Revelation 11:6
New International Version
They have power to shut up the heavens so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.

New Living Translation
They have power to shut the sky so that no rain will fall for as long as they prophesy. And they have the power to turn the rivers and oceans into blood, and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they wish.

English Standard Version
They have the power to shut the sky, that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying, and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague, as often as they desire.

Berean Standard Bible
These witnesses have power to shut the sky so that no rain will fall during the days of their prophecy, and power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they wish.

Berean Literal Bible
These have the power to shut the sky, so that no rain shall fall in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over the waters, to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they might desire.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.

New American Standard Bible
These have the power to shut up the sky, so that rain will not fall during the days of their prophesying; and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they desire.

NASB 1995
These have the power to shut up the sky, so that rain will not fall during the days of their prophesying; and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they desire.

NASB 1977
These have the power to shut up the sky, in order that rain may not fall during the days of their prophesying; and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to smite the earth with every plague, as often as they desire.

Legacy Standard Bible
These have the authority to shut up the sky, so that rain will not fall during the days of their prophesying; they also have authority over the waters to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they wish.

Amplified Bible
These [two witnesses] have the power [from God] to shut up the sky, so that no rain will fall during the days of their prophesying [regarding judgment and salvation]; and they have power over the waters (seas, rivers) to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every [kind of] plague, as often as they wish.

Christian Standard Bible
They have authority to close up the sky so that it does not rain during the days of their prophecy. They also have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every plague whenever they want.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
These men have the power to close up the sky so that it does not rain during the days of their prophecy. They also have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every plague whenever they want.

American Standard Version
These have the power to shut the heaven, that it rain not during the days of their prophecy: and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to smite the earth with every plague, as often as they shall desire.

Contemporary English Version
They have the power to lock up the sky and to keep rain from falling while they are prophesying. And whenever they want to, they can turn water to blood and cause all kinds of terrible troubles on earth.

English Revised Version
These have the power to shut the heaven, that it rain not during the days of their prophecy: and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to smite the earth with every plague, as often as they shall desire.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
These witnesses have authority to shut the sky in order to keep rain from falling during the time they speak what God has revealed. They have authority to turn water into blood and to strike the earth with any plague as often as they want.

Good News Translation
They have authority to shut up the sky so that there will be no rain during the time they proclaim God's message. They have authority also over the springs of water, to turn them into blood; they have authority also to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they wish.

International Standard Version
These witnesses have authority to close the heavens in order to keep rain from falling while they are prophesying. They also have authority to turn bodies of water into blood and to strike the earth with any plague, as often as they desire.

Majority Standard Bible
These witnesses have power to shut the sky so that no rain will fall during the days of their prophecy, and power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they wish.

NET Bible
These two have the power to close up the sky so that it does not rain during the time they are prophesying. They have power to turn the waters to blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague whenever they want.

New Heart English Bible
These have the power to shut up the sky, that it may not rain during the days of their prophecy. They have power over the waters, to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they desire.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

Weymouth New Testament
They have power given to them to seal up the sky, so that no rain may fall so long as they continue to prophesy; and power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to smite the earth with various plagues whenever they choose to do so.

World English Bible
These have the power to shut up the sky, that it may not rain during the days of their prophecy. They have power over the waters, to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they desire.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
These have authority to shut the sky, that rain may not rain in the days of their prophecy, and they have authority over the waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the land with every plague, as often as they may will.

Berean Literal Bible
These have the power to shut the sky, so that no rain shall fall in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over the waters, to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they might desire.

Young's Literal Translation
These have authority to shut the heaven, that it may not rain rain in the days of their prophecy, and authority they have over the waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the land with every plague, as often as they may will.

Smith's Literal Translation
These have power to shut up heaven, that the rain should not wet in the days of their prophecy: and they have power over the waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with every blow, as often as they wish.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and they have power over waters to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues as often as they will.

