Revelation 17:15
WEB
He said to me, “The waters which you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages.
BSB
Then the angel said to me, “The waters you saw, where the prostitute was seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues.
KJV
And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.
Matthew Henry
Greek interlinear
G2532
and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet
Derivation: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force;
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
G3004
ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter
Derivation: a primary verb;
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas G2036 and G5346 generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while G4483 is properly to break silence merely, and G2980 means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean
KJV: ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
See also: G2036, G5346, G4483, G2980.
G1473
I, me
Derivation: a primary pronoun of the first person I (only expressed when emphatic)
KJV: I, me.
For the other cases and the plural see G1691, G1698, G1700, G2248, G2249, G2254, G2257, etc.
See also: G1691, G1698, G1700, G2248, G2249, G2254, G2257.
G3588
the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc
, including the feminine ἡ , and the neuter τό in all their inflections;
Derivation: the definite article;
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
G5204
water
, and genitive case, ὕδατος , etc.
Derivation: from the base of G5205;
water (as if rainy) literally or figuratively
KJV: water.
See also: G5205.
G3739
one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc
, including feminine ἥ , and neuter ὅ
Derivation: probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article G3588);
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
KJV: one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc.
See also G3757.
See also: G3588, G3757.
G3708
behold, perceive, see, take heed
Derivation: properly, to stare at (compare G3700), i.e. (by implication) to discern clearly (physically or mentally);
by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear
KJV: behold, perceive, see, take heed.
See also: G3700.
G3757
where(-in), whither(-soever)
Derivation: genitive case of G3739 as adverb;
at which place, i.e. where
KJV: where(-in), whither(-soever).
See also: G3739.
G4204
harlot, whore
Derivation: feminine of G4205;
a strumpet; figuratively, an idolater
KJV: harlot, whore.
See also: G4205.
G2521
dwell, sit (by, down)
Derivation: from G2596;
and ἧμαι (to sit; akin to the base of G1476); to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside
KJV: dwell, sit (by, down).
See also: G2596, G1476.
G2992
people
Derivation: apparently a primary word;
a people (in general; thus differing from G1218, which denotes one's own populace)
KJV: people.
See also: G1218.
G3793
company, multitude, number (of people), people, press
Derivation: from a derivative of G2192 (meaning a vehicle);
a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot
KJV: company, multitude, number (of people), people, press.
See also: G2192.
G1510
am, have been, X it is I, was
Derivation: the first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb;
I exist (used only when emphatic)
KJV: am, have been, X it is I, was.
See also G1488, G1498, G1511, G1527, G2258, G2071, G2070, G2075, G2076, G2771, G2468, G5600.
See also: G1488, G1498, G1511, G1527, G2258, G2071, G2070, G2075, G2076, G2771, G2468, G5600.
G1484
Gentile, heathen, nation, people
Derivation: probably from G1486;
a race (as of the same habit), i.e. a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-Jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)
KJV: Gentile, heathen, nation, people.
See also: G1486.
G1100
tongue
Derivation: of uncertain affinity;
the tongue; by implication, a language (specially, one naturally unacquired)
KJV: tongue.
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Verses 14–18
Revelation 17:14–18
Here we have some account of the downfall of Babylon, to be more fully described in the following chapter.
I. Here is a war begun between the beast and his followers, and the Lamb and his followers. The beast and his army, to an eye of sense, appear much stronger than the Lamb and his army: one would think an army with a lamb at the head of them could not stand before the great red dragon. But,
II. Here is a victory gained by the Lamb: The Lamb shall overcome. Christ must reign till all enemies be put under his feet; he will be sure to meet with many enemies, and much opposition, but he will also be sure to gain the victory.
III. Here is the ground or reason of the victory assigned; and this is taken, 1. From the character of the Lamb: He is King of kings and Lord of lords. He has, both by nature and by office, supreme dominion and power over all things; all the powers of earth and hell are subject to his check and control. 2. From the character of his followers: They are called, and chosen, and faithful. They are called out by commission to this warfare; they are chosen and fitted for it, and they will be faithful in it. Such an army, under such a commander, will at length carry all the world before them.
IV. The victory is justly aggrandized. 1. By the vast multitude who paid obedience and subjection to the beast and to the whore. She sat upon (that is, presided over) many waters; and these waters were so many multitudes of people, and nations, of all languages; yea, she reigned not only over kingdoms, but over the kings, and they were her tributaries and vassals, Rev 17:15, Rev 17:18. 2. By the powerful influence which God hereby showed he had over the minds of great men. Their hearts were in his hand, and he turned them as he pleased; for, (1.) It was of God, and to fulfil his will, that these kings agreed to give their kingdom unto the beast; they were judicially blinded and hardened to do so. And, (2.) It was of God that afterwards their hearts were turned against the whore, to hate her, and to make her desolate and naked, and to eat her flesh, and burn her with fire; they shall at length see their folly, and how they have been bewitched and enslaved by the papacy, and, out of a just resentment, shall not only fall off from Rome, but shall be made the instruments of God's providence in her destruction.
Cross-references: Rev 17:15 · Rev 17:18