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Revelation 9:7

ESV In appearance the locusts were like horses prepared for battle: on their heads were what looked like crowns of gold; their faces were like human faces,
NIV The locusts looked like horses prepared for battle. On their heads they wore something like crowns of gold, and their faces resembled human faces.
NASB The appearance of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle; and on their heads appeared to be crowns like gold, and their faces were like human faces.
CSB The appearance of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle. Something like golden crowns was on their heads; their faces were like human faces;
NLT The locusts looked like horses prepared for battle. They had what looked like gold crowns on their heads, and their faces looked like human faces.
KJV And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men.

What does Revelation 9:7 mean?

In this verse the apostle John begins his description of the demonic locusts that Satan released from the bottomless pit (Revelation 9:1–6). John compares them to horses equipped for warfare; the relationship to war is more noteworthy than the relationship to horses, since a typical locust's head vaguely resembles that of a horse, naturally. These beings are also said to have faces like those of people.

These creatures have something on their heads that looks like a crown or crowns. This might be a colored band with a shiny golden hue, hair or bristles, or a literal article of clothing.

The scene pictures the locusts as powerful invaders. Joel chapters 1 and 2 provide a similar description of locusts prophesied to invade Israel in the day of the Lord. Also, Joel refers to the locusts' attack with the image of an invasion by a ferocious army from the north (Joel 2:20). Many interpreters believe Ezekiel 38:1–16 describes this invading army as Russia and her allies. Daniel 11:40–45 also predicts an invasion into Israel by a powerful northern aggressor. If these are identical, the demonic locusts will control this northern army, and direct it across the Euphrates to invade Israel (Revelation 9:14–16).

It seems God will use this invasion to chastise the world, and Israel in particular, for its idolatrous worship of the Head of the Revived Roman Empire (Revelation 13:13–15). We know He brought the Babylonian army into Judah in 586 BC because of her idolatry (2 Kings 22:16–17; 2 Chronicles 36:11–17).
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