Revelation 11 · Verse 10

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.
Revelation 11:10, King James Version

Revelation 11:10 in other translations

BSBAnd those who dwell on the earth will gloat over them, and will celebrate and send one another gifts, because these two prophets had tormented them.
WEBThose who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, and they will be glad. They will give gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.
ASVAnd they that dwell on the earth rejoice over them, and make merry; and they shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwell on the earth.
YLTand those dwelling upon the land shall rejoice over them, and shall make merry, and gifts they shall send to one another, because these--the two prophets--did torment those dwelling upon the land.'
DARBYAnd they that dwell upon the earth rejoice over them, and are full of delight, and shall send gifts one to another, because these, the two prophets, tormented them that dwell upon the earth.
BBEAnd those who are on the earth will have pleasure and delight over them; and they will send offerings one to another because these two prophets gave great trouble to all on the earth.
WebsterAnd 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.

What does Revelation 11:10 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
10. they that dwell upon ... earth--those who belong to the earth, as its citizens, not to heaven (Re 3:10; 8:13; 12:12; 13:8). shall--so Vulgate, Syriac, and Coptic. But A, B, and C read the present tense; compare Note, see on Re 11:9, on "shall not suffer." rejoice over them--The Antichristianity of the last days shall probably be under the name of philosophical enlightenment and civilization, but really man's deification of himself. Fanaticism shall lead Antichrist's followers to exult in having at last seemingly silenced in death their Christian rebukers. Like her Lord, the Church will have her dark passion week followed by the bright resurrection morn. It is a curious historical coincidence that, at the fifth Lateran Council, May 5, 1514, no witness (not even the Moravians who were summoned) testified for the truth, as Huss and Jerome did at Constance; an orator ascended the tribunal before the representatives of papal Christendom, and said, "There is no reclaimant, no opponent." Luther, on October 31, 1517, exactly three and a half years afterwards, posted up his famous theses on the church at Wittenberg. The objection is, the years are years of three hundred sixty-five, not three hundred sixty, days, and so two and a half days are deficient; but still the coincidence is curious; and if this prophecy be allowed other fulfilments, besides the final and literal one under the last Antichrist, this may reasonably be regarded as one. send gifts one to another--as was usual at a joyous festival. tormented them--namely, with the plagues which they had power to inflict (Re 11:5, 6); also, by their testimony against the earthly.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 10. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them. Those dwelling in the land would rejoice over their fall and ruin. This cannot, of course, mean all who inhabit the globe; but, according to the usage in Scripture, those who dwell in the country where this would occur. Compare Lk 2:1. We now affix to the word "earth" an idea which was not necessarily implied in the Hebrew word (Heb?) eretz, (compare Ex 3:8, 13:5, De 19:2,10; De 28:12, Neh 9:22, Ps 37:9,11,22,29, 66:4, Prov 2:21, 10:30, Joel 1:2) or the Greek word γη--ge, (compare Mt 2:6,20-21, 14:15 Acts 7:7,11, 7:36,40, 13:17) Our word land, as now commonly understood, would better express the idea intended to be conveyed here; and thus understood, the meaning is, that the dwellers in the country where these things would happen would thus rejoice. The meaning is, that while alive they would, by their faithful testimony against existing errors, excite so much hatred against themselves, and would be so great an annoyance to the governing powers, that there would be general exultation when the voice of their testimony should be silenced. This, too, has been so common in the world that there would be no difficulty in applying the language here used, or in finding events which it would appropriately describe.

And make merry. Be glad. Lk 12:19; 15:23. The Greek word does not necessarily denote the light-hearted mirth expressed by our word merriment, but rather joy or happiness in general. The meaning is, that they would be filled with joy at such an event.

And shall send gifts one to another. As expressive of their joy. To send presents is a natural expression of our own happiness, and our desire for the happiness of others--as is indicated now by "Christmas" and "New Year's gifts." Compare also Neh 8:10-12: "Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength," etc. See also Est 9:19-22.

