Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadHeinrich Meyer Commentary - Revelation 16:10 - 16:11
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Rev_16:10-11. The fifth vial, poured upon the throne of the beast, brings an eclipse over his entire realm. This increase of sorrows also works upon the impenitent inhabitants of the earth in such a way that they blaspheme God.
ἐπὶ τὸν θρόνον τοῦ θηρίου . The throne of the beast beheld in definite reality (Rev_13:2), the actual centre of his entire kingdom, is here meant; incorrect are all interpretations[3706] which explain away the concrete clearness of the presentation.[3707]
καὶ ἐγένετο ἡ βασιλεία αὐτοῦ ἐσκοτωμένη , cf. Exo_10:21 sqq.; Psa_105:28. Even in this special circumstance is the plague like the Egyptian, in that this darkness is produced not by an injury to the sun,[3708] but by an immediate miraculous act.[3709] By the expression ἐσκοτωμ . an external eclipse must be considered, so that the plague is homogeneous with those of the preceding vials. The false interpretation of the ἐσκοτωμ . in Grot.,[3710] Calov., Vitr., Hengstenb., etc., coincides with the allegorical view of the whole.[3711] For the correct understanding of the ἐσκοτωμ ., it follows of itself that ἡ βασιλεία αὐτ . can designate not the rulership,[3712] but only the kingdom of the beast considered according to its geographical extent.
καὶ ἐμασῶντο τὰς γλώσσας , κ . τ . λ . “And they gnawed their tongues.” Andr., very properly: “The gnawing of the tongues shows the excess of the pain.” The text itself gives the explanation: ἐκ τοῦ πονόυ .[3713] The darkness causes a peculiar pain, because of its character as a plague. This particular ΠΌΝΟς , however, is, according to Rev_16:11, to be thought of in connection with the plagues produced by the preceding vials ( ΤῶΝ ΠΌΝΩΝ ΑὐΤ .), among which the first is still expressly emphasized: ΚΑῚ ἘΚ ΤῶΝ ἙΛΚῶΝ ΑὐΤ . The horrible darkness makes the other sufferings—identified by Hengstenb. with the darkness which he understands figuratively—still more oppressive and comfortless; for the last plagues also[3714] are, in comparison with the seal- and trumpet-plagues, so dreadfully increased, because, while the former plagues came successively, these vial-plagues occur in such a way that the one is combined with the other. During the fifth vial-plague, at all events the first, and without doubt the second and third, are still continuing. The fourth (Rev_16:8) is naturally not to be regarded in connection with the fifth; but under the fourth, we are expressly referred to all the preceding plagues (Rev_16:9 : ΤᾺς ΠΛΗΓ . ΤΑΎΤ .).
ΤῸΝ ΘΕῸΝ ΤΟῦ ΟὐΡΑΝΟῦ . Cf. Rev_11:13. The designation has here a reference as in Rev_16:9 the ΤΟῦ ἜΧ . ἘΞΟΥΣ ., Κ . Τ . Λ .
ΜΕΤΕΝ . ἘΚ Τ . ἜΡΓ . ΑὐΤ . Cf. Rev_9:20 sq.
[3706] In violation also of the analogy of Rev_16:2-4; Rev_16:8.
[3707] Against C. a Lap.: “Upon the kingdom and subjects of antichrist,” etc.
[3708] Cf. Rev_16:8 sqq.
[3709] De Wette.
[3710] The Roman dominion lost much of its pristine splendor.
[3711] Cf. on Rev_16:21.
[3712] Hengstenb. Cf. Grot.
[3713] Cf., on the ἐκ , Rev_16:11; Rev_16:21. Winer, p. 347.
[3714] Rev_15:1.