Revelation 8:9

9 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.

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 The first blew his trumpet; and there came hail and fire, mixed with blood, falling upon the earth; and a third part of the earth was burnt up, and a third part of the trees and all the green grass.

8 The second angel blew his trumpet; and what seemed to be a great mountain, all ablaze with fire, was hurled into the sea; and a third part of the sea was turned into blood.

9 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.

10 The third angel blew his trumpet; and there fell from Heaven a great star, which was on fire like a torch. It fell upon a third part of the rivers and upon the springs of water.

11 The name of the star is `Wormwood;' and a third part of the waters were turned into wormwood, and vast numbers of the people died from drinking the water, because it had become bitter.