The term “third” appears thirteen times in these four paragraphs. The reference to a “third” does not want us to think literally of 33 percent, but it forms a progression from the “fourth” mentioned in Revelation 6:8. With the arrival of the trumpets (as the second round of plagues after the seals), the Lord’s judgments are more severe. Yet they are not total, for two‑thirds of the earth remains habitable, two‑thirds of the trees remain alive, two‑thirds of the ships survive, etc. Life is still possible, but with a third being burned or destroyed, life certainly cannot flourish. We also need to note the repeated references to “fire,” “burning,” and “burned” as well as to “blood” and “died.”
7 Le premier sonna de la trompette. Et de la grêle et du feu mêlés de sang furent jetés sur la terre; le tiers de la terre fut brûlé, le tiers des arbres fut brûlé, et toute herbe verte fut brûlée.