rwp - 18

rwp@Revelation:18:1 @{Coming down out of heaven} (\katabainonta ek tou ouranou\). Present active predicate participle. Not the angel of strkjv@17:1,7,15| (John's guide), but one announcing the doom of Babylon (Rome). As in strkjv@10:1; strkjv@20:1|. {Was lightened} (\ephtisth\). First aorist passive of \phtiz\, old causative verb (from \phs\, light), common in N.T. as in strkjv@Revelation:18:1; strkjv@21:23; strkjv@22:5|. {With his glory} (\ek ts doxs autou\). "By reason of (\ek\ as in strkjv@8:13; strkjv@16:10|) his glory." "Songs:recently has he come from the Presence that in passing he flings a broad belt of light across the dark earth" (Swete).

rwp@Revelation:18:2 @{Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great} (\epesen, epesen Babuln h megal\). The very words of strkjv@14:8|: "Did fall, did fall Babylon the great." Prophetic aorists of \pipt\ repeated like a solemn dirge of the damned. {Is become} (\egeneto\). Prophetic aorist middle. {A habitation of devils} (\katoiktrion\). Late word (from \katoike\, to dwell), in N.T. only here and strkjv@Ephesians:2:22|. Devils should be demons, of course. Songs:Isaiah prophesied of Babylon (Isaiah:12:21f.|) and also Jeremiah (Jeremiah:50:39|) and Zephaniah of Nineveh (Zephaniah:2:14|). Both Babylon and Nineveh are ruins. {A hold of every unclean spirit} (\phulak pantos pneumatos akathartou\). \Phulak\ is garrison or watch-tower as in strkjv@Habbakkuk:2:1|, rather than a prison (20:7|). {A hold of every unclean and hateful bird} (\phulak pantos orneou akathartou kai memismenou\). \Orneou\ is old word for bird, in N.T. only strkjv@Revelation:18:2; strkjv@19:17,21|. "The evil spirits, watching over fallen Rome like night-birds or harpies that wait for their prey, build their eyries in the broken towers which rise from the ashes of the city" (Swete). Long ago true of Babylon and Nineveh, some day to be true of Rome.

rwp@Revelation:18:3 @{By} (\ek\). "As a result of." Some MSS. omit "of the wine" (\tou oinou\). Cf. strkjv@14:10; strkjv@16:10|. {Have fallen} (\peptkan\). Perfect active third personal of \pipt\ for usual \peptkasi\. Some MSS. read \pepkan\ (have drunk), from \pin\ like the metaphor in strkjv@14:8,10; strkjv@16:19; strkjv@17:2|. See strkjv@17:2| for the same charge about the kings of the earth. {The merchants of the earth} (\hoi emporoi ts gs\). Old word for one on a journey for trade (from \en, poros\), like drummers, in N.T. only strkjv@Matthew:13:45; strkjv@Revelation:18:3,11,15,23|. Like \emporion\ (John:2:16|) and \emporeuomai\ (James:4:13|). {Waxed rich} (\eploutsan\). First ingressive aorist active indicative of \ploute\, to be rich (cf. strkjv@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} (\tou strnous auts\). Late word for arrogance, luxury, here alone in N.T. See \strnia\ in verses 7,9|, to live wantonly.

rwp@Revelation:18:4 @{Come forth, my people, out of her} (\exelthate, ho laos mou, ex auts\). Second aorist (urgency) active imperative (\-a\ form) of \exerchomai\. Like strkjv@Isaiah:48:20; strkjv@52:11; strkjv@Jeremiah:50:8; strkjv@51:6|, (about Babylon). See also the call of Abram (Genesis:12:1|). the rescue of Lot (Genesis:19:12ff.|). In the N.T. see strkjv@Mark:13:4; strkjv@2Corinthians:6:14; strkjv@Ephesians:5:11; strkjv@1Timothy:5:11|. \Hosea:laos\ is vocative with the form of the nominative. {That ye have no fellowship with her sins} (\hina m sunkoinnste tais hamartais auts\). Purpose clause with \hina m\ and the first aorist active subjunctive of \sunkoinne\, old compound (\sun\, together, \koinnos\, partner), in N.T. only here, strkjv@Phillipians:4:14; strkjv@Ephesians:5:11|. With associative instrumental case \hamartiais\. {And that ye receive not of her plagues} (\kai ek tn plgn auts hina m labte\). Another purpose clause dependent on the preceding, with \hina m\ and the second aorist active subjunctive of \lamban\, and with proleptic emphatic position of \ek tn plgn auts\ before \hina m\.

