The Meaning of Revelation 19:17 Explained

Revelation 19:17

KJV: And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;

YLT: And I saw one messenger standing in the sun, and he cried, a great voice, saying to all the birds that are flying in mid-heaven, 'Come and be gathered together to the supper of the great God,

Darby: And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in mid-heaven, Come, gather yourselves to the great supper of God,

ASV: And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in mid heaven, Come and be gathered together unto the great supper of God;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  I saw  an  angel  standing  in  the sun;  and  he cried  with a loud  voice,  saying  to all  the fowls  that fly  in  the midst of heaven,  Come  and  gather yourselves together  unto  the supper  of the great  God; 

What does Revelation 19:17 Mean?

Study Notes

Come
Armageddon (the ancient hill and valley of Megiddo, west of Jordan in the plain of Jezreel) is the appointed place for the beginning of the great battle in which the Lord, at His coming in glory, will deliver the Jewish remnant besieged by the Gentile world- powers under the Beast and False Prophet Revelation 16:13-16 ; Zechariah 12:1-9 . Apparently the besieging hosts, whose approach to Jerusalem is described in Isaiah 10:28-32 alarmed by the signs which precede the Lord's coming Matthew 24:29 ; Matthew 24:30 have fallen back to Megiddo, after the events of Zechariah 14:2 where their destruction begins; a destruction consummated in Moab and the plains of Idumea Isaiah 63:1-6 . This battle is the first event in "the day of Jehovah" Isaiah 2:12 and is the fulfilment of the smiting-stone prophecy of Daniel 2:35 .

Verse Meaning

John saw next an angel standing in the sun, a conspicuous position in which all the birds could see him. He cried loudly for all the birds flying in mid-heaven to assemble (cf. Ezekiel 39:4; Ezekiel 39:17). Jesus referred to the same battle and mentioned vultures (or eagles, Gr. aetoi) being present ( Matthew 24:28; Luke 17:37). After the coming battle, the site will provide a feast for vultures (cf. Ezekiel 39:4; Ezekiel 39:17-20). It is a great supper that God gives them. This is the battle of Armageddon ( Revelation 16:16). This picture of it stresses the greatness of God"s victory over His enemies. [1] The "great supper of God" is not the same event as the marriage supper of the Lamb ( Revelation 19:9). The former event will be a scene of great sorrow but the latter one of great joy.
"John took Ezekiel"s prophecies [2] broadly enough to foreshadow both Harmagedon and the final attack on Jerusalem ( Revelation 20:8-9).... Harmagedon precedes the thousand years and the other battle follows ..." [3]

Context Summary

Revelation 19:11-21 - "king Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords"
A sublime vision of Christ, as He comes to judge the beast, that is, the world-power, which has ever been in antagonism to the principles of His Kingdom. We must distinguish between it and the final judgment. This precedes, that follows, the millennial reign. Compare Matthew 24:27; Matthew 24:29; Matthew 24:37; Matthew 24:39. The blood in which His vesture is dipped is not His own, but that of His foes. See Isaiah 63:2. Here at last is fulfilled Psalms 2:9.
Notice the attributes of Christ: He is Faithful, because He will stand by us to the end. He is True, never doing less but always more than He has promised. Pure as flame. He is also in many realms; and the Word of God, that is, the final utterance and complete revelation of the Most High. Let us follow Him! But if we do, we must resemble Him. His robes are naturally white, but we must wash ours, that we may have the right to the tree of life and to enter the city of God. Compare Psalms 110:1-7. This will be the time, also, to which our Lord referred in Matthew 13:41. God's whirlwind will scatter the chaff. [source]

Chapter Summary: Revelation 19

1  God is praised in heaven for judging the great harlot, and avenging the blood of his saints
7  The marriage of the Lamb
10  The angel will not be worshipped
17  The birds called to the great slaughter

