Revelation 11:10
And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κατοικοῦντας
them that dwelt
G2730
κατοικοῦντας
them that dwelt
Strong's:
G2730
Word #:
3 of 26
to house permanently, i.e., reside (literally or figuratively)
ἐπὶ
on
G1909
ἐπὶ
on
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
4 of 26
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γῆς
the earth
G1093
γῆς
the earth
Strong's:
G1093
Word #:
6 of 26
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
χάρουσιν
shall rejoice
G5463
χάρουσιν
shall rejoice
Strong's:
G5463
Word #:
7 of 26
to be "cheer"ful, i.e., calmly happy or well-off; impersonally, especially as salutation (on meeting or parting), be well
ἐπὶ
on
G1909
ἐπὶ
on
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
8 of 26
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
αὐτοῖς
them
G846
αὐτοῖς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 of 26
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εὐφρανθήσονται,
make merry
G2165
εὐφρανθήσονται,
make merry
Strong's:
G2165
Word #:
11 of 26
to put (middle voice or passively, be) in a good frame of mind, i.e., rejoice
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πέμψουσιν
shall send
G3992
πέμψουσιν
shall send
Strong's:
G3992
Word #:
14 of 26
to dispatch (from the subjective view or point of departure, whereas ???? (as a stronger form of ????) refers rather to the objective point or <i>term
ὅτι
because
G3754
ὅτι
because
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
16 of 26
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
οὗτοι
these
G3778
οὗτοι
these
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
17 of 26
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
προφῆται
prophets
G4396
προφῆται
prophets
Strong's:
G4396
Word #:
20 of 26
a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κατοικοῦντας
them that dwelt
G2730
κατοικοῦντας
them that dwelt
Strong's:
G2730
Word #:
23 of 26
to house permanently, i.e., reside (literally or figuratively)
ἐπὶ
on
G1909
ἐπὶ
on
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
24 of 26
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
Cross References
1 Kings 18:17And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?Revelation 3:10Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.Acts 5:33When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.Matthew 10:22And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.John 7:7The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.1 Kings 22:8And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.Micah 7:8Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me.
Historical Context
Ancient cultures exchanged gifts during festivals celebrating military victories or religious holidays. This imagery depicts worldwide celebration treating the witnesses' deaths as victory over threatening truth. The description parallels modern cultural celebration when Christian moral witness is suppressed or marginalized—revealing the natural heart's enmity against God.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the world's celebration at silenced truth reveal the depth of human rebellion against God?
- In what ways might you be tempted to celebrate when conviction is silenced rather than heeded?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The earth-dwellers' rejoicing and gift-giving parodies proper celebration, revealing their depravity. The testimony that 'tormented them' shows truth's convicting power—the gospel either draws or drives away. Their joy at silenced witnesses demonstrates hardened hearts celebrating suppression of conscience. Reformed theology affirms total depravity—unregenerate hearts love darkness and hate light (John 3:19-20). The gift-giving suggests celebration of perceived liberation from moral constraint. This reveals sin's enslaving power—rejoicing in rebellion rather than repenting at warning.