Revelation of John 9:8 · Bible study
Revelation 9:8 Commentary: Women's Hair, Lions' Teeth
Greek · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Discover what John's vision of locusts with women's hair and lions' teeth reveals about the nature of apocalyptic evil and divine judgment.
Research Summary
- Meaning: The locusts combine feminine hair and lions' teeth to symbolize seductive yet destructive evil, drawing on OT imagery (Joel 1:6).
- Key words: thrix (hair), gunē (woman), odous (tooth), leōn (lion) each contributes to the composite horror.
- Main debate: Whether the hair suggests effeminacy, Arab custom, Nazirite vow, or simply supernaturally long hair.
- Theological theme: God permits limited demonic torment as judgment on the unrepentant, while protecting His elect (Revelation 9:4).
- Best use: Teaching on the nature of evil as both alluring and devastating, and on God's sovereignty in judgment.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
They had hair like that of women, and teeth like those of lions.
WEB World English Bible 2000
They had hair like women’s hair, and their teeth were like those of lions.
KJV King James Version 1769
And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
and they had hair as hair of women, and their teeth were as those of lions,
Darby Darby Bible 1890
and they had hair as women's hair, and their teeth were as of lions,
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And they had hair as the hair of women: and their teeth were as lions.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y tenían cabellos como cabellos de mujeres: y sus dientes eran como dientes de leones.
E tinham cabelos como cabelos de mulheres; e seus dentes eram como os de leões.
Elles avaient des cheveux comme des cheveux de femmes, et leurs dents étaient comme des dents de lions.
und hatten Haare wie Weiberhaare, und ihre Zähne waren wie die der Löwen;
En zij hadden haar als haar der vrouwen, en hun tanden waren als tanden van leeuwen.
E aveano dei capelli come capelli di donne, e i denti eran come denti di leoni.
I miały włosy jako włosy niewieście, a zęby ich były jako lwie;
и волосы у ней — как волосы у женщин, а зубы у ней были, как у львов.
頭髮 像 女人 的頭髮， 牙齒 像 獅子的牙齒。
And they had hair like the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Revelation of John 9:8
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators broadly agree that the two features in this verse highlight the unnatural, composite nature of the locusts. Barnes notes that long hair was not typical for warriors, marking these creatures as unusual and effeminate. Gill connects the hair to Arab customs, saying they 'used to wear long hair without cutting it, and attired as women.' Clarke adds that 'no razor passes upon their flesh,' emphasizing wildness. On the teeth, Barnes says they are 'strong; suited to devour,' while Clarke calls them 'ferocious and cruel.' Jamieson-Fausset-Brown and Vincent both observe that Joel 1:6 uses the same comparison for locusts, linking John's vision to Old Testament judgment imagery. The combination presents a being that is both seductively attractive and devastatingly destructive.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Historical-Fulfillment View: Identifies the locusts with specific armies (e.g. Arab/Saracen conquests) based on cultural details like long hair and ferocity.
- Symbolic-Evil View: Sees the composite features as symbolizing the multifaceted nature of evil (seductive yet violent), appealing to apocalyptic genre conventions.
- Spiritual-Warfare View: Interprets the locusts as demonic forces tormenting the unbelieving, drawing on the Abyss and the name Abaddon/Apollyon (v.11).
What is clear: The locusts are agents of divine judgment that operate under God's sovereign limits, targeting only those without His seal.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Nature of the locusts | Christians agree they are demonic beings from the Abyss, not literal insects. | Some read them as specific historical movements (e.g. Muslim invasions, monastic orders) while others see them as timeless symbols of spiritual evil. |
| Identity of the star (v.1) | All agree the star opens the Abyss, releasing the locusts. | Interpreters differ on whether the star represents a fallen angel, Christ, or a human leader like Muhammad or Napoleon. |
| Historical fulfillment | The prophecy describes a real eschatological event of judgment. | Debate exists between preterist readings (already fulfilled in ancient invasions) and futurist readings (yet to come). |
| Duration 'five months' | The period is limited, emphasizing divine control over the extent of torment. | Some take it literally as 150 days; others see it as symbolic for a bounded but intense season of affliction. |
Historical & Cultural Context
In the ancient Near East, long hair on men carried varying connotations. The Greek-Roman world generally considered long hair a sign of effeminacy for men (1 Corinthians 11:14-15), yet other cultures like the Persians and Arabs wore long hair as a mark of honor. Gill references Pliny's observation that Arabians 'used to wear long hair without cutting it.' These locusts thus evoke a foreign, barbarian army from John's perspective. The teeth of lions draw directly from Joel 1:6, where a locust plague is described with the same phrase. Joel uses the imagery to depict the relentless, destructive force of a national enemy. John adapts this to his eschatological vision: the locusts are not natural insects but demonic beings unleashed from the Abyss (Revelation 9:2-3,11).
Apocalyptic literature often combines features from different animals to signify a being that surpasses natural categories a hybrid threat that is both alluring and terrifying. The hair may hint at seduction or deception, while the teeth point to raw violence. Vincent notes an Arabic proverb comparing locust antennae to girls' hair, suggesting John may be drawing on a known simile. The broader context restricts their harm to those without God's seal (v.4), indicating that this terror is under divine sovereignty. The five-month limit (v.5) further shows God's control over the extent of the torment.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for this verse.
Reception History
Throughout church history, this verse has been read in multiple contexts. Protestant commentators like Gill identified the locusts with Saracen invaders and later with Roman Catholic monastic orders, seeing the hair as sign of effeminacy and false religion. Barnes viewed them as a foreign, barbarian army. In modern times, the emphasis has shifted to spiritual warfare: the composite features illustrate the multifaceted nature of demonic deception and oppression. Many pastors use the passage to teach on God's sovereignty over evil and the protection of the sealed.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Deceptive Appearance (hair like women). The locusts' hair signals something attractive or alluring, masking their true destructive nature. This warns against being deceived by outward charm or false religiosity.
