Revelation 15-18
New English Translation
The Final Plagues
15 Then[a] I saw another great and astounding sign in heaven: seven angels who have seven final plagues[b] (they are final because in them God’s anger is completed).
2 Then[c] I saw something like a sea of glass[d] mixed with fire, and those who had conquered[e] the beast and his image and the number of his name. They were standing[f] by[g] the sea of glass, holding harps given to them by God.[h] 3 They[i] sang the song of Moses the servant[j] of God and the song of the Lamb:[k]
“Great and astounding are your deeds,
Lord God, the All-Powerful![l]
Just[m] and true are your ways,
King over the nations![n]
4 Who will not fear you, O Lord,
and glorify[o] your name, because you alone are holy?[p]
All nations[q] will come and worship before you
for your righteous acts[r] have been revealed.”
5 After[s] these things I looked, and the temple (the tent[t] of the testimony)[u] was opened in heaven, 6 and the seven angels who had the seven plagues came out of the temple, dressed in clean bright linen, wearing wide golden belts[v] around their chests. 7 Then[w] one of the four living creatures gave the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath[x] of God who lives forever and ever, 8 and the temple was filled with smoke from God’s glory and from his power. Thus[y] no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues from the seven angels were completed.
The Bowls of God’s Wrath
16 Then[z] I heard a loud voice from the temple declaring to the seven angels: “Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls containing God’s wrath.”[aa] 2 So[ab] the first angel[ac] went and poured out his bowl on the earth. Then[ad] ugly and painful sores[ae] appeared on the people[af] who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his image.
3 Next,[ag] the second angel[ah] poured out his bowl on the sea and it turned into blood, like that of a corpse, and every living creature that was in the sea died.
4 Then[ai] the third angel[aj] poured out his bowl on the rivers and the springs of water, and they turned into blood. 5 Now[ak] I heard the angel of the waters saying:
“You are just[al]—the one who is and who was,
the Holy One—because you have passed these judgments,[am]
6 because they poured out the blood of your saints and prophets,
so[an] you have given them blood to drink. They got what they deserved!”[ao]
7 Then[ap] I heard the altar reply,[aq] “Yes, Lord God, the All-Powerful,[ar] your judgments are true and just!”
8 Then[as] the fourth angel[at] poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was permitted to scorch people[au] with fire. 9 Thus[av] people[aw] were scorched by the terrible heat,[ax] yet[ay] they blasphemed the name of God, who has ruling authority[az] over these plagues, and they would not repent and give him glory.
10 Then[ba] the fifth angel[bb] poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast so that[bc] darkness covered his kingdom,[bd] and people[be] began to bite[bf] their tongues because[bg] of their pain. 11 They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their sufferings[bh] and because of their sores,[bi] but nevertheless[bj] they still refused to repent[bk] of their deeds.
12 Then[bl] the sixth angel[bm] poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates and dried up its water[bn] to prepare the way[bo] for the kings from the east.[bp] 13 Then[bq] I saw three unclean spirits[br] that looked like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are the spirits of the demons performing signs who go out to the kings of the earth[bs] to bring them together for the battle that will take place on the great day of God, the All-Powerful.[bt]
15 (Look ! I will come like a thief!
Blessed is the one who stays alert and does not lose[bu] his clothes so that he will not have to walk around naked and his shameful condition[bv] be seen.)[bw]
16 Now[bx] the spirits[by] gathered the kings and their armies[bz] to the place that is called Armageddon[ca] in Hebrew.
17 Finally[cb] the seventh angel[cc] poured out his bowl into the air and a loud voice came out of the temple from the throne, saying: “It is done!” 18 Then[cd] there were flashes of lightning, roaring,[ce] and crashes of thunder, and there was a tremendous earthquake—an earthquake unequaled since humanity[cf] has been on the earth, so tremendous was that earthquake. 19 The[cg] great city was split into three parts and the cities of the nations[ch] collapsed.[ci] So[cj] Babylon the great was remembered before God, and was given the cup[ck] filled with the wine made of God’s furious wrath.[cl] 20 Every[cm] island fled away[cn] and no mountains could be found.[co] 21 And gigantic hailstones, weighing about a 100 pounds[cp] each, fell from heaven[cq] on people,[cr] but they[cs] blasphemed God because of the plague of hail, since it[ct] was so horrendous.[cu]
The Great Prostitute and the Beast
17 Then[cv] one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and spoke to me.[cw] “Come,” he said, “I will show you the condemnation and punishment[cx] of the great prostitute who sits on many waters, 2 with whom the kings of the earth committed sexual immorality and the earth’s inhabitants got drunk with the wine of her immorality.”[cy] 3 So[cz] he carried me away in the Spirit[da] to a wilderness,[db] and there[dc] I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was full of blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. 4 Now[dd] the woman was dressed in purple and scarlet clothing,[de] and adorned with gold,[df] precious stones, and pearls. She held[dg] in her hand a golden cup filled with detestable things and unclean things from her sexual immorality.[dh] 5 On[di] her forehead was written a name, a mystery:[dj] “Babylon the Great, the Mother of prostitutes and of the detestable things of the earth.” 6 I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints and the blood of those who testified to Jesus.[dk] I[dl] was greatly astounded[dm] when I saw her. 7 But[dn] the angel said to me, “Why are you astounded? I will interpret[do] for you the mystery of the woman and of the beast with the seven heads and ten horns that carries her. 8 The beast you saw was, and is not, but is about to come up from the abyss[dp] and then go to destruction. The[dq] inhabitants of the earth—all those whose names have not been written in the book of life since the foundation of the world—will be astounded when they see that[dr] the beast was, and is not, but is to come. 9 (This requires[ds] a mind that has wisdom.) The seven heads are seven mountains[dt] the woman sits on. They are also seven kings: 10 five have fallen; one is,[du] and the other has not yet come, but whenever he does come, he must remain for only a brief time. 11 The[dv] beast that was, and is not, is himself an eighth king and yet is one of the seven, and is going to destruction. 12 The[dw] ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but will receive ruling authority[dx] as kings with the beast for one hour. 13 These kings[dy] have a single intent, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. 14 They will make war with the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer them, because he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those accompanying[dz] the Lamb are the called, chosen, and faithful.”
15 Then[ea] the angel[eb] said to me, “The waters you saw (where the prostitute is seated) are peoples, multitudes,[ec] nations, and languages. 16 The[ed] ten horns that you saw, and the beast—these will hate the prostitute and make her desolate and naked. They[ee] will consume her flesh and burn her up with fire.[ef] 17 For God has put into their minds[eg] to carry out his purpose[eh] by making[ei] a decision[ej] to give their royal power[ek] to the beast until the words of God are fulfilled.[el] 18 As for[em] the woman you saw, she is the great city that has sovereignty over the kings of the earth.”
Babylon is Destroyed
18 After these things I saw another angel, who possessed great authority, coming down out of heaven, and the earth was lit up by his radiance.[en] 2 He[eo] shouted with a powerful voice:
“Fallen, fallen, is Babylon the great!
She[ep] has become a lair for demons,
a haunt[eq] for every unclean spirit,
a haunt for every unclean bird,
a haunt for every unclean and detested beast.[er]
3 For all the nations[es] have fallen[et] from
the wine of her immoral passion,[eu]
and the kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality with her,
and the merchants of the earth have gotten rich from the power of her sensual behavior.”[ev]
4 Then[ew] I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, so you will not take part in her sins and so you will not receive her plagues, 5 because her sins have piled[ex] up all the way to heaven[ey] and God has remembered[ez] her crimes.[fa] 6 Repay her the same way she repaid others;[fb] pay her back double[fc] corresponding to her deeds. In the cup she mixed, mix double the amount for her. 7 As much as[fd] she exalted herself and lived in sensual luxury,[fe] to this extent give her torment and grief because she said to herself,[ff] ‘I rule as queen and am no widow; I will never experience grief!’ 8 For this reason, she will experience her plagues[fg] in a single day: disease,[fh] mourning,[fi] and famine, and she will be burned down[fj] with fire, because the Lord God who judges her is powerful!”
9 Then[fk] the kings of the earth who committed immoral acts with her and lived in sensual luxury[fl] with her will weep and wail for her when they see the smoke from the fire that burns her up.[fm] 10 They will stand a long way off because they are afraid of her torment, and will say,
“Woe, woe, O great city,
Babylon the powerful city!
For in a single hour your doom[fn] has come!”
11 Then[fo] the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn for her because no one buys their cargo[fp] any longer— 12 cargo such as gold, silver,[fq] precious stones, pearls, fine linen, purple cloth, silk,[fr] scarlet cloth,[fs] all sorts of things made of citron wood,[ft] all sorts of objects made of ivory, all sorts of things made of expensive wood, bronze, iron and marble, 13 cinnamon, spice,[fu] incense, perfumed ointment,[fv] frankincense,[fw] wine, olive oil and costly flour,[fx] wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and four-wheeled carriages,[fy] slaves and human lives.[fz]
14 (The ripe fruit[ga] you greatly desired[gb]
has gone from you,
and all your luxury[gc] and splendor[gd]
have gone from you—
they will never ever be found again!)[ge]
15 The merchants who sold[gf] these things, who got rich from her, will stand a long way off because they are afraid of her torment. They will weep[gg] and mourn, 16 saying,
“Woe, woe, O great city—
dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet clothing,[gh]
and adorned with gold,[gi] precious stones, and pearls—
17 because in a single hour such great wealth has been destroyed!”[gj]
And every ship’s captain,[gk] and all who sail along the coast[gl]—seamen, and all who[gm] make their living from the sea, stood a long way off 18 and began to shout[gn] when they saw the smoke from the fire that burned her up,[go] “Who is like the great city?” 19 And they threw dust on their heads and were shouting with weeping and mourning,[gp]
“Woe, Woe, O great city—
in which all those who had ships on the sea got rich from her wealth—
because in a single hour she has been destroyed!”[gq]
20 (Rejoice over her, O heaven,
and you saints and apostles and prophets,
for God has pronounced judgment[gr] against her on your behalf!)[gs]
21 Then[gt] one powerful angel picked up a stone like a huge millstone, threw it into the sea, and said,
“With this kind of sudden violent force[gu]
Babylon the great city will be thrown down[gv]
and it will never be found again!
22 And the sound of the harpists, musicians,
flute players, and trumpeters
will never be heard in you[gw] again.
No[gx] craftsman[gy] who practices any trade
will ever be found in you again;
the noise of a mill[gz] will never be heard in you again.
23 Even the light from a lamp
will never shine in you again!
The voices of the bridegroom and his bride
will never be heard in you again.
For your merchants were the tycoons of the world,
because all the nations[ha] were deceived by your magic spells![hb]
24 The[hc] blood of the saints and prophets was found in her,[hd]
along with the blood[he] of all those who had been killed on the earth.”
Footnotes
- Revelation 15:1 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
- Revelation 15:1 tn Grk “seven plagues—the last ones.”
- Revelation 15:2 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
- Revelation 15:2 sn See Rev 4:6 where the sea of glass was mentioned previously.
- Revelation 15:2 tn Or “had been victorious over”; traditionally, “had overcome.”
- Revelation 15:2 tn Grk “of his name, standing.” A new sentence was started here in the translation by supplying the words “They were.”
- Revelation 15:2 tn Or “on.” The preposition ἐπί (epi) with the accusative case could mean “on, at, by, near”; given the nature of this scene appearing in a vision, it is difficult to know precisely which the author of Revelation intended. See BDAG 363 s.v. ἐπί 1.c.γ, “At, by, near someone or someth.”
- Revelation 15:2 tn Grk “harps of God.” The phrase τοῦ θεοῦ (tou theou) has been translated as a genitive of agency.
- Revelation 15:3 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
- Revelation 15:3 tn See the note on the word “servants” in 1:1.
- Revelation 15:3 tn Grk “saying.” The participle λέγοντες (legontes) is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.
- Revelation 15:3 tn On this word BDAG 755 s.v. παντοκράτωρ states, “the Almighty, All-Powerful, Omnipotent (One) only of God…(ὁ) κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὁ π.…Rv 1:8; 4:8; 11:17; 15:3; 16:7; 21:22.”
- Revelation 15:3 tn Or “righteous,” although the context favors justice as the theme.
- Revelation 15:3 tc Certain mss (P47 א*,2 C 1006 1611 1841) read “ages” (αἰώνων, aiōnōn) instead of “nations” (ἐθνῶν, ethnōn), which itself is supported by several mss (א1 A 051 M). The ms evidence seems to be fairly balanced, though αἰώνων has somewhat better support. The replacement of “ages” with “nations” is possibly a scribal attempt to harmonize this verse with the use of “nations” in the following verse. On the other hand, the idea of “nations” fits well with v. 4 and it may be that “ages” is a scribal attempt to assimilate this text to 1 Tim 1:17: “the king of the ages” (βασιλεὺς τῶν αἰώνων, basileus tōn aiōnōn). The decision is a difficult one since both scenarios deal well with the evidence, though the verbal parallel with 1 Tim 1:17 is exact while the parallel with v. 4 is not. The term “king” occurs 17 other times (most occurrences refer to earthly kings) in Revelation and it is not used with either “ages” or “nations” apart from this verse. Probably “nations” should be considered the earlier reading due to the influence of 1 Tim 1:17 on this passage.
- Revelation 15:4 tn Or “and praise.”sn Jeremiah 10:7 probably stands behind the idea of fearing God, and Psalm 86:9-10 stands behind the ideas of glorifying God, his uniqueness, and the nations coming to worship him. Many other OT passages also speak about the nations “coming to his temple” to worship (Isa 2:2-3; 49:22-23; 66:23-24; Micah 4:2; Zech 8:20-22). See G. K. Beale, Revelation (NIGTC), 796-97.
- Revelation 15:4 sn Because you alone are holy. In the Greek text the sentence literally reads “because alone holy.” Three points can be made in connection with John’s language here: (1) Omitting the second person, singular verb “you are” lays stress on the attribute of God’s holiness. (2) The juxtaposition of alone with holy stresses the unique nature of God’s holiness and complete “otherness” in relationship to his creation. It is not just moral purity which is involved in the use of the term holy, though it certainly includes that. It is also the pervasive OT idea that although God is deeply involved in the governing of his creation, he is to be regarded as separate and distinct from it. (3) John’s use of the term holy is also intriguing since it is the term ὅσιος (hosios) and not the more common NT term ἅγιος (hagios). The former term evokes images of Christ’s messianic status in early Christian preaching. Both Peter in Acts 2:27 and Paul in Acts 13:35 apply Psalm 16:10 (LXX) to Jesus, referring to him as the “holy one” (ὅσιος). It is also the key term in Acts 13:34 (Isa 55:3 [LXX]) where it refers to the “holy blessings” (i.e., forgiveness and justification) brought about through Jesus in fulfillment of Davidic promise. Thus, in Rev 15:3-4, when John refers to God as “holy,” using the term ὅσιος in a context where the emphasis is on both God and Christ, there might be an implicit connection between divinity and the Messiah. This is bolstered by the fact that the Lamb is referred to in other contexts as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords (cf. 1:5; 17:14; 19:16 and perhaps 11:15; G. K. Beale, Revelation [NIGTC], 796-97).
- Revelation 15:4 tn Or “all the Gentiles” (the same Greek word may be translated “Gentiles” or “nations”).
- Revelation 15:4 tn Or perhaps, “your sentences of condemnation.” On δικαίωμα (dikaiōma) in this context BDAG 249 s.v. 2. states, “righteous deed…δι᾿ ἑνὸς δικαιώματος (opp. παράπτωμα) Ro 5:18.—B 1:2 (cp. Wengst, Barnabas-brief 196, n.4); Rv 15:4 (here perh.= ‘sentence of condemnation’ [cp. Pla., Leg. 9, 864e; ins fr. Asia Minor: LBW 41, 2 [κατὰ] τὸ δι[καί]ωμα τὸ κυρω[θέν]= ‘acc. to the sentence which has become valid’]; difft. Wengst, s. above); 19:8.”
- Revelation 15:5 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
- Revelation 15:5 tn On this term BDAG 928 s.v. σκηνή 1.b.α states, “ἡ σκηνὴ τοῦ μαρτυρίου the Tabernacle or Tent of Testimony (Ex 27:21; 29:4; Lev 1:1; Num 1:1 and oft.…) Ac 7:44; 1 Cl 43:2, 5, ” and then continues in section 2 to state, “Rv 15:5 speaks of a ναὸς τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ. God’s σκ.= dwelling is in heaven 13:6, and will some time be among humans 21:3.”
- Revelation 15:5 tn Grk “the temple of the tent of the testimony” (ὁ ναός τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου, ho naos tēs skēnēs tou marturiou). The genitive “of the tent” is probably an appositional genitive and should be rendered as “the temple, which is the tent.” The entire expression, then, would be “the temple which is the tent of testimony,” that is, “the heavenly equivalent of the tent or tabernacle that was with Israel in the wilderness” (G. K. Beale, Revelation [NIGTC], 801-2). sn In the OT the expression “tent of the testimony” occurs frequently (130 times in Exodus through Deuteronomy). The “testimony” refers to the ten commandments, i.e., the revelation of the righteous will of God (Exod 16:34; 25:21; 31:18; 32:15; 40:24). It is little wonder that the wrath of God upon an unrighteous, lawbreaking humanity follows in John’s description.
- Revelation 15:6 tn Or “wide golden sashes,” but these would not be diagonal, as some modern sashes are, but horizontal. The Greek term can refer to a wide band of cloth or leather worn on the outside of one’s clothing (L&N 6.178).
- Revelation 15:7 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
- Revelation 15:7 tn Or “anger.”
- Revelation 15:8 tn Grk “power, and no one.” A new sentence was started here in the translation. Here καί (kai) has been translated as “thus” to indicate the implied result of the temple being filled with smoke.
- Revelation 16:1 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
- Revelation 16:1 tn Or “anger.” Here τοῦ θυμοῦ (tou thumou) has been translated as a genitive of content.
- Revelation 16:2 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the directions given by the voice from the temple.
- Revelation 16:2 tn Grk “the first”; the referent (the first angel) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- Revelation 16:2 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
- Revelation 16:2 tn Or “ulcerated sores”; the term in the Greek text is singular but is probably best understood as a collective singular.
- Revelation 16:2 tn Grk ‘the men,” but this is a generic use of ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos) and refers to both men and women.
- Revelation 16:3 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “next” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
- Revelation 16:3 tn Grk “the second”; the referent (the second angel) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- Revelation 16:4 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
- Revelation 16:4 tn Grk “the third”; the referent (the third angel) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- Revelation 16:5 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the somewhat parenthetical nature of the remarks that follow.
- Revelation 16:5 tn Or “righteous,” although the context favors justice as the theme.
- Revelation 16:5 tn Or “because you have judged these things.” The pronoun ταῦτα (tauta) is neuter gender.
