Revelation 16: A veiled look at the seven vile bowl judgments

*G5357 *12 φιάλη (fee-al'-ay) : of uncertain affinity; a broad shallow cup ("phial"):--vial.

Words: φιαλας=5 φιαλην=7

The ancient Greek word "φιάλη" ≈ "round and shallow bowl, saucer, pan". A synonym is the ancient Greek word "ἄρακις" ≈ "bowl, pan" (not in the GNT (Greek New Testament) or LXX (Septuagint)).

This word appears 12 times in the GNT, all in Revelation, and (at least) 33 times in the LXX.

*G5357 *12 φιάλη (fee-al'-ay) : of uncertain affinity; a broad shallow cup ("phial"):--vial.

Usage

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φιαλην *7

Revelation 16:2 ... and poured out his vial upon the earth; and ...
Revelation 16:3 ... angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and ...
Revelation 16:4 ... angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and ...
Revelation 16:8 ... angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and ...
Revelation 16:10 ... angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; ...
Revelation 16:12 ... angel poured out his vial upon the great river ...
Revelation 16:17 ... angel poured out his vial into the air; and ...

φιαλας *5

Revelation 5:8 ... one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which ...
Revelation 15:7 ... angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, ...
Revelation 16:1 ... Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.
Revelation 17:1 ... angels which had the seven vials, and talked with ...
Revelation 21:9 ... angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last ...

Revelation 16:1 And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. [kjv]

και ηκουσα μεγαλης φωνης εκ του ναου λεγουσης τοις επτα αγγελοις υπαγετε και εκχεετε τας επτα φιαλας του θυμου του θεου εις την γην [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "θυμός" ≈ "soul, life, breath, desire, passion, anger, wrath". The meaning of "wrath" is one of many meanings of the word and not a primary meaning.

Revelation 16:1

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KJV: And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.

Greek: και ηκουσα φωνης μεγαλης φωνης εκ του ναου λεγουσης τοις επτα αγγελοις υπαγετε και εκχεατε εκχεετε τας επτα φιαλας του θυμου του θεου εις την γην

Revelation 16:2 And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image. [kjv]

και απηλθεν ο πρωτος και εξεχεεν την φιαλην αυτου εις την γην και εγενετο ελκος κακον και πονηρον επι τους ανθρωπους τους εχοντας το χαραγμα του θηριου και τους προσκυνουντας τη εικονι αυτου [gnt]

Revelation 16:2

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KJV: And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.

Greek: και απηλθεν ο πρωτος και εξεχεεν την φιαλην αυτου επι εις την γην και εγενετο ελκος κακον και πονηρον εις επι τους ανθρωπους τους εχοντας το χαραγμα του θηριου και τους προσκυνουντας τη εικονι αυτου προσκυνουντας

Revelation 16:3 And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea. [kjv]

και ο δευτερος εξεχεεν την φιαλην αυτου εις την θαλασσαν και εγενετο αιμα ως νεκρου και πασα ψυχη ζωης απεθανεν τα εν τη θαλασση [gnt]

Revelation 16:3

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KJV: And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.

Greek: και ο δευτερος αγγελος εξεχεεν την φιαλην αυτου εις την θαλασσαν και εγενετο αιμα ως νεκρου και πασα ψυχη ζωσα ζωης απεθανεν τα εν τη θαλασση

Revelation 16:4 And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood. [kjv]

και ο τριτος εξεχεεν την φιαλην αυτου εις τους ποταμους και τας πηγας των υδατων και εγενετο αιμα [gnt]

What type of "rivers" and "water" could cause a house built on "sand" to collapse?

Could such "rivers" and "water" that cause destruction from the "wind" of the Holy Spirit? How about the corresponding Avenger of Blood?

More: Building a house on sand continued

Revelation 16:4

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KJV: And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.

Greek: και ο τριτος αγγελος εξεχεεν την φιαλην αυτου εις τους ποταμους και εις τας πηγας των υδατων και εγενετο αιμα

Revelation 16:5 And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus. [kjv]

και ηκουσα του αγγελου των υδατων λεγοντος δικαιος ει ο ων και ο ην ο οσιος οτι ταυτα εκρινας [gnt]

Revelation 16:5

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KJV: And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus.

Greek: και ηκουσα του αγγελου των υδατων λεγοντος δικαιος κυριε ει ο ων και ο ην και ο οσιος οτι ταυτα εκρινας

Revelation 16:6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy. [kjv]

οτι αιμα αγιων και προφητων εξεχεαν και αιμα αυτοις δεδωκας δεδωκας πειν αξιοι εισιν [gnt]

Revelation 16:6

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KJV: For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.

