Revelation 9:2 Meaning: The Smoke from the Pit
He opened the pit of the abyss, and smoke went up out of the pit, like the smoke from a burning furnace. The sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke from the pit.
And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.
And he opened the pit of the abyss; and there went up a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.
and he did open the pit of the abyss, and there came up a smoke out of the pit as smoke of a great furnace, and darkened was the sun and the air, from the smoke of the pit.
And it opened the pit of the abyss; and there went up smoke out of the pit as [the] smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened with the smoke of the pit.
Meaning in one sentence
What does the smoke from the pit mean in Revelation 9:2?
Context
This verse comes in the fifth trumpet judgment. John sees a star that has fallen from heaven to earth. That star is given the key to the abyss, a deep prison for demonic powers. When the star opens the pit, smoke pours out like from a huge furnace. The smoke darkens the sun and the air. That darkness sets the stage for the next verses, where locusts emerge from the smoke to torment people. The whole scene draws on Old Testament images such as Sodom rising in smoke and the thick darkness of the Exodus plagues.
The purpose is to show that a terrible unleashing of evil is permitted by God, but it is still under His control. The smoke does not come from nowhere: it comes from a realm that God has locked until the right moment. This is a vision of judgment, but also of restraint.
Key Words
Three Greek words carry the weight here. The first is “abussos”, the abyss. It means bottomless or unbounded. In Scripture this is not simply a deep hole; it is the prison realm where demons are kept (Luke 8:31) and the place of the dead (Romans 10:7). So when the star opens the pit, he is releasing forces that were contained. The second word is “kapnos”, smoke. In the Old Testament, smoke rises from judgment scenes: Sodom (Genesis 19:28) and Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:18). Smoke hides and chokes. It clouds vision and makes it hard to breathe. Here it comes from the abyss, not from a literal fire but from the realm of death and torment. The third word is “skotoō”, to darken. This verb is used in the New Testament not just for losing physical light but for spiritual blindness. The smoke darkens the sun and the air, meaning it affects everything people rely on for light and life. Together these words paint a picture of evil that obscures truth, causes confusion, and brings torment from the abyss itself.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians have read this verse in several ways. Some early Protestant commentators, like Matthew Poole and Adam Clarke, saw the smoke as false doctrine and superstition that spreads confusion in the church. They connected the star to church leaders who opened the door to error. Others, like Albert Barnes, emphasized the imagery of punishment taken from Sodom and the lake of fire. For him, the smoke shows the origin of the plague: it comes from the place of punishment, not from normal earth.
Still other interpreters, like John Wesley and John Gill, applied the image to specific movements they saw as corrupt, such as Islam or the papacy. Modern readings often focus on the symbolic meaning: the abyss stands for the hidden realm of evil that can be unleashed in history, and the smoke represents the deceptive and tormenting effects of that evil. All these views agree that something terrifying and dark is being shown, and that it comes from a realm God usually keeps sealed.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers imagine this smoke as the actual fire of hell erupting onto earth. In fact, the Greek word “abussos” refers to the abyss, a temporary holding place for demons (Luke 8:31), not the final lake of fire (Revelation 20:14). The smoke is not hell itself; it is what comes when that prison is opened. The darkening of the sun and air is a symbolic picture of how evil, once released, clouds truth and brings confusion. The verse describes a judgment that distorts and torments, not the ultimate destruction that comes at the end.
Living This Out
The smoke from the abyss is a picture of what happens when evil is given room. This week, you might ask yourself: what “smoke” is clouding your vision? Maybe it is a lie you have started to believe, a habit that is darkening your judgment, or a fear that blocks the light of God’s promises. The same God who holds the key to the abyss also holds the key to your freedom. You do not have to fight the darkness alone. Ask Him to clear the air and let you see clearly again. There is no smoke so thick that He cannot part it. He has already opened the way through the risen Christ.
Main takeaway: The abyss is a real prison for evil, but God holds the keys. The smoke of deception darkens everything, yet it cannot overcome the light of Christ.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
This verse tells about a very deep, dark hole called the abyss. When someone opens it, thick smoke comes out and makes everything dark. The smoke reminds us that there are bad things in the world, but God is stronger than any darkness.
For ages 9, 12
This verse shows that there are real powers of evil that can be let loose on the world. The smoke from the pit darkens the sky, which is a picture of how evil confuses people and hides the truth. But remember, Jesus already defeated the devil and all his power. When you trust in Jesus, you never have to be afraid of the darkness. He holds the keys, and He will never let you go.
Questions People Ask
What is the pit of the abyss in Revelation 9:2?
The pit of the abyss (Greek: abussos) is a bottomless prison in the spiritual realm. In the New Testament it is often where demons are confined (Luke 8:31) or connected with the place of the dead (Romans 10:7). It is not the final lake of fire, but a temporary holding area until God's appointed time.
Who is the star that opens the pit in Revelation 9:1-2?
The text says a star falls from heaven to earth and is given the key. This is likely an angel, either a fallen angel or a servant of God acting under His authority. The key is given, meaning permission comes from God. The star opens the pit as part of the judgment of the fifth trumpet.
Is the smoke in Revelation 9:2 literal or symbolic?
Most Christians interpret the smoke symbolically. It is compared to the smoke of a great furnace, but it rises from the abyss, not from a physical fire. The smoke represents the deception, confusion, and torment that come when evil is unleashed. It darkens the sun and air, which points to a spiritual darkness that affects the whole atmosphere of life.
Does Revelation 9:2 refer to a specific historical event?
Some older commentators applied this verse to the rise of Islam, the corruption of the medieval church, or the spread of false teaching. Many modern readers see it as a symbolic picture of demonic deception that will intensify as the end approaches. The verse itself does not name a particular event; it uses apocalyptic imagery to show the nature of judgment.
What does the darkening of the sun and air mean?
The darkening recalls Old Testament judgment scenes like the plague of darkness in Egypt (Exodus 10:21-23) and the smoke over Sodom (Genesis 19:28). It shows that the evil from the abyss blocks out light, both physical and spiritual. People lose clarity and hope. The darkness is a sign of God's judgment, but also a warning that sin brings real confusion and misery.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study