New Testament Greek

Καὶ ἔχουσιν οὐρὰς ὁμοίας σκορπίοις καὶ κέντρα, καὶ ἐν ταῖς οὐραῖς αὐτῶν ἐξουσίαν ἔχουσι τοῦ ἀδικῆσαι τοὺς ἀνθρώπους μῆνας πέντε. (Revelation 9:10) When Grammar Stings

The Book of Revelation offers grammar wrapped in apocalyptic fire. In Revelation 9:10, John describes the locust-scorpion hybrids unleashed in judgment, focusing on their tails. But the Greek here is more than description — it constructs a syntax of threat, using repetition, genitive infinitive purpose, and comparative clauses.

This lesson explores how Koine Greek uses present verbs, genitive articular infinitives, and simile-based structures to convey ongoing, limited, divinely permitted destruction.

Focus Phenomena: Similitude Clause with ὁμοίας (“like”) Double Present Indicatives for emphasis: ἔχουσιν… ἔχουσι Genitive Articular Infinitive of Purpose: τοῦ ἀδικῆσαι Phrase-by-Phrase Breakdown

καὶ ἔχουσιν οὐρὰς ὁμοίας σκορπίοις καὶ κέντρα “And they have tails like scorpions, and stingers”

This is a comparative construction using: – ὁμοίας (“similar to”) modifying οὐρὰς (“tails”) – σκορπίοις in the dative case — expected with ὅμοιος for comparisons – καὶ κέντρα introduces an additional feature: stingers

Then we have the repetition:

καὶ ἐν ταῖς οὐραῖς αὐτῶν ἐξουσίαν ἔχουσι “And in their tails, they have authority”

Followed by a genitive articular infinitive of purpose:

τοῦ ἀδικῆσαι τοὺς ἀνθρώπους μῆνας πέντε “to harm men for five months”

Key Morphology and Parsing ὁμοίας Root: ὅμοιος Form: Accusative Feminine Plural Adjective Lexical Meaning: “like,” “similar to” Contextual Notes: Agrees with οὐρὰς in gender/number/case; takes dative objects (e.g.,… Learn Koine Greek