A.T. Robertson Commentary Revelation 9

Fallen (πεπτωκοτα). Perfect active participle of πιπτω, already down. In Lu 10:18 note πεσοντα (constative aorist active, like a flash of lightning) after εθεωρουν and in Re 7:2 note αναβαινοντα (present active and linear, coming up, picturing the process) after ειδον.

Of the pit of the abyss (του φρεατος της αβυσσου). Αβυσσος is an old adjective (alpha privative and βυθος, depth, without depth), but η αβυσσος (supply χωρα place), the bottomless place. It occurs in Ro 10:7 for the common receptacle of the dead for Hades (Sheol), but in Lu 8:31 a lower depth is sounded (Swete), for the abode of demons, and in this sense it occurs in Re 9:1,2,11; 11:7; 17:8; 20:1,3. Φρεαρ is an old word for well or cistern (Luke 14:5; John 4:11f.) and it occurs in Re 9:1f. for the mouth of the abyss which is pictured as a cistern with a narrow orifice at the entrance and this fifth angel holds the key to it.

Opened (ηνοιξεν). First aorist active indicative of ανοιγνυμ. With the "key" (κλεις).

As the smoke of a great furnace (ως καπνος καμινου μεγαλης). The plague of demonic locusts is here turned loose. Καμινος is old word for a smelting-furnace, already in 1:15.

Were darkened (εσκοτωθη). First aorist passive indicative of σκοτοω, old causative verb from σκοτος, in N.T. only here, 16:10; Ephesians 4:18.

By reason of (εκ). "Out of," as a result of (8:13).

Locusts (ακριδες). Also verse 7 and already in Mt 3:4; Mr 1:6 (diet of the Baptist). The Israelites were permitted to eat them, but when the swarms came like the eighth Egyptian plague (Exodus 10:13ff.) they devoured every green thing. The smoke was worse than the fallen star and the locusts that came out of the smoke were worse still, "a swarm of hellish locusts" (Swete).

The scorpions (ο σκορπιο). Old name for a little animal somewhat like a lobster that lurks in stone walls in warm regions, with a venomous sting in its tail, in N.T. in Lu 10:19; 11:12; Revelation 9:3,5,10. The scorpion ranks with the snake as hostile to man.

It was said (ερρεθη). First aorist passive indicative of ειπον.

That they should not hurt (ινα μη αδικησουσιν). Sub-final (object clause subject of ερρεθη) with ινα μη and the future active of αδικεω as in 3:9; 8:3. Vegetation had been hurt sufficiently by the hail (8:7).

But only such men as (ε μη τους ανθρωπους οιτινες). "Except (elliptical use of ε μη, if not, unless) the men who (the very ones who)." For this use of οστις see 1:7; 2:24; 20:4.

The seal of God upon their foreheads (την σφραγιδα του θεου επ των μετωπων). Provided for in 7:3f.. "As Israel in Egypt escaped the plagues which punished their neighbours, so the new Israel is exempted from the attack of the locusts of the Abyss" (Swete).

That they should not kill them (ινα μη αποκτεινωσιν αυτους). Sub-final object clause (subject of εδοθη) with ινα μη and the subjunctive of αποκτεινω either present (continued action) or aorist (constative, form the same), the usual construction with ινα. The locusts are charged to injure men, but not to kill them.

But that they should be tormented (αλλ' ινα βασανισθησοντα). Sub-final clause again with ινα, but this time with the first future passive indicative (6:4; 8:3; 13:12) of βασανιζω, old verb, to test metals (from βασανος, Matthew 4:24) by touchstone, then to torture like Mt 8:29, further in Re 11:10; 12:2; 14:10; 20:10.

Five months (μηνας πεντε). Accusative of extent of time. The actual locust is born in the spring and dies at the end of summer (about five months).

Torment (βασανισμος). Late word for torture, from βασανιζω, in N.T. only in Re 9:5; 14:11; 18:7,10,15. The wound of the scorpion was not usually fatal, though exceedingly painful.

When it striketh a man (οταν παιση ανθρωπον). Indefinite temporal clause with οταν and the first aorist active subjunctive of παιω (Matthew 26:51), old verb, to smite, "whenever it smites a man."