The Meaning of Revelation 16:9 Explained

Revelation 16:9

KJV: And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.

YLT: and men were scorched with great heat, and they did speak evil of the name of God, who hath authority over these plagues, and they did not reform -- to give to Him glory.

Darby: And the men were burnt with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, who had authority over these plagues, and did not repent to give him glory.

ASV: And men were scorched men with great heat: and they blasphemed the name of God who hath the power over these plagues; and they repented not to give him glory.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  men  were scorched  with great  heat,  and  blasphemed  the name  of God,  which  hath  power  over  these  plagues:  and  they repented  not  to give  him  glory. 

What does Revelation 16:9 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Evidently climatic changes will take place resulting in the sun"s heat becoming much hotter than normal (cf. Deuteronomy 32:24; Isaiah 24:6; Isaiah 42:25; Malachi 4:1; perhaps the destruction of the ozone layer?). Nevertheless instead of repenting, the beast-worshippers curse God (cf. Revelation 16:11; Revelation 16:21). They recognize His sovereignty, but they refuse to honor Him as sovereign (cf. Romans 1:28; Romans 2:24; 1 Timothy 6:1; James 2:7). Deserved judgment hardens the callous heart even more, as it did Pharaoh. [1]
"This is the only chapter in the visional portion of the book that speaks of widespread human blasphemy, the other references being to blasphemy from the beast ( Revelation 13:1; Revelation 13:5-6; Revelation 17:3). These men have now taken on the character of the god whom they serve ... They blame God for the first four plagues, rather than blaming their own sinfulness." [2]
Previously some people repented because of the earthquake in Jerusalem ( Revelation 11:13), but now none do. Giving God glory is the result of repentance.

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 16:9

Were scorched [εκαυματιστησαν]
First aorist passive indicative of same verb. [source]
With great heat [καυμα μεγα]
Cognate accusative retained with the passive verb. Old word (from καιω — kaiō to burn), in N.T. only Revelation 7:16 and here. For blaspheming the name of God see Revelation 13:6; James 2:7; Romans 2:24; 1 Timothy 6:1. They blamed God for the plagues.They repented not (ου μετενοησαν — ou metenoēsan). This solemn negative aorist of μετανοεω — metanoeō is a refrain like a funeral dirge (Revelation 9:20.; Revelation 16:11). In Revelation 11:13 some did repent because of the earthquake. Even deserved punishment may harden the heart.To give him glory Second aorist active infinitive of διδωμι — didōmi almost result. For the phrase see Revelation 11:13; Revelation 14:7; Revelation 19:7. [source]
They repented not [ου μετενοησαν]
This solemn negative aorist of μετανοεω — metanoeō is a refrain like a funeral dirge (Revelation 9:20.; Revelation 16:11). In Revelation 11:13 some did repent because of the earthquake. Even deserved punishment may harden the heart. [source]
To give him glory [δουναι αυτωι δοχαν]
Second aorist active infinitive of διδωμι — didōmi almost result. For the phrase see Revelation 11:13; Revelation 14:7; Revelation 19:7. [source]
Repent to give Him glory []
Glorify Him by repentance. [source]
His kingdom was darkened []
Compare Exodus 10:21, Exodus 10:22. [source]
They gnawed [ἐμασσῶντο]
Only here in the New Testament. [source]
For pain [ἐκ τοῦ πόνου]
Strictly, from their pain. Their, the force of the article τοῦ . [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Revelation 16:9

