Explore the Bible Online

Revelation 18:3

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

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.

Revelation 18:3 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Revelation 18:3

Theological / Devotional

All nations. See on ch. 17:2.

Wine of the wrath. See on ch. 14:8.

Kings of the earth. See on chs. 16:14; 17:2, 10, 12.

Committed fornication. See on ch. 17:2.

Merchants. Gr. emporoi, literally, “ones on a journey,” and thus “travelers,” or “merchants.” The highly figurative language of ch. 18 leaves it uncertain whether these “merchants” are literal or figurative. Either is possible. If figurative, these “merchants” would represent those who advocate the teachings and policies of “Babylon the great” (cf. Isa. 47:11–15), the goods she has for display and sale to the people of the world, to deceive them (see on Rev. 18:11).

Abundance. Gr. dunamis, “power,” here, probably in the sense of “influence.” Compare on ch. 5:12.

Delicacies. Gr. strēnos, “wantonness,” “idle luxury” (cf. on v. 7).

By SdaBc