rwp@Revelation:18:5 @{Have reached} (\ekollthsan\). First aorist passive (deponent) indicative of \kolla\, old verb (from \kolla\, gluten, glue), to cleave to, to join one another in a mass "up to heaven" (\achri tou ouranou\). Cf. strkjv@Jeremiah:51:9; strkjv@Zechariah:14:5|. {Hath remembered} (\emnmoneusen\). First aorist (prophetic) active indicative of \mnmoneu\, here with the accusative (\adikmata\, iniquities) instead of the genitive (Colossians:4:18|).

rwp@Revelation:18:6 @{Render as she rendered} (\apodote hs apedken\). Second aorist (effective) active imperative and first aorist (effective) active of \apodidmi\, old and common verb for requital, to give back, the _lex talionis_ which is in the O.T. (Jeremiah:50:15,29; strkjv@51:24,56; strkjv@Psalms:137:8|), and in the N.T. also (Matthew:7:2|). Here the reference is to persecutions by Rome, particularly the martyrdom of the saints (18:24; strkjv@19:2|). {Double the double} (\diplsate ta dipla\). First aorist imperative of \diplo\, old verb (from \diploos\, double, strkjv@Matthew:23:15|), here only in N.T. \Dipl\ is simply the neuter plural accusative (cognate) contract form for \diploa\ (not \dipl\). Requite here in double measure, a full requital (Exodus:22:4,7,9; strkjv@Isaiah:40:2; strkjv@Jeremiah:16:18; strkjv@17:18; strkjv@Zechariah:9:12|). The double recompense was according to the Levitical law. {Which she mingled} (\hi ekerasen\). First aorist active indicative of \kerannumi\. The relative \hi\ is attracted to the locative case of its antecedent \potrii\ (cup), for which see strkjv@14:8,10; strkjv@17:4; strkjv@18:3|. {Mingle unto her double} (\kerasate auti diploun\). First aorist active imperative of the same verb \kerannumi\, with the same idea of double punishment.

rwp@Revelation:18:7 @{How much soever} (\hosa\). Indefinite quantitative relative pronoun \hosos\ in the accusative (cognate) neuter plural object of \edoxasen\ (first aorist active indicative of \doxaz\). {Herself} (\hautn\). Reflexive pronoun, accusative also with \edoxasen\. {Waxed wanton} (\estrniasen\). First aorist (ingressive) active indicative of \strnia\ (to live luxuriously), verb in late comedy instead of \trupha\ (James:5:5|), from \strnos\ (Revelation:18:3|), only here in N.T. {Songs:much give her of torment and mourning} (\tosouton dote auti basanismon kai penthos\). Second aorist active imperative of \didmi\, to give. The correlative pronoun \tosouton\ is masculine singular accusative, agreeing with \basanismon\, for which see strkjv@9:5; strkjv@14:11|, and is understood with the neuter word \penthos\ (mourning), in N.T. only in strkjv@James:4:9; strkjv@Revelation:18:7ff.; strkjv@21:4| (kin to \pathos, penomai\). {I sit a queen} (\kathmai basilissa\). Predicate nominative for the old form \basileia\ (\basilis\), as in strkjv@Matthew:12:42|. Babylon and Tyre had preceded Rome in such boasting (Isaiah:47:7-9; strkjv@Ezekiel:27:3; strkjv@28:2; strkjv@Zephaniah:2:15|). {And am no widow} (\kai chra ouk eimi\). Feminine of the adjective \chros\ (barren), old word (Mark:12:40|). {Shall in no wise see mourning} (\penthos ou m id\). Confident boast of security with emphatic position of \penthos\ (see above) and double negative \ou m\ with the second aorist active subjunctive of \hora\ (defective verb).