Revelation 16:8 To scorch with fire [καυματισαι εν πυρι]
First aorist active infinitive of καυματιζω — kaumatizō late (Plutarch, Epictetus) causative verb (from καυμα — kauma heat), in N.T. only here and Revelation 16:9; Matthew 13:6; Mark 4:6. The addition of εν πυρι — en puri (in fire, with fire) intensifies the picture. [source]
Revelation 16:11 They blasphemed [εβλασπημησαν]
Precisely as in Revelation 16:9, which see. Not just because of the supernatural darkness, but also “because of their pains” (εκ των πονων αυτων — ek tōn ponōn autōn plural here and same use of εκ — ek) and their sores (και εκ των ελκων αυτων — kai ek tōn helkōn autōn as in Revelation 16:2, only plural, and same use of εκ — ek). [source]
Revelation 16:11 Of their works [εκ των εργων αυτων]
“Out of their deeds,” and addition to Revelation 16:9.The God of heaven (τον τεον του ουρανου — ton theon tou ouranou). As in Daniel 2:44. Like the pride of Nebuchadrezzar against Jehovah. [source]
Revelation 16:19 Fell [επεσαν]
Second aorist active indicative of πιπτω — piptō First aorist (prophetic) passive indicative of μιμνησκω — mimnēskō Babylon (Rome) had not been overlooked. God was simply biding his time with Rome.To give unto her Second aorist active infinitive of διδωμι — didōmi epexegetic use as in Revelation 11:18; Revelation 16:9.The cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath (το ποτηριον του οινου του τυμου της οργης αυτου — to potērion tou oinou tou thumou tēs orgēs autou). “The cup of the wine of the wrath of his anger,” using both τυμος — thumos (boiling rage) and οργη — orgē (settled anger). See both in Jeremiah 30:24. [source]
Revelation 16:19 To give unto her [δουναι αυτηι]
Second aorist active infinitive of διδωμι — didōmi epexegetic use as in Revelation 11:18; Revelation 16:9.The cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath (το ποτηριον του οινου του τυμου της οργης αυτου — to potērion tou oinou tou thumou tēs orgēs autou). “The cup of the wine of the wrath of his anger,” using both τυμος — thumos (boiling rage) and οργη — orgē (settled anger). See both in Jeremiah 30:24. [source]
Revelation 16:21 Every stone about the weight of a talent [ως ταλαντιαια]
Old adjective (from ταλαντον — talanton), here only in N.T., but in Polybius and Josephus. See Exodus 9:24 for the great hail in Egypt and also Joshua 10:11; Isaiah 28:2; Ezekiel 38:22 for hail as the symbol of God‘s wrath. In the lxx a ταλαντον — talanton ranged in weight from 108 to 130 pounds.Because of the plague of hail (εκ της πληγης της χαλαζης — ek tēs plēgēs tēs chalazēs). “As a result of the plague of hail.” This punishment had the same effect as in Revelation 16:9, Revelation 16:11.Exceeding great Emphatic positions at ends of the clause (great - exceedingly). [source]
Revelation 16:21 Because of the plague of hail [εκ της πληγης της χαλαζης]
“As a result of the plague of hail.” This punishment had the same effect as in Revelation 16:9, Revelation 16:11. [source]
Revelation 22:14 They that wash their robes [οι πλυνοντες τας στολας αυτων]
Present active articular participle of πλυνω — plunō See Revelation 7:14 for this very verb with στολας — stolas while in Revelation 3:4 the negative statement occurs. Cf. 1 Corinthians 6:11.That they may have the right (ινα εσται η εχουσια αυτων — hina estai hē exousia autōn). Purpose clause with ινα — hina and the future middle of ειμι — eimi (a common construction in this book, Revelation 6:4, Revelation 6:11; Revelation 9:5, Revelation 9:20; Revelation 13:12; Revelation 14:13), that there may be their right.”To come to the tree of life “Over the tree of life.” On εχουσια επι — exousia epi = “power over” see Revelation 6:8; Revelation 13:7; Revelation 16:9; Luke 9:1. On “the tree of life” see Revelation 2:7; Revelation 22:2.May enter in (εισελτωσιν — eiselthōsin). Purpose clause with ινα — hina and the second aorist active subjunctive of εισερχομαι — eiserchomai parallel with ινα εσται — hina estai (future).By the gates Associative instrumental case of πυλων — pulōn (Revelation 21:12), “by the gate towers.” [source]
Revelation 22:14 To come to the tree of life [επι το χυλον της ζωης]
“Over the tree of life.” On εχουσια επι — exousia epi = “power over” see Revelation 6:8; Revelation 13:7; Revelation 16:9; Luke 9:1. On “the tree of life” see Revelation 2:7; Revelation 22:2.May enter in (εισελτωσιν — eiselthōsin). Purpose clause with ινα — hina and the second aorist active subjunctive of εισερχομαι — eiserchomai parallel with ινα εσται — hina estai (future).By the gates Associative instrumental case of πυλων — pulōn (Revelation 21:12), “by the gate towers.” [source]
Revelation 7:16 Nor any heat [ουδε παν καυμα]
Old word from καιω — kaiō to burn, painful and burning heat, in N.T. only here and Revelation 16:9 (picture of the opposite condition). The use of the negative with παν — pān (all) for “not any” is common in N.T. Cf. Psalm 121:6. [source]
Revelation 9:18 By these three plagues [απο των τριων πληγων τουτων]
Our “plague” or stroke from πλησσω — plēssō as in Luke 10:30 and often in Rev (Revelation 9:20; Revelation 11:6; Revelation 15:1, Revelation 15:6, Revelation 15:8; Revelation 16:9; Revelation 18:4, Revelation 18:8; Revelation 22:18). It is used in Exodus 11:1. for the plagues in Egypt. The three plagues here are the fire, smoke, and brimstone which proceed from the mouths of the horses. [source]
Revelation 7:16 Neither thirst any more [ουδε διπσησουσιν ετι]
Future tense of διπσαω — dipsaō the two strong human appetites will be gone, a clear refutation of a gross materialistic or sensual conception of the future life. Cf. John 6:35.Neither shall strike (ουδε μη πεσηι — oude mē pesēi). Strong double negative ουδε μη — oude mē with second aorist active subjunctive of πιπτω — piptō to fall. They will no longer be under the rays of the sun as upon earth.Nor any heat Old word from καιω — kaiō to burn, painful and burning heat, in N.T. only here and Revelation 16:9 (picture of the opposite condition). The use of the negative with παν — pān (all) for “not any” is common in N.T. Cf. Psalm 121:6. [source]