Catholic Public Domain Version
These have the power to close up the heavens, so that it may not rain during the days of their prophesying. And they have power over the waters, to convert them into blood, and to strike the earth with every kind of affliction as often as they will.

New American Bible
They have the power to close up the sky so that no rain can fall during the time of their prophesying. They also have power to turn water into blood and to afflict the earth with any plague as often as they wish.

New Revised Standard Version
They have authority to shut the sky, so that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying, and they have authority over the waters to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every kind of plague, as often as they desire.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
These have power to control the sky, so that it will not rain in those days: and have power over waters to turn them into blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“And these have authority to close up the sky that the rain would not descend in the days of their prophecy, and they have authority to change water to blood and to strike The Earth with all plagues as much as they wish.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
These have authority to shut heaven, that it may not rain in the days of their prophecy; and they have authority over the waters, to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with every plague, as often as they wish.

Godbey New Testament
They have power to shut up the heaven, that the rain may not fall during the days of their prophecy: and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to smite the earth with every plague, so often as they may wish.

Haweis New Testament
These have power to shut up the heaven, that no rain water the earth during the days of their prophecy: and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to smite the earth with every plague, as often as they will.

Mace New Testament
during their prophecy they have power to prevent any rain descending from heaven: their power extends over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with what plagues they please.

Weymouth New Testament
They have power given to them to seal up the sky, so that no rain may fall so long as they continue to prophesy; and power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to smite the earth with various plagues whenever they choose to do so.

Worrell New Testament
These have authority to shut the heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy; and they have authority over the waters, to turn them into blood, and to smite the earth with every plague, as often as they may wish.

Worsley New Testament
These have power to shut the heavens, so that no rain may fall in the days of their prophecy: and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to smite the earth with every plague as often as they will.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Two Witnesses
5If anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouths and devours their enemies. In this way, anyone who wants to harm them must be killed. 6These witnesses have power to shut the sky so that no rain will fall during the days of their prophecy, and power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they wish. 7When the two witnesses have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will wage war with them, and will overpower and kill them.…

Cross References
James 5:17-18
Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. / Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth yielded its crops.

1 Kings 17:1
Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was among the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there will be neither dew nor rain in these years except at my word!”

Exodus 7:20-21
Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD had commanded; in the presence of Pharaoh and his officials, Aaron raised the staff and struck the water of the Nile, and all the water was turned to blood. / The fish in the Nile died, and the river smelled so bad that the Egyptians could not drink its water. And there was blood throughout the land of Egypt.

1 Kings 18:41-45
And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain.” / So Ahab went up to eat and drink. But Elijah climbed to the summit of Carmel, bent down on the ground, and put his face between his knees. / “Go and look toward the sea,” he said to his servant. So the servant went and looked, and he said, “There is nothing there.” Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.” ...

Exodus 9:14-17
Otherwise, I will send all My plagues against you and your officials and your people, so you may know that there is no one like Me in all the earth. / For by this time I could have stretched out My hand and struck you and your people with a plague to wipe you off the earth. / But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power to you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth. ...

Luke 4:25
But I tell you truthfully that there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and great famine swept over all the land.

2 Kings 1:10-12
Elijah answered the captain, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” And fire came down from heaven and consumed the captain and his fifty men. / So the king sent to Elijah another captain with his fifty men. And the captain said to Elijah, “Man of God, the king declares, ‘Come down at once!’” / Again Elijah replied, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” And the fire of God came down from heaven and consumed the captain and his fifty men.

Exodus 7:17-19
This is what the LORD says: By this you will know that I am the LORD. Behold, with the staff in my hand I will strike the water of the Nile, and it will turn to blood. / The fish in the Nile will die, the river will stink, and the Egyptians will be unable to drink its water.’” / And the LORD said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Take your staff and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt—over their rivers and canals and ponds and all the reservoirs—that they may become blood.’ There will be blood throughout the land of Egypt, even in the vessels of wood and stone.”

Matthew 17:3
Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared before them, talking with Jesus.

