Revelation 11:9
And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐκ
of
G1537
ἐκ
of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
3 of 27
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λαῶν
the people
G2992
λαῶν
the people
Strong's:
G2992
Word #:
5 of 27
a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
γλωσσῶν
tongues
G1100
γλωσσῶν
tongues
Strong's:
G1100
Word #:
9 of 27
the tongue; by implication, a language (specially, one naturally unacquired)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐθνῶν
nations
G1484
ἐθνῶν
nations
Strong's:
G1484
Word #:
11 of 27
a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πτώματα
dead bodies
G4430
πτώματα
dead bodies
Strong's:
G4430
Word #:
13 of 27
a ruin, i.e., (specially), lifeless body (corpse, carrion)
αὐτῶν
their
G846
αὐτῶν
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
14 of 27
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
ἡμέρας
days
G2250
ἡμέρας
days
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
15 of 27
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
19 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πτώματα
dead bodies
G4430
πτώματα
dead bodies
Strong's:
G4430
Word #:
21 of 27
a ruin, i.e., (specially), lifeless body (corpse, carrion)
αὐτῶν
their
G846
αὐτῶν
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
22 of 27
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
τεθῆναι
to be put
G5087
τεθῆναι
to be put
Strong's:
G5087
Word #:
25 of 27
to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from g2476, which pr
Cross References
Revelation 17:15And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.Revelation 11:11And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.Revelation 10:11And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.
Historical Context
Denying burial was severe dishonor in ancient cultures, reserved for criminals and enemies. Public display of corpses demonstrated complete victory over opponents. The universal observation ('peoples and kindreds') became literally possible through modern communications. This vision predicted global awareness of the church's apparent defeat before resurrection vindication.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing that the church's apparent defeat is temporary encourage perseverance in faithful witness?
- What does the world's celebration over dead witnesses reveal about natural humanity's attitude toward God's truth?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The phrase 'peoples and kindreds and tongues and nations' emphasizes the universal scope of witnessing their deaths. The refusal to allow burial adds insult and dishonor, treating the witnesses as criminals unworthy of basic human dignity. This public spectacle demonstrates the world's hatred of God's testimony. The three-and-a-half-day period parallels Christ's time in the tomb, foreshadowing resurrection. Reformed theology sees martyrdom as seed of the church; apparent defeat precedes vindication. The world's celebration proves temporary, while witnesses' victory is eternal.