The Meaning of Revelation 18:3 Explained

Revelation 18:3

KJV: For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

YLT: because of the wine of the wrath of her whoredom have all the nations drunk, and the kings of the earth with her did commit whoredom, and merchants of the earth from the power of her revel were made rich.

Darby: because all the nations have drunk of the wine of the fury of her fornication; and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have been enriched through the might of her luxury.

ASV: For by the wine of the wrath of her fornication all the nations are fallen; and the kings of the earth committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth waxed rich by the power of her wantonness.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

For  all  nations  have drunk  of  the wine  of the wrath  of her  fornication,  and  the kings  of the earth  have committed fornication  with  her,  and  the merchants  of the earth  are waxed rich  through  the abundance  of her  delicacies. 

What does Revelation 18:3 Mean?

Verse Meaning

This verse is very similar to Revelation 17:2. However it seems that in view of the description God gave of Babylon in the rest of chapter18 it is not exactly the same Babylon pictured in chapter17. The political, economic, commercial system that originated in Babylon and that leaves God out seems to be in view here. Her philosophy has influenced all the nations that have acted immorally as a result and grown rich at the expense of and in defiance of others. Babylon"s influence has been worldwide. Political self-interest and materialism are its chief sins (cf. Revelation 18:23). [1]

Context Summary

Revelation 18:1-13 - "her Sins Have Reached Unto Heaven"
We have seen that the scarlet woman represents the false religion of human wit and fashion. It is found in every age. There is not a city, town, or village where it does not seek to allure men from Christ. The mischief is that so many really godly people are misled by it. In this they resemble Obadiah, who hid the prophets in a cave and fed them but was hand and glove with Ahab. To all such, who are endeavoring to keep in touch with the true Bride and with the apostate Church, the summons of Revelation 18:4 has a very profound significance.
It was the unanimous verdict of the reformers that the great city here described, Revelation 18:10, was intended to represent Rome, as the seat of the great apostasy. If that be the case, the merchandise described here does not refer to literal commerce, but to the carnal delights which are often permitted and fostered by false religious systems to win the adhesion of the worldly and unclean. [source]

Chapter Summary: Revelation 18

1  Babylon is fallen
4  People commanded to depart out of her
9  The kings of the earth, with the merchants and mariners, lament over her
20  The saints rejoice for the judgments of God upon her

Greek Commentary for Revelation 18:3

By [εκ]
“As a result of.” Some MSS. omit “of the wine” Cf. Revelation 14:10; Revelation 16:10. [source]
Have fallen [πεπτωκαν]
Perfect active third personal of πιπτω — piptō for usual πεπτωκασι — peptōkasi Some MSS. read πεπωκαν — pepōkan (have drunk), from πινω — pinō like the metaphor in Revelation 14:8, Revelation 14:10; Revelation 16:19; Revelation 17:2. See Revelation 17:2 for the same charge about the kings of the earth.The merchants of the earth (οι εμποροι της γης — hoi emporoi tēs gēs). Old word for one on a journey for trade (from εν πορος — enεμποριον — poros), like drummers, in N.T. only Matthew 13:45; Revelation 18:3, Revelation 18:11, Revelation 18:15, Revelation 18:23. Like εμπορευομαι — emporion (John 2:16) and επλουτησαν — emporeuomai (James 4:13).Waxed rich First ingressive aorist active indicative of του στρηνους αυτης — plouteō to be rich (cf. Revelation 3:17). Here alone in the N.T. do we catch a glimpse of the vast traffic between east and west that made Rome rich.Of her wantonness (στρηνιαω — tou strēnous autēs). Late word for arrogance, luxury, here alone in N.T. See strēniaō in Revelation 18:7, Revelation 18:9, to live wantonly. [source]
The merchants of the earth [οι εμποροι της γης]
Old word for one on a journey for trade (from εν πορος — enεμποριον — poros), like drummers, in N.T. only Matthew 13:45; Revelation 18:3, Revelation 18:11, Revelation 18:15, Revelation 18:23. Like εμπορευομαι — emporion (John 2:16) and επλουτησαν — emporeuomai (James 4:13). [source]
Waxed rich [πλουτεω]
First ingressive aorist active indicative of του στρηνους αυτης — plouteō to be rich (cf. Revelation 3:17). Here alone in the N.T. do we catch a glimpse of the vast traffic between east and west that made Rome rich.Of her wantonness (στρηνιαω — tou strēnous autēs). Late word for arrogance, luxury, here alone in N.T. See strēniaō in Revelation 18:7, Revelation 18:9, to live wantonly. [source]
Of her wantonness [στρηνιαω]
Late word for arrogance, luxury, here alone in N.T. See strēniaō in Revelation 18:7, Revelation 18:9, to live wantonly. [source]
Have drunk [πέπωκεν or πέπωκαν]
Some, however, read πέπτωκαν havefallen. So Rev. [source]
Of the wine [ἐκ τοῦ οἴνου]
Thus if we read have drunk. If we adopt have fallen, ἐκ is instrumental, by. So Rev. [source]
Of the wrath []
The wine of fornication has turned to wrath against herself. [source]
Merchants [ἔμποροι]
The word originally means one on a journey by sea or land, especially for traffic. Hence a merchant as distinguished from κάπηλος a retailer or huckster. [source]
The abundance of her delicacies [τῆς δυνάμεως τοῦ στρήνους αὐτῆς]
Lit., as Rev., the power of her luxury. Στρῆνος is akin to στερεός firmhard, stubborn (see on steadfast, 1 Peter 5:9). Hence over-strength, luxury, wantonness. Only here in the New Testament. The kindred verb στρηνιάω tolive deliciously occurs Revelation 18:7, Revelation 18:9. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Revelation 18:3

