King James Version

What Does Revelation 9:19 Mean?

Revelation 9:19 in the King James Version says “For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with ...” — study this verse from Revelation chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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.”

Revelation 9:19 · KJV

Context

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.

20

And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:

21

Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.

Read Revelation 9 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The dual threat—mouths and serpent-like tails—indicates comprehensive danger from these judgment agents. Mouths issuing plagues suggest proclamations or teachings, while tails with serpent heads recall the serpent's deception (Genesis 3). This combination warns of both frontal assault (direct false teaching) and rear attack (subtle deception). Reformed theology recognizes that false doctrine both openly contradicts truth and subtly undermines it. The imagery emphasizes vigilance—spiritual threats come from multiple directions, requiring comprehensive doctrinal awareness and discernment.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Serpents symbolized deception and evil in Jewish thought. Two-headed danger would communicate total vulnerability to attack. In an era of competing religious and philosophical systems, this imagery warned believers that deception could come through respected sources (mouths/teachings) and unexpected sources (tail attacks/subtle infiltration).

Reflection Questions

  1. How can you develop discernment to recognize both obvious false teaching (mouths) and subtle deception (tails)?
  2. What areas of your spiritual life might be vulnerable to 'tail' attacks—unexpected or neglected areas where error creeps in?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 26 words
ἡ1 of 26
G3588

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

γὰρ2 of 26

“For”

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

ἐξουσία3 of 26

“power”

G1849

privilege, i.e., (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token o

αὐταῖς4 of 26

“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

ἐν5 of 26

“in”

G1722

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

τῷ6 of 26
G3588

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

στόματι7 of 26

“mouth”

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

αὐταῖς8 of 26

“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

εἰσιν,9 of 26

“is”

G1526

they are

καὶ10 of 26

“and”

G2532

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

ἐν11 of 26

“in”

G1722

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

ταῖς12 of 26
G3588

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

οὐραὶ13 of 26

“tails”

G3769

a tail

αὐταῖς14 of 26

“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

αἱ15 of 26
G3588

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

γὰρ16 of 26

“For”

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

οὐραὶ17 of 26

“tails”

G3769

a tail

αὐταῖς18 of 26

“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

ὅμοιαι19 of 26

“were like”

G3664

similar (in appearance or character)

ὄφεσιν,20 of 26

“unto serpents”

G3789

a snake, figuratively, (as a type of sly cunning) an artful malicious person, especially satan

ἔχουσαι21 of 26

“and had”

G2192

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

κεφαλάς,22 of 26

“heads”

G2776

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

καὶ23 of 26

“and”

G2532

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

ἐν24 of 26

“in”

G1722

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

αὐταῖς25 of 26

“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

ἀδικοῦσιν.26 of 26

“they do hurt”

G91

to be unjust, i.e., (actively) do wrong (morally, socially or physically)

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 9:19 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 9:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Revelation 9:10Isaiah 9:15Ephesians 4:14

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