Revelation 9:14
New International Version
It said to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.”

New Living Translation
And the voice said to the sixth angel who held the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great Euphrates River.”

English Standard Version
saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.”

Berean Standard Bible
saying to the sixth angel with the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.”

Berean Literal Bible
saying to the sixth angel, the one having the trumpet, “Release the four angels, those having been bound at the great river Euphrates.”

King James Bible
Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.

New King James Version
saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.”

New American Standard Bible
saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.”

NASB 1995
one saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.”

NASB 1977
one saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.”

Legacy Standard Bible
one saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who have been bound at the great river Euphrates.”

Amplified Bible
saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.”

Berean Annotated Bible
saying to the sixth angel (messenger) with the trumpet, “Release the four angels (messengers) who are bound at the great river Euphrates.

Christian Standard Bible
say to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels bound at the great river Euphrates.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
say to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels bound at the great river Euphrates.”

American Standard Version
one saying to the sixth angel that had the trumpet, Loose the four angels that are bound at the great river Euphrates.

Contemporary English Version
The voice spoke to this angel and said, "Release the four angels who are tied up beside the great Euphrates River."

English Revised Version
one saying to the sixth angel, which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound at the great river Euphrates.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The voice said to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are held at the great Euphrates River."

Good News Translation
The voice said to the sixth angel, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great Euphrates River!"

International Standard Version
It told the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are held at the great Euphrates River."

NET Bible
saying to the sixth angel, the one holding the trumpet, "Set free the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates!"

New Heart English Bible
saying to the sixth angel who had one trumpet, "Free the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates."

Webster's Bible Translation
Saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, Loose the four angels who are bound in the great river Euphrates.

Weymouth New Testament
It said to the sixth angel--the angel who had the trumpet, "Set at liberty the four angels who are prisoners near the great river Euphrates."
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
saying to the sixth angel with the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.”

World English Bible
saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Free the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates!”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
saying to the sixth messenger who had the trumpet, “Loose the four messengers who are bound at the great river Euphrates”;

Berean Literal Bible
saying to the sixth angel, the one having the trumpet, “Release the four angels, those having been bound at the great river Euphrates.”

Young's Literal Translation
saying to the sixth messenger who had the trumpet, 'Loose the four messengers who are bound at the great river Euphrates;'

Smith's Literal Translation
Saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, Loose the four angels bound in the great river Euphrates.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Saying to the sixth angel, who had the trumpet: Loose the four angels, who are bound in the great river Euphrates.

Catholic Public Domain Version
saying to the sixth Angel who had the trumpet: “Release the four Angels who were bound at the great river Euphrates.”

New American Bible
telling the sixth angel who held the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the banks of the great river Euphrates.”

New Revised Standard Version
saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound by the great river Euphrates.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Which said to the sixth Angel that had a trumpet: “Loose the four Angels imprisoned at the great river Euphrates.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
saying to the sixth angel, who had the trumpet: Loose the four angels that are bound at the great river Euphrates.

Godbey New Testament
saying to the sixth angel the one having the trumpet, Loose the four angels which have been bound at the great river Euphrates.

Haweis New Testament
saying to the sixth angel who held the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound at the great river Euphrates.

Mace New Testament
saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates."

Weymouth New Testament
It said to the sixth angel--the angel who had the trumpet, "Set at liberty the four angels who are prisoners near the great river Euphrates."

Worrell New Testament
saying to the sixth angel, who had the trumpet; "Loose the four angels that are bound in the great river Euphrates."

Worsley New Testament
saying to the sixth angel, who had the trumpet, Let loose the four angels, that are bound by the great river Euphrates.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Sixth Trumpet
13Then the sixth angel sounded his trumpet, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar before God 14saying to the sixth angel with the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” 15So the four angels who had been prepared for this hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind.…

Cross References
to the sixth angel with the trumpet,

Revelation 8:2
And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and they were given seven trumpets.

Revelation 11:15
Then the seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and loud voices called out in heaven: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever.”

1 Corinthians 15:52
in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
“Release the four angels

Revelation 7:1
After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back its four winds so that no wind would blow on land or sea or on any tree.

