Revelation 16:18 And there were flashes of lightning, and rumblings, and peals of thunder, and a great earthquake the likes of which had not occurred since men were upon the earth--so mighty was the great quake.

Bible > Revelation > Chapter 16 > Verse 18

◄ Revelation 16:18 ►

New International Version
Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since mankind has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake.

New Living Translation
Then the thunder crashed and rolled, and lightning flashed. And a great earthquake struck—the worst since people were placed on the earth.

English Standard Version
And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake such as there had never been since man was on the earth, so great was that earthquake.

Berean Standard Bible
And there were flashes of lightning, and rumblings, and peals of thunder, and a great earthquake the likes of which had not occurred since men were upon the earth—so mighty was the great quake.

Berean Literal Bible
And there were flashes of lightning, and voices, and thunders; and there was a great earthquake, such as there had not been since men were upon the earth--so great was the earthquake, so mighty,

King James Bible
And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.

New King James Version
And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth.

New American Standard Bible
And there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder; and there was a great earthquake, such as there had not been since mankind came to be upon the earth, so great an earthquake was it, and so mighty.

NASB 1995
And there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder; and there was a great earthquake, such as there had not been since man came to be upon the earth, so great an earthquake was it, and so mighty.

NASB 1977
And there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder; and there was a great earthquake, such as there had not been since man came to be upon the earth, so great an earthquake was it, and so mighty.

Legacy Standard Bible
And there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder; and there was a great earthquake, such as there had not been since man came to be upon the earth, so great an earthquake was it, and so mighty.

Amplified Bible
And there were flashes of lightning and loud rumblings and peals of thunder; and there was a massive earthquake—nothing like it has ever occurred since mankind originated on the earth, so severe and far-reaching was that earthquake.

Christian Standard Bible
There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder. And a severe earthquake occurred like no other since people have been on the earth, so great was the quake.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
There were flashes of lightning and rumblings of thunder. And a severe earthquake occurred like no other since man has been on the earth—so great was the quake.

American Standard Version
and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunders; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since there were men upon the earth, so great an earthquake, so mighty.

Contemporary English Version
There were flashes of lightning, roars of thunder, and the worst earthquake in all history.

English Revised Version
and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunders; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since there were men upon the earth, so great an earthquake, so mighty.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
There was lightning, noise, thunder, and a powerful earthquake. There has never been such a powerful earthquake since humans have been on earth.

Good News Translation
There were flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder, and a terrible earthquake. There has never been such an earthquake since the creation of human beings; this was the worst earthquake of all!

International Standard Version
There were flashes of lightning, noises, peals of thunder, and a powerful earthquake. There has never been such a powerful earthquake since people have been on the earth.

Majority Standard Bible
And there were flashes of lightning, and peals of thunder, and rumblings, and a great earthquake the likes of which had not occurred since men were upon the earth—so mighty was the great quake.

NET Bible
Then there were flashes of lightning, roaring, and crashes of thunder, and there was a tremendous earthquake--an earthquake unequaled since humanity has been on the earth, so tremendous was that earthquake.

New Heart English Bible
There were lightnings, voices, and peals of thunder; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since man was on the earth, so great an earthquake, so mighty.

Webster's Bible Translation
And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as hath not been since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.

Weymouth New Testament
Flashes of lightning followed, and voices, and peals of thunder, and an earthquake more dreadful than there had ever been since there was a man upon the earth--so terrible was it, and so great!

World English Bible
There were lightnings, sounds, and thunders; and there was a great earthquake such as has not happened since there were men on the earth—so great an earthquake and so mighty.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And there came voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and a great earthquake came, such as has not come since men came on the earth, so mighty an earthquake—so great!

Berean Literal Bible
And there were flashes of lightning, and voices, and thunders; and there was a great earthquake, such as there had not been since men were upon the earth--so great was the earthquake, so mighty,

Young's Literal Translation
and there came voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and a great earthquake came, such as came not since men came upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake -- so great!

Smith's Literal Translation
And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great shaking, such as was not since the time men were upon earth, such a great shaking.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And there were lightnings, and voices, and thunders, and there was a great earthquake, such an one as never had been since men were upon the earth, such an earthquake, so great.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And there were lightnings and voices and thunders. And a great earthquake occurred, of a kind such as has never happened since men have been upon the earth, so great was this kind of earthquake.

New American Bible
Then there were lightning flashes, rumblings, and peals of thunder, and a great earthquake. It was such a violent earthquake that there has never been one like it since the human race began on earth.

New Revised Standard Version
And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a violent earthquake, such as had not occurred since people were upon the earth, so violent was that earthquake.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, the like of which had never happened since man was upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And there were lightnings and thunders and there was a great earthquake, the like of which earthquake there has not been since people have been upon The Earth, it was so great.

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
And there were lightnings and voices and thunders; and there was a great earthquake, such as has not been since men were on the earth, —so great an earth quake, and so mighty.

Godbey New Testament
And there were lightnings, and voices, and thunders; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not from the time man was upon the earth, such was so great an earthquake.

Haweis New Testament
And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not from the day that men were upon the earth, an earthquake of such a kind, and so great.

Mace New Testament
and there were voices, thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake and so great.

Weymouth New Testament
Flashes of lightning followed, and voices, and peals of thunder, and an earthquake more dreadful than there had ever been since there was a man upon the earth--so terrible was it, and so great!

Worrell New Testament
And there were lightnings and voices and thunders; and there was an earthquake, a great one, such as was not since there were men on the earth, so mighty an earthquake, so great.

Worsley New Testament
And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as never was since there were men upon the earth, so violent and so great.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Seventh Bowl of Wrath
17Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came from the throne in the temple, saying, “It is done!” 18And there were flashes of lightning, and rumblings, and peals of thunder, and a great earthquake the likes of which had not occurred since men were upon the earth— so mighty was the great quake. 19The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. And God remembered Babylon the great and gave her the cup of the wine of the fury of His wrath.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Matthew 24:7
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

Mark 13:8
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, as well as famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.

Luke 21:11
There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, along with fearful sights and great signs from heaven.

Hebrews 12:26
At that time His voice shook the earth, but now He has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth, but heaven as well.”

Revelation 6:12
And I watched as the Lamb opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black like sackcloth of goat hair, and the whole moon turned blood red,

Revelation 11:13
And in that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand were killed in the quake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.

Revelation 8:5
Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it to the earth; and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.

Revelation 11:19
Then the temple of God in heaven was opened, and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple. And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a great hailstorm.

Isaiah 29:6
you will be visited by the LORD of Hosts with thunder and earthquake and loud noise, with windstorm and tempest and consuming flame of fire.

Isaiah 13:13
Therefore I will make the heavens tremble, and the earth will be shaken from its place at the wrath of the LORD of Hosts on the day of His burning anger.

Joel 2:10
Before them the earth quakes; the heavens tremble. The sun and moon grow dark, and the stars lose their brightness.

Haggai 2:6
For this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land.

Ezekiel 38:19
In My zeal and fiery rage I proclaim that on that day there will be a great earthquake in the land of Israel.

Jeremiah 10:10
But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and eternal King. The earth quakes at His wrath, and the nations cannot endure His indignation.

Nahum 1:5
The mountains quake before Him, and the hills melt away; the earth trembles at His presence—the world and all its dwellers.

Treasury of Scripture

And there were voices, and thunders, and lightning; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were on the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.

were.

Revelation 4:5
And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

Revelation 8:5
And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.

Revelation 11:19
And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

Revelation 11:13
And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.

Daniel 12:1
And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

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Dreadful Earth Earthquake Earth-Shock Flames Flashes Followed Full Great Lightnings Mighty Occurred Peals Power Rumblings Severe Sounds Terrible Thunder Thunders Time Tremendous Voices

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Revelation 16

1. The angels pour out their bowls of wrath.
6. The plagues that follow.
16. Armageddon.

Berean Study Bible

flashes of lightning
The imagery of "flashes of lightning" in Revelation often symbolizes the presence and power of God. In the Greek, the word for lightning is "astrapē," which is used throughout the New Testament to denote sudden and divine revelation or judgment. Lightning is a natural phenomenon that evokes awe and fear, representing God's unapproachable holiness and the swift execution of His will. In the context of Revelation, it signifies the imminent and unavoidable nature of God's judgment upon the earth.

rumblings
The term "rumblings" is translated from the Greek word "phōnai," which can mean voices or sounds. This suggests a divine communication or proclamation. In the context of Revelation, these rumblings are not mere background noise but are indicative of the heavenly realm's active involvement in earthly events. They serve as a prelude to the unfolding of God's final judgments, reminding believers of the spiritual realities that underpin physical occurrences.

peals of thunder
"Peals of thunder" are often associated with God's voice in the Bible, as seen in passages like Psalm 29. The Greek word "brontē" is used here, emphasizing the power and authority of God's declarations. Thunder, with its overwhelming sound, symbolizes the majesty and might of God, who speaks with authority over creation. In Revelation, it underscores the seriousness and gravity of the events being described, as God's voice shakes the heavens and the earth.