Greek Commentary for Revelation 19:17

An angel [ενα αγγελον]
Like εις — heis in Revelation 18:21, just “an,” not “one.” [source]
Standing in the sun [εστωτα εν τωι ηλιωι]
Second perfect active participle of ιστημι — histēmi (intransitive). “Where all the birds of prey would behold him” (Beckwith). For ορνεοις — orneois (birds) see Revelation 18:2 and for εν μεσουρανηματι — en mesouranēmati (in mid heaven) see Revelation 18:13; Revelation 14:6.Come and be gathered together (Δευτε συναχτητε — Deute sunachthēte). Δευτε — Deute is the adverb δευρω — deurō (hither), used when two or more are addressed, possibly from δευρο ιτε — deuro ite (come here). Asyndeton also without και — kai (and). First aorist passive imperative of συναγω — sunagō The metaphor is drawn from Ezekiel 39:17.Unto the great supper of God The habits of vultures are described by Christ in Matthew 24:28. This is a bold and powerful picture of the battlefield after the victory of the Messiah, “a sacrificial feast spread on God‘s table for all the vultures of the sky” (Swete). Is this battle the same as that of Har Magedon (Revelation 16:16) and that of Gog and Magog (Revelation 20:8.) mentioned after the thousand years? The language in Revelation 20:8. seems like this derived from Ezekiel 39:17., and “in the Apocalypse priority in the order of sequence does not always imply priority in time” (Swete). There seems no way to decide this point save that the end seems to be at hand. [source]
Come and be gathered together [Δευτε συναχτητε]
Δευτε — Deute is the adverb δευρω — deurō (hither), used when two or more are addressed, possibly from δευρο ιτε — deuro ite (come here). Asyndeton also without και — kai (and). First aorist passive imperative of συναγω — sunagō The metaphor is drawn from Ezekiel 39:17. [source]
Unto the great supper of God [εις το δειπνον το μεγα του τεου]
The habits of vultures are described by Christ in Matthew 24:28. This is a bold and powerful picture of the battlefield after the victory of the Messiah, “a sacrificial feast spread on God‘s table for all the vultures of the sky” (Swete). Is this battle the same as that of Har Magedon (Revelation 16:16) and that of Gog and Magog (Revelation 20:8.) mentioned after the thousand years? The language in Revelation 20:8. seems like this derived from Ezekiel 39:17., and “in the Apocalypse priority in the order of sequence does not always imply priority in time” (Swete). There seems no way to decide this point save that the end seems to be at hand. [source]
An angel [ἕνα ἄγγελον]
Lit., “one angel.” [source]
Fowls [ὀρνέοις]
See on Revelation 18:2. Rev., birds. [source]
Midst of heaven []
See on Revelation 8:13. [source]
Gather yourselves together [συνάγεσθε]
The best texts read συνάχθητε begathered together, as Rev. Compare Ezekiel 39:17sqq. [source]
The supper of the great God [τὸ δεῖπνον τοῦ μεγάλου Θεοῦ]
Read τὸ μέγα τοῦ for τοῦ μεγάλου , and render the great supper of God. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Revelation 19:17