Exodus 9:22-26
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, so that hail may fall on all the land of Egypt—on man and beast and every plant of the field throughout the land of Egypt.” / So Moses stretched out his staff toward heaven, and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and lightning struck the earth. So the LORD rained down hail upon the land of Egypt. / The hail fell and the lightning continued flashing through it. The hail was so severe that nothing like it had ever been seen in all the land of Egypt from the time it became a nation. ...

2 Kings 4:32-35
When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his bed. / So he went in, closed the door behind the two of them, and prayed to the LORD. / Then Elisha got on the bed and lay on the boy, mouth to mouth, eye to eye, and hand to hand. As he stretched himself out over him, the boy’s body became warm. ...

Exodus 10:21-23
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, so that darkness may spread over the land of Egypt—a palpable darkness.” / So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and total darkness covered all the land of Egypt for three days. / No one could see anyone else, and for three days no one left his place. Yet all the Israelites had light in their dwellings.

John 11:43-44
After Jesus had said this, He called out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” / The man who had been dead came out with his hands and feet bound in strips of linen, and his face wrapped in a cloth. “Unwrap him and let him go,” Jesus told them.

Exodus 8:5-6
And the LORD said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Stretch out your hand with your staff over the rivers and canals and ponds, and cause the frogs to come up onto the land of Egypt.’” / So Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt, and the frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt.

Acts 7:36
He led them out and performed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, at the Red Sea, and for forty years in the wilderness.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

power.

1 Kings 17:1
And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.

Luke 4:25
But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land;

James 5:16-18
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much…

have power over.

Ezekiel 7:1-12:28,14
Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, …

Psalm 105:26-36
He sent Moses his servant; and Aaron whom he had chosen…

Jump to Previous
Authority Blood Continue Desire Earth Fall Heaven Kind Often Plague Plagues Pleasure Power Prophecy Prophesy Prophets Rain Seal Shut Sky Smite Sort Strike Time Turn Various Want Waters Whenever
Jump to Next
Authority Blood Continue Desire Earth Fall Heaven Kind Often Plague Plagues Pleasure Power Prophecy Prophesy Prophets Rain Seal Shut Sky Smite Sort Strike Time Turn Various Want Waters Whenever
Revelation 11
1. The two witnesses prophesy.
6. They have power to shut heaven so that it rain not.
7. The beast shall fight against them, and kill them.
8. They lie unburied;
11. and after three and a half days rise again.
14. The second woe is past.
15. The seventh trumpet sounds.














These men have power
The phrase "These men have power" refers to the two witnesses described earlier in Revelation 11. The Greek word for "power" here is "ἐξουσία" (exousia), which implies authority or the right to act. This authority is divinely granted, emphasizing that their actions are sanctioned by God. Historically, prophets like Elijah and Moses were given similar authority to perform miracles, underscoring the continuity of God's power through His chosen servants.

to shut the sky
The ability "to shut the sky" is reminiscent of the prophet Elijah, who prayed for a drought, and it did not rain for three and a half years (1 Kings 17:1; James 5:17). The Greek word for "shut" is "κλείω" (kleio), meaning to close or lock. This act signifies divine judgment and control over nature, highlighting the witnesses' role in executing God's will on earth.

so that no rain will fall
The phrase "so that no rain will fall" indicates a direct consequence of the witnesses' authority. Rain, a symbol of God's blessing and provision, being withheld signifies judgment and a call to repentance. In the biblical context, rain is often associated with God's favor (Deuteronomy 11:14), and its absence serves as a powerful sign of divine displeasure.

during the days of their prophecy
"During the days of their prophecy" suggests a specific, divinely appointed period for the witnesses' ministry. The Greek word for "prophecy" is "προφητεία" (propheteia), which involves speaking forth God's message. This period is marked by both proclamation and miraculous signs, emphasizing the urgency and importance of their message.

and they have power to turn the waters into blood
The ability "to turn the waters into blood" echoes the first plague in Egypt (Exodus 7:17-21), where Moses turned the Nile into blood. This act serves as a sign of judgment and a call to repentance. The transformation of water, a source of life, into blood, a symbol of death, underscores the severity of God's warnings through His witnesses.

