Revelation 8:9

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

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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 [angel] blew his trumpet, and hail and fire, mixed with blood, were hurled to the earth. So a third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.

8 The second angel blew his trumpet, and something like a great mountain ablaze with fire was hurled into the sea. So a third of the sea became blood,

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

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

11 The name of the star is Wormwood, and a third of the waters became wormwood. So, many of the people died from the waters, because they had been made bitter.