Zechariah 6:5
And the angel told me, “These are the four spirits of heaven, going forth from their station before the Lord of all the earth.

Daniel 7:2
Daniel declared: “In my vision in the night I looked, and suddenly the four winds of heaven were churning up the great sea.
who are bound

2 Peter 2:4
For if God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but cast them deep into hell, placing them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment;

Jude 1:6
And the angels who did not stay within their own domain but abandoned their proper dwelling—these He has kept in eternal chains under darkness, bound for judgment on that great day.

Revelation 20:1-2
Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven with the key to the Abyss, holding in his hand a great chain. / He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.
at the great river Euphrates.”

Revelation 16:12
And the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings of the East.

Deuteronomy 1:7
Resume your journey and go to the hill country of the Amorites; go to all the neighboring peoples in the Arabah, in the hill country, in the foothills, in the Negev, and along the seacoast to the land of the Canaanites and to Lebanon, as far as the great River Euphrates.

Joshua 1:4
Your territory shall extend from the wilderness and Lebanon to the great River Euphrates—all the land of the Hittites—and west as far as the Great Sea.
Isaiah 11:15
The LORD will devote to destruction the gulf of the Sea of Egypt; with a scorching wind He will sweep His hand over the Euphrates. He will split it into seven streams for men to cross with dry sandals.

Jeremiah 46:4-10
Harness the horses; mount the steeds; take your positions with helmets on! Polish your spears; put on armor! / Why am I seeing this? They are terrified, they are retreating; their warriors are defeated, they flee in haste without looking back; terror is on every side!” declares the LORD. / “The swift cannot flee, and the warrior cannot escape! In the north by the River Euphrates they stumble and fall. …

Ezekiel 38:15-16
And you will come from your place out of the far north—you and many peoples with you, all riding horses—a mighty horde, a huge army. / You will advance against My people Israel like a cloud covering the land. It will happen in the latter days, O Gog, that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me when I show Myself holy in you before their eyes.

Zechariah 6:1-8
And again I lifted up my eyes and saw four chariots coming out from between two mountains—mountains of bronze. / The first chariot had red horses, the second black horses, / the third white horses, and the fourth dappled horses—all of them strong. …


Treasury of Scripture

Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.

to the.

Revelation 8:2,6
And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets…

loose.

Revelation 9:15
And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.

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.

the great.

Genesis 2:14
And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates.

2 Samuel 8:3
David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates.

Jeremiah 51:63
And it shall be, when thou hast made an end of reading this book, that thou shalt bind a stone to it, and cast it into the midst of Euphrates:

Jump to Previous
Angel Angels Bound Chained Euphrates Euphra'tes Four Free Great Horn Loose Messenger Messengers Prisoners Release River Sixth Trumpet
Jump to Next
Angel Angels Bound Chained Euphrates Euphra'tes Four Free Great Horn Loose Messenger Messengers Prisoners Release River Sixth Trumpet
Revelation 9
1. At the sounding of the fifth angel, a star falls from heaven, to whom is given the key to the bottomless pit.
2. He opens the pit, and there come forth locusts like scorpions.
12. The first woe past.
13. The sixth trumpet sounds.
14. Four angels who were bound are let loose.












saying to the sixth angel with the trumpet
The sixth angel is part of a series of seven angels who sound trumpets, each heralding a specific judgment or event during the end times. The trumpet judgments are a sequence of divine interventions described in Revelation, each increasing in intensity. The number six often symbolizes imperfection or incompleteness in biblical numerology, contrasting with the number seven, which signifies completion or perfection. The trumpet is a common biblical symbol for announcing significant events, often associated with divine intervention or judgment (e.g., Joshua 6:4-5, 1 Thessalonians 4:16).

