Bible Commentaries
Revelation 17

Verse 1

seven angels . . . vials. See Revelation 15:7 .

talked. App-121 .

unto me. The texts omit.

unto = to.

judgment. App-177 .

waters. See Revelation 17:15 .

Verse 2

earth. App-129 .

have. Omit.

the inhabiters, &c. The texts rend "they that inhabit the earth were made drunken", &c.

Verse 3

So = And.

Spirit. App-101 . See Revelation 1:10 .

the. No art., but this is often omitted after a preposition.

saw. App-133 .

a woman. i.e. "that great city" of Revelation 17:18 .

sit = sitting; as supported by that being described in verses: Revelation 17:8-11 .

upon. App-104 .

heads. These are the kings of Revelation 17:10 .

Verse 4

decked. Literally "gilded".

stones = stone.

golden cup. Compare Jeremiah 51:7 .

abominations. Greek. bdelugma, used in Septuagint of an idol (2 Kings 23:13 , &c.); in plural, of idolatry (Deuteronomy 18:9 , &c). Called "abominations" because of the uncleanness practiced in the worship.

and filthiness = and having the unclean things; as the texts.

Verse 5

MYSTERY. See App-193 and App-1 :20. The verse should be read, "And upon her forehead (she had) a name written, a secret symbol ( musterion ), BABYLON THE GREAT, the mother of the harlots and of the abominations of the earth". The name of the woman is therefore a secret sign or symbol of "that great city" which she personifies (Revelation 17:18 ).

HARLOTS = the harlots.

OF THE EARTH. Babylon is the fountain-head of all idolatry and systems of false worship. This is the "mystery of iniquity" (2 Thessalonians 2:7 ) seen in all the great "religions" of the world. All alike substitute another god for the God of the Bible; a god made either with the hands or with the imagination, but equally made; a religion consisting of human merit and endeavor. The "Reunion of the Churches" of Christendom and the "League of Nations" are two of the most arresting signs of the times.

Verse 6

saints. See Acts 9:13 .

martyrs. See p. 1511.

Jesus. App-98 .

admiration = wonder. In this phrase is the Figure of speech Polyptoton. App-6 .

Verse 7

marvel. As "wonder", verses: Revelation 17:6 , Revelation 17:8 .

Verse 8

was, &c. Implying a time between Revelation 12:0 and Revelation 13:0 .

shall = is about to.

perdition. See John 17:12 .

names. The texts read "name".

were not = hath not been.

book. &c. See Philippians 1:4 , Philippians 1:3 .

life. App-170 .

foundation, &c. See App-146 .

behold. App-133 .

that. The texts read "because it".

and yet is = and shall be present; as the texts.

Verse 9

And. Omit.

mind. Same as "understanding" in Revelation 13:18 .

wisdom. Compare App-132 .

The . . . sitteth. This belongs to Revelation 17:10 .

are. i.e. represent.

on. App-104 .

Verse 10

there. Greek. they.

are fallen = fell.

and. Omit.

one = the one is. i.e. at this stage of the vision.

and. Omit.

other. The seventh. App-124 .

not yet. Greek. oupo.

cometh = shall have come.

continue. See p. 1511 (abide).

Verse 11

he = he himself (emph.)

the = an.

is. Omit. This being is described as an eighth head, not king.

Verse 12

no . . . as yet. As "not yet" above.

power. App-172 .

one hour, i.e. at one and the same hour. Confusion results from substituting "kingdoms" for "kings" in the connection. The Holy Spirit says kings ; who and what they are will be known at the time of their association with the beast.

Verse 13

mind. App-177 .

shall give. The texts read "they give", i.e. of their own free will.

power. App-172 .1 and Rev 176:1 .

strength. App-172 .

Verse 14

overcome. As in Rev 2 and Revelation 3:0 . See App-197 .

Lord. App-98 .

lords. App-98 .

called. Greek. kletos. Only here in Rev. First occurance. Matthew 20:16 .

chosen. Greek. eklektos. Only here in Rev. See Matthew 20:16 (first occ).

faithful. See App-150 and App-175 .

Verse 16

upon. Greek. epi ; but the texts read "and".

shall = will.

her. i.e. the city. Compare Jeremiah 50:32 .

Verse 17

hath put = put. Literally "gave".

fulfil. Literally "do".

will. App-177 .

agree = carry out (literally "do") one purpose ( App-177 .)

kingdom. Singular. Compare Revelation 17:12 .

words. Greek. rhema, but the texts read App-121 .

fulfilled. Compare App-125 .

Verse 18

that = the.

reigneth. Literally having a kingdom, or sovereignty.

kings . . . earth. Those who are so called in Revelation 16:14 . See also Revelation 17:2 .