WEB
The kings of the earth who committed sexual immorality and lived wantonly with her will weep and wail over her, when they look at the smoke of her burning,
BSB
Then the kings of the earth who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her will weep and wail at the sight of the smoke rising from the fire that consumes her.
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,
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.
G2799
bewail, weep
Derivation: of uncertain affinity;
to sob, i.e. wail aloud (whereas 1145 is rather to cry silently)
KJV: bewail, weep.
G2875
cut down, lament, mourn, (be-)wail
Derivation: a primary verb;
to "chop"; specially, to beat the breast in grief
KJV: cut down, lament, mourn, (be-)wail.
Compare the base of G5114.
See also: G5114.
G1909
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).
G846
her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which
Derivation: from the particle αὖ (perhaps akin to the base of G109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward);
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
KJV: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which.
Compare G848.
See also: G109, G1438, G848.
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.
G935
king
Derivation: probably from G939 (through the notion of a foundation of power);
a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)
KJV: king.
See also: G939.
G1093
country, earth(-ly), ground, land, world
Derivation: contracted from a primary word;
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
KJV: country, earth(-ly), ground, land, world.
G3326
after(-ward), X that he again, against, among, X and, + follow, hence, hereafter, in, of, (up-)on, + our, X and setting, since, (un-)to, + together, when, with (+ -out)
Derivation: a primary preposition (often used adverbially);
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession) with which it is joined; occupying an intermediate position between G575 or G1537 and G1519 or G4314; less intimate than G1722 and less close than G4862)
KJV: after(-ward), X that he again, against, among, X and, + follow, hence, hereafter, in, of, (up-)on, + our, X and setting, since, (un-)to, + together, when, with (+ -out).
Often used in composition, in substantially the same relations of participation or proximity, and transfer or sequence.
See also: G4314, G575, G1537, G1519, G1722, G4862.
G4203
commit (fornication)
Derivation: from G4204;
to act the harlot, i.e. (literally) indulge unlawful lust (of either sex), or (figuratively) practise idolatry
KJV: commit (fornication).
See also: G4204.
G4763
live deliciously
Derivation: from a presumed derivative of G4764;
to be luxurious
KJV: live deliciously.
See also: G4764.
G3752
as long (soon) as, that, + till, when(-soever), while
Derivation: from G3753 and G302;
whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively (conjunctionally) inasmuch as
KJV: as long (soon) as, that, + till, when(-soever), while.
See also: G3753, G302.
G991
behold, beware, lie, look (on, to), perceive, regard, see, sight, take heed
Derivation: a primary verb;
to look at (literally or figuratively)
KJV: behold, beware, lie, look (on, to), perceive, regard, see, sight, take heed.
Compare G3700.
See also: G3700.
G2586
smoke
Derivation: of uncertain affinity;
smoke
KJV: smoke.
G4451
burning, trial
Derivation: from G4448;
ignition, i.e. (specially), smelting (figuratively, conflagration, calamity as a test)
KJV: burning, trial.
See also: G4448.
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Verses 9–24
Revelation 18:9–24
Here we have,
I. A doleful lamentation made by Babylon's friends for her fall; and here observe,
1. Who are the mourners, namely, those who had been bewitched by her fornication, those who had been sharers in her sensual pleasures, and those who had been gainers by her wealth and trade - the kings and the merchants of the earth: the kings of the earth, whom she had flattered into idolatry by allowing them to be arbitrary and tyrannical over their subjects, while they were obsequious to her; and the merchants, that is, those who trafficked with her for indulgences, pardons, dispensations, and preferments; these will mourn, because by this craft they got their wealth.
2. What was the manner of their mourning. (1.) They stood afar off, they durst not come nigh her. Even Babylon's friends will stand at a distance from her fall. Though they had been partakers with her in her sins, and in her sinful pleasures and profits, they were not willing to bear a share in her plagues. (2.) They made a grievous outcry: Alas! alas! that great city, Babylon, that mighty city! (3.) They wept, and cast dust upon their heads, Rev 18:19. The pleasures of sin are but for a season, and they will end in dismal sorrow. All those who rejoice in the success of the church's enemies will share with them in their downfall; and those who have most indulged themselves in pride and pleasure are the least able to bear calamities; their sorrows will be as excessive as their pleasure and jollity were before.
3. What was the cause of their mourning; not their sin, but their punishment. They did not lament their fall into idolatry, and luxury, and persecution, but their fall into ruin - the loss of their traffic and of their wealth and power. The spirit of antichrist is a worldly spirit, and their sorrow is a mere worldly sorrow; they did not lament for the anger of God, that had now fallen upon them, but for the loss of their outward comfort. We have a large schedule and inventory of the wealth and merchandise of this city, all which was suddenly lost (Rev 18:12, Rev 18:13), and lost irrecoverably (Rev 18:14): All things which were dainty and goodly have departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. The church of God may fall for a time, but she shall rise again; but the fall of Babylon will be an utter overthrow, like that of Sodom and Gomorrah. Godly sorrow is some support under affliction, but mere worldly sorrow adds to the calamity.
II. An account of the joy and triumph there was both in heaven and earth at the irrecoverable fall of Babylon: while her own people were bewailing her, the servants of God were called to rejoice over her, Rev 18:20. Here observe, 1. How universal this joy would be: heaven and earth, angels and saints, would join in it; that which is matter of rejoicing to the servants of God in this world is matter of rejoicing to the angels in heaven. 2. How just and reasonable; and that, (1.) Because the fall of Babylon was an act of God's vindictive justice. God was then avenging his people's cause. They had committed their cause to him to whom vengeance belongs, and now the year of recompence had come for the controversies of Zion; and, though they did not take pleasure in the miseries of any, yet they had reason to rejoice in the discoveries of the glorious justice of God. (2.) Because it was an irrecoverable ruin. This enemy should never molest them any more, and of this they were assured by a remarkable token (Rev 18:21): An angel from heaven took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, "Thus shall Babylon be thrown down with violence, and be found no more at all; the place shall be no longer habitable by man, no work shall be done there, no comfort enjoyed, no light seen there, but utter darkness and desolation, as the reward of her great wickedness, first in deceiving the nations with her sorceries, and secondly in destroying and murdering those whom she could not deceive," Rev 18:24. Such abominable sins deserved so great a ruin.
Cross-references: Rev 18:19 · Rev 18:12 · Rev 18:13 · Rev 18:14 · Rev 18:20 · Rev 18:21 · Rev 18:24