“Release the four angels
The command to release the four angels suggests they have been restrained until this specific moment. Angels in the Bible are often seen as messengers or agents of God's will, and their release indicates a divinely appointed time for their mission. The number four can symbolize universality or completeness in the earthly realm, as seen in the four corners of the earth or the four winds (e.g., Isaiah 11:12, Matthew 24:31). These angels are likely to be agents of judgment, as their release is associated with the subsequent events of destruction and woe.

who are bound
The fact that these angels are bound implies they are not free to act until God's appointed time. This binding suggests a limitation placed upon them by divine authority, indicating that their power is controlled and only unleashed according to God's sovereign plan. The binding of spiritual beings is also seen in other biblical contexts, such as the binding of Satan (Revelation 20:2).

at the great river Euphrates
The Euphrates River is one of the most significant rivers in the Bible, often associated with the boundaries of the Promised Land (Genesis 15:18) and the cradle of early civilization. It is a geographical marker that has historical and prophetic significance. In ancient times, the Euphrates was a formidable natural barrier and a boundary between empires, such as Assyria and Babylon. Its mention here may symbolize a boundary or transition point for the unfolding of end-time events. The Euphrates is also associated with the rise and fall of empires, and its drying up is mentioned later in Revelation as a preparation for the kings of the East (Revelation 16:12), indicating its continued prophetic importance.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Sixth Angel
This angel is one of the seven angels with trumpets, each heralding a specific judgment from God. The sixth angel's trumpet signals a significant and terrifying event in the sequence of end-time judgments.

2. The Four Angels
These are specific angels who have been bound at the Euphrates River. Their release is part of God's divine plan and judgment during the end times.

3. The Great River Euphrates
A significant geographical location in biblical history, often associated with boundaries and significant events. It is one of the four rivers mentioned in the Garden of Eden and has historical significance as a boundary of ancient empires.

4. The Trumpet Judgments
A series of judgments described in Revelation, each announced by the blowing of a trumpet by one of the seven angels. These judgments are part of the apocalyptic vision given to John.

5. The Voice from the Altar
The command to release the four angels comes from a voice, possibly representing divine authority or the prayers of the saints, as the altar is often associated with prayer and sacrifice.
Teaching Points
Divine Timing and Sovereignty
God's plan unfolds according to His perfect timing. The release of the four angels is a reminder that God is in control of history and the future.

Spiritual Warfare
The binding and releasing of angels highlight the reality of spiritual warfare. Believers are called to be aware of the spiritual battles that occur beyond the physical realm.

Judgment and Mercy
The trumpet judgments serve as a warning of God's impending judgment but also reflect His mercy, as they are opportunities for repentance.

The Role of Prayer
The voice from the altar may symbolize the power of prayer. Believers are encouraged to persist in prayer, knowing it plays a role in God's divine plan.

Historical and Prophetic Significance
Understanding the historical and prophetic significance of places like the Euphrates can deepen our understanding of God's Word and His plans for the future.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Revelation 9:14?

2. What is the significance of the "four angels" bound at the Euphrates River?

3. How does Revelation 9:14 connect with Old Testament prophecies about judgment?

4. Why is the Euphrates River important in biblical prophecy and history?

5. How can understanding Revelation 9:14 impact our view of God's sovereignty today?

6. What practical steps can we take to prepare for end-times events described here?

7. What is the significance of the four angels bound at the Euphrates in Revelation 9:14?

8. How does Revelation 9:14 relate to the concept of divine judgment?

9. Why is the Euphrates River specifically mentioned in Revelation 9:14?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Revelation 9?

11. What are the three woes in Revelation?

12. What are the Seven Bowls of Revelation?

13. How do these terrifying judgments (Revelation 9:1-21) align with the broader biblical portrayal of a just and merciful God?

14. What does the Bible say about praying to angels?
What Does Revelation 9:14 Mean
The Sixth Angel with the Trumpet

“to the sixth angel with the trumpet”

- The sixth trumpet stands in the middle of the seven-trumpet sequence (Revelation 8:6–13; 9:13). Each trumpet intensifies divine judgment.

- The “sixth angel” is a literal heavenly messenger assigned a specific task, just as angels are throughout Revelation (Revelation 7:2; 10:1).

- Trumpets in Scripture announce war or God’s direct intervention (Numbers 10:9; Joshua 6:4-5). Here they herald the second “woe” (Revelation 9:12).

- This blast precedes a judgment that will claim a third of humanity (Revelation 9:15), underscoring the seriousness of rebellion.

- Heaven directs the timetable; nothing unfolds outside God’s oversight (Amos 3:6).


Release the Four Angels

“Release the four angels”

- These angels are currently restrained, indicating they are fallen, like those “kept in eternal chains” (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6).