and to strike the earth with every kind of plague
The phrase "and to strike the earth with every kind of plague" indicates the breadth of the witnesses' authority to execute divine judgment. The Greek word for "plague" is "πληγή" (plege), meaning a blow or wound. This power to inflict plagues recalls the plagues of Egypt, serving as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the consequences of rebellion against Him.

as often as they wish
The concluding phrase "as often as they wish" highlights the autonomy granted to the witnesses within the scope of their divine mission. This autonomy underscores the seriousness of their role and the urgency of their message. It serves as a reminder of the patience and mercy of God, who desires repentance but will not withhold judgment indefinitely.

Verse 6. - 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; the power... the heaven... the waters... every plague (Revised Version). The whole verse is descriptive of the powers entrusted to Moses and Elijah, and is intended to convey the idea that the power which supported them would likewise support the two witnesses. It is doubtful whether the meaning should be pressed further than this. If we do so, it may, perhaps, be said that (in the words of Wordsworth) "if any one despises God's witnesses, they have the power, like Elias, to shut heaven, and exclude all who reject them. The dews of Divine grace are withheld from all who scorn them." It is thus a fulfilment of our Lord's words, "Whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath" (Matthew 13:12). And again, besides the punishments which are finally to fall on the ungodly, it is the case that the rejection of God's will is followed on this earth by troubles which would be avoided were men to listen to the witness borne of him.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
These [witnesses]
οὗτοι (houtoi)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

have
ἔχουσιν (echousin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

power
ἐξουσίαν (exousian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1849: From exesti; privilege, i.e. force, capacity, competency, freedom, or mastery, delegated influence.

to shut
κλεῖσαι (kleisai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 2808: To shut, shut up. A primary verb; to close.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

sky
οὐρανόν (ouranon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3772: Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel.

so that
ἵνα (hina)
Conjunction
Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.

no
μὴ (mē)
Adverb
Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.

rain
ὑετὸς (hyetos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5205: Rain. From a primary huo; rain, especially a shower.

will fall
βρέχῃ (brechē)
Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1026: To moisten, rain, send rain. A primary verb; to moisten.

during the
τὰς (tas)
Article - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

days
ἡμέρας (hēmeras)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 2250: A day, the period from sunrise to sunset.

of
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.

their
αὐτῶν (autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

prophecy,
προφητείας (prophēteias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 4394: Prophecy, prophesying; the gift of communicating and enforcing revealed truth. From prophetes; prediction.

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

power
ἐξουσίαν (exousian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1849: From exesti; privilege, i.e. force, capacity, competency, freedom, or mastery, delegated influence.

to turn
στρέφειν (strephein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 4762: Strengthened from the base of trope; to twist, i.e. Turn quite around or reverse.

the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

waters
ὑδάτων (hydatōn)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 5204: Water. And genitive case, hudatos, etc. From the base of huetos; water literally or figuratively.

into
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

blood,
αἷμα (haima)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 129: Blood, literally, figuratively or specially; by implication, bloodshed, also kindred.

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

to strike
πατάξαι (pataxai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 3960: To smite, strike (as with a sword), smite to death, afflict. Probably prolongation from paio; to knock.

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative 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
γῆν (gēn)
Noun - Accusative 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.

with
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

every kind of
πάσῃ (pasē)
Adjective - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

plague
πληγῇ (plēgē)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4127: A blow, stripe, wound; an affliction, plague. From plesso; a stroke; by implication, a wound; figuratively, a calamity.

as often as
ὁσάκις (hosakis)
Conjunction
Strong's 3740: As often as, as many times as. Multiple adverb from hos; how many times as.

they wish.
θελήσωσιν (thelēsōsin)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2309: To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design.


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NT Prophecy: Revelation 11:6 These have the power to shut up (Rev. Re Apocalypse)
Revelation 11:5
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