New International Versiona third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.
New Living Translationone-third of all things living in the sea died, and one-third of all the ships on the sea were destroyed.
English Standard VersionA third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.
Berean Standard Biblea third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.
Berean Literal Bibleand a third of the creatures having life in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.
King James BibleAnd the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.
New King James VersionAnd a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.
New American Standard Bibleand a third of the creatures which were in the sea and had life, died; and a third of the ships were destroyed.
NASB 1995and a third of the creatures which were in the sea and had life, died; and a third of the ships were destroyed.
NASB 1977and a third of the creatures, which were in the sea and had life, died; and a third of the ships were destroyed.
Legacy Standard Bibleand a third of the creatures which were in the sea—those which had life—died; and a third of the ships were destroyed.
Amplified Bibleand a third of the living creatures that were in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.
Christian Standard Biblea third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.
Holman Christian Standard Biblea third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.
American Standard Versionand there died the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, even they that had life; and the third part of the ships was destroyed.
Contemporary English Versiona third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.
English Revised Versionand there died the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, even they that had life; and the third part of the ships was destroyed.
GOD'S WORD® Translationone-third of the creatures that were living in the sea died, and one-third of the ships were destroyed.
Good News Translationa third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.
International Standard Versionone-third of the creatures that were living in the sea died, and one-third of the ships was destroyed.
NET Bibleand a third of the creatures living in the sea died, and a third of the ships were completely destroyed.
New Heart English Bibleand one third of the living creatures which were in the sea died. One third of the ships were destroyed.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.
Weymouth New TestamentAnd a third part of the creatures that were in the sea--those that had life--died; and a third part of the ships were destroyed. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Biblea third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.
World English Bibleand one third of the living creatures which were in the sea died. One third of the ships were destroyed. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand the third of the creatures that [are] in the sea died, those having life, and the third of the ships were destroyed.
Berean Literal Bibleand a third of the creatures having life in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.
Young's Literal Translation and die did the third of the creatures that are in the sea, those having life, and the third of the ships were destroyed.
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd the third of the creatures which in the sea, died, those having souls; and the third of the ships were destroyed. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the third part of those creatures died, which had life in the sea, and the third part of the ships was destroyed.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd a third part of the creatures that were living in the sea died. And a third part of the ships were destroyed.
New American Biblea third of the creatures living in the sea died, and a third of the ships were wrecked.
New Revised Standard VersionA third of the sea became blood, a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishAnd a third of all creatures that were in the Sea that had breath, died, and a third of ships was destroyed. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd the third part of the creatures that were in the sea, that had life, died: and the third part of the ships was destroyed.
Godbey New Testament
and the third of the creatures which were in the sea, those having life, died; and the third part of the ships was destroyed.
Haweis New Testament
and a third part of the creatures having life, which are in the sea, died; and a third part of the ships was destroyed.
Mace New Testament
and the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.
Weymouth New Testament
And a third part of the creatures that were in the sea--those that had life--died; and a third part of the ships were destroyed.
Worrell New Testament
and the third part of the creatures whichwere in the sea, that had souls, died; and the third part of the ships was destroyed.
Worsley New Testament
And a third part of the creatures in the sea, that had life, died; and a third part of the ships were destroyed.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The First Four Trumpets… 8Then the second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned to blood, 9athirdof thelivingcreaturesintheseadied,andathirdof theshipswere destroyed.10Then the third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star burning like a torch fell from heaven and landed on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water.…
Cross References Exodus 7:20-21Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD had commanded; in the presence of Pharaoh and his officials, Aaron raised the staff and struck the water of the Nile, and all the water was turned to blood. / The fish in the Nile died, and the river smelled so bad that the Egyptians could not drink its water. And there was blood throughout the land of Egypt.
Ezekiel 47:8-9And he said to me, “This water flows out to the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah. When it empties into the Dead Sea, the water there becomes fresh. / Wherever the river flows, there will be swarms of living creatures and a great number of fish, because it flows there and makes the waters fresh; so wherever the river flows, everything will flourish.
Zephaniah 1:3“I will sweep away man and beast; I will sweep away the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, and the idols with their wicked worshipers. I will cut off mankind from the face of the earth,” declares the LORD.
Hosea 4:3Therefore the land mourns, and all who dwell in it will waste away with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air; even the fish of the sea disappear.
Isaiah 2:16against every ship of Tarshish, and against every stately vessel.
Jeremiah 51:42The sea has come up over Babylon; she is covered in turbulent waves.
Psalm 105:29He turned their waters to blood and caused their fish to die.
Psalm 107:23-30Others went out to sea in ships, conducting trade on the mighty waters. / They saw the works of the LORD, and His wonders in the deep. / For He spoke and raised a tempest that lifted the waves of the sea. ...