rwp@Revelation:18:8 @{Therefore} (\dia touto\). Because of her presumption added to her crimes. {In one day} (\en mii hmeri\). Symbolical term for suddenness like \mii hri\, in one hour (18:10,16,19|). John has in mind still strkjv@Isaiah:47:7-9|. {Shall come} (\hxousin\). Future active of \hk\. Her plagues are named (death, mourning, famine). {She shall be utterly burned} (\katakauthsetai\). Future passive of \katakai\ (perfective use of \kata\). {With fire} (\en puri\). "In fire," as in strkjv@17:16|. {Which judged her} (\ho krinas autn\). Articular first aorist active participle of \krin\ referring to \kurios ho theos\ (the Lord God). The doom of Babylon is certain because of the power of God.

rwp@Revelation:18:9 @{Shall weep} (\klausousin\). Future active of \klai\, middle \klausontai\ in Attic, as in strkjv@John:16:20|. {And wail over her} (\kai kopsontai ep' autn\). Future direct middle of \kopt\, old verb, to beat, to cut, middle to beat oneself (Revelation:1:7|). For combination with \klai\ as here see strkjv@Luke:8:52|. See strkjv@17:2; strkjv@18:3,7| for \hoi porneusantes kai strniasantes\). {When they look upon} (\hotan blepsin\). Indefinite temporal clause with \hotan\ and the present active subjunctive of \blep\. {The smoke of her burning} (\ton kapnon ts purses auts\). \Pursis\ is an old word (from \puro\ to burn), in N.T. only strkjv@1Peter:4:12; strkjv@Revelation:18:9,18|. See verse 8| for other plagues on Rome, but fire seems to be the worst (17:16; strkjv@18:8,9,17; strkjv@19:3|).

rwp@Revelation:18:10 @{Standing afar off} (\apo makrothen hestkotes\). Perfect active (intransitive) participle of \histmi\. Vivid picture of the terrible scene, fascinated by the lurid blaze (cf. Nero's delight in the burning of Rome in A.D. 64), and yet afraid to draw near. On \apo makrothen\ see strkjv@Mark:5:6|. There is a weird charm in a burning city. They feared the same fate (cf. verse 7| for \basanismou\, torment). {Woe, woe, the great city} (\ouai, ouai, h polis h megal\). Only example in the Apocalypse of the nominative with \ouai\ except verses 16,19|, though in strkjv@Luke:6:25| and common in LXX (Isaiah:5:7,11|, etc.). For the dative see strkjv@Revelation:8:13|, once so "strong" (\h ischura\)! {In one hour} (\mii hri\). Repeated in verses 16,19|, and like \mii hmeri\ (in one day) in verse 8|. Some MSS. have here \mian hran\, like \poian hran\ (accusative of extent of time) in strkjv@3:3|. See verse 8| (\ho krinas\) for \h krisis sou\ (thy judgment). This is the dirge of the kings.

rwp@Revelation:18:11 @{The merchants} (\hoi emporoi\). As in strkjv@18:3,15,23|. The dirge of the merchants follows the wail of the kings. {Weep and mourn} (\klaiousin kai penthousin\). Present active indicatives of \klai\ and \penthe\ as in verses 9| (for \klai\), 15,19|. {For no man buyeth their merchandise any more} (\hoti ton gomon autn oudeis agorazei ouketi\). Reason enough for their sorrow over Rome's fall. \Gomos\ is old word (from \gem\ to be full) for a ship's cargo (Acts:21:3|) and then any merchandise (Revelation:18:11f.|). Galen, Pliny, Aristides tell of the vastness of the commerce and luxury of Rome, the world's chief market. Many of the items here are like those in the picture of the destruction of Tyre in strkjv@Ezekiel:26; 27|. There are twenty-nine items singled out in verses 12,13| of this merchandise or cargo (\gomon\), imports into the port of Rome. Only a few need any comment.

