Keraia
Revelation 18

Revelation 18:12

Lament over Babylon · Revelation 18:9–20
Read Revelation 18

Translations

Modern
…cargo of gold, silver, precious stones, and pearls; of fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet; of all kinds of citron wood and every article of ivory, precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble;
Traditional
The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,
Literal
…cargo of gold, and of silver, and of precious stone, and of pearls; and of fine linen, and of purple, and of silk, and of scarlet; and all thyine wood, and every vessel of ivory, and every vessel of most precious wood, and of bronze, and of iron, and of marble;
Latin
…merces auri, et argenti, et lapidis pretiosi, et margaritæ, et byssi, et purpuræ, et serici, et cocci (et omne lignum thyinum, et omnia vasa eboris, et omnia vasa de lapide pretioso, et æramento, et ferro, et marmore,

Original

Greek
English
…cargo of gold, silver, precious stones, and pearls; of fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet; of all kinds of citron wood and every article of ivory, precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble;

Notes

Revelation 18:12–13

This cargo list shows how much wealth Rome took from its empire (compare Ezekiel 27:12–24). It mentions some of the most expensive products of the ancient world, criticizing excessive materialism and pride.

Revelation 18:11–17

The merchants of the world sing the second lament (Revelation 18:14; see study note on Revelation 18:9–19). They made money from the Roman economy (Revelation 18:12–13), but their trade stopped when the great city was quickly destroyed.

Revelation 18:9–19

These three laments show the sadness of those who gained the most from the sinful city's wealthy lifestyle (compare Ezekiel 27).

Revelation 18:1–24

This chapter includes seven poetic responses to the fall of Babylon or Rome (refer to the study note on Revelation 17:5).

Revelation 17:1–19:10

The main drama in this section shows the powers that stand against God and cause the persecution and suffering of God’s people. Rome’s power attracted and impressed many people (Revelation 17:6). John clearly describes Rome's sins and shares God's judgment (Revelation 17:3–18) before he describes Rome’s fall (18:1–24) and heaven’s response to that fall (19:1–10).

Theme notes and profiles

Babylon Messages Against the Nations Visions

Glossary

Babylon as a Symbol Book of Revelation Ivory Lucifer Marble Minerals and Metals Oak Pearl Peter, First Letter of Scarlet Silk Thyine

Topics

Buying and Selling Colors: Crimson, Red, Purple, and Scarlet, Symbols of Various Ideas of Iniquity Commerce: Articles of Brass Commerce: Articles of Gold Commerce: Articles of Ivory Commerce: Articles of Linen Commerce: Articles of Pearls Commerce: Articles of Precious Stones Commerce: Articles of Purple Commerce: Articles of Silk Commerce: Articles of Silver Commerce: Articles of Thyine Wood Commerce: Illustrative of Intercourse with the Apostasy Copper Brass: Extensive Commerce In Frankincense: Commerce In Iron: An Article of Commerce Ivory: Other Articles Made of Vessels Marble: Merchandise of Pearl: General Scriptures Concerning Precious Stones: Extensive Commerce In Silk: Merchandise of Thyine: An Aromatic Wood