Isaiah 23:1-14This is the burden against Tyre: Wail, O ships of Tarshish, for Tyre is laid waste, without house or harbor. Word has reached them from the land of Cyprus. / Be silent, O dwellers of the coastland, you merchants of Sidon, whose traders have crossed the sea. / On the great waters came the grain of Shihor; the harvest of the Nile was the revenue of Tyre; she was the merchant of the nations. ...
Isaiah 24:1-6Behold, the LORD lays waste the earth and leaves it in ruins. He will twist its surface and scatter its inhabitants— / people and priest alike, servant and master, maid and mistress, buyer and seller, lender and borrower, creditor and debtor. / The earth will be utterly laid waste and thoroughly plundered. For the LORD has spoken this word. ...
Isaiah 50:2Why was no one there when I arrived? Why did no one answer when I called? Is My hand too short to redeem you? Or do I lack the strength to deliver you? Behold, My rebuke dries up the sea; I turn the rivers into a desert; the fish rot for lack of water and die of thirst.
Jeremiah 46:7-8Who is this, rising like the Nile, like rivers whose waters churn? / Egypt rises like the Nile, and its waters churn like rivers, boasting, ‘I will rise and cover the earth; I will destroy the cities and their people.’
Jeremiah 47:2This is what the LORD says: “See how the waters are rising from the north and becoming an overflowing torrent. They will overflow the land and its fullness, the cities and their inhabitants. The people will cry out, and all who dwell in the land will wail
Nahum 1:4He rebukes the sea and dries it up; He makes all the rivers run dry. Bashan and Carmel wither, and the flower of Lebanon wilts.
Matthew 8:24-27Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was engulfed by the waves. But Jesus was sleeping. / The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” / “You of little faith,” Jesus replied, “why are you so afraid?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it was perfectly calm. ...
Treasury of Scripture And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed. the third part of the creatures. Revelation 8:7,10,12 The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up… Revelation 16:3 And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a deadman: and every living soul died in the sea. Exodus 7:21 And the fish thatwas in the river died; and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river; and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt. the ships. Psalm 48:7 Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind. Isaiah 2:16 And upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures. Isaiah 23:1 The burden of Tyre. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in: from the land of Chittim it is revealed to them. Jump to Previous BloodCreaturesDestroyedDestructionDieDiedLifePartSeaShipsThirdJump to Next BloodCreaturesDestroyedDestructionDieDiedLifePartSeaShipsThirdRevelation 8 1.At the opening of the seventh seal,2.Seven angels have seven trumpets given them.6.Four of them sound their trumpets and great plagues follow.9.Another angel puts incense to the prayers of the saints on the golden altar.a third of the living creatures in the sea diedThis phrase indicates a significant ecological disaster, affecting marine life. The "third" symbolizes a partial judgment, not total destruction, reflecting God's mercy even in judgment. The sea, often representing chaos and the unknown in biblical literature, is a source of life and sustenance. The death of a third of its creatures signifies a severe disruption in the natural order. This echoes the plagues of Egypt (Exodus 7-12), where natural elements were used as instruments of divine judgment. The impact on marine life also recalls the prophecy in Hosea 4:3, where the land mourns and creatures perish due to human sin. This event foreshadows the ultimate renewal of creation, as seen in Revelation 21:1, where a new heaven and earth are established. and a third of the ships were destroyed
The destruction of a third of the ships suggests economic and commercial upheaval, as ships were vital for trade and transportation in the ancient world. This would have had a profound impact on the Roman Empire, which relied heavily on maritime commerce. The imagery of ships being destroyed can be linked toEzekiel 27, where the fall of Tyre, a major trading city, is lamented. This serves as a warning against placing trust in economic power and human achievement. The destruction of ships also symbolizes the fragility of human endeavors in the face of divine sovereignty. In a broader eschatological context, this event points to the ultimate judgment and the establishment of God's kingdom, where earthly systems are replaced by divine order. Persons / Places / Events 1. Living Creatures in the SeaThis refers to the marine life that is affected by the judgment described in this passage. The death of a third of these creatures signifies a significant ecological disaster. 2. ShipsThe destruction of a third of the ships indicates a major impact on commerce and trade, as ships were the primary means of transporting goods across the seas during biblical times. 3. The SeaSymbolically, the sea often represents chaos and the unknown in biblical literature. Here, it is the setting for divine judgment. 4. The Trumpet JudgmentsThis event is part of the series of trumpet judgments in Revelation, which are divine actions meant to bring about repentance and demonstrate God's sovereignty. 5. John the ApostleThe author of Revelation, who received these visions while exiled on the island of Patmos. Teaching Points Divine Judgment and SovereigntyThe passage highlights God's control over creation and His ability to use it for judgment. Believers are reminded of the importance of living in reverence and obedience to God. Environmental StewardshipWhile this passage speaks of divine judgment, it also serves as a reminder of the fragility of creation. Christians are called to be stewards of the earth, caring for it as part of God's creation. Economic Dependence and Trust in GodThe destruction of ships signifies a blow to economic systems. Believers are encouraged to place their trust in God rather than in material wealth or economic stability. Call to RepentanceThe trumpet judgments are meant to lead people to repentance. This passage serves as a call for self-examination and turning back to God. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Revelation 8:9?
