Revelation 9:6

Authorized King James Version

And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
καὶ
G2532
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#2
ἐν
G1722
in
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#3
ταῖς
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#4
ἡμέραις
G2250
days
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
#5
ἐκείναις
G1565
those
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
#6
ζητήσουσιν
G2212
seek
to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by hebraism) to worship (god), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life)
#7
οἱ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#8
ἄνθρωποι
G444
shall men
man-faced, i.e., a human being
#9
τὸν
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#10
θάνατος
G2288
death
(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)
#11
καὶ
G2532
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#12
οὐχ
G3756
not
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
#13
εὑρήσουσιν
G2147
find
to find (literally or figuratively)
#14
αὐτῶν
G846
it
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
#15
καὶ
G2532
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#16
ἐπιθυμήσουσιν
G1937
shall desire
to set the heart upon, i.e., long for (rightfully or otherwise)
#17
ἀποθανεῖν
G599
to die
to die off (literally or figuratively)
#18
καὶ
G2532
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#19
φεύξεται
G5343
shall flee
to run away (literally or figuratively); by implication, to shun; by analogy, to vanish
#20
ὁ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#21
θάνατος
G2288
death
(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)
#22
ἀπ'
G575
from
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
#23
αὐτῶν
G846
it
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

Analysis

The kingdom of God theme here intersects with the progressive revelation of God's rule from creation to consummation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of development from creation mandate through Davidic kingdom to eschatological fulfillment. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's reign from creation through the millennial kingdom.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of Jewish apocalyptic literature using symbolic imagery to convey hope shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of kingdom of God within the theological tradition of Revelation Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection