Revelation 16:3 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea. As the blood of a dead man - Either meaning blood in a state of putrescency, or an effusion of blood in naval conflicts; even the sea was tinged with the blood of those who were slain in these wars. This is most probably the meaning of this vial. These engagements were so sanguinary that both the conquerors and the conquered were nearly destroyed; every living soul died in the sea.