1 Timothy 5:11 Have begun to wax wanton [καταστρηνιάσωσιν]
Not, have begun, but rather, whenever they shall come to wax wanton. Comp. 2 Thessalonians 1:10. The compound verb, signifying to feel the sexual impulse, only here, and not in lxx or Class. The simple verb, στρηνιᾶν torun riot, Revelation 18:7, Revelation 18:9and the kindred στρῆνος luxury Revelation 18:3. See note. [source]
Revelation 18:7 Lived deliciously [ἐστρηνίασεν]
See on Revelation 18:3. [source]
Revelation 17:2 The kings of the earth [οι βασιλεις της γης]
Repeated in Revelation 1:5; Revelation 6:15; Revelation 17:18; Revelation 18:3, Revelation 18:9; Revelation 19:19; Revelation 21:24 and “the kings of the inhabited earth” (Revelation 16:14) either for human rulers in general or the vassal kings absorbed by the Roman Empire. [source]
Revelation 17:2 Committed fornication [επορνευσαν]
First aorist active indicative of πορνευω — porneuō “In purchasing the favour of Rome by accepting her suzerainty and with it her vices and idolatries” (Swete).Were made drunken (εμετυστησαν — emethusthēsan). First aorist passive indicative of μετυσκω — methuskō old verb (from μετυ — methu), as in Luke 12:45, here only in the Apocalypse. Cf. Isaiah 51:7 and πεποτικεν — pepotiken in Revelation 14:8. See Revelation 18:3. [source]
Revelation 17:2 Were made drunken [εμετυστησαν]
First aorist passive indicative of μετυσκω — methuskō old verb (from μετυ — methu), as in Luke 12:45, here only in the Apocalypse. Cf. Isaiah 51:7 and πεποτικεν — pepotiken in Revelation 14:8. See Revelation 18:3. [source]
Revelation 18:3 Have fallen [πεπτωκαν]
Perfect active third personal of πιπτω — piptō for usual πεπτωκασι — peptōkasi Some MSS. read πεπωκαν — pepōkan (have drunk), from πινω — pinō like the metaphor in Revelation 14:8, Revelation 14:10; Revelation 16:19; Revelation 17:2. See Revelation 17:2 for the same charge about the kings of the earth.The merchants of the earth (οι εμποροι της γης — hoi emporoi tēs gēs). Old word for one on a journey for trade (from εν πορος — enεμποριον — poros), like drummers, in N.T. only Matthew 13:45; Revelation 18:3, Revelation 18:11, Revelation 18:15, Revelation 18:23. Like εμπορευομαι — emporion (John 2:16) and επλουτησαν — emporeuomai (James 4:13).Waxed rich First ingressive aorist active indicative of του στρηνους αυτης — plouteō to be rich (cf. Revelation 3:17). Here alone in the N.T. do we catch a glimpse of the vast traffic between east and west that made Rome rich.Of her wantonness (στρηνιαω — tou strēnous autēs). Late word for arrogance, luxury, here alone in N.T. See strēniaō in Revelation 18:7, Revelation 18:9, to live wantonly. [source]
Revelation 18:3 The merchants of the earth [οι εμποροι της γης]
Old word for one on a journey for trade (from εν πορος — enεμποριον — poros), like drummers, in N.T. only Matthew 13:45; Revelation 18:3, Revelation 18:11, Revelation 18:15, Revelation 18:23. Like εμπορευομαι — emporion (John 2:16) and επλουτησαν — emporeuomai (James 4:13). [source]
Revelation 18:6 Double the double [διπλωσατε τα διπλα]
First aorist imperative of διπλοω — diploō old verb (from διπλοος — diploos double, Matthew 23:15), here only in N.T. Διπλα — Diplā is simply the neuter plural accusative (cognate) contract form for διπλοα — diploa (not διπλω — diplō). Requite here in double measure, a full requital (Exodus 22:4, Exodus 22:7, Exodus 22:9; Isaiah 40:2; Jeremiah 16:18; Jeremiah 17:18; Zechariah 9:12). The double recompense was according to the Levitical law.Which she mingled (ωι εκερασεν — hōi ekerasen). First aorist active indicative of κεραννυμι — kerannumi The relative ωι — hōi is attracted to the locative case of its antecedent ποτηριωι — potēriōi (cup), for which see Revelation 14:8, Revelation 14:10; Revelation 17:4; Revelation 18:3.Mingle unto her double First aorist active imperative of the same verb κεραννυμι — kerannumi with the same idea of double punishment. [source]
Revelation 18:6 Which she mingled [ωι εκερασεν]
First aorist active indicative of κεραννυμι — kerannumi The relative ωι — hōi is attracted to the locative case of its antecedent ποτηριωι — potēriōi (cup), for which see Revelation 14:8, Revelation 14:10; Revelation 17:4; Revelation 18:3. [source]
Revelation 18:11 The merchants [οι εμποροι]
As in Revelation 18:3, Revelation 18:15, Revelation 18:23. The dirge of the merchants follows the wail of the kings. [source]
