Revelation 9:19
For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt.
Original Language Analysis
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 26
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ἐξουσία
power
G1849
ἐξουσία
power
Strong's:
G1849
Word #:
3 of 26
privilege, i.e., (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token o
αὐταῖς
their
G846
αὐταῖς
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 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
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
στόματι
mouth
G4750
στόματι
mouth
Strong's:
G4750
Word #:
7 of 26
the mouth (as if a gash in the face); by implication, language (and its relations); figuratively, an opening (in the earth); specially, the front or e
αὐταῖς
their
G846
αὐταῖς
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
8 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
ταῖς
G3588
ταῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐταῖς
their
G846
αὐταῖς
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
14 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
αἱ
G3588
αἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
16 of 26
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
αὐταῖς
their
G846
αὐταῖς
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
18 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
ὄφεσιν,
unto serpents
G3789
ὄφεσιν,
unto serpents
Strong's:
G3789
Word #:
20 of 26
a snake, figuratively, (as a type of sly cunning) an artful malicious person, especially satan
ἔχουσαι
and had
G2192
ἔχουσαι
and had
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
21 of 26
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
κεφαλάς,
heads
G2776
κεφαλάς,
heads
Strong's:
G2776
Word #:
22 of 26
the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figuratively
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
23 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Historical Context
Serpents symbolized deception and evil in Jewish thought. Two-headed danger would communicate total vulnerability to attack. In an era of competing religious and philosophical systems, this imagery warned believers that deception could come through respected sources (mouths/teachings) and unexpected sources (tail attacks/subtle infiltration).
Questions for Reflection
- How can you develop discernment to recognize both obvious false teaching (mouths) and subtle deception (tails)?
- What areas of your spiritual life might be vulnerable to 'tail' attacks—unexpected or neglected areas where error creeps in?
Analysis & Commentary
The dual threat—mouths and serpent-like tails—indicates comprehensive danger from these judgment agents. Mouths issuing plagues suggest proclamations or teachings, while tails with serpent heads recall the serpent's deception (Genesis 3). This combination warns of both frontal assault (direct false teaching) and rear attack (subtle deception). Reformed theology recognizes that false doctrine both openly contradicts truth and subtly undermines it. The imagery emphasizes vigilance—spiritual threats come from multiple directions, requiring comprehensive doctrinal awareness and discernment.