New Testament

Revelation 8:11

The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English

At a Glance

In Revelation 8:11, a star named Wormwood falls from the sky, symbolizing a significant and devastating event.

Author: John the apostle
Written: Around AD 95
Genre: Apocalyptic prophecy
Original Audience: The seven churches of Asia Minor

CBTClear Bible Translation

The star's name was Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many people died from the waters because they were made bitter.

KJVKing James Version

And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.

Verse Analysis

Plain-English insight for readers

In Revelation 8:11, a star named Wormwood falls from the sky, symbolizing a significant and devastating event. This star causes a third of the earth's waters to become bitter, making them undrinkable. The bitterness leads to the death of many people, highlighting the severe consequences of this calamity. The term 'Wormwood' is often associated with bitterness and sorrow, suggesting that this event brings not only physical death but also spiritual implications. The imagery of a star falling can represent divine judgment or a catastrophic event that disrupts the natural order. This passage serves as a warning about the consequences of turning away from God and the resulting suffering that can ensue. It emphasizes the importance of spiritual vigilance and the need to seek purity and life-giving sustenance from God rather than the bitterness of sin and rebellion.

Key themes

Related Bible verses

How to apply Revelation 8:11 to your life

This verse reminds us of the importance of spiritual health and the dangers of allowing bitterness to take root in our lives. We should seek to purify our hearts and minds, avoiding the toxic influences that can lead to spiritual death. Staying close to God helps us find true sustenance and life.

Curated for this public verse page. Revelation Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Revelation 8:11 mean?

Revelation 8:11 describes a star named Wormwood that falls from the sky, causing a third of the waters on earth to become bitter and undrinkable. This event leads to the death of many people, symbolizing severe consequences and divine judgment.

What is the significance of Wormwood in Revelation 8:11?

Wormwood represents bitterness and sorrow, indicating that the event described brings not only physical death but also spiritual implications. It serves as a warning about the dangers of turning away from God.

What does the star falling in Revelation 8:11 symbolize?

The falling star in Revelation 8:11 symbolizes a catastrophic event or divine judgment that disrupts the natural order, leading to significant suffering and death.

How does Revelation 8:11 relate to spiritual health?

Revelation 8:11 highlights the importance of spiritual health by warning against the bitterness that can arise from sin and rebellion. It encourages believers to seek purity and life-giving sustenance from God.

Book Summary

The Book of Revelation

Revelation 1: The Revelation of Jesus Christ

This is the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gives Him to show His servants things which must shortly come to pass, sent and signified by His angel to John, who bears record of the word of God. A blessing is pronounced upon those who read and hear the words of this prophecy and keep the things written therein, for the time is at hand. John writes to the seven churches in Asia, sending grace and peace from Him which is, and which was, and which is to come, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first begotten of the dead, who washed us from our sins in His own blood. He declares Himself Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending. John, in the isle of Patmos for the word of God, is in the Spirit on the Lord's day and hears behind him a great voice as a trumpet. Turning, he sees seven golden candlesticks and one like the Son of man among them, clothed to the foot, His head and hairs white as wool, His eyes as a flame of fire, His feet like fine brass, His voice as the sound of many waters, seven stars in His right hand, and a sharp twoedged sword going out of His mouth. John falls at His feet as dead, and the Lord lays His right hand upon him, saying, Fear not, I am the first and the last, He that liveth and was dead and is alive for evermore. He reveals that the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches and the seven candlesticks are the seven churches.

Revelation 2: Letters to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, and Thyatira The Lord dictates letters to four of the seven churches. To Ephesus He commends their labor and patience and their rejection of evil men, but charges that they have left their first love, calling them to repent and do the first works. To Smyrna, suffering tribulation and poverty yet rich, He warns of coming imprisonment and bids them be faithful unto death to receive a crown of life, promising the overcomer shall not be hurt by the second death. To Pergamos, dwelling where Satan's seat is, He commends their holding fast His name but rebukes those holding the doctrine of Balaam and of the Nicolaitans, promising the overcomer hidden manna and a white stone with a new name. To Thyatira He commends their charity and works yet rebukes their suffering the woman Jezebel to teach and seduce His servants, declaring He will cast her into a bed of tribulation and that He searcheth the reins and hearts; the overcomer shall have power over the nations and the morning star. Revelation 3: Letters to Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea The Lord continues to the remaining three churches. To Sardis He declares they have a name that they live but are dead, urging them to be watchful and strengthen the things that remain, yet noting a few who have not defiled their garments who shall walk with Him in white. To Philadelphia, who has kept His word and not denied His name, He sets before them an open door which no man can shut, promising to keep them from the hour of temptation that shall come upon all the world, and that the overcomer shall be a pillar in the temple of God. To Laodicea He rebukes their being lukewarm, neither cold nor hot, so that He will spue them out of His mouth; they think themselves rich and increased with goods, but are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked, and He counsels them to buy of Him gold tried in the fire. He declares that He stands at the door and knocks, and if any man hear His voice and open the door, He will come in to him; the overcomer shall sit with Him in His throne.

Premium

Unlock the full Revelation summary

Continue reading every chapter — themes, structure, and turning points.

The complete summary of Revelation — a chapter-by-chapter breakdown covering all 22 chapters.

What you get

Every chapter of Revelation summarized in clear, modern English

How each section connects — narrative flow, key themes, and turning points

Permanent access — read anytime, on any device

Best Value

Best value • Save over 90%

One-time purchase • Access anytime

ClearBible summaries are proprietary content and may not be copied, republished, or resold.

Checkout works as a guest. After payment, you create an account to claim your unlock.

← Verse 10 Verse 12 →