- Revelation 16:6 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate that this judgment is the result of what these wicked people did to the saints and prophets.
- Revelation 16:6 tn Grk “They are worthy”; i.e., of this kind of punishment. By extension, “they got what they deserve.”
- Revelation 16:7 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
- Revelation 16:7 tn Grk “the altar saying.”
- Revelation 16:7 tn On this word BDAG 755 s.v. παντοκράτωρ states, “the Almighty, All-Powerful, Omnipotent (One) only of God…(ὁ) κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὁ π.…Rv 1:8; 4:8; 11:17; 15:3; 16:7; 21:22.”
- Revelation 16:8 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
- Revelation 16:8 tn Grk “the fourth”; the referent (the fourth angel) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- Revelation 16:8 tn Grk “men,” but this is a generic use of ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos) and refers to both men and women.
- Revelation 16:9 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “thus” to indicate the implied result of the bowl poured on the sun.
- Revelation 16:9 tn Grk “men,” but this is a generic use of ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos) and refers to both men and women.
- Revelation 16:9 tn On this phrase BDAG 536 s.v. καῦμα states, “burning, heat Rv 7:16…καυματίζεσθαι κ. μέγα be burned with a scorching heat 16:9.”
- Revelation 16:9 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “yet” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
- Revelation 16:9 tn For the translation “ruling authority” for ἐξουσία (exousia) see L&N 37.35.
- Revelation 16:10 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
- Revelation 16:10 tn Grk “the fifth”; the referent (the fifth angel) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- Revelation 16:10 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so that” to indicate the implied result of the fifth bowl being poured out.
- Revelation 16:10 tn Grk “his kingdom became dark.”
- Revelation 16:10 tn Grk “men,” but this is a generic use of ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos) and refers to both men and women.
- Revelation 16:10 tn On this term BDAG 620 s.v. μασάομαι states, “bite w. acc. τὰς γλώσσας bite their tongues Rv 16:10.”
- Revelation 16:10 tn The preposition ἐκ (ek) has been translated here and twice in the following verse with a causal sense.
- Revelation 16:11 tn Grk “pains” (the same term in Greek [πόνος, ponos] as the last word in v. 11, here translated “sufferings” because it is plural). BDAG 852 s.v. 2 states, “ἐκ τοῦ π. in pain…Rv 16:10; pl. (Gen 41:51; Jos., C. Ap. 2, 146; Test. Jud. 18:4) ἐκ τῶν π.…because of their sufferings vs. 11.”
- Revelation 16:11 tn Or “ulcerated sores” (see 16:2).
- Revelation 16:11 tn Grk “and they did not repent.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but nevertheless” to express the contrast here.
- Revelation 16:11 tn Grk “they did not repent” The addition of “still refused” reflects the hardness of people’s hearts in the context.
- Revelation 16:12 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
- Revelation 16:12 tn Grk “the sixth”; the referent (the sixth angel) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- Revelation 16:12 tn Grk “and its water was dried up.” Here the passive construction has been translated as an active one.
- Revelation 16:12 tn Grk “in order that the way might be prepared.” Here the passive construction has been translated as an active one.
- Revelation 16:12 tn Grk “from the rising of the sun.” BDAG 74 s.v. ἀνατολή 2.a takes this as a geographical direction: “ἀπὸ ἀ. ἡλίου…from the east Rv 7:2; 16:12; simply ἀπὸ ἀ.…21:13.”
- Revelation 16:13 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
- Revelation 16:13 sn According to the next verse, these three unclean spirits are spirits of demons.
- Revelation 16:14 tn BDAG 699 s.v. οἰκουμένη 1 states, “the inhabited earth, the world…ὅλη ἡ οἰκ. the whole inhabited earth…Mt 24:14; Ac 11:28; Rv 3:10; 16:14.”
- Revelation 16:14 tn On this word BDAG 755 s.v. παντοκράτωρ states, “the Almighty, All-Powerful, Omnipotent (One) only of God…(ὁ) κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὁ π.…Rv 1:8; 4:8; 11:17; 15:3; 16:7; 21:22.”
- Revelation 16:15 tn Grk “and keeps.” BDAG 1002 s.v. τηρέω 2.c states “of holding on to someth. so as not to give it up or lose it…τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ Rv 16:15 (or else he will have to go naked).”
- Revelation 16:15 tn On the translation of ἀσχημοσύνη (aschēmosunē) as “shameful condition” see L&N 25.202. The indefinite third person plural (“and they see”) has been translated as a passive here.
- Revelation 16:15 sn These lines are parenthetical, forming an aside to the narrative. The speaker here is the Lord Jesus Christ himself rather than the narrator. Many interpreters have seen this verse as so abrupt that it could not be an original part of the work, but the author has used such asides before (1:7; 14:13) and the suddenness here (on the eve of Armageddon) is completely parallel to Jesus’ warning in Mark 13:15-16 and parallels.
- Revelation 16:16 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the resumption and conclusion of the remarks about the pouring out of the sixth bowl.
- Revelation 16:16 tn Grk “they”; the referent (the demonic spirits, v. 14) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- Revelation 16:16 tn Grk “gathered them”; the referent (the kings and [implied] their armies, v. 14) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- Revelation 16:16 tc There are many variations in the spelling of this name among the Greek mss, although ῾Αρμαγεδών (harmagedōn) has the best support. The usual English spelling is Armageddon, used in the translation.tn Or “Harmagedon” (a literal transliteration of the Greek), or “Har-Magedon” (NASB), meaning “the Mount of Magedon” in Hebrew.
- Revelation 16:17 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “finally” to indicate the conclusion of the seven bowl judgments.
- Revelation 16:17 tn Grk “the seventh”; the referent (the seventh angel) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- Revelation 16:18 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
- Revelation 16:18 tn Or “sounds,” “voices.” It is not entirely clear what this refers to. BDAG 1071 s.v. φωνή 1 states, “In Rv we have ἀστραπαὶ καὶ φωναὶ καὶ βρονταί (cp. Ex 19:16) 4:5; 8:5; 11:19; 16:18 (are certain other sounds in nature thought of here in addition to thunder, as e.g. the roar of the storm?…).”
- Revelation 16:18 tn The singular ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos) is used generically here to refer to the human race.
- Revelation 16:19 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
- Revelation 16:19 tn Or “of the Gentiles” (the same Greek word may be translated “Gentiles” or “nations”).