- Their bondage shows God’s control over evil until His exact hour (Revelation 9:15).

- The command comes from God’s throne, highlighting His sovereignty (Job 1:12; Luke 8:31-32).

- Upon release they mobilize a massive cavalry force (Revelation 9:16-17), blending the unseen spiritual realm with earthly devastation.

- The release follows earlier warnings, illustrating God’s patience before final judgment (Romans 2:4-5).


Who Are Bound at the Great River Euphrates

“who are bound at the great river Euphrates”

- The Euphrates marked Israel’s eastern border (Genesis 15:18) and was the invasion route for Assyria and Babylon (Isaiah 8:7; Jeremiah 46:2-10).

- Mentioning the river recalls past oppressions and idolatry (Psalm 137:1).

- Later, the Euphrates dries up to let “the kings of the east” advance (Revelation 16:12), linking this site to end-time conflict.

- Locating the angels at a specific river shows they are real beings in real space, awaiting God’s appointed moment.

- The “great river” also echoes Eden’s geography (Genesis 2:14), reminding us how sin corrupted the cradle of civilization and how judgment will also reach it.


summary

Revelation 9:14 records God’s order to the sixth trumpet angel: “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” A literal angel hears the command to unchain four fallen angels stationed at the Euphrates. Once freed, they unleash a judgment that kills a third of humanity, revealing God’s precise timing, His sovereignty over all beings, and His faithfulness to fulfill prophecy. History is moving under His hand toward the final defeat of evil and the vindication of His Kingdom.

Verse 14. - Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet. Tregelles reads, "Saying to the sixth angel, Thou that hast the trumpet," etc.; but the common rendering is much more probable. Here the angel is represented as directly causing the incidents which follow; in the other cases, we are only told that each angel "sounded." Loose the four angels which are hound in the great river Euphrates. This vision has led to a great variety of interpretations. Some are obviously absurd; in all these is considerable doubt and difficulty. The following is offered as a possible solution to some extent, though it is not pretended that every difficulty is satisfactorily disposed cf. In making this suggestion, the following circumstances have been borne in mind:

(1) The trumpet visions seem constructed upon a systematic plan, and therefore it seems likely that this judgment, like the fifth and the seventh, is a spiritual one (vide supra).

(2) The objects of this punishment are those who commit the sins described in vers. 20, 21.

(3) The vision must have borne some meaning for these to whom it was first delivered. It seems unlikely, therefore, that events are here portrayed which could not possibly have been foreseen and understood by the early Christians. This seems to exclude (except possibly in a secondary sense) all reference to the papacy, etc. (as Wordsworth). . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
saying
λέγοντα (legonta)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

to the
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

sixth
ἕκτῳ (hektō)
Adjective - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1623: Sixth. Ordinal from hex; sixth.

angel
ἀγγέλῳ (angelō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 32: From aggello; a messenger; especially an 'angel'; by implication, a pastor.

with
ἔχων (echōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

trumpet,
σάλπιγγα (salpinga)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4536: A trumpet, the sound of a trumpet. Perhaps from salos; a trumpet.

“Release
Λῦσον (Lyson)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 3089: A primary verb; to 'loosen'.

the
τοὺς (tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

four
τέσσαρας (tessaras)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5064: Four. Or neuter tessara a plural number; four.

angels
ἀγγέλους (angelous)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 32: From aggello; a messenger; especially an 'angel'; by implication, a pastor.

who
τοὺς (tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

are bound
δεδεμένους (dedemenous)
Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1210: To bind, tie, fasten; I impel, compel; I declare to be prohibited and unlawful. A primary verb; to bind.

at
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

the
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

great
μεγάλῳ (megalō)
Adjective - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3173: Large, great, in the widest sense.

river
ποταμῷ (potamō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4215: A river, torrent, stream. Probably from a derivative of the alternate of pino; a current, brook or freshet, i.e. Running water.

Euphrates.”
Εὐφράτῃ (Euphratē)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2166: The Euphrates, boundary river of the province Syria. Of foreign origin; Euphrates, a river of Asia.


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NT Prophecy: Revelation 9:14 Saying to the sixth angel who had (Rev. Re Apocalypse)
Revelation 9:13
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