A.T. Robertson Commentary Revelation 9:7

"And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared for war; and upon their heads as it were crowns like unto gold, and their faces were as men`s faces." — Revelation 9:7 (ASV)

The shapes (τα ομοιωματα). Old word from ομοιοω, to make like (from ομοιος, like), likeness, in N.T. only here, Romans 5:14; Php 2:7, "the likenesses were like" (ομοια). Hομοιωμα is "midway between μορφη and σχημα" (Lightfoot).

Unto horses (ιπποις). Associative-instrumental case, as is the rule with ομοιος (1:15; 2:18; 4:6ff.; 9:10,19; 11:1; 13:2,11), but with the accusative in 1:13; 14:14. So also ομοιο χρυσω (like gold) in this same verse.

Prepared for war (ητοιμασμενοις εις πολεμον). Perfect passive participle of ετοιμαζω. This imagery of war-horses is like that in Joe 2:4f. "The likeness of a locust to a horse, especially to a horse equipped with armour, is so striking that the insect is named in German Heupferd (hay horse), and in Italian cavalett a little horse" (Vincent).

As it were crowns (ος στεφανο). Not actual crowns, but what looked like crowns of gold, as conquerors, as indeed they were (4:4; 6:2; 12:1; 14:14). These locusts of the abyss have another peculiar feature.

As men's faces (ως προσωπα ανθρωπων). Human-looking faces in these demonic locusts to give added terror, "suggesting the intelligence and capacity of man" (Swete). Vincent actually sees "a distinct resemblance to the human countenance in the face of the locust."