- Revelation 16:19 tn Grk “fell.”
- Revelation 16:19 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of Babylon’s misdeeds (see Rev 14:8).
- Revelation 16:19 tn Grk “the cup of the wine of the anger of the wrath of him.” The concatenation of four genitives has been rendered somewhat differently by various translations (see the note on the word “wrath”).
- Revelation 16:19 tn Following BDAG 461 s.v. θυμός 2, the combination of the genitives of θυμός (thumos) and ὀργή (orgē) in Rev 16:19 and 19:15 are taken to be a strengthening of the thought as in the OT and Qumran literature (Exod 32:12; Jer 32:37; Lam 2:3; CD 10:9). Thus in Rev 14:8 (to which the present passage alludes) and 18:3 there is irony: The wine of immoral behavior with which Babylon makes the nations drunk becomes the wine of God’s wrath for her.
- Revelation 16:20 tn Grk “And every.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
- Revelation 16:20 tn Or “vanished.”
- Revelation 16:20 sn Every island fled away and no mountains could be found. Major geographical and topographical changes will accompany the Day of the Lord.
- Revelation 16:21 tn Here BDAG 988 s.v. ταλαντιαῖος states, “weighing a talent…χάλαζα μεγάλη ὡς ταλαντιαία a severe hailstorm with hailstones weighing a talent (the talent=125 librae, or Roman pounds of c. 343 gr. or 12 ounces each) (weighing about a 100 pounds NRSV) Rv 16:21.” This means each hailstone would weigh just under 100 pounds or 40 kilograms.
- Revelation 16:21 tn Or “the sky.” Due to the apocalyptic nature of this book, it is probably best to leave the translation as “from heaven,” since God is ultimately the source of the judgment.
- Revelation 16:21 tn Grk “on men,” but ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos) is used here in a generic sense to refer to people in general (the hailstones did not single out adult males, but would have also fallen on women and children).
- Revelation 16:21 tn Grk “the men”; for stylistic reasons the pronoun “they” is used here.
- Revelation 16:21 tn Grk “the plague of it.”
- Revelation 16:21 tn Grk “since the plague of it was exceedingly great.”
- Revelation 17:1 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
- Revelation 17:1 tn Grk “with me.” The translation “with me” implies that John was engaged in a dialogue with the one speaking to him (e.g., Jesus or an angel) when in reality it was a one-sided conversation, with John doing all the listening. For this reason, μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ (met’ emou, “with me”) was translated as “to me.”
- Revelation 17:1 tn Here one Greek term, κρίμα (krima), has been translated by the two English terms “condemnation” and “punishment.” See BDAG 567 s.v. 4.b, “mostly in an unfavorable sense, of the condemnatory verdict and sometimes the subsequent punishment itself 2 Pt 2:3; Jd 4…τὸ κ. τῆς πόρνης the condemnation and punishment of the prostitute Rv 17:1.”
- Revelation 17:2 tn This is a cognate noun of the verb translated “sexual immorality” earlier in the verse, but here the qualifier “sexual” has not been repeated for stylistic reasons.
- Revelation 17:3 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the angel’s invitation to witness the fate of the prostitute.
- Revelation 17:3 tn Or “in the spirit.” “Spirit” could refer either to the Holy Spirit or the human spirit, but in either case John was in “a state of spiritual exaltation best described as a trance” (R. H. Mounce, Revelation [NICNT], 75).
- Revelation 17:3 tn Or “desert.”
- Revelation 17:3 tn The word “there” is not in the Greek text, but is supplied for stylistic reasons.
- Revelation 17:4 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the detailed description of the woman, which is somewhat parenthetical in nature.
- Revelation 17:4 tn The word “clothing” is supplied to clarify that the words “purple” and “scarlet” refer to cloth or garments rather than colors.
- Revelation 17:4 tn Grk “gilded with gold” (an instance of semantic reinforcement, see L&N 49.29).
- Revelation 17:4 tn Grk “pearls, having in her hand.” Due to the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
- Revelation 17:4 tc Several mss (including 1611 1854 2053 MK) read “sexual immorality on/of the earth” (πορνείας τῆς γῆς, porneias tēs gēs) instead of “her sexual immorality.” Other mss (א syh** [co]) read “her sexual immorality and the earth’s” (πορνείας αὐτῆς καὶ τῆς γῆς, porneias autēs kai tēs gēs). The translation is a rendering of πορνείας αὐτῆς, found in A 1006 2344 al. It seems that the first reading “sexuality immorality on/of the earth” was a scribal mistake in which letters may have been confused (auths would have been read as thsghs), or was perhaps influenced by the presence of “of the world” (τῆς γῆς) at the end of v. 5. The earliest wording seems to be “her sexual immorality”; codex א has conflated the two readings.
- Revelation 17:5 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
- Revelation 17:5 tn Some translations consider the word μυστήριον (mustērion, “mystery”) a part of the name written (“Mystery Babylon the Great,” so KJV, NIV), but the gender of both ὄνομα (onoma, “name”) and μυστήριον are neuter, while the gender of “Babylon” is feminine. This strongly suggests that μυστήριον should be understood as an appositive to ὄνομα (“a name, i.e., a mystery”).
- Revelation 17:6 tn Or “of the witnesses to Jesus.” Here the genitive ᾿Ιησοῦ (Iēsou) is taken as an objective genitive; Jesus is the object of their testimony.
- Revelation 17:6 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
- Revelation 17:6 tn Grk “I marveled a great marvel” (an idiom for great astonishment).
- Revelation 17:7 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
- Revelation 17:7 tn Grk “I will tell you,” but since what follows is the angel’s interpretation of the vision, “interpret for you” is the preferred translation here.
- Revelation 17:8 tn On this term BDAG 2 s.v. ἄβυσσος 2 states, “netherworld, abyss, esp. the abode of the dead Ro 10:7 (Ps 106:26) and of demons Lk 8:31; dungeon where the devil is kept Rv 20:3; abode of the θηρίον, the Antichrist 11:7; 17:8; of ᾿Αβαδδών (q.v.), the angel of the underworld 9:11…φρέαρ τῆς ἀ. 9:1f; capable of being sealed 9:1; 20:1, 3.”
- Revelation 17:8 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
- Revelation 17:8 tn Some translations take the ὅτι (hoti) here as causal: “because he was, and is not, but is to come” (so NIV, NRSV), but it is much more likely that the subject of the ὅτι clause has been assimilated into the main clause: “when they see the beast, that he was…” = “when they see that the beast was” (so BDAG 732 s.v. ὅτι 1.f, where Rev 17:8 is listed).
- Revelation 17:9 tn Grk “Here is the mind that has wisdom.”
- Revelation 17:9 tn It is important to note that the height of “mountains” versus “hills” or other topographical terms is somewhat relative. In terms of Palestinian topography, Mount Tabor (traditionally regarded as the mount of transfiguration) is some 1,800 ft (550 m) above sea level, while the Mount of Olives is only some 100 ft (30 m) higher than Jerusalem.
- Revelation 17:10 tn That is, one currently reigns.
- Revelation 17:11 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
- Revelation 17:12 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
- Revelation 17:12 tn For the translation “ruling authority” for ἐξουσία (exousia) see L&N 37.35.
- Revelation 17:13 tn The word “kings” is not in the Greek text, but has been supplied to clarify the referent.
- Revelation 17:14 tn See BDAG 636 s.v. μετά A.2.a.α.
- Revelation 17:15 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
- Revelation 17:15 tn Grk “he”; the referent (the angel) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- Revelation 17:15 tn Grk “and multitudes,” but καί (kai) has not been translated here and before the following term since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.
- Revelation 17:16 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
- Revelation 17:16 tn A new sentence was started here in the translation. Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
- Revelation 17:16 tn The final clause could also be turned into an adverbial clause of means: “They will consume her flesh by burning her with fire.”
- Revelation 17:17 tn Grk “hearts.”
- Revelation 17:17 tn Or “his intent.”
- Revelation 17:17 tn The infinitive ποιῆσαι (poiēsai) was translated here as giving the logical means by which God’s purpose was carried out.
- Revelation 17:17 tn On this term BDAG 203 s.v. γνώμη 4 states, “declaration, decision, resolution…of God Rv 17:17.”
- Revelation 17:17 tn For this translation see BDAG 168 s.v. βασιλεία 1.a, “kingship, royal power, royal rule.”
- Revelation 17:17 tn Or “completed.”
- Revelation 17:18 tn Grk “And.” Because this remark is somewhat resumptive in nature, “as for” is used in the translation.
- Revelation 18:1 tn Grk “glory”; but often in the sense of splendor, brightness, or radiance (see L&N 14.49).
- Revelation 18:2 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style
- Revelation 18:2 tn Or “It” (the subject is embedded in the verb in Greek; the verb only indicates that it is third person). Since the city has been personified as the great prostitute, the feminine pronoun was used in the translation.
- Revelation 18:2 tn Here BDAG 1067 s.v. φυλακή 3 states, “a place where guarding is done, prison…Of the nether world or its place of punishment (πνεῦμα 2 and 4c) 1 Pt 3:19 (BReicke, The Disobedient Spirits and Christian Baptism ’46, 116f). It is in a φ. in the latter sense that Satan will be rendered harmless during the millennium Rv 20:7. The fallen city of Babylon becomes a φυλακή haunt for all kinds of unclean spirits and birds 18:2ab.”
- Revelation 18:2 tc There are several problems in this verse. It seems that according to the ms evidence the first two phrases (i.e., “and a haunt for every unclean spirit, and a haunt for every unclean bird” [καὶ φυλακὴ παντὸς πνεύματος ἀκαθάρτου καὶ φυλακὴ παντὸς ὀρνέου ἀκαθάρτου, kai phulakē pantos pneumatos akathartou kai phulakē pantos orneou akathartou]) are to be regarded as authentic, though there are some ms discrepancies. The similar beginnings (καὶ φυλακὴ παντός) and endings (ἀκαθάρτου) of each phrase would easily account for some mss omitting one or the other phrase. The third phrase (“a haunt for every unclean animal” [καὶ φυλακὴ παντὸς θηρίου ἀκαθάρτου, kai phulakē pantos thēriou akathartou]), however, is more problematic since it is missing in several significant mss (א C 051 M). The passage as a whole, including the third phrase, seems to be an allusion to Isa 13:21 and 34:11. It seems reasonable, in such a case, to assume that since there is good ms evidence to support the third phrase (A 1611 2329 al), it probably dropped out of certain mss because of its similarity to the two preceding clauses. It is the presence of all three phrases in the initial text that most likely gave rise to the divergent ms evidence extant today.
- Revelation 18:3 tn Or “all the Gentiles” (the same Greek word may be translated “Gentiles” or “nations”).
- Revelation 18:3 tc ‡ Several mss (א A C 1006* 1611 1841 2030 MK), including the best witnesses, read “have fallen” (πεπτώκασιν or πέπτωκαν [peptōkasin or peptōkan]). The singular πέπτωκεν (peptōken), which is better grammatically with the neuter plural subject πάντα τὰ ἔθνη (panta ta ethnē, “all the nations”), is read by 1854 2062; 2042 reads πεπότικεν (pepotiken). A few mss (1006c 2329 latt syh) read “have drunk” (πέπωκαν/πεπώκασιν, pepōkan/pepōkasin); the singular πέπωκεν (pepōken) is read by P 051 1 2053* al. The more difficult reading and that which has the best ms support is “have fallen.” That it is not too difficult is evidenced by the fact that the great majority of Byzantine minuscules, which have a tendency to smooth out problems, left it stand as is. Nonetheless, it is somewhat difficult (TCGNT 683 says that this reading is “scarcely suitable in the context”), and for that reason certain mss seem to have changed it to “have drunk” to agree with the idea of “wine” (οἴνου, oinou). One can understand how this could happen: A scribe coming to the text and seeing the term “wine” expects a verb of drinking. When he sees “have fallen” and knows that in Greek the verbs “have fallen” and “have drunk” are spelled similarly, he concludes that there has been a slip of the pen in the ms he is using, which he then seeks to correct back to the “have drunk” reading. This appears to be more reasonable than to conclude that three early majuscules (i.e., א A C) as well as a great number of other witnesses all felt the need to change “have drunk” (πέπωκαν) to “have fallen” (πέπτωκαν), even if “fallen” occurs in the immediate context (“fallen, fallen, [ἔπεσεν ἔπεσεν, epesen epesen] Babylon the great” in the preceding verse). The preferred reading, on both external and internal grounds, is “have fallen,” and thus the Seer intends to focus on the effects of wine, namely, a drunken stupor.
- Revelation 18:3 tn See the notes on the words “passion” in Rev 14:8 and “wrath” in 16:19.
