REV 17

Revelation 17:3

WEB

He carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet-colored beast, full of blasphemous names, having seven heads and ten horns.

BSB

And the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, where I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns.

KJV

So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

Matthew Henry

Verses 1–6

Revelation 17:1–6

Here we have a new vision, not as to the matter of it, for that is contemporary with what came under the three last vials; but as to the manner of description, etc. Observe, 1. The invitation given to the apostle to take a view of what was here to be represented: Come hither, and I will show thee the judgment of the great whore, etc., Rev 17:1. This is a name of great infamy. A whore [in this passage] is one that is married, and has been false to her husband's bed, has forsaken the guide of her youth, and broken the covenant of God. She had been a prostitute to the kings of the earth, whom she had intoxicated with the wine of her fornication. 2. The appearance she made: it was gay and gaudy, like such sort of creatures: She was arrayed in purple, and scarlet colour, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls, Rev 17:4. Here were all the allurements of worldly honour and riches, pomp and pride, suited to sensual and worldly minds. 3. Her principal seat and residence - upon the beast that had seven heads and ten horns; that is to say, Rome, the city on seven hills, infamous for idolatry, tyranny, and blasphemy. 4. Her name, which was written on her forehead. It was the custom of impudent harlots to hang out signs, with their names, that all might know what they were. Now in this observe, (1.) She is named from her place of residence - Babylon the great. But, that we might not take it for the old Babylon literally so called, we are told there is a mystery in the name; it is some other great city resembling the old Babylon. (2.) She is named from her infamous way and practice; not only a harlot, but a mother of harlots, breeding up harlots, and nursing and training them up to idolatry, and all sorts of lewdness and wickedness - the parent and nurse of all false religion and filthy conversation. 5. Her diet: she satiated herself with the blood of the saints and martyrs of Jesus. She drank their blood with such greediness that she intoxicated herself with it; it was so pleasant to her that she could not tell when she had had enough of it: she was satiated, but never satisfied.

Cross-references: Rev 17:1 · Rev 17:4

Greek interlinear

G2532

καίkaí/kahee/

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.

G667

ἀποφέρωapophérō/ap-of-er'-o/

bring, carry (away)

Derivation: from G575 and G5342;

to bear off (literally or relatively)

KJV: bring, carry (away).

See also: G575, G5342.

G1473

ἐγώegṓ/eg-o'/

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.

G1519

εἰςeis/ice/

(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with

Derivation: a primary preposition;

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

KJV: (abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with.

Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).

G2048

ἔρημοςérēmos/er'-ay-mos/

desert, desolate, solitary, wilderness

Derivation: of uncertain affinity; lonesome, i.e. (by implication) waste (usually as a noun, G5561 being implied)

KJV: desert, desolate, solitary, wilderness.

See also: G5561.

G1722

ἐνen/en/

about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in)

Derivation: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between G1519 and G1537);

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.

KJV: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in).

Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.

See also: G1519, G1537.

G4151

πνεῦμαpneûma/pnyoo'-mah/

ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually), mind

Derivation: from G4154;

a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit

KJV: ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually), mind.

Compare G5590.

See also: G4154, G5590.

G3708

ὁράωhoráō/hor-ah'-o/

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.

G1135

γυνήgynḗ/goo-nay'/

wife, woman

Derivation: probably from the base of G1096;

a woman; specially, a wife

KJV: wife, woman.

See also: G1096.

G2521

κάθημαιkáthēmai/kath'-ay-mahee/

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.

G1909

ἐπίepí/ep-ee'/

about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-, (where-))fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-)on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of, through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), with

Derivation: a primary preposition;

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e. over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.

KJV: about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-, (where-))fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-)on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of, through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), with.

In compounds it retains essentially the same import, at, upon, etc. (literally or figuratively).

G2342

θηρίονthēríon/thay-ree'-on/

(venomous, wild) beast

Derivation: diminutive from the same as G2339;

a dangerous animal

KJV: (venomous, wild) beast.

See also: G2339.

G2847

κόκκινοςkókkinos/kok'-kee-nos/

scarlet (colour, coloured)

Derivation: from G2848 (from the kernel-shape of the insect);

crimson-colored

KJV: scarlet (colour, coloured).

See also: G2848.

G1073

γέμωgémō/ghem'-o/

be full

Derivation: a primary verb;

to swell out, i.e. be full

KJV: be full.

G3686

ὄνομαónoma/on'-om-ah/

called, (+ sur-)name(-d)

Derivation: from a presumed derivative of the base of G1097 (compare G3685);

a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)

KJV: called, (+ sur-)name(-d).

See also: G1097, G3685.

G988

βλασφημίαblasphēmía/blas-fay-me'-ah/

blasphemy, evil speaking, railing

Derivation: from G989;

vilification (especially against God)

KJV: blasphemy, evil speaking, railing.

See also: G989.

G2192

ἔχωéchō/ekh'-o/

be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use

, including an alternate form σχέω ; (used in certain tenses only)

Derivation: a primary verb;

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition)

KJV: be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use.

G2776

κεφαλήkephalḗ/kef-al-ay'/

head

Derivation: from the primary κάπτω (in the sense of seizing);

the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figuratively

KJV: head.

G2033

ἑπτάheptá/hep-tah'/

seven

Derivation: a primary number;

seven

KJV: seven.

G2768

κέραςkéras/ker'-as/

horn

Derivation: from a primary κάρ (the hair of the head);

a horn (literally or figuratively)

KJV: horn.

G1176

δέκαdéka/dek'-ah/

(eight-)een, ten

Derivation: a primary number;

ten

KJV: (eight-)een, ten.

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