- Destructive Power (teeth like lions). Their teeth evoke Joel's locust plague (Joel 1:6) and represent relentless, devouring force. Evil appears enticing but ultimately consumes.
- Divine Limit (five months, only the unsealed). The torment is bounded by God's decree, both in duration and target. This offers hope: evil cannot touch those sealed by God (Revelation 9:4).
Five-point outline
- Origin: From the Abyss, opened by a fallen star (vv.1-3).
- Appearance: Horses, crowns, human faces, women's hair, lions' teeth, iron breastplates (vv.7-9) a surreal composite.
- Target: Only those without God's seal on their foreheads (v.4).
- Duration: Five months of torment, not death (v.5).
- King: Abaddon/Apollyon, the angel of the Abyss (v.11).
Illustration hooks
- A beautiful flower that is poisonous (looks harmless but conceals danger).
- A phishing email that looks official but steals personal data (deceptive appearance, destructive intent).
- A military camouflage tactic where soldiers dress to blend in or deceive the enemy.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Is this describing literal locusts or something else?
- How can I know if I am sealed by God and protected from this judgment?
- Why does God allow such terrifying beings to torment people?
Leading a Discussion
The locusts in Revelation 9 are not ordinary insects. They emerge from the Abyss with a terrifying appearance: horses for war, crowns, human faces, women's hair, and lions' teeth. This passage forces us to confront the reality of evil that is both seductive and destructive. Yet the locusts have limits they can only harm those without God's seal, and only for five months. As you discuss, consider how this shapes our understanding of God's sovereignty and protection.
Discussion questions
- What stands out to you about the description of the locusts? Which detail seems most strange or disturbing?
- Why do you think John uses the comparison to women's hair? What might that convey about the locusts' nature?
- How does the image of lions' teeth connect to Joel 1:6? What does that tell us about the kind of devastation described?
- In what ways do we see evil today that appears attractive on the surface but is destructive underneath?
- Verse 4 says the locusts cannot harm those with God's seal. What does this teach us about divine protection?
- The torment is limited to five months (v.5). How does the bounded nature of judgment affect your view of God's character?
- How can this passage encourage believers facing spiritual attack or persecution?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| II Kings 9:30 | When Jehu had come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her eyes, and adorned her head, and looked out at the window. |
| Psalms 57:4 | My soul is among lions. I lie among those who are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword. |
| Isaiah 3:24 | It shall happen that instead of sweet spices, there shall be rottenness; instead of a belt, a rope; instead of well set hair, baldness; instead of a robe, a wearing of sackcloth; and branding instead of beauty. |
| Joel 1:6 | For a nation has come up on my land, strong, and without number. His teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he has the fangs of a lioness. |
| I Corinthians 11:14 | Doesn’t even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him? |
| I Corinthians 11:15 | But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her, for her hair is given to her for a covering. |
| I Timothy 2:9 | In the same way, that women also adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and propriety, not with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing, |
| I Peter 3:3 | Let your beauty come not from the outward adorning of braiding your hair, and of wearing gold ornaments or of putting on fine clothing, |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
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What the Commentators Say
10 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke emphasizes the wild, uncivilized appearance of these beings: long hair, unshaven beards, and no razor ever touches them. He draws attention to their lion-like teeth, which signal aggression and cruelty rather than literal dentistry.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes observes that John finds the locusts' long hair, like women's, a strange detail for warriors, making them appear effeminate and distinct from typical soldiers. Their lion-like teeth emphasize a ravenous, terrifying strength that goes far beyond ordinary locusts.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentator suggests the locusts are supernatural beings, not natural insects. While Arabic poetry compares locust antennae to women's hair, this description points to something beyond nature, with teeth like lions echoing Joel's prophecy.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Notes identify these locusts as a historical army, likely the Saracens or Turks, whose strength and organization resemble warhorses. Their golden crowns signal military victories, while human faces suggest they possess intelligence and reason rather being mere beasts.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill interprets the locusts' womanlike hair as referring to the long-haired Saracens who claimed descent from Sarah, and also to the effeminate dress of monks and Roman Catholic votaries under monastic vows. Their lion-like teeth represent the Saracens' plundering destruction, equally applicable to the devouring greed and cruelties of the Romish clergy and Inquisition.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB notes two possible meanings for the locusts' "hair of women": an Arabic proverb compares locust antennae to girls' long flowing hair, while another view takes it as the bristly hair on the insects' legs or bodies, linking to Jeremiah's "rough caterpillars." The teeth like lions recall Joel's description of locusts.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange reads the fallen star as a spiritual condition rather than a person or angel. He identifies it with repentance separated from faith, a faithless remorse that becomes religious self-torment and opens the abyss within the human soul. This
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry emphasizes that these demonic locusts act under strict divine restraint: they cannot touch the grass, trees, or the sealed, and they cannot kill, only torment for a set time. Their king, named Destroyer in both Hebrew and Greek, rules a realm whose power is real but carefully bounded by God.
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
Vincent notes an Arabic proverb that compares locust antennae to a girl's hair, highlighting the vivid imagery. He also links the locust's teeth to the teeth of lions, drawing a parallel with Joel.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley connects the locusts' long hair to the ancient Persian custom of taking pride in flowing hair. He interprets the lion-like teeth as a symbol of relentless destruction, breaking and tearing everything apart.Wesley connects the locusts' long hair to the ancient Persian custom of taking pride in flowing hair. He interprets the lion-like teeth as a symbol of relentless destruction, breaking and tearing everything apart.