spiritoccasionally approach each other very closely. Compare John 12:27, and John 11:33; Matthew 11:29, and 1 Corinthians 16:18. Also both words in Luke 1:47. In this passage ψυχή soulexpresses the soul regarded as moral being designed for everlasting life. See Hebrews 6:19; Hebrews 10:39; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 2:11; 1 Peter 4:19. John commonly uses the word to denote the principle of the natural life. See John 10:11, John 10:15; John 13:37; John 15:13; 1 John 3:16; Revelation 8:9; Revelation 12:11; Revelation 16:3. [source]
Revelation 16:2 Went and poured out [απηλτεν και εχεχεεν]
Second aorist active indicative of απερχομαι — aperchomai (redundant use like υπαγετε — hupagete with εκχεετε — ekcheete “go and pour out,” in Revelation 16:1) and of εκχεω — ekcheō Each angel “went off” to perform his task. For εχεχεεν — execheen see it repeated in Revelation 16:3, Revelation 16:4, Revelation 16:8, Revelation 16:10, Revelation 16:12, Revelation 16:17. [source]
Revelation 16:2 Into the earth [εις την γην]
This same use of εις — eis after εχεχεεν — execheen in Revelation 16:3, Revelation 16:4.It became (εγενετο — egeneto). “There came” (second aorist middle indicative of γινομαι — ginomai).A noisome and grievous sore “Bad and malignant sore.” ελκος — Helkos is old word for a suppurated wound (Latin ulcus), here, Revelation 16:11; Luke 16:21. See the sixth Egyptian plague (Exodus 9:10; Deuteronomy 28:27, Deuteronomy 28:35) and Job 2:7. The magicians were attacked in Egypt and the worshippers of Caesar here (Revelation 13:17; Revelation 14:9, Revelation 14:11; Revelation 19:20). [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 16:17 Upon the air [επι τον αερα]
All men breathe the air and this is worse than the smiting of the earth (Revelation 16:2), the sea (Revelation 16:3), the fresh waters (Revelation 16:4), the sun (Revelation 16:8). [source]
Revelation 8:8 Burning with fire [πυρι καιομενον]
Present middle participle of καιω — kaiō Somewhat like Enoch 18:13, but perhaps with the picture of a great volcanic eruption like that of Vesuvius in a.d. 79. Strabo tells of an eruption b.c. 196 which made a new island (Palaea Kaumene).Became blood (εγενετο αιμα — egeneto haima). Like the Nile in the first plague (Exodus 7:20.). Cf. also Revelation 16:3. [source]
Revelation 8:8 Became blood [εγενετο αιμα]
Like the Nile in the first plague (Exodus 7:20.). Cf. also Revelation 16:3. [source]

What do the individual words in Revelation 16:3 mean?

And the second poured out the bowl of him into sea it became blood as of [one] dead every soul living died that was in the sea
Καὶ δεύτερος ἐξέχεεν τὴν φιάλην αὐτοῦ εἰς θάλασσαν ἐγένετο αἷμα ὡς νεκροῦ πᾶσα ψυχὴ ζωῆς ἀπέθανεν τὰ ἐν τῇ θαλάσσῃ

δεύτερος  second 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: δεύτερον 
Sense: the second, the other of two.
ἐξέχεεν  poured  out 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἐκχέω 
Sense: to pour out, shed forth.
φιάλην  bowl 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: φιάλη  
Sense: a broad shallow bowl, deep saucer.
αὐτοῦ  of  him 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
εἰς  into 
Parse: Preposition
Root: εἰς  
Sense: into, unto, to, towards, for, among.
θάλασσαν  sea 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: θάλασσα  
Sense: the sea.
ἐγένετο  it  became 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Middle, 3rd Person Singular
Root: γίνομαι  
Sense: to become, i.
αἷμα  blood 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: αἷμα  
Sense: blood.
νεκροῦ  of  [one]  dead 
Parse: Adjective, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: νεκρός  
Sense: properly.
πᾶσα  every 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: πᾶς  
Sense: individually.
ψυχὴ  soul 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: ψυχή  
Sense: breath.
ζωῆς  living 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: ζωή  
Sense: life.
ἀπέθανεν  died 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἀποθνῄσκω  
Sense: to die.
τὰ  that  was 
Parse: Article, Nominative Neuter Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
θαλάσσῃ  sea 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: θάλασσα  
Sense: the sea.