Greek: οτι αιμα αγιων και προφητων εξεχεαν και αιμα αυτοις εδωκας πιειν δεδωκας δεδωκας πειν αξιοι γαρ εισιν

Revelation 16:7 And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments. [kjv]

και ηκουσα του θυσιαστηριου λεγοντος ναι κυριε ο θεος ο παντοκρατωρ αληθιναι και δικαιαι αι κρισεις σου [gnt]

Revelation 16:7

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KJV: And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.

Greek: και ηκουσα αλλου εκ του θυσιαστηριου λεγοντος ναι κυριε ο θεος ο παντοκρατωρ αληθιναι και δικαιαι αι κρισεις σου

Revelation 16:8 And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. [kjv]

και ο τεταρτος εξεχεεν την φιαλην αυτου επι τον ηλιον και εδοθη αυτω καυματισαι τους ανθρωπους εν πυρι [gnt]

Revelation 16:8

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KJV: And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.

Greek: και ο τεταρτος αγγελος εξεχεεν την φιαλην αυτου επι τον ηλιον και εδοθη αυτω καυματισαι τους ανθρωπους εν πυρι

Revelation 16:9 And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory. [kjv]

και εκαυματισθησαν οι ανθρωποι καυμα μεγα και εβλασφημησαν το ονομα του θεου του εχοντος την εξουσιαν επι τας πληγας ταυτας και ου μετενοησαν δουναι αυτω δοξαν [gnt]

More: Speaking evil in a famous way

Revelation 16:9

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KJV: And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.

Greek: και εκαυματισθησαν οι ανθρωποι καυμα μεγα και εβλασφημησαν το ονομα του θεου του εχοντος την εξουσιαν επι τας πληγας ταυτας και ου μετενοησαν δουναι αυτω δοξαν

Latin: et aestuaverunt homines aestu magno et blasphemaverunt nomen Dei habentis potestatem super has plagas neque egerunt paenitentiam ut darent illi gloriam

Wycliffe: And men swaliden with greet heete, and blasfemyden the name of God hauynge power on these plagis, nether thei diden penaunce, that thei schulden yyue glorie to hym.

Tyndale: And the men raged in gret heate and spake evyll of the name of God which had power over those plages and they repented not to geve him glory.

Revelation 16:10 And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, [kjv]

και ο πεμπτος εξεχεεν την φιαλην αυτου επι τον θρονον του θηριου και εγενετο η βασιλεια αυτου εσκοτωμενη και εμασωντο τας γλωσσας αυτων εκ του πονου [gnt]

In the GNT, this Greek word is translated as "pain" and not as work or toil which is usually more like "fatigue" than "pain".

Consider the following verses that use this Greek word. Might each verse make more or less sense if "toil" or "work" is substituted for "pain"?

More: Evil training is toilsome work: no pain no gain

The ancient Greek word "πόνος" ≈ "work, toil" and is cognate with the ancient Greek word "πένομαι" ≈ "to exert oneself". The modern Greek word "πόνος" (PO-nos) ≈ "pain, ache".
Complaint department

The modern Greek word "παράπονο" (pa-RA-po-no) ≈ "whine, complaint" and which means, literally, "beyond the pain".
Notice: The deadline for complaints was yesterday.

Wine and cheese party: Would you like some whine with your cheese?

Hebrews chapters 11 and 12 are about this topic of "No pain. No gain.".

More: Going beyond the prefix para

More: Evil training is toilsome work: no pain no gain

Revelation 16:10

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KJV: And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,

Greek: και ο πεμπτος αγγελος εξεχεεν την φιαλην αυτου επι τον θρονον του θηριου και εγενετο η βασιλεια αυτου εσκοτωμενη και εμασσωντο εμασωντο τας γλωσσας αυτων εκ του πονου

Latin: et quintus effudit fialam suam super sedem bestiae et factum est regnum eius tenebrosum et conmanducaverunt linguas suas prae dolore

Wycliffe: And the fifte aungel schedde out his viol on the seete of the beeste, and his kyngdom was maad derk; and thei eten togidere her tungis for sorewe,

Tyndale: And the fifte angell poured out his vyall apon the seate of the beste and his kyngdome wexed derke and they gnewe their tonges for sorowe

Luther: Und der fünfte Engel goß aus seine Schale auf den Stuhl des Tieres. Und sein Reich ward verfinstert; und sie zerbissen ihre Zungen vor Schmerzen

Spanish: Y el quintoángel derramó su copa sobre la silla de la bestia; y su reino se cubrió de tinieblas, y se mordían sus lenguas de dolor;

Portuguese: Quando o quinto anjo derramou a sua taça sobre o trono da Besta, o seu reino cobriu-se de trevas, os homens mordiam de dor as suas línguas

Revelation 16:11 And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds. [kjv]

και εβλασφημησαν τον θεον του ουρανου εκ των πονων αυτων και εκ των ελκων αυτων και ου μετενοησαν εκ των εργων αυτων [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "ἕλκος" ≈ "wound, injury" and could be a cut in a tree. This word is related to the Latin word "ulcus" ≈ "sore, ulcer,wound".

