What Does Revelation 16:14 Mean in the King James?
For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The signs in this verse reveal their meaning by where they lead: toward a gathering for battle.
THE MEANING
This verse names the forces at work as demonic spirits: they produce signs, move among rulers across the earth, and gather them toward battle on God’s great day. Their impressive works serve a direction, drawing power into conflict.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
A spectacular sign proves that its source is trustworthy.
THE ROOT
πνεύματα
pneumata
GROWS FROM
πνέω
pneō
To breathe or blow.
The word translated “spirits” is πνεύματα (pneumata), from πνέω (pneō), “to breathe, blow”; this word family also names breath and moving air. The image makes these forces active and spreading: they work signs and go out to gather rulers.
ALSO GROWS
pneuma: Breath; moving air.
πνεῦμα
This is the singular form of the word translated “spirits” here, keeping breath and spirit within one word family.
empneō: Breathe in or breathe out.
ἐμπνέω
This related verb makes the family’s force active, as these spirits move outward and influence others.
σημεῖα
sēmeia
GROWS FROM
σημεῖον
sēmeion
A sign, mark, or observable indication.
The Greek word σημεῖα (sēmeia) means “signs,” a sense carried by the root σημεῖον (sēmeion). “Miracles” foregrounds the marvel; “signs” also lets us see that these works point somewhere, and here they point toward battle.
ALSO GROWS
sēma: A sign or mark.
σῆμα
This related word carries the sense of a mark that indicates something beyond itself.
sēmainō: Signal or make known.
σημαίνω
A sign can signal a direction, which matters here because the signs draw rulers toward conflict.
συναγαγεῖν
synagagein
GROWS FROM
ἄγω
agō
To lead or bring.
The word translated “gather” is συναγαγεῖν (synagagein), formed with συν (together) and ἄγω (agō), “to lead.” The gathering is itself a movement with a destination: battle.
ALSO GROWS
synagō: Bring together; assemble.
συνάγω
This compound uses the same “together” and “lead” idea as the gathering in the verse.
agōgē: Leading or conduct.
ἀγωγή
This related noun keeps the emphasis on the path or direction by which people are led.
THE PATTERN
A sign is read by the direction it gives and the allegiance it gathers, because marvels can serve deception.
And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them;For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.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.THE THREAD
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.The word translated “miracles” here is σημεῖα (sēmeia), the same Greek word translated “signs” in Matthew 24:24. Matthew names the danger of deception; Revelation shows where these signs lead the rulers: toward battle.
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