Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
9:3-4 The locusts . . . from the smoke with their power to sting like scorpions are fiercer than those of the Egyptian plague (see Exod 10:14-15). Rather than eating plants, these locusts are like stinging scorpions that viciously attack people. Only people without the seal of God (see Rev 7:1-8) receive this painful judgment. While the stings cause painful torture, they are not life-threatening (9:5-6).
Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
9:3-4 The locusts . . . from the smoke with their power to sting like scorpions are fiercer than those of the Egyptian plague (see Exod 10:14-15). Rather than eating plants, these locusts are like stinging scorpions that viciously attack people. Only people without the seal of God (see Rev 7:1-8) receive this painful judgment. While the stings cause painful torture, they are not life-threatening (9:5-6).
Literal English (YLT)ⓘYoung's Literal Translation (1862) — mirrors the original word order and idiom as closely as English grammar allows. It reads awkwardly on purpose: the goal is to show you the structure of the original language, not smooth English prose.Young's Literal Translation (1862) — mirrors the original word order and idiom as closely as English grammar allows. It reads awkwardly on purpose: the goal is to show you the structure of the original language, not smooth English prose.
And out of the smoke came forth locusts to the earth, and there was given to them authority, as scorpions of the earth have authority,
Greek (New Testament)ⓘA Greek New Testament text — koine (common) Greek, the everyday language the New Testament was originally written in.A Greek New Testament text — koine (common) Greek, the everyday language the New Testament was originally written in.
και εκ του καπνου εξηλθον ακριδες εις την γην και εδοθη αυταις εξουσια ως εχουσιν εξουσιαν οι σκορπιοι της γης
King James Versionⓘ
King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
American Standard VersionⓘAmerican Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.American Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.
And out of the smoke came forth locusts upon the earth; and power was given them, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
World English BibleⓘWorld English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.World English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.
Then out of the smoke came locusts on the earth, and power was given to them, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
Bible in Basic EnglishⓘBible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.Bible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.
And from the smoke locusts came out on the earth; and power was given them, like the power of scorpions.