rwp@Revelation:18:12 @{Of fine linen} (\bussinou\). Genitive case after \gomon\, as are all the items to \kokkinou\. Old adjective from \bussos\ (linen, strkjv@Luke:16:19|), here a garment of linen, in N.T. only strkjv@Revelation:18:12,16; strkjv@19:8,14|. {Purple} (\porphuras\). Fabric colored with purple dye (\porphureos\, strkjv@17:4; strkjv@18:16|), as in strkjv@Mark:15:17,20; strkjv@Luke:16:19|. {Silk} (\sirikou\). Songs:the uncials here. \To srikon\ (the silken fabric) occurs in Plutarch, Strabo, Arrian, Lucian, only here in N.T. Probably from the name of the Indian or Chinese people (\hoi Sres\) from whom the fabric came after Alexander invaded India. Silk was a costly article among the Romans, and for women as a rule. {Scarlet} (\kokkinou\). See strkjv@17:4; strkjv@18:16|. {All thyine wood} (\pan xulon thuinon\). Now accusative again without \gomon\ dependence. An odoriferous North African citrus tree, prized for the colouring of the wood for dining-tables, like a peacock's tail or the stripes of a tiger or panther. Here only in N.T. {Of ivory} (\elephantinon\). Old adjective (from \elephas\ elephant) agreeing with \skeuos\ (vessel), here only in N.T. Cf. Ahab's ivory palace (1Kings:22:39|). {Of marble} (\marmarou\). Old word (from \marmair\, to glisten), genitive after \skeuos\ (vessel), here only in N.T.

rwp@Revelation:18:13 @{Cinnamon} (\kinnammon\). Old word transliterated into English, here only in N.T. Of Phoenician origin (Herodotus) as to name and possibly from South China. {Spice} (\ammon\). A fragrant plant of India, \amomum\, for perfume. {Incense} (\thumiamata\). See strkjv@5:8; strkjv@8:3|. {Ointment} (\muron\). See strkjv@Matthew:26:7|. {Frankincense} (\libanon\). See strkjv@8:3|. {Fine flour} (\semidalin\). Old word for finest wheaten flour, here only in N.T. {Of horses} (\hippn\). Here then is a return to the construction of the genitive after \gomon\ in verse 12|, though not used here, an anomalous genitive construction (Charles). {Of chariots} (\redn\). A Gallic word for a vehicle with four wheels, here only in N.T. {Of slaves} (\somatn\). "Of bodies," treated as animals or implements, like the horses and the chariots (cf. _rickshaw_ men in China). This use of \sma\ for slave occurs in strkjv@Genesis:34:29|; Tob strkjv@10:11 (\smata kai ktn\, slaves and cattle); II Macc. strkjv@8:11. {Souls of men} (\psuchas anthrpn\). Deissmann (_Bible Studies_, p. 160) finds this use of \sma\ for slave in the Egyptian Delta. Return to the accusative \psuchas\. From strkjv@Numbers:31:35; strkjv@1Chronicles:5:21; strkjv@Ezekiel:27:13|. This addition is an explanation of the use of \smata\ for slaves, "human live stock" (Swete), but slaves all the same. Perhaps \kai\ here should be rendered "even," not "and": "bodies even souls of men." The slave merchant was called \smatemporos\ (body merchant).

rwp@Revelation:18:14 @{The fruits} (\h opra\). The ripe autumn fruit (Jeremiah:40:10,12|). Here only in N.T. Of uncertain etymology (possibly \opos\, sap, \hra\, hour, time for juicy sap). See strkjv@Jude:1:12| for \dendra phthinoprinos\ (autumn trees). {Which thy soul lusteth after} (\sou ts epithumias ts psuchs\). "Of the lusting of thy soul." {Are gone from thee} (\aplthen apo sou\). Prophetic aorist active indicative of \aperchomai\ with repetition of \apo\. {All things that were dainty and sumptuous} (\panta ta lipara kai ta lampra\). "All the dainty and the gorgeous things." \Liparos\ is from \lipos\ (grease) and so fat, about food (here only in N.T.), while \lampros\ is bright and shining (James:2:2f.|), about clothing. {Are perished from thee} (\apleto apo sou\). Prophetic second aorist middle indicative of \apollumi\ (intransitive). {Shall find them no more at all} (\ouketi ou m auta heursousin\). Doubled double negative with future active, as emphatic a negation as the Greek can make.

rwp@Revelation:18:15 @{Of these things} (\toutn\). Listed above in verses 12-14|. {Who were made rich by her} (\hoi ploutsantes ap' auts\). "Those who grew rich (ingressive aorist active participle of \ploute\, for which see verses 3,13|) from her." {Shall stand afar off} (\apo makrothen stsontai\). Future middle of \histmi\. Repeating the picture in verse 10|. Again in verse 17|. See verse 11| for the two participles \klaiontes kai penthountes\.