- Revelation 18:3 tn According to BDAG 949 s.v. στρῆνος and στρηνιάω, these terms can refer either to luxury or sensuality. In the context of Rev 18, however (as L&N 88.254 indicate) the stress is on gratification of the senses by sexual immorality, so that meaning was emphasized in the translation here.
- Revelation 18:4 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
- Revelation 18:5 tn On ἐκολλήθησαν (ekollēthēsan) BDAG 556 s.v. κολλάω 2.a.β states, “fig. cling to = come in close contact with (cp. Ps 21:16; 43:26 ἐκολλήθη εἰς γῆν ἡ γαστὴρ ἡμῶν. The act.=‘bring into contact’ PGM 5, 457 κολλήσας τ. λίθον τῷ ὠτίῳ) ἐκολλήθησαν αἱ ἁμαρτίαι ἄχρι τ. οὐρανοῦ the sins have touched the heaven = reached the sky (two exprs. are telescoped) Rv 18:5.”
- Revelation 18:5 tn Or “up to the sky” (the same Greek word means both “heaven” and “sky”).
- Revelation 18:5 tn That is, remembered her sins to execute judgment on them.
- Revelation 18:5 tn Or “her sins.”
- Revelation 18:6 tn The word “others” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects were frequently omitted in Greek when clear from the context.
- Revelation 18:6 tn On this term BDAG 252 s.v. διπλόω states, “to double τὰ διπλᾶ pay back double Rv 18:6.”
- Revelation 18:7 tn “As much as” is the translation of ὅσα (hosa).
- Revelation 18:7 tn On the term ἐστρηνίασεν (estrēniasen) BDAG 949 s.v. στρηνιάω states, “live in luxury, live sensually Rv 18:7. W. πορνεύειν vs. 9.”
- Revelation 18:7 tn Grk “said in her heart,” an idiom for saying something to oneself.
- Revelation 18:8 tn Grk “For this reason, her plagues will come.”
- Revelation 18:8 tn Grk “death.” θάνατος (thanatos) can in particular contexts refer to a manner of death, specifically a contagious disease (see BDAG 443 s.v. 3; L&N 23.158).
- Revelation 18:8 tn This is the same Greek word (πένθος, penthos) translated “grief” in vv. 7-8.
- Revelation 18:8 tn Here “burned down” was used to translate κατακαυθήσεται (katakauthēsetai) because a city is in view.
- Revelation 18:9 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
- Revelation 18:9 tn On the term ἐστρηνίασεν (estrēniasen) BDAG 949 s.v. στρηνιάω states, “live in luxury, live sensually Rv 18:7. W. πορνεύειν vs. 9.”
- Revelation 18:9 tn Grk “from the burning of her.” For the translation “the smoke from the fire that burns her up,” see L&N 14.63.
- Revelation 18:10 tn Or “judgment,” condemnation,” “punishment.” BDAG 569 s.v. κρίσις 1.a.β states, “The word oft. means judgment that goes against a person, condemnation, and the sentence that follows…ἡ κ. σου your judgment Rv 18:10.”
- Revelation 18:11 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
- Revelation 18:11 tn On γόμος (gomos) BDAG 205 s.v. states, “load, freight…cargo of a ship…Ac 21:3. W. gen. of the owner Rv 18:11. W. gen. of content…γ. χρυσοῦ a cargo of gold vs. 12.”
- Revelation 18:12 tn Grk “and silver,” but καί (kai) has not been translated before most of these terms since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more
- Revelation 18:12 tn On this term BDAG 924-25 s.v. σιρικός states, “per. to silk from Ser, subst. τὸ σιρικόν silk cloth or garments w. other costly materials Rv 18:12.”
- Revelation 18:12 tn On the translation of κόκκινον (kokkinon) as “scarlet cloth” see L&N 6.170.
- Revelation 18:12 tn On the phrase πᾶν ξύλον θύϊνον (pan xulon thuinon) L&N 3.63 states, “pertaining to being made or consisting of citron wood (that is, from a citron tree)—‘of citron wood.’ καὶ πᾶν ξύλον θύϊνον καὶ πᾶν σκεῦος ἐλεφάντινον ‘and all kinds of things made of citron wood and all kinds of objects made of ivory’ Re 18:12. The citron tree belongs to the citrus family of plants, and it produces a pale yellow fruit somewhat larger than a lemon, the rind of which is often candied. In Re 18:12, however, the focus is upon the fine quality of the wood.”
- Revelation 18:13 tn On the term ἄμωμον (amōmon) L&N 5.23 states, “a generic term for any kind of spice, though often a specific reference to amomum, an Indian type of spice—‘spice, amomum.’ κιννάμωμον καὶ ἄμωμον καὶ θυμιάματα ‘cinnamon and spice and incense’ Re 18:13. In most translations ἄμωμον is interpreted as spice in general.”
- Revelation 18:13 tn Or “myrrh,” a strong aromatic ointment often used to prepare a body for burial (L&N 6.205).
- Revelation 18:13 tn The Greek term λίβανος (libanos) refers to the aromatic resin of a certain type of tree (L&N 6.212).
- Revelation 18:13 tn On σεμίδαλις (semidalis) L&N 5.10 states, “a fine grade of wheat flour—‘fine flour.’ οἶνον καὶ ἔλαιον καὶ σεμίδαλιν καὶ σῖτον ‘wine and oil and fine flour and wheat’ Re 18:13. In some languages ‘fine flour’ may be best expressed as ‘expensive flour.’ Such a rendering fits well the context of Re 18:13.”
- Revelation 18:13 tn Or “and wagons.” On the term ῥέδη (rhedē) see L&N 6.53: “a four-wheeled carriage or wagon used for travel or the transportation of loads—‘carriage, wagon.’ The term ῥέδη occurs only in Re 18:13 in a list of products bought and sold by merchants.”
- Revelation 18:13 tn Grk “and bodies and souls of men.” This could be understood (1) as a hendiadys (two things mentioned = one thing meant), referring only to slave trade; (2) it could be referring to two somewhat different concepts: slavery (bodies) and the cheapness of human life—some of the items earlier in the list of merchandise were to be obtained only at great cost of human life; or (3) a somewhat related idea, that the trade is in not just physical bodies (slavery) but human souls (people whose lives are destroyed through this trade).