The modern Greek word "έλκος" (EHL-kos) ≈ "ulcer".

Revelation 16:11

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KJV: And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.

Greek: και εβλασφημησαν τον θεον του ουρανου εκ των πονων αυτων και εκ των ελκων αυτων και ου μετενοησαν εκ των εργων αυτων

Latin: et blasphemaverunt Deum caeli prae doloribus et vulneribus suis et non egerunt paenitentiam ex operibus suis

Spanish: y blasfemaron contra el Dios del cielo por causa de sus dolores, y por sus plagas, y no se arrepintieron de sus obras.

Portuguese: e blasfemavam contra o Deus do céu por causa do sofrimento e das chagas. Mas não se arrependeram das suas más acções.

Revelation 16:12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. [kjv]

και ο εκτος εξεχεεν την φιαλην αυτου επι τον ποταμον τον μεγαν τον ευφρατην και εξηρανθη το υδωρ αυτου ινα ετοιμασθη η οδος των βασιλεων των απο ανατολης ηλιου [gnt]

One prophecy of the end times in the book of Revelation concerns the "kings of the east". It is not clear as to the identity of the "Kings of the East". One assumption is that east appears to be east of Jerusalem and east of the Euphrates River.

More: China references in the Bible

Revelation 16:12

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KJV: And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.

Greek: και ο εκτος αγγελος εξεχεεν την φιαλην αυτου επι τον ποταμον τον μεγαν τον ευφρατην και εξηρανθη το υδωρ αυτου ινα ετοιμασθη η οδος των βασιλεων των απο ανατολων ανατολης ηλιου

Latin: et sextus effudit fialam suam in flumen illud magnum Eufraten et siccavit aquam eius ut praepararetur via regibus ab ortu solis

Revelation 16:13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. [kjv]

και ειδον εκ του στοματος του δρακοντος και εκ του στοματος του θηριου και εκ του στοματος του ψευδοπροφητου πνευματα τρια ακαθαρτα ως βατραχοι [gnt]

Revelation 16:13

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KJV: And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.

Greek: και ειδον εκ του στοματος του δρακοντος και εκ του στοματος του θηριου και εκ του στοματος του ψευδοπροφητου πνευματα τρια ακαθαρτα ομοια βατραχοις ως βατραχοι

Revelation 16:14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. [kjv]

εισιν γαρ πνευματα δαιμονιων ποιουντα σημεια α εκπορευεται επι τους βασιλεις της οικουμενης ολης συναγαγειν αυτους εις τον πολεμον της ημερας της μεγαλης του θεου του παντοκρατορος [gnt]

sunt enim spiritus daemoniorum facientes signa et procedunt ad reges totius terrae congregare illos in proelium ad diem magnum Dei omnipotentis [v]

… al erthe… [wy]

… Teufel… ganzen Kreis … [lu]

Interestingly, the two words that make up this one word appear together in only one verse in the Luther German. The German word "Teufelskreis" has the connotation of a hopeless situation, such as a catch-22 situation, created by a series of inter-dependent events.

The Latin word "totius terrae" ≈ "total earth". The Wycliffe follows the Latin and combines "earth" and "whole world".

More: The viscous cycle of catch-22 situations

More: Revelation 16:16 Battle at Armageddon

More: All the ecumenical world

Revelation 16:14

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KJV: For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

Greek: εισιν γαρ πνευματα δαιμονων δαιμονιων ποιουντα σημεια εκπορευεσθαι α εκπορευεται επι τους βασιλεις της γης και της οικουμενης ολης συναγαγειν αυτους εις τον πολεμον της ημερας εκεινης της μεγαλης του θεου του παντοκρατορος

Latin: sunt enim spiritus daemoniorum facientes signa et procedunt ad reges totius terrae congregare illos in proelium ad diem magnum Dei omnipotentis

Wycliffe: For thei ben spiritis of deuels, makynge signes, and thei gon forth to kingis of al erthe, to gadere hem in to batel, to the greet dai of almiyti God.

Revelation 16:14

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KJV: For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

Greek: εισιν γαρ πνευματα δαιμονων δαιμονιων ποιουντα σημειαεκπορευεσθαι α εκπορευεται επι τους βασιλεις της γης και της οικουμενης ολης συναγαγειν αυτους εις τον πολεμον της ημερας εκεινης της μεγαλης του θεου του παντοκρατορος

Latin: sunt enim spiritus daemoniorum facientes signa et procedunt ad reges totius terrae congregare illos in proelium ad diem magnum Dei omnipotentis

Wycliffe: For thei ben spiritis of deuels, makynge signes, and thei gon forth to kingis of al erthe, to gadere hem in to batel, to the greet dai of almiyti God.