Luke 9:58 Birds [πετεινὰ]
Strictly, flying fowl. The common word for bird in the New Testament. Ὄρνις , occurs Matthew 23:37; Luke 13:34; but both times in the sense of hen. See on Matthew 23:37. Ὄρνεον is found in Revelation 18:2; Revelation 19:17, Revelation 19:21; and πτηνόν , another form for the word in this passage, occurs 1 Corinthians 15:30. [source]
Revelation 8:13 Mid heaven [μεσουρανήματι]
Only in Revelation, here, Revelation 14:6; Revelation 19:17. It means, properly, the meridian, the highest point in the heavens which the sun occupies at noon; not the space between heaven and earth. [source]
Revelation 18:2 Bird [ὀρνέου]
Only in Revelation, here, Revelation 19:17, Revelation 19:21. Compare Jeremiah 50:39. [source]
Revelation 12:14 The two wings of the great eagle [αι δυο πτερυγες του αετου του μεγαλου]
Not the eagle of Revelation 8:13, but the generic use of the article. Every eagle had two wings. Probably here, as in Matthew 24:28, the griffon or vulture rather than the true eagle is pictured. For the eagle in the O.T. see Exodus 19:4; Isaiah 40:31; Job 9:26.That she might fly (ινα πετηται — hina petētai). Purpose clause with ινα — hina and present middle subjunctive of πετομαι — petomai old verb, to fly, in N.T. only in the Apocalypse (Revelation 4:7; Revelation 8:13; Revelation 12:14; Revelation 14:6; Revelation 19:17). Resumption of the details in Revelation 12:6 (which see) about the “wilderness,” her “place,” the redundant εκει — ekei with οπου — hopou the “time and times, and half a time” (καιρον και καιρους και ημισυ — kairon kai kairous kai hēmisu), 1260 days, but with τρεπεται — trephetai (present passive indicative) instead of τρεπωσιν — trephōsin (general plural of the present active subjunctive), and with the addition of “from the face of the serpent” (απο προσωπου του οπεως — apo prosōpou tou opheōs), because the serpent rules the earth for that period. “To the end of the present order the Church dwells in the wilderness” (Swete), and yet we must carry on for Christ. [source]
Revelation 12:14 That she might fly [ινα πετηται]
Purpose clause with ινα — hina and present middle subjunctive of πετομαι — petomai old verb, to fly, in N.T. only in the Apocalypse (Revelation 4:7; Revelation 8:13; Revelation 12:14; Revelation 14:6; Revelation 19:17). Resumption of the details in Revelation 12:6 (which see) about the “wilderness,” her “place,” the redundant εκει — ekei with οπου — hopou the “time and times, and half a time” (καιρον και καιρους και ημισυ — kairon kai kairous kai hēmisu), 1260 days, but with τρεπεται — trephetai (present passive indicative) instead of τρεπωσιν — trephōsin (general plural of the present active subjunctive), and with the addition of “from the face of the serpent” (απο προσωπου του οπεως — apo prosōpou tou opheōs), because the serpent rules the earth for that period. “To the end of the present order the Church dwells in the wilderness” (Swete), and yet we must carry on for Christ. [source]
Revelation 18:2 Is become [κατοικητηριον]
Prophetic aorist middle.A habitation of devils (κατοικεω — katoikētērion). Late word (from πυλακη παντος πνευματος ακαταρτου — katoikeō to dwell), in N.T. only here and Ephesians 2:22. Devils should be demons, of course. So Isaiah prophesied of Babylon (Isaiah 13:21-22) and also Jeremiah (Jeremiah 50:39) and Zephaniah of Nineveh (Zephaniah 2:14). Both Babylon and Nineveh are ruins.A hold of every unclean spirit πυλακη παντος ορνεου ακαταρτου και μεμισημενου — Phulakē is garrison or watch-tower as in Habakkuk 2:1, rather than a prison (Revelation 20:7).A hold of every unclean and hateful bird (Ορνεου — phulakē pantos orneou akathartou kai memisēmenou). Orneou is old word for bird, in N.T. only Revelation 18:2; Revelation 19:17, Revelation 19:21. “The evil spirits, watching over fallen Rome like night-birds or harpies that wait for their prey, build their eyries in the broken towers which rise from the ashes of the city” (Swete). Long ago true of Babylon and Nineveh, some day to be true of Rome. [source]
Revelation 18:2 A hold of every unclean spirit [Πυλακη]
πυλακη παντος ορνεου ακαταρτου και μεμισημενου — Phulakē is garrison or watch-tower as in Habakkuk 2:1, rather than a prison (Revelation 20:7).A hold of every unclean and hateful bird (Ορνεου — phulakē pantos orneou akathartou kai memisēmenou). Orneou is old word for bird, in N.T. only Revelation 18:2; Revelation 19:17, Revelation 19:21. “The evil spirits, watching over fallen Rome like night-birds or harpies that wait for their prey, build their eyries in the broken towers which rise from the ashes of the city” (Swete). Long ago true of Babylon and Nineveh, some day to be true of Rome. [source]
Revelation 18:2 A hold of every unclean and hateful bird [Ορνεου]
Orneou is old word for bird, in N.T. only Revelation 18:2; Revelation 19:17, Revelation 19:21. “The evil spirits, watching over fallen Rome like night-birds or harpies that wait for their prey, build their eyries in the broken towers which rise from the ashes of the city” (Swete). Long ago true of Babylon and Nineveh, some day to be true of Rome. [source]
Revelation 19:21 Were killed [απεκταντησαν]
First aorist (effective) passive indicative of αποκτεινω — apokteinō Those affected by the Caesar-worship (Revelation 14:9.) were not at once cast into the lake with the two beasts.Were filled (εχορταστησαν — echortasthēsan). First aorist (effective) passive of χορταζω — chortazō As they had been invited to do in Revelation 19:17. [source]
Revelation 19:21 Were filled [εχορταστησαν]
First aorist (effective) passive of χορταζω — chortazō As they had been invited to do in Revelation 19:17. [source]
Revelation 4:7 Like an eagle flying [ομοιον αετωι πετομενωι]
Present middle participle of πετομαι — petomai to fly, old verb, in N.T. only in Revelation 4:7; Revelation 8:13; Revelation 12:14; Revelation 14:6; Revelation 19:17. The αετος — aetos in Matthew 24:28; Luke 17:37 may be a form of vulture going after carrion, but not in Revelation 8:13; Revelation 12:14. [source]
Revelation 4:7 Had [εχων]
Masculine singular (some MSS. εχον — echon neuter singular agreeing with ζωον — zōon) present active participle of εχω — echō changing the construction with the τριτον ζωον — triton zōon almost like a finite verb as in Revelation 4:8.A face as of a man (προσωπον ως αντρωπου — prosōpon hōs anthrōpou). Shows that the likeness in each instance extended only to the face.Like an eagle flying Present middle participle of πετομαι — petomai to fly, old verb, in N.T. only in Revelation 4:7; Revelation 8:13; Revelation 12:14; Revelation 14:6; Revelation 19:17. The αετος — aetos in Matthew 24:28; Luke 17:37 may be a form of vulture going after carrion, but not in Revelation 8:13; Revelation 12:14. [source]
Revelation 8:13 Flying in mid-heaven [πετομενου εν μεσουρανηματι]
Like the angel in Revelation 14:6 and the birds in Revelation 19:17. Μεσουρανημα — Mesouranēma (from μεσουρανεω — mesouraneō to be in mid-heaven) is a late word (Plutarch, papyri) for the sun at noon, in N.T. only these three examples. This eagle is flying where all can see, and crying so that all can hear.Woe, woe, woe (ουαι ουαι ουαι — ouaiουαι — ouaiτους κατοικουντας — ouai). Triple because three trumpets yet to come. In Revelation 18:10, Revelation 18:16, Revelation 18:19 the double κατοικεω — ouai is merely for emphasis.For them that dwell on the earth Accusative of the articular present active participle of εκ — katoikeō is unusual (Aleph Q here and also in Revelation 12:12) as in Matthew 11:21. There is even a nominative in Revelation 18:10.By reason of the other voices (των τριων αγγελων των μελλοντων σαλπιζειν — ek tōn loipōn phōnōn). “As a result of (ek) the rest of the voices.” There is more and worse to come, “of the three angels who are yet to sound” (tōn triōn aggelōn tōn mellontōn salpizein). [source]