- Revelation 18:14 tn On ὀπώρα (opōra) L&N 3.34 states, “ἡ ὀπώρα σου τῆς ἐπιθυμίας τῆς ψυχῆς ‘the ripe fruit for which you longed’ Re 18:14. In this one occurrence of ὀπώρα in the NT, ‘ripe fruit’ is to be understood in a figurative sense of ‘good things.’”
- Revelation 18:14 tn Grk “you desired in your soul.”
- Revelation 18:14 tn On λιπαρός (liparos) BDAG 597 s.v. states, “luxury Rv 18:14.”
- Revelation 18:14 tn On τὰ λαμπρά (ta lampra) BDAG 585 s.v. λαμπρός 4 states, “splendor…in which a rich man takes delight (cp. Jos., Ant. 12, 220 δωρεὰς δοὺς λαμπράς) Rv 18:14.”
- Revelation 18:14 tn Verse 14 is set in parentheses because in it the city, Babylon, is addressed directly in second person. sn This verse forms a parenthetical aside in the narrative.
- Revelation 18:15 tn Grk “the merchants [sellers] of these things.”
- Revelation 18:15 tn Grk “her torment, weeping.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started in the translation by supplying the words “They will” here.
- Revelation 18:16 tn The word “clothing” is supplied to clarify that the words “purple” and “scarlet” refer to cloth or garments rather than colors.
- Revelation 18:16 tn Grk “gilded with gold” (an instance of semantic reinforcement, see L&N 49.29).
- Revelation 18:17 tn On ἠρημώθη (ērēmōthē) L&N 20.41 states, “to suffer destruction, with the implication of being deserted and abandoned—‘to be destroyed, to suffer destruction, to suffer desolation.’ ἐρημόομαι: μιᾷ ὥρᾳ ἠρημώθη ὁ τοσοῦτος πλοῦτος ‘such great wealth has been destroyed within a single hour’ Re 18:17.”
- Revelation 18:17 tn On κυβερνήτης (kubernētēs) BDAG 574 s.v. 1 states, “one who is responsible for the management of a ship, shipmaster, lit. Rv 18:17.”
- Revelation 18:17 tn Or perhaps, “everyone who sails as a passenger.” On πλέων (pleōn) BDAG 825 s.v. πλέω states, “πᾶς ὁ ἐπὶ τόπον πλέων everyone who sails to a place = seafarer, sea traveler…Rv 18:17. The vv.ll.…have led to various interpretations. Some render: everyone who sails along the coast…See EbNestle, Einführung in das Griech. NT 1909, 182; AFridrichsen, K. Hum. Vetensk.-Samf. i Upps. Årsb. ’43, 31 note ὁ ἐπίτοπον πλέων=one who sails occasionally, a passenger.—S. also IHeikel, StKr 106, ’34/’35, 317).”
- Revelation 18:17 tn Grk “and as many as.”
- Revelation 18:18 tn Here the imperfect ἔκραζον (ekrazon) has been translated ingressively.
- Revelation 18:18 tn Grk “from the burning of her, saying.” For the translation “the smoke from the fire that burned her up,” see L&N 14.63. Here the participle λέγοντες (legontes, “saying”) has not been translated because it is redundant in contemporary English.
- Revelation 18:19 tn Grk “with weeping and mourning, saying.” Here the participle λέγοντες (legontes) has not been translated because it is redundant in contemporary English.
- Revelation 18:19 tn On ἡρημώθη (hērēmōthē) L&N 20.41 states, “to suffer destruction, with the implication of being deserted and abandoned—‘to be destroyed, to suffer destruction, to suffer desolation.’ ἐρημόομαι: μιᾷ ὥρᾳ ἠρημώθη ὁ τοσοῦτος πλοῦτος ‘such great wealth has been destroyed within a single hour’ Re 18:17.”
- Revelation 18:20 tn On the phrase “pronounced judgment” BDAG 567 s.v. κρίμα 4.b states, “The OT is the source of the expr. κρίνειν τὸ κρ. (cp. Zech 7:9; 8:16; Ezk 44:24) ἔκρινεν ὁ θεὸς τὸ κρίμα ὑμῶν ἐξ αὐτῆς God has pronounced judgment for you against her or God has pronounced on her the judgment she wished to impose on you (HHoltzmann, Hdb. 1893 ad loc.) Rv 18:20.”
- Revelation 18:20 tn Grk “God has judged a judgment of you of her.” Verse 20 is set in parentheses because in it the saints, etc. are addressed directly in the second person. sn This verse forms a parenthetical aside in the narrative.
- Revelation 18:21 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
- Revelation 18:21 tn On ὅρμημα (hormēma) BDAG 724 s.v. states, “violent rush, onset ὁρμήματι βληθήσεται Βαβυλών Babylon will be thrown down with violence Rv 18:21.” L&N 68.82 refers to the suddenness of the force or violence.
- Revelation 18:21 sn Thrown down is a play on both the words and the action. The angel’s action with the stone illustrates the kind of sudden violent force with which the city will be overthrown.
- Revelation 18:22 tn The shift to a second person pronoun here corresponds to the Greek text.
- Revelation 18:22 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
- Revelation 18:22 tn On this term BDAG 1001 s.v. τεχνίτης states, “craftsperson, artisan, designer…Of a silversmith Ac 19:24, 25 v.l., 38….Of a potter 2 Cl 8:2 (metaph., cp. Ath. 15:2). πᾶς τεχνίτης πάσης τέχνης Rv 18:22.”
- Revelation 18:22 tn This is a different Greek word (μύλος, mulos) from the one for the millstone in v. 21 (μύλινος, mulinos). See L&N 7.68.
- Revelation 18:23 tn Or “all the Gentiles” (the same Greek word may be translated “Gentiles” or “nations”).
- Revelation 18:23 tn On the term φαρμακεία (pharmakeia, “magic spells”) see L&N 53.100: “the use of magic, often involving drugs and the casting of spells upon people—‘to practice magic, to cast spells upon, to engage in sorcery, magic, sorcery.’ φαρμακεία: ἐν τῇ φαρμακείᾳ σου ἐπλανήθησαν πάντα τὰ ἔθνη ‘with your magic spells you deceived all the peoples (of the world)’ Re 18:23.”
- Revelation 18:24 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
- Revelation 18:24 tn The shift in pronouns from second to third person corresponds to the Greek text.
- Revelation 18:24 tn Grk “and of all.” The phrase “along with the blood” has been repeated from the previous clause for stylistic reasons.
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