Revelation 8:9

9 A third of the living creatures in the sea died. A third of the ships were destroyed.

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.

---

FOOTNOTES:

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

Revelation 8:9 In-Context

7 The first angel blew his trumpet. Hail and fire mixed with blood were thrown down on the earth. A third of the earth was burned up. A third of the trees were burned up. All the green grass was burned up.

8 The second angel blew his trumpet. Something that looked like a huge mountain on fire was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned into blood.

9 A third of the living creatures in the sea died. A third of the ships were destroyed.

10 The third angel blew his trumpet. Then a great star fell from the sky. It looked like a blazing torch. It fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water.

11 The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the water turned bitter. Many people died from it.