Because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. They "tormented" them, or were a source of annoyance to them, by bearing testimony to the truth; by opposing the prevailing errors; and by rebuking the vices of the age: perhaps by demanding reformation, and by denouncing the judgment of heaven on the guilty. There is no intimation that they tormented them in any other way than by the truths which they held forth. See the word explained in 2Pet 2:8.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 10 Shall send gifts - This was a custom in days of public rejoicing. They sent gifts to each other, and gave portions to the poor. See Est 9:19, Est 9:22.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Revelation 11:3-13

In the time of treading down, God kept his faithful witnesses to attest the truth of his word and worship, and the excellence of his ways, The number of these witnesses is small, yet enough. They prophesy in sackcloth. It shows their afflicted, persecuted state, and deep sorrow for the abominations against which they protested. They are supported during their great and hard work, till it is done. When they had…

Read the full comment on Revelation 11:3-13 →

Revelation 11:10 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

καὶkaiAndG2532
οἱhoithoseG3588
κατοικοῦντεςkatoikountesdwellingG2730
ἐπὶepionG1909
τῆςtēstheG3588
γῆςgēsearthG1093
χαίρουσινchairousindoes rejoiceG5463
ἐπ᾽ep᾽overG1909
αὐτοῖςautoisthemG846
καὶkaiandG2532
εὐφραίνονταιeuphrainontaidoes make merryG2165
καὶkaiandG2532
δῶραdōragiftsG1435
πέμψουσινpempsousinwill sendG3992
ἀλλήλοις,allēloisto one another,G240
ὅτιhotibecauseG3754
οὗτοιhoutoitheseG3778
οἱhoi<the>G3588
δύοduotwoG1417
προφῆταιprophētaiprophetsG4396
ἐβασάνισανebasanisantormentedG928
τοὺςtousthoseG3588
κατοικοῦνταςkatoikountasdwellingG2730
ἐπὶepiuponG1909
τῆςtēstheG3588
γῆς.¶gēsearth.G1093

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Revelation 11:10

  • 1 Kings 18:17

    And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?

  • Acts 7:54-57

    When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,

  • Revelation 3:10

    Because 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.

  • 1 Kings 22:8

    And 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.

  • Revelation 11:5-6

    And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.

  • John 7:7

    The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.

  • Psalms 35:24-26

    Judge me, O Lord my God, according to thy righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me. Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them not say, We have swallowed him up. Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me.

  • Micah 7:8

    Rejoice 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.

  • Matthew 10:22

    And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

  • Revelation 13:14

    And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

  • Acts 5:33

    When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.

  • Proverbs 24:17

    Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
dwell.
12:13; 13:8,14; Mt 10:22
rejoice.
Jud 16:23,24; Ps 13:4; 35:19,24-26; 89:42; Pr 24:17; Jer 50:11
Ob 1:12; Mic 7:8; Joh 16:20
make.
Ne 8:10-12; 1Co 13:6; Es 9:19-22
these.
5,6; 16:10; 1Ki 18:17; 21:20; 22:8,18; Jer 38:4; Joh 7:7; Ac 5:33
Ac 7:54-57; 17:5,6

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Revelation 11:11

    And 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.

Read all of Revelation 11

Revelation 11:10 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y los moradores de la tierra se gozarán sobre ellos, y se alegrarán, y se enviarán dones los unos á los otros; porque estos dos profetas han atormentado á los que moran sobre la tierra.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et ceux qui habitent sur la terre se réjouissent à leur sujet et font des réjouissances, et ils s’enverront des présents les uns aux autres, parce que ces deux prophètes tourmentaient ceux qui habitent sur la terre.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und die auf der Erde wohnen, freuen sich über sie und frohlocken und werden einander Geschenke senden, weil diese, die zwei Propheten, die quälten, welche auf der Erde wohnen.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		et inhabitantes terram gaudebunt super illos, et jucundabuntur: et munera mittent invicem, quoniam hi duo prophetæ cruciaverunt eos, qui habitabant super terram.