The Meaning of Revelation 18:9 Explained

Revelation 18:9

KJV: And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,

YLT: and weep over her, and smite themselves for her, shall the kings of the earth, who with her did commit whoredom and did revel, when they may see the smoke of her burning,

Darby: And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication, and lived luxuriously with her, shall weep and wail over her, when they see the smoke of her burning,

ASV: And the kings of the earth, who committed fornication and lived wantonly with her, shall weep and wail over her, when they look upon the smoke of her burning,

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  the kings  of the earth,  who  have committed fornication  and  lived deliciously  with  her,  shall bewail  her,  and  lament  for  her,  when  they shall see  the smoke  of her  burning, 

What does Revelation 18:9 Mean?

Verse Meaning

World government leaders will mourn when they see the collapse of the system that has sustained them and enabled them to live luxuriously. Committing fornication with her is a way of expressing sharing in Babylon"s luxury (cf. Ezekiel 26:16; Ezekiel 27:30-35). [1] Evidently fire will be the main cause of the city"s destruction (cf. Revelation 18:8; Revelation 18:18; Revelation 14:11; Revelation 17:16; Revelation 19:3). The smoke of her burning, the evidence of her fall, is what caused these rulers misery (cf. Genesis 19:28; Isaiah 34:10; Ezekiel 28:18).

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 18:9

Shall weep [κλαυσουσιν]
Future active of κλαιω — klaiō middle κλαυσονται — klausontai in Attic, as in John 16:20. [source]
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]
When they look upon [οταν βλεπωσιν]
Indefinite temporal clause with οταν — hotan and the present active subjunctive of βλεπω — blepō smoke of her burning 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]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Revelation 18:9

