Keraia
Revelation 18

Revelation 18:18

Lament over Babylon · Revelation 18:9–20
Read Revelation 18

Translations

Modern
…and cry out at the sight of the smoke rising from the fire that consumes her. “What city was ever like this great city?” they will exclaim.
Traditional
And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!
Literal
…and they were crying out, seeing the smoke of her burning, saying, “What is like the great city?”
Latin
…et clamaverunt videntes locum incendii ejus, dicentes: Quæ similis civitati huic magnæ?

Original

Greek
English
…and cry out at the sight of the smoke rising from the fire that consumes her. “What city was ever like this great city?” they will exclaim.

Notes

Revelation 18:17–19

every shipmaster: Seafarers sing the third lament (see study note on Revelation 18:9–19). They mourn the breakdown of communication and transportation. During Julius Caesar's reign, the Mediterranean was cleared of pirates, and trade flourished under Roman law enforcement. The quick loss of Roman authority would disrupt the trade system.

Revelation 18:9–19

These three laments show the sadness of those who gained the most from the sinful city's wealthy lifestyle (compare Ezekiel 27).

Revelation 18:1–24

This chapter includes seven poetic responses to the fall of Babylon or Rome (refer to the study note on Revelation 17:5).

Revelation 17:1–19:10

The main drama in this section shows the powers that stand against God and cause the persecution and suffering of God’s people. Rome’s power attracted and impressed many people (Revelation 17:6). John clearly describes Rome's sins and shares God's judgment (Revelation 17:3–18) before he describes Rome’s fall (18:1–24) and heaven’s response to that fall (19:1–10).

Theme notes and profiles

Babylon Messages Against the Nations Visions

Glossary

Babylon as a Symbol Book of Revelation Lucifer Peter, First Letter of

Topics

Commerce: Illustrative of Intercourse with the Apostasy