Revelation 18:15 Who were made rich by her [οι πλουτησαντες απ αυτης]
“Those who grew rich (ingressive aorist active participle of πλουτεω — plouteō for which see Revelation 18:3, Revelation 18:13) from her.”Shall stand afar off (απο μακροτεν στησονται — apo makrothen stēsontai). Future middle of ιστημι — histēmi Repeating the picture in Revelation 18:10. Again in Revelation 18:17. See Revelation 18:11 for the two participles κλαιοντες και πεντουντες — klaiontes kai penthountes f0). [source]
Revelation 19:2 For [οτι]
Second use of οτι — hoti explaining the first.He hath judged (εκρινεν — ekrinen). First aorist (prophetic and climacteric, effective) active indicative of κρινω — krinō (ητις — hētis). The very one which.Did corrupt This is the terrible fact. First aorist active indicative of πτειρω — phtheirō Cf. Revelation 11:18; Revelation 14:8; Revelation 17:2; Revelation 18:3.And he hath avenged (και εχεδικησεν — kai exedikēsen). God has exacted vengeance for the blood of his servants from (εκ — ek) her. Prophetic aorist again of εκδικεω — ekdikeō with accusative and εκ — ek with ablative as in Revelation 6:10. [source]
Revelation 19:2 Did corrupt [επτειρεν]
This is the terrible fact. First aorist active indicative of πτειρω — phtheirō Cf. Revelation 11:18; Revelation 14:8; Revelation 17:2; Revelation 18:3.And he hath avenged (και εχεδικησεν — kai exedikēsen). God has exacted vengeance for the blood of his servants from (εκ — ek) her. Prophetic aorist again of εκδικεω — ekdikeō with accusative and εκ — ek with ablative as in Revelation 6:10. [source]
Revelation 19:3 They say [ειρηκαν]
Perfect active indicative of ειπον — eipon “They have said,” not an “aoristic” perfect for “they say,” but vivid dramatic perfect as in Revelation 5:7 and the form in αν — ̇an instead of ασιν — ̇asin as in Revelation 18:3; Revelation 21:6.Goeth up (αναβαινει — anabainei). Linear present active indicative of αναβαινω — anabainō “keeps on going up,” “a last touch to the description already given (Revelation 18:21.) of Babylon‘s utter collapse” (Swete). The smoke of the city‘s ruin (Revelation 14:11; Revelation 18:8., and Revelation 18:18) instead of incense (Revelation 8:4). Cf. Isaiah 34:9. [source]
Revelation 18:7 Herself [αυτην]
Reflexive pronoun, accusative also with εδοχασεν — edoxasen wanton First aorist (ingressive) active indicative of στρηνιαω — strēniaō (to live luxuriously), verb in late comedy instead of τρυπαω — truphaō (James 5:5), from στρηνος — strēnos (Revelation 18:3), only here in N.T.So much give her of torment and mourning (τοσουτον δοτε αυτηι βασανισμον και πεντος — tosouton dote autēi basanismon kai penthos). Second aorist active imperative of διδωμι — didōmi to give. The correlative pronoun τοσουτον — tosouton is masculine singular accusative, agreeing with βασανισμον — basanismon for which see Revelation 9:5; Revelation 14:11, and is understood with the neuter word πεντος — penthos (mourning), in N.T. only in James 4:9; Revelation 18:7.; Revelation 21:4 (kin to πατοσ πενομαι — pathosκατημαι βασιλισσα — penomai).I sit a queen Predicate nominative for the old form βασιλις — basileia Feminine of the adjective πεντος ου μη ιδω — chēros (barren), old word (Mark 12:40).Shall in no wise see mourning Confident boast of security with emphatic position of ου μη — penthos (see above) and double negative οραω — ou mē with the second aorist active subjunctive of horaō (defective verb). [source]
Revelation 18:9 And wail over her [και κοπσονται επ αυτην]
Future direct middle of κοπτω — koptō old verb, to beat, to cut, middle to beat oneself (Revelation 1:7). For combination with κλαιω — klaiō as here see Luke 8:52. See Revelation 17:2; Revelation 18:3, Revelation 18:7 for οι πορνευσαντες και στρηνιασαντες — hoi porneusantes kai strēniasantes).When they look upon (οταν βλεπωσιν — hotan blepōsin). Indefinite temporal clause with οταν — hotan and the present active subjunctive of βλεπω — blepō smoke of her burning (τον καπνον της πυρωσεως αυτης — ton kapnon tēs purōseōs autēs). Πυρωσις — Purōsis is an old word (from πυροω — puroō to burn), in N.T. only 1 Peter 4:12; Revelation 18:9, Revelation 18:18. See Revelation 18:8 for other plagues on Rome, but fire seems to be the worst (Revelation 17:16; Revelation 18:8, Revelation 18:9, Revelation 18:17; Revelation 19:3). [source]

