Tails like scorpions, and stings: what is meant is that their tails were like scorpions’ tails, with stings at the end.

Their power of hurting men: the word translated power can also mean “authority” or “capability.” The final sentence may be translated as follows: “It is with the stings on their tails that they are able to hurt people for five months.” See also 9.5 on hurting or torturing people.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on The Revelation to John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1993. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .