The antennae of locusts are not hair, and, while they have hair on their legs, the comparison with the hair of women suggests hair on their heads. Perhaps the reference to hair like women"s, presumable long hair, is to convey their wildness. [source][source][source]
"An old Arab proverb is often quoted which says that the locust has a head like a horse, a breast like a lion, feet like a camel, a body like a serpent, and antennae like the hair of a maiden." [1][source]
Long hair in biblical times was a sign of glory, so perhaps they have some glory. Lion-like teeth denote voracity. [source][source][source]
Context Summary
Revelation 9:1-11 - "out Of The Smoke Of The Pit"
This chapter reminds us of the prophet Joel who, under the imagery of a swarm of locusts, depicted the coming invasion of hostile nations. Whether these warriors are intended for barbarian hordes which swept over the Roman Empire previous to its fall, or whether they represent the Saracens, between whose appearance and the details of this vision there is much in common, is not within our province to determine. The point which specially concerns us is that only those escaped who had received the imprint of God's seal. Of old the destroying angel passed over the houses, on the lintels of which the blood was visible.
But there are spiritual foes, against whose invasion we must seek the sealing of God's Spirit. "Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, in whom ye were sealed unto the day of redemption," Ephesians 4:30. What is impressed with the royal seal is under special protection; and when temptation assails you, you may assuredly claim that divine protection, which shall surround you as an impenetrable shield. "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them," Psalms 34:7. We fight not against flesh and blood, but against wicked spirits in heavenly places, and only the spiritual can secure for us immunity against the spiritual. [source]
Chapter Summary: Revelation 9
1At the sounding of the fifth angel, a star falls from heaven, to whom is given the key to the bottomless pit 2He opens the pit, and there come forth locusts like scorpions 12The first woe past 13The sixth trumpet sounds 14Four angels who were bound are let loose
Greek Commentary for Revelation 9:8
They had [ειχαν] Imperfect active, late form as in Mark 8:7 in place of the usual ειχον eichon hair of women That is long hair (1 Corinthians 11:15), with no reference to matters of sex at all, for αντρωπων anthrōpōn just before is used, not ανδρων andrōn (men as distinct from women). Perhaps the antennae of the locust were unusually long. [source]
As the teeth of lions [ως λεοντων] Supply οι οδοντες hoi odontes (the teeth) before λεοντων leontōn See Joel 1:6. The locust is voracious. [source]
Hair of women [] The antennae of the locust. There is said to be an Arabic proverb in which the antennae of locusts are compared to girls' hair. [source]
Greek Commentary for Revelation 9:8
Imperfect active, late form as in Mark 8:7 in place of the usual ειχον eichon hair of women That is long hair (1 Corinthians 11:15), with no reference to matters of sex at all, for αντρωπων anthrōpōn just before is used, not ανδρων andrōn (men as distinct from women). Perhaps the antennae of the locust were unusually long. [source]
Supply οι οδοντες hoi odontes (the teeth) before λεοντων leontōn See Joel 1:6. The locust is voracious. [source]
The antennae of the locust. There is said to be an Arabic proverb in which the antennae of locusts are compared to girls' hair. [source]
Compare Joel 1:6. [source]