rwp@Revelation:18:16 @For the Woe see verses 10,19|. For the next clause see strkjv@17:4| with the addition here of \bussinon\ (18:12|). {For in one hour so great riches is made desolate} (\hoti mii hri rmth ho tosoutos ploutos\). The reason (\hoti\) for the "woe." First aorist passive indicative of \ermo\, for which verb see strkjv@17:16; strkjv@18:19|. This is the dirge of the merchants.

rwp@Revelation:18:17 @{Shipmaster} (\kubernts\). Old word (from \kuberna\, to steer), helmsman, sailing-master, in N.T. only here and strkjv@Acts:27:11|. Subordinate to the \nauklros\ (supreme commander). {That saileth any whither} (\ho epi topon plen\). "The one sailing to a place." See strkjv@Acts:27:2|, \tous kata tn Asian pleontas\ (those sailing down along Asia). Nestle suggests \ponton\ (sea) here for \topon\ (place), but it makes sense as it is. {Mariners} (\nautai\). Old word (from \naus\, ship), in N.T. only here and strkjv@Acts:27:27,30|. {Gain their living by the sea} (\tn thalassan ergazontai\). "Work the sea." This idiom is as old as Hesiod for sailors, fishermen, etc. See verses 10,15|.

rwp@Revelation:18:18 @{As they looked} (\blepontes\). Present active participle of \blep\. See \hotan blepsin\ in verse 10|. {What city is like the great city?} (\tis homoia ti polei ti megali;\). No \polis\ with \tis\, but implied. Associative instrumental case, as usual, with \homoia\. "The eternal city" is eternal no longer.

rwp@Revelation:18:19 @{They cast dust} (\ebalon choun\). Second aorist active of \ball\. \Chous\ is old word (from \che\ to pour) for heap of earth, dust, in N.T. only here and strkjv@Mark:6:11|. Cf. strkjv@Ezekiel:27:30; strkjv@Luke:10:13|. This is the dirge of the sea-folk (cf. verses 10,16|). {By reason of her costliness} (\ek ts timiottos auts\). Occasionally in later literary Greek, though here only in N.T. and not in LXX. The same use of \tim\ appears in strkjv@1Peter:2:7|. Common in the papyri as a title like "Your Honor" (Moulton and Milligan's _Vocabulary_).

rwp@Revelation:18:20 @{Rejoice over her} (\Euphrainou ep' auti\). Present middle imperative of \euphrain\, for which verb see strkjv@11:10|, used there of the joy of the wicked over the death of the two witnesses, just the opposite picture to this. "The song of doom" (Charles) here seems to be voiced by John himself. {God hath judged your judgment} (\ekrinen ho theos to krima\). First aorist (prophetic) active of \krin\ and cognate accusative \krima\, here a case for trial (Exodus:18:22; strkjv@1Corinthians:6:7|), not a sentence as in strkjv@17:1|. God has approved the case of heaven.

rwp@Revelation:18:21 @{A strong angel} (\heis aggelos ischuros\). Here \heis\ = a, just an indefinite article, not "one" as a numeral. {Took up} (\ren\). First aorist active indicative of \air\. {As it were a great millstone} (\hs mulinon megan\). Late adjective, in inscriptions, here only in N.T., made of millstone (\mulos\, strkjv@Matthew:18:6; strkjv@Revelation:18:22|), while \mulikos\ (Luke:17:2|) means belonging to a mill. This is not a small millstone turned by women (Matthew:24:41|), but one requiring an ass to turn it (Mark:9:42|), and so "a great" one. {Cast} (\ebalen\). Second aorist active of \ball\, to hurl. {With a mighty fall} (\hormmati\). Instrumental case (manner) of \hormma\, a rush, old word from \horma\, to rush (Matthew:8:32|), here only in N.T. {Shall be cast down} (\blethsetai\). Future (first) passive of \ball\, the same verb (\ebalen\), effective punctiliar future. Like a boulder hurled into the sea. {Shall be found no more at all} (\ou m heurethi eti\). Double negative with first aorist passive subjunctive of \heurisk\. See strkjv@9:6| for \ou m\ with the active voice of \heurisk\. Already the old Babylon was a desert waste (Strabo, XVI. 1073).