What do the individual words in Revelation 19:17 mean?

And I saw one angel standing in the sun he cried out a voice loud saying to all the birds - flying mid-heaven Come gather yourselves unto the supper - great - of God
Καὶ εἶδον ἕνα ἄγγελον ἑστῶτα ἐν τῷ ἡλίῳ ἔκραξεν φωνῇ μεγάλῃ λέγων πᾶσιν τοῖς ὀρνέοις τοῖς πετομένοις μεσουρανήματι Δεῦτε συνάχθητε εἰς τὸ δεῖπνον τὸ μέγα τοῦ Θεοῦ

εἶδον  I  saw 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: εἶδον 
Sense: to see with the eyes.
ἕνα  one 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: εἷς  
Sense: one.
ἄγγελον  angel 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: ἄγγελος  
Sense: a messenger, envoy, one who is sent, an angel, a messenger from God.
ἑστῶτα  standing 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Participle Active, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: ἵστημι  
Sense: to cause or make to stand, to place, put, set.
ἡλίῳ  sun 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: ἥλιος  
Sense: the sun.
ἔκραξεν  he  cried  out 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: κράζω  
Sense: to croak.
φωνῇ  a  voice 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: φωνή  
Sense: a sound, a tone.
μεγάλῃ  loud 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: μέγας  
Sense: great.
λέγων  saying 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: λέγω 
Sense: to say, to speak.
πᾶσιν  to  all 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Neuter Plural
Root: πᾶς  
Sense: individually.
ὀρνέοις  birds 
Parse: Noun, Dative Neuter Plural
Root: ὄρνεον  
Sense: a bird.
τοῖς  - 
Parse: Article, Dative Neuter Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
πετομένοις  flying 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle or Passive, Dative Neuter Plural
Root: πέτομαι  
Sense: to fly.
μεσουρανήματι  mid-heaven 
Parse: Noun, Dative Neuter Singular
Root: μεσουράνημα  
Sense: mid-heaven.
Δεῦτε  Come 
Parse: Verb, Imperative, 2nd Person Plural
Root: δεῦτε  
Sense: come hither, come here, come.
συνάχθητε  gather  yourselves 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Imperative Passive, 2nd Person Plural
Root: συνάγω  
Sense: to gather together, to gather.
εἰς  unto 
Parse: Preposition
Root: εἰς  
Sense: into, unto, to, towards, for, among.
δεῖπνον  supper 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: δεῖπνον 
Sense: supper, especially a formal meal usually held at the evening,.
τὸ  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
μέγα  great 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: μέγας  
Sense: great.
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.