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]
1 Timothy 5:11 When they have waxed wanton [οταν καταστρηνιασωσιν]
First aorist (ingressive) active subjunctive of καταστρηνιαω — katastrēniaō late compound (only here and Ignatius), to feel the impulse of sexual desire, but simplex στρηνιαω — strēniaō (Revelation 18:7, Revelation 18:9). Souter renders it here “exercise youthful vigour against Christ” (του Χριστου — tou Christou genitive case after κατα — kata in composition). [source]
1 Peter 4:12 Concerning the fiery trial among you [τει εν υμιν πυρωσει]
Instrumental case, “by the among you burning,” metaphorical sense of old word (since Aristotle), from πυροω — puroō to burn See 1 Peter 1:7 for the metaphor. See Revelation 18:9, Revelation 18:18 only other N.T. examples. It occurs in Proverbs 27:21 for the smelting of gold and silver and so in Psalm 56:10 (lxx 65:10): “Thou didst smelt us as silver is smelted” Present middle participle of γινομαι — ginomai (already coming) with dative case υμιν — humin prove you (προς πειρασμον — pros peirasmon). “For testing.”As though a strange thing happened unto you Genitive absolute with ως — hōs giving the alleged reason, and υμιν — humin dative case with συμβαινοντος — sumbainontos (present active participle of συμβαινω — sumbainō to go together, to happen (Mark 10:32), agreeing with χενου — xenou (strange, Hebrews 13:9). [source]
Revelation 18:3 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]
Revelation 1:7 Shall see [οπσεται]
Future middle of οραω — horaō a reminiscence of Zechariah 12:10 according to the text of Theodotion (Aquila and Symmachus) rather than the lxx and like that of Matthew 24:30 (similar combination of Daniel and Zechariah) and Matthew 26:64. This picture of the victorious Christ in his return occurs also in Revelation 14:14, Revelation 14:18-20; Revelation 19:11-21; Revelation 20:7-10.And they which (και οιτινες — kai hoitines). “And the very ones who,” Romans and Jews, all who shared in this act.Pierced First aorist active indicative of εκκεντεω — ekkenteō late compound (Aristotle, Polybius, lxx), from εκ — ek and κεντεω — kenteō (to stab, to pierce), in N.T., only here and John 19:37, in both cases from Zechariah 12:10, but not the lxx text (apparently proof that John used the original Hebrew or the translation of Theodotion and Aquila).Shall mourn (κοπσονται — kopsontai). Future middle (direct) of κοπτω — koptō old verb, to cut, “they shall cut themselves,” as was common for mourners (Matthew 11:17; Luke 8:52; Luke 23:27). From Zechariah 12:12. See also Revelation 18:9.Tribes Not just the Jewish tribes, but the spiritual Israel of Jews and Gentiles as in Revelation 7:4-8. No nation had then accepted Christ as Lord and Saviour, nor has any yet done so. [source]
Revelation 1:7 Pierced [εχεκεντησαν]
First aorist active indicative of εκκεντεω — ekkenteō late compound (Aristotle, Polybius, lxx), from εκ — ek and κεντεω — kenteō (to stab, to pierce), in N.T., only here and John 19:37, in both cases from Zechariah 12:10, but not the lxx text (apparently proof that John used the original Hebrew or the translation of Theodotion and Aquila).Shall mourn (κοπσονται — kopsontai). Future middle (direct) of κοπτω — koptō old verb, to cut, “they shall cut themselves,” as was common for mourners (Matthew 11:17; Luke 8:52; Luke 23:27). From Zechariah 12:12. See also Revelation 18:9.Tribes Not just the Jewish tribes, but the spiritual Israel of Jews and Gentiles as in Revelation 7:4-8. No nation had then accepted Christ as Lord and Saviour, nor has any yet done so. [source]
Revelation 1:7 Shall mourn [κοπσονται]
Future middle (direct) of κοπτω — koptō old verb, to cut, “they shall cut themselves,” as was common for mourners (Matthew 11:17; Luke 8:52; Luke 23:27). From Zechariah 12:12. See also Revelation 18:9. [source]
Revelation 14:11 The smoke of their torment [ο καπνος του βασανισμου αυτων]
See Revelation 9:5 for βασανισμος — basanismos only there it was a limited penalty, here it is “for ever and ever” See also Revelation 18:9; Revelation 19:3; Revelation 20:10. [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 18:3 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]
Revelation 18:3 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]
Revelation 18:9 When they look upon [οταν βλεπωσιν]
Indefinite temporal clause with οταν — hotan and the present active subjunctive of βλεπω — blepō smoke of her burning 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]
Revelation 8:4 The smoke [ο καπνος]
Old word, in N.T. only Acts 2:19; Revelation 8:4; Revelation 9:2., Revelation 9:17.; Revelation 14:11; Revelation 15:8; Revelation 18:9, Revelation 18:18; Revelation 19:3. Here from the incense in the angel‘s hand. [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 18:9 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]
Revelation 18:11 Weep and mourn [κλαιουσιν και πεντουσιν]
Present active indicatives of κλαιω — klaiō and πεντεω — pentheō as in Revelation 18:9 (for κλαιω — klaiō), Revelation 18:15, and Revelation 18:19.For no man buyeth their merchandise any more (οτι τον γομον αυτων ουδεις αγοραζει ουκετι — hoti ton gomon autōn oudeis agorazei ouketi). Reason enough for their sorrow over Rome‘s fall. Γομος — Gomos is old word (from γεμω — gemō to be full) for a ship‘s cargo (Acts 21:3) and then any merchandise (Revelation 18:11.). 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 Ezek 26; 27. There are twenty-nine items singled out in Revelation 18:12, Revelation 18:13 of this merchandise or cargo (γομον — gomon), imports into the port of Rome. Only a few need any comment. [source]

What do the individual words in Revelation 18:9 mean?

And will weep will wail for her the kings of the earth the [ones] with her having committed sexual immorality having lived luxuriously when they see the smoke burning of her
Καὶ κλαύσουσιν κόψονται ἐπ’ αὐτὴν οἱ βασιλεῖς τῆς γῆς οἱ μετ’ αὐτῆς πορνεύσαντες στρηνιάσαντες ὅταν βλέπωσιν τὸν καπνὸν πυρώσεως αὐτῆς

κλαύσουσιν  will  weep 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: κλαίω  
Sense: to mourn, weep, lament.
κόψονται  will  wail 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Middle, 3rd Person Plural
Root: κόπτω  
Sense: to cut, strike, smite.
αὐτὴν  her 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Accusative Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
βασιλεῖς  kings 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: βασιλεύς  
Sense: leader of the people, prince, commander, lord of the land, king.
τῆς  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
γῆς  earth 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: γῆ  
Sense: arable land.
οἱ  the  [ones] 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
αὐτῆς  her 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
πορνεύσαντες  having  committed  sexual  immorality 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: πορνεύω  
Sense: to prostitute one’s body to the lust of another.
στρηνιάσαντες  having  lived  luxuriously 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: στρηνιάω  
Sense: to be wanton, to live luxuriously.
βλέπωσιν  they  see 
Parse: Verb, Present Subjunctive Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: βλέπω  
Sense: to see, discern, of the bodily eye.
καπνὸν  smoke 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: καπνός  
Sense: smoke.
πυρώσεως  burning 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: πύρωσις  
Sense: a burning.
αὐτῆς  of  her 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.