Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

Revelation 9:3,4

The dense smoke resolves itself into a swarm of infernal demons in the form of locusts but rendered more formidable by their additional power of stinging like scorpions. Instead of preying on their natural food (Exodus 10:15), already plagued (Revelation 8:7) they are let loose upon men unmarked by the Divine seal (though the expected blast of winds is dropped), the idea being similar to that reproduced in Ps. Sol. 13:1 3, 4, 5, 15:1, 9 (see above, on Revelation 8:3). The nations under command of Holofernes (Judges 2:20) are also likened by the Jewish romancer to a swarm of innumerable locusts; and from the mouth of the beast in Hermas issue ἀκρίσες πύριναι to persecute the virgin church. Josephus, too, compares the army of Simeon to locusts (B. J. iv. 9 7). Why are trees (Revelation 7:1) exempted? For the reason suggested in Ps. Sol. 11:6, 7?

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Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

Revelation 9:3,4

Old Testament

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