Revelation 16:21
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The most striking detail is not the sheer destructive power of the hail, but the reaction of those struck. Instead of turning to God in their suffering, they curse Him, demonstrating a hardened heart that rejects divine mercy even in the face of overwhelming judgment. This shows that God's justice, while severe, also highlights the profound spiritual brokenness of humanity.
And great hailstones, about one hundred pounds each, fell from heaven on people; and they cursed God for the plague of the hail, because the plague was so severe.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse concludes the description of God's final outpouring of judgment, a series of devastating plagues likened to those in Egypt and the defeat of Israel's enemies. Despite the overwhelming severity of these calamities, including massive hailstones, the wicked refuse to repent, instead cursing God, which foreshadows their ultimate and complete destruction.
Imagine hailstones so large they could crush a person. This isn't just a storm; it's a divine statement.
Revelation 16:21 describes hailstones weighing around 100 pounds each. This is a terrifying image of God's judgment, far beyond any natural storm. The text emphasizes the sheer, overwhelming power of these stones, suggesting a supernatural force at play.
Echoes of Divine Action
These historical events serve as powerful reminders that God has used, and will use, natural phenomena as instruments of His judgment against those who oppose Him.
When judgment falls, people have a choice: repent or curse. This verse shows a chilling outcome.
Despite the severity of the hail – a plague so immense it crushed people – the reaction wasn't repentance. Instead, 'they cursed God.' This reveals a hardened heart that, instead of acknowledging its sin and God's justice, lashes out in anger and defiance.
The Opposite of Repentance
Ask a follow-up
This passage highlights a critical truth: external judgment alone doesn't guarantee a change of heart. True repentance requires God's grace working within.
Understand the original words
barad · Hebrew Noun
A phenomenon of weather characterized by frozen rain, often used in Scripture as a sign of divine judgment, manifestation of God’s power, or an instrument used to afflict the enemies of God’s people.
ouranos · Greek Noun
The abode of God, the place where His throne is established, and the source of divine authority and intervention in human history. It signifies the realm transcending the earthly, from which judgment or blessing originates.
blasphemeo · Greek Verb
To express extreme displeasure, to revile, or to blaspheme. In a biblical context, it often denotes a hardened heart that refuses to repent before God, choosing instead to express hatred toward the Creator in the face of judgment.
plege · Greek Noun
A term used to describe a calamity, disaster, or affliction sent by God, often as a direct judgment against sin and a call to repentance, though often met with obstinacy by the unrepentant.
The imagery of massive hailstones is a powerful echo of God's judgments in the Old Testament, particularly the plagues in Egypt and the victory at Gibeon, reminding readers of God's sovereign power and His severe judgment against hardened hearts. The prophecy in Revelation 16 draws a direct line from these historical events to a future, even more catastrophic judgment.
~1446 BC
Plague of Hail in Egypt
During the Exodus, God sent a devastating plague of hail upon Egypt, destroying livestock and crops that had not been protected, as a judgment against Pharaoh's refusal to let the Israelites go.
~1406 BC
Stones from Heaven at Gibeon
As the Israelites pursued the Amorite kings, God hurled massive hailstones from heaven, killing more of the enemy than the Israelite army did with their swords, aiding in a significant victory.
c. AD 60-62
Paul's Letter to the Romans
The Apostle Paul writes to the church in Rome, likely during his imprisonment, addressing themes of God's judgment, sin, and the consequences of rejecting God.
c. AD 95— this verse
Book of Revelation Written
The Apostle John writes the Book of Revelation, likely while exiled on the island of Patmos, to encourage persecuted Christians and reveal God's ultimate triumph over evil.
This passage describes God sending hail and fire down on Egypt, destroying livestock and men, echoing the destructive nature of the hail in Revelation.
Joshua 10:11Here, the Lord hurls great stones from heaven upon Israel's enemies, illustrating how God uses natural phenomena as instruments of judgment against His foes.
Isaiah 30:30This verse foretells God sending down thunder and a destructive hailstorm to consume the Assyrians, paralleling the immense destructive power of the hail in Revelation.
Ezekiel 38:22This prophecy describes God sending a devastating plague of hail, along with other judgments, against Gog and his armies, highlighting hail as a divine weapon.
Luke 12:47-48Jesus speaks of servants who know their master's will but do not prepare, receiving many lashes, which parallels the severe judgments and the lack of repentance seen in Revelation 16:21.
pulpitRevelation 16:21: "And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great."
Verse 21. - And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent; cometh down upon, the present tense, rendering the description more graphic. Commentators usually quote 'Diodorus Siculus' (19:45), who mentions. as something marvellous, hailst…
pooleRevelation 16:21: "And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great."
The hail was another of the Egyptian plagues, Exodus 9:22-25 . The allusion also may be to the hailstones by which God fought against the five Canaanitish kings, Joshua 10:11 . It signifies only further great judgments with which God will pursue the beast and his party, until they a…
The most striking detail is not the sheer destructive power of the hail, but the reaction of those struck. Instead of turning to God in their suffering, they curse Him, demonstrating a hardened heart that rejects divine mercy even in the face of overwhelming judgment. This shows that God's justice, while severe, also highlights the profound spiritual brokenness of humanity.
This verse concludes the description of God's final outpouring of judgment, a series of devastating plagues likened to those in Egypt and the defeat of Israel's enemies. Despite the overwhelming severity of these calamities, including massive hailstones, the wicked refuse to repent, instead cursing God, which foreshadows their ultimate and complete destruction.
This verse concludes the description of God's final outpouring of judgment, a series of devastating plagues likened to those in Egypt and the defeat of Israel's enemies. Despite the overwhelming severity of these calamities, including massive hailstones, the wicked refuse to repent, instead cursing God, which foreshadows their ultimate and complete destruction.
"And great hailstones, about one hundred pounds each, fell from heaven on people; and they cursed God for the plague of the hail, because the plague was so severe." — The most striking detail is not the sheer destructive power of the hail, but the reaction of those struck. Instead of turning to God in their suffering, they curse Him, demonstrating a hardened hea…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
