King James Version

What Does Revelation 9:17 Mean?

Revelation 9:17 in the King James Version says “And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and bri... — study this verse from Revelation chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone.

Revelation 9:17 · KJV


Context

15

And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men. for an hour: or, at an hour

16

And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.

17

And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone.

18

By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.

19

For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The vision's vivid colors—fiery red, hyacinth blue, sulfur yellow—suggest judgment by fire and plague. The riders' breastplates and horses' heads breathing fire, smoke, and brimstone depict supernatural destructive power. These are judgment agents executing divine wrath. The imagery recalls Sodom's destruction (Genesis 19:24) and prophetic warnings of fire-judgment. Reformed theology interprets such apocalyptic imagery as symbolic representation of spiritual realities—demonic forces or divine judgment agents accomplishing God's decree. The vision emphasizes judgment's terrifying certainty for those rejecting Christ.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Colored breastplates signified military divisions in Roman armies. The supernatural elements elevated natural warfare to cosmic conflict. First-century believers facing persecution needed assurance that earthly armies, however powerful, were merely pawns in divine judgment. Rome itself would face God's wrath if impenitent.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does recognizing that military powers serve divine purposes (even unknowingly) affect your view of geopolitical events?
  2. What does the supernatural destructive power warn about judgment's severity for those outside Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 39 words
καὶ1 of 39

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

οὕτως2 of 39

thus

G3779

in this way (referring to what precedes or follows)

εἶδον3 of 39

I saw

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

τοὺς4 of 39
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἵππων5 of 39

of the horses

G2462

a horse

ἐν6 of 39

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῇ7 of 39
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὁράσει8 of 39

the vision

G3706

the act of gazing, i.e., (externally) an aspect or (internally) an inspired appearance

καὶ9 of 39

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τοὺς10 of 39
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

καθημένους11 of 39

them that sat

G2521

and ???? (to sit; akin to the base of g1476); to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside

ἐπ'12 of 39

on

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

αὐτῶν13 of 39

their

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἔχοντας14 of 39

having

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

θώρακας15 of 39

breastplates

G2382

the chest ("thorax"), i.e., (by implication) a corslet

πυρίνους16 of 39

of fire

G4447

fiery, i.e., (by implication) flaming

καὶ17 of 39

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ὑακινθίνους18 of 39

of jacinth

G5191

"hyacinthine" or "jacinthine", i.e., deep blue

καὶ19 of 39

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

θειώδεις20 of 39

brimstone

G2306

sulphur-like, i.e., sulphurous

καὶ21 of 39

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

αἱ22 of 39
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κεφαλαὶ23 of 39

the heads

G2776

the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figuratively

τῶν24 of 39
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἵππων25 of 39

of the horses

G2462

a horse

ὡς26 of 39

were as

G5613

which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)

κεφαλαὶ27 of 39

the heads

G2776

the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figuratively

λεόντων28 of 39

of lions

G3023

a "lion"

καὶ29 of 39

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐκ30 of 39

out of

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

τῶν31 of 39
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

στομάτων32 of 39

mouths

G4750

the mouth (as if a gash in the face); by implication, language (and its relations); figuratively, an opening (in the earth); specially, the front or e

αὐτῶν33 of 39

their

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἐκπορεύεται34 of 39

issued

G1607

to depart, be discharged, proceed, project

πῦρ35 of 39

fire

G4442

"fire" (literally or figuratively, specially, lightning)

καὶ36 of 39

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

καπνὸς37 of 39

smoke

G2586

smoke

καὶ38 of 39

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

θεῖον39 of 39

brimstone

G2303

sulphur


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Revelation. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Revelation 9:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Revelation 9:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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