Tyndale: For they are the sprettes of devyls workynge myracles to go out vnto the kynges of the erth and of the whole worlde to gaddre them to the battayle of that gret daye of God allmyghty.

Luther: Und sind Geister der Teufel; die tun Zeichen und gehen aus zu den Königen auf Erden und auf den ganzen Kreis der Welt, sie zu versammeln in den Streit auf jenen großen Tag Gottes, des Allmächtigen.

Revelation 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. [kjv]

ιδου ερχομαι ως κλεπτης μακαριος ο γρηγορων και τηρων τα ιματια αυτου ινα μη γυμνος περιπατη και βλεπωσιν την ασχημοσυνην αυτου [gnt]

Will the day of the Lord will come as a deceptive "thief" in the night?

More: Deceptive thieves and armed robbers on the take

Revelation 16:15

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KJV: Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

Greek: ιδου ερχομαι ως κλεπτης μακαριος ο γρηγορων και τηρων τα ιματια αυτου ινα μη γυμνος περιπατη και βλεπωσιν την ασχημοσυνην αυτου

Revelation 16:16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. [kjv]

και συνηγαγεν αυτους εις τον τοπον τον καλουμενον εβραιστι αρ μαγεδων [gnt]

The term Armageddon is known in modern times as a reference to the end of the world. Armageddon is in the Jezreel Valley and is near Nazareth.

Is "Armageddon" a "battle" as in one part of a "war" or is "Armageddon" a "war" consisting of a series of battles? Most "wars" consist of many "battles". Or does it not matter?

The Hebrew word "מגדו" (ma-gid-do) ≈ "Maggido".

More: Revelation 16:16 Battle at Armageddon

Revelation 16:16

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KJV: And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

Greek: και συνηγαγεν αυτους εις τον τοπον τον καλουμενον εβραιστι αρμαγεδδων αρ μαγεδων

Latin: et congregavit illos in locum qui vocatur hebraice Hermagedon

Wycliffe: And he schal gadre hem in to a place, that is clepid in Ebreu Hermagedon.

Revelation 16:17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. [kjv]

και ο εβδομος εξεχεεν την φιαλην αυτου επι τον αερα και εξηλθεν φωνη μεγαλη εκ του ναου απο του θρονου λεγουσα γεγονεν [gnt]

Revelation 16:17

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KJV: And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.

Greek: και ο εβδομος αγγελος εξεχεεν την φιαλην αυτου εις επι τον αερα και εξηλθεν φωνη μεγαλη απο εκ του ναου του ουρανου απο του θρονου λεγουσα γεγονεν

Revelation 16:18 And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. [kjv]

και εγενοντο αστραπαι και φωναι και βρονται και σεισμος εγενετο μεγας οιος ουκ εγενετο αφ ου ανθρωποι εγενοντο επι της γης τηλικουτος σεισμος ουτως μεγας [gnt]

Revelation 16:18

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KJV: And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.

Greek: και εγενοντο αστραπαι και φωναι και βρονται και αστραπαι και σεισμος εγενετο μεγας οιος ουκ εγενετο αφ ου οι ανθρωποι εγενοντο επι της γης τηλικουτος σεισμος ουτως μεγας

Revelation 16:19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. [kjv]

και εγενετο η πολις η μεγαλη εις τρια μερη και αι πολεις των εθνων επεσαν και βαβυλων η μεγαλη εμνησθη ενωπιον του θεου δουναι αυτη το ποτηριον του οινου του θυμου της οργης αυτου [gnt]

More: Babylon in Revelation

Revelation 16:19

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KJV: And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.

Greek: και εγενετο η πολις η μεγαλη εις τρια μερη και αι πολεις των εθνων επεσον επεσαν και βαβυλων η μεγαλη εμνησθη ενωπιον του θεου δουναι αυτη το ποτηριον του οινου του θυμου της οργης αυτου

Revelation 16:20 And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. [kjv]

και πασα νησος εφυγεν και ορη ουχ ευρεθησαν [gnt]

Revelation 16:20

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KJV: And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.

Greek: και πασα νησος εφυγεν και ορη ουχ ευρεθησαν

Revelation 16:21 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great. [kjv]

και χαλαζα μεγαλη ως ταλαντιαια καταβαινει εκ του ουρανου επι τους ανθρωπους και εβλασφημησαν οι ανθρωποι τον θεον εκ της πληγης της χαλαζης οτι μεγαλη εστιν η πληγη αυτης σφοδρα [gnt]

Revelation 16:21

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KJV: And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.

Greek: και χαλαζα μεγαλη ως ταλαντιαια καταβαινει εκ του ουρανου επι τους ανθρωπους και εβλασφημησαν οι ανθρωποι τον θεον εκ της πληγης της χαλαζης οτι μεγαλη εστιν η πληγη αυτης σφοδρα