What do the individual words in Revelation 18:3 mean?

For of the wine of the wrath of the sexual immorality of her have drunk all the nations and the kings earth with her have committed sexual immorality merchants through the power of the sensuality have been enriched
ὅτι ἐκ τοῦ οἴνου τοῦ θυμοῦ τῆς πορνείας αὐτῆς πέπωκαν πάντα τὰ ἔθνη καὶ οἱ βασιλεῖς γῆς μετ’ αὐτῆς ἐπόρνευσαν ἔμποροι ἐκ τῆς δυνάμεως τοῦ στρήνους ἐπλούτησαν

οἴνου  wine 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: οἶνος  
Sense: wine.
τοῦ  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
θυμοῦ  wrath 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: θυμός  
Sense: passion, angry, heat, anger forthwith boiling up and soon subsiding again.
τῆς  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
πορνείας  sexual  immorality 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: πορνεία  
Sense: illicit sexual intercourse.
αὐτῆς  of  her 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
πέπωκαν  have  drunk 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: πίνω  
Sense: to drink.
ἔθνη  nations 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Neuter Plural
Root: ἔθνος  
Sense: a multitude (whether of men or of beasts) associated or living together.
βασιλεῖς  kings 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: βασιλεύς  
Sense: leader of the people, prince, commander, lord of the land, king.
γῆς  earth 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: γῆ  
Sense: arable land.
αὐτῆς  her 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
ἐπόρνευσαν  have  committed  sexual  immorality 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: πορνεύω  
Sense: to prostitute one’s body to the lust of another.
ἔμποροι  merchants 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ἔμπορος  
Sense: one on a journey, whether by sea or by land, esp.
ἐκ  through 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἐκ 
Sense: out of, from, by, away from.
δυνάμεως  power 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: δύναμις  
Sense: strength power, ability.
τοῦ  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
στρήνους  sensuality 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root: στρῆνος  
Sense: excessive strength which longs to break forth, over strength.
ἐπλούτησαν  have  been  enriched 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: πλουτέω  
Sense: to be rich, to have abundance.