What do the individual words in Revelation 16:9 mean?

And were scorched the men with heat great they cursed the name - of God the [One] having - authority over the plagues these not did they repent to give Him glory
καὶ ἐκαυματίσθησαν οἱ ἄνθρωποι καῦμα μέγα ἐβλασφήμησαν τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ Θεοῦ τοῦ ἔχοντος τὴν ἐξουσίαν ἐπὶ τὰς πληγὰς ταύτας οὐ μετενόησαν δοῦναι αὐτῷ δόξαν

ἐκαυματίσθησαν  were  scorched 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Passive, 3rd Person Plural
Root: καυματίζω 
Sense: to burn with heat, to scorch.
ἄνθρωποι  men 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ἄνθρωπος  
Sense: a human being, whether male or female.
καῦμα  with  heat 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: καῦμα  
Sense: heat.
μέγα  great 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: μέγας  
Sense: great.
ἐβλασφήμησαν  they  cursed 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: βλασφημέω 
Sense: to speak reproachfully, rail at, revile, calumniate, blaspheme.
ὄνομα  name 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: ὄνομα  
Sense: name: univ.
τοῦ  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Θεοῦ  of  God 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.
τοῦ  the  [One] 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
τὴν  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἐξουσίαν  authority 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ἐξουσία  
Sense: power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases.
ἐπὶ  over 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἐπί  
Sense: upon, on, at, by, before.
πληγὰς  plagues 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Plural
Root: πληγή  
Sense: a blow, stripe, a wound.
ταύτας  these 
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Accusative Feminine Plural
Root: οὗτος  
Sense: this.
μετενόησαν  did  they  repent 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: μετανοέω  
Sense: to change one’s mind, i.
δοῦναι  to  give 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Active
Root: διδῶ 
Sense: to give.
δόξαν  glory 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: δόξα  
Sense: opinion, judgment, view.