Revelation 8:11

11 (The name of the star is "Bitterness.") A third of the water turned bitter, and many people died from drinking the water, because it had turned bitter. ¹

Revelation 8:11 Meaning and Commentary

Revelation 8:11

And the name of the star is called Wormwood
Because of the bitter afflictions, sorrows, and distresses which it was the instrument of; just as Naomi called herself Mara, because the Almighty had dealt bitterly with her, ( Ruth 1:20 ) ;

and the third part of the waters became wormwood;
that is, the inhabitants of the provinces and cities belonging to the Roman empire were afflicted with grievous and bitter afflictions and calamities; so great distresses are called wormwood, and waters of gall given to drink, ( Jeremiah 9:15 ) ( Lamentations 3:19 ) ;

and many men died of the waters, because they were bitter;
through the barbarities and cruelties of these savage people, who afflicted the empire: there seems to be an allusion to ( Exodus 15:23 ) .

Revelation 8:11 In-Context

9 a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.

10 Then the third angel blew his trumpet. A large star, burning like a torch, dropped from the sky and fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water.

11 (The name of the star is "Bitterness.") A third of the water turned bitter, and many people died from drinking the water, because it had turned bitter.

12 Then the fourth angel blew his trumpet. A third of the sun was struck, and a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that their light lost a third of its brightness; there was no light during a third of the day and a third of the night also.

13 Then I looked, and I heard an eagle that was flying high in the air say in a loud voice, "O horror! horror! How horrible it will be for all who live on earth when the sound comes from the trumpets that the other three angels must blow!"

Cross References

• 1. 8.11Jeremiah 9.15.