Revelation 14:20
And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.
Revelation 14:20 · King James Version
Meaning
This verse from the book of Revelation depicts a vivid and harrowing scene of judgment and destruction. In this vision, the winepress, typically associated with harvesting grapes to make wine, is being used to symbolize the wrath of God being poured out on the wicked. The imagery of blood flowing up to the horse bridles and spanning a distance of a thousand and six hundred furlongs symbolizes the vast and overwhelming extent of this punishment. The bloodshed is so great that it reaches a depth of several feet and stretches for a considerable length, indicating the severity of the judgment being enacted. This verse serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of unrepentant sin and highlights the ultimate justice that will be meted out by a righteous and sovereign God.
Theological Overview
This verse, found in the book of Revelation, depicts a vivid and striking image of a winepress being trodden outside the city, producing blood that flows to the height of a horse's bridle and covers a vast distance of a thousand and six hundred furlongs. The theological interpretation of this verse points to the notion of judgment and divine retribution. The image of the winepress symbolizes the wrath of God being poured out upon the wicked. The excessive bloodshed signifies the severity of this judgment, reaching a point where it is inescapable and all-encompassing. The mention of the distance of a thousand and six hundred furlongs may be symbolic of complete and total destruction over a vast expanse. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of sin and the importance of repentance and righteousness.
Revelation 14:20 in other translations
American Standard Version
And the winepress was trodden without the city, and there came out blood from the winepress, even unto the bridles of the horses, as far as a thousand and six hundred furlongs.
World English Bible
The wine press was trodden outside of the city, and blood came out of the wine press, even to the bridles of the horses, as far as one thousand six hundred stadia.
Douay-Rheims
And the press was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the press, up to the horses' bridles, for a thousand and six hundred furlongs.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And the wine presse was troden without the citie, and blood came out of the wine presse, vnto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and sixe hundreth furlongs.