rwp@Revelation:18:22 @{The voice} (\phn\). Cf. strkjv@Ezekiel:26:13|. Or "sound" as in strkjv@1Corinthians:14:8| with \salpigx\ (trumpet). For this song of judgment see strkjv@Jeremiah:25:10|. {Of harpers} (\kitharidn\). Old word (from \kithara\, harp, and \idos\, singer) as in strkjv@14:2|. {Of minstrels} (\mousikn\). Old word (from \mousa\, music), here only in N.T., one playing on musical instruments. {Of flute-players} (\aultn\). Old word (from \aule\, to play on a flute, strkjv@Matthew:11:17|, \aulos\, flute, strkjv@1Corinthians:14:7|), in N.T. only here and strkjv@Matthew:9:23|. {Of trumpeters} (\salpistn\). Late form for the earlier \salpigkts\ (from \salpiz\), here only in N.T. {Shall be heard no more at all} (\ou m akousthi\). First aorist passive subjunctive of \akou\ with the double negative as below, with \phn mulou\ (sound of the millstone), and as in verse 21| with \ou me heurethi\ and again with \ps technits\ (craftsman). This old word is from \techn\, art, as here in some MSS. ("of whatsoever craft," \pass techns\). \Technits\ occurs also in this sense in strkjv@Acts:19:24,38|; and in strkjv@Hebrews:11:10| of God as the Architect. There is power in this four-fold sonorous repetition of \ou m\ and the subjunctive with two more examples in verse 23|.

rwp@Revelation:18:23 @{Of a lamp} (\luchnou\). Old word (Matthew:5:15|), again in strkjv@Revelation:22:5|. {Shall shine no more at all} (\ou m phani\). Fifth instance in these verses of \ou m\ with the aorist subjunctive, here the active of \phain\ as in strkjv@Revelation:8:12|. It is not known whether Rome had street lights or not. {The voice of the bridegroom and of the bride} (\phn numphiou kai numphs\). See strkjv@John:3:29; strkjv@Jeremiah:7:34; strkjv@16:9|. "Even the occasional flash of the torches carried by bridal processions (Matthew:25:1ff.|) is seen no more" (Swete). The sixth instance of \ou m\, in verses 21-23|, occurs with \akousthi\ (third instance of \akousthi\, two in verse 22|). {Were the princes of the earth} (\san hoi megistnes ts gs\). For \megistn\ see strkjv@Revelation:6:15; strkjv@Mark:6:21|. "Thy merchants were the grandees" once, but now these merchant princes are gone. {With thy sorcery} (\en ti pharmakii sou\). \En\ (instrumental use) and the locative case of \pharmakia\, old word (from \pharmakeu\, to prepare drugs, from \pharmakon\, sorcery, strkjv@Revelation:9:21|), in N.T. only here and strkjv@Galatians:5:20| for sorcery and magical arts. If one is puzzled over the connection between medicine and sorcery as illustrated by this word (our pharmacy), he has only to recall quackery today in medicine (patent medicines and cure-alls), witch-doctors, professional faith-healers, medicine-men in Africa. True medical science has had a hard fight to shake off chicanery and charlatanry. {Were deceived} (\eplanthsan\). First aorist passive indicative of \plana\. These charlatans always find plenty of victims. See strkjv@Mark:12:24|.

rwp@Revelation:18:24 @{In her} (\en auti\). In Rome. {Was found} (\heureth\). First aorist passive indicative of \heurisk\. See strkjv@16:6; strkjv@17:6| for the blood already shed by Rome. Rome "butchered to make a Roman holiday" (Dill, _Roman Society_, p. 242) not merely gladiators, but prophets and saints from Nero's massacre A.D. 64 to Domitian and beyond. {Of all that have been slain} (\pantn tn esphagmenn\). Perfect passive articular participle genitive plural of \sphaz\, the verb used of the Lamb slain (5:9,12; strkjv@13:8|). Cf. strkjv@Matthew:23:35| about Jerusalem.

Revelation 18