2.What does Revelation 8:9 reveal about God's judgment on creation?
3.How can Revelation 8:9 deepen our understanding of God's sovereignty?
4.What Old Testament events parallel the destruction in Revelation 8:9?
5.How should Revelation 8:9 influence our stewardship of God's creation today?
6.What personal changes should we consider in light of Revelation 8:9's warnings?
7.What does Revelation 8:9 symbolize in the context of end-times prophecy?
8.How does Revelation 8:9 relate to the overall theme of divine judgment?
9.What historical events might Revelation 8:9 be referencing or predicting?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Revelation 8?
11.What are Revelation's seven trumpets?
12.What does it mean for God to be Creator?
13.How could a serpent physically speak to Eve (Genesis 3:1)?
14.Why do biblical texts include myths like the Leviathan and Behemoth?What Does Revelation 8:9 Mean Revelation 8:9: “a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.”
A third of the living creatures in the sea died• The second trumpet (Revelation 8:8-9) unleashes a judgment that is both literal and catastrophic: one-third of all marine life will perish. • Similar partial judgments have happened before, showing God’s pattern of warning before final judgment—think of the Nile turning to blood and killing fish (Exodus 7:20-21), or prophetic previews of earthwide animal death (Hosea 4:3;Zephaniah 1:3). • The “third” signals that this is severe yet still restrained; there is time for repentance before the bowls that will devastate everything (Revelation 16:3). • The death of sea creatures strikes food supplies, ecosystems, and global stability, fulfilling Jesus’ words about “roaring of the sea and the waves” as signs of the end (Luke 21:25). • Creation’s groaning (Romans 8:22) intensifies here, reminding us that the earth itself is caught up in the consequences of human sin.
A third of the ships were destroyed• The same fiery mass that poisons the sea also ruins maritime commerce and transportation. In a single blow, one-third of the world’s ships—military, cargo, fishing—are gone. • Scripture often links divine judgment with economic collapse at sea: Tyre’s mercantile fleet shattered (Ezekiel 27:25-27), sailors reeling in a storm (Psalm 107:23-27), and the lament over Babylon when “all shipmasters… cried out” (Revelation 18:17-19). • Modern economies rely on shipping lanes; this judgment will cripple trade, inflate costs, and spread panic. • God’s sovereignty is clear—no human power can shield even high-tech fleets from His decreed judgment (Job 9:8;Psalm 89:9). • Yet the partial nature (“a third”) again reveals mercy mixed with wrath, urging nations to turn while there is still opportunity (2 Peter 3:9).
summaryRevelation 8:9 foretells a literal, divinely directed disaster during the second trumpet: one-third of marine life will die and one-third of the world’s ships will be destroyed. These judgments mirror past biblical plagues, demonstrate God’s controlled yet severe wrath, disrupt food and commerce, and serve as a merciful warning before the final, total judgments that follow.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek aτὸ(to)Article - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.thirdτρίτον(triton)Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5154:Third. Ordinal from treis; third; neuter a third part, or a third time, thirdly.of theτῶν(tōn)Article - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.livingψυχάς(psychas)Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 5590:From psucho; breath, i.e. spirit, abstractly or concretely.creaturesκτισμάτων(ktismatōn)Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 2938:A created thing, a creature. From ktizo; an original formation, i.e. Product.inἐν(en)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.theτῇ(tē)Article - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.seaθαλάσσῃ(thalassē)Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2281:Probably prolonged from hals; the sea.died,ἀπέθανεν(apethanen)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 599:To be dying, be about to die, wither, decay. From apo and thnesko; to die off.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.aτὸ(to)Article - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.thirdτρίτον(triton)Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5154:Third. Ordinal from treis; third; neuter a third part, or a third time, thirdly.of theτῶν(tōn)Article - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.shipsπλοίων(ploiōn)Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 4143:A ship, vessel, boat. From pleo; a sailer, i.e. Vessel.were destroyed.διεφθάρησαν(diephtharēsan)Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1311:To destroy, waste; hence met: I corrupt. From diaballo and phtheiro; to rot thoroughly, i.e. to ruin.
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NT Prophecy: Revelation 8:9 And one third of the living creatures (Rev. Re Apocalypse) |
