Revelation 8:9

9 And destruction came on a third part of the living things which were in the sea, and on a third part of the ships.

Revelation 8:9 Meaning and Commentary

Revelation 8:9

And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea,
&c.] The fishes; by whom men are meant, the inhabitants of the Roman empire; see ( Ezekiel 29:4 Ezekiel 29:5 ) , where by fish the Targum understands mighty princes and governors:

and had life, died;
were put to death by these savage and barbarous people, who killed all they met with, men, women, and children, young and old, rich and poor, high and low:

and the third part of the ships were destroyed;
by which may be designed either the cities and towns within such a part of the Roman jurisdiction, which were burnt or plundered by them; or their goods and effects, which they pillaged, and carried off the wealth and riches of the people, even all their substance, as Austin ^F16 and Jerom ^F17, who lived in those times, affirm.

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FOOTNOTES:

F16 De Civitate Dei, l. 1. c. 10. vid. L. Vivem in ib.
F17 Ad Eustochium.

Revelation 8:9 In-Context

7 And at the sounding of the first, a rain of ice and fire, mixed with blood, was sent on the earth: and a third part of the earth, and of the trees, and all green grass was burned up.

8 And at the sounding of the second angel, it was as if a great mountain burning with fire was sent into the sea: and a third part of the sea became blood,

9 And destruction came on a third part of the living things which were in the sea, and on a third part of the ships.

10 And at the sounding of the third angel, there went down from heaven a great star, burning like a flame, and it came on a third part of the rivers, and on the fountains of water.

11 And the name of the star is Wormwood: and a third part of the waters became bitter; and a number of men came to their end because of the waters, for they were made bitter.