a great earthquake
The phrase "a great earthquake" is significant in apocalyptic literature, symbolizing a divine intervention that disrupts the natural order. The Greek word "seismos" is used, which can refer to a shaking or commotion. Earthquakes in the Bible often accompany significant divine acts, such as the giving of the Law at Sinai or the resurrection of Christ. This particular earthquake is described as unparalleled, highlighting the unprecedented nature of God's final judgment and the complete transformation it brings.

the likes of which had not occurred since men were upon the earth
This phrase emphasizes the unparalleled nature of the event. It draws attention to the magnitude and uniqueness of the judgment, which surpasses any previous historical or natural disaster. The Greek construction here underscores the totality and comprehensiveness of the event, marking it as a pivotal moment in human history. It serves as a sobering reminder of the ultimate accountability all of creation has before its Creator.

so mighty was the great quake
The repetition of "great" in describing the earthquake underscores its intensity and significance. The Greek word "megas" is used, which denotes something of great size, power, or importance. This final emphasis on the earthquake's might serves to highlight the overwhelming power of God in executing His judgment. It is a call for reverence and awe, reminding believers of the ultimate sovereignty of God over all creation and the certainty of His righteous judgment.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(18) And there were voices . . .--There is some variety in the order of the words in different MSS. There were lightnings, and voices, and thunders (comp. Revelation 8:5; Revelation 11:19); there was a great earthquake, such as was not from the time there was a man upon the earth. The earthquake, which is the shaking down of the kingdom of evil (comp. Hebrews 12:26-29), completes the overthrow of which the earlier judgments have been precursors. The throne of the wild beast has been visited, the centre of his power smitten; now the metropolis of his empire is about to fall. And the great city (i.e., Babylon, the symbol of the world-power's capital) became into three parts. It lost its power of cohesion. The three evil spirits endeavoured to unite all powers in one grand assault, but there is no natural cohesion among those whose only bond is hatred of good. The first convulsion shakes them to pieces, and the cities of the nations fall. Every subordinate power in which the earthly element was mingled (comp. Daniel 2:41-44) is overthrown in the earthquake, even as every tree which the "Heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted up" (Matthew 15:13); and great Babylon was remembered before God, &c. The features of the overthrow of Babylon are described more fully later on (Revelation 17, 18), where the various aspects of evil in the great metropolis of the world-power are dealt with (Revelation 17:1-7; Revelation 18:1-3). The fall of Pagan Rome is but one illustration of the overthrow of Babylon. . . .

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 18. - And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. The usual accompaniments of any special manifestation of God's power or presence (see on Revelation 4:5 and Revelation 6:12-17). A similar description is given of the close of the seal and the trumpet visions.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

And
Καὶ (Kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

there were
ἐγένοντο (egenonto)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.

flashes of lightning,
ἀστραπαὶ (astrapai)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 796: A flash of lightning, brightness, luster. From astrapto; lightning; by analogy, glare.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

rumblings,
φωναὶ (phōnai)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 5456: Probably akin to phaino through the idea of disclosure; a tone; by implication, an address, saying or language.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

peals of thunder,
βρονταί (brontai)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 1027: Thunder. Akin to bremo; thunder.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

a great
μέγας (megas)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3173: Large, great, in the widest sense.

earthquake
σεισμὸς (seismos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4578: A shaking (as an earthquake); a storm. From seio; a commotion, i.e. a gale, an earthquake.

the likes of which
οἷος (hoios)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3634: Probably akin to ho, hos, and hosos; such or what sort of; especially the neuter with negative, not so.

had not occurred
ἐγένετο (egeneto)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.

since
ἀφ’ (aph’)
Preposition
Strong's 575: From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.

men
ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.

were
ἐγένετο (egeneto)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.

upon
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

the
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

earth—
γῆς (gēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1093: Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.

so
οὕτω (houtō)
Adverb
Strong's 3779: Thus, so, in this manner. Or (referring to what precedes or follows).

mighty
τηλικοῦτος (tēlikoutos)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5082: Or feminine telikaute from a compound of ho with helikos and houtos; such as this, i.e. (figurative) magnitude) so vast.

[was the] great
μέγας (megas)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3173: Large, great, in the widest sense.

quake.
σεισμὸς (seismos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4578: A shaking (as an earthquake); a storm. From seio; a commotion, i.e. a gale, an earthquake.

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NT Prophecy: Revelation 16:18 There were lightnings sounds and thunders (Rev. Re Apocalypse)