BABYLON'S FALL: GOD'S PEOPLE CALLED OUT OF HER: THE KINGS AND MERCHANTS OF THE EARTH MOURN, WHILE THE SAINTS REJOICE AT HER FALL. (Rev. 18:1-24) And--so Vulgate and ANDREAS. But A, B, Syriac, and Coptic omit "And." po…
1Después de esto vi a otro ángel descender del cielo con gran poder; y la tierra fue alumbrada con su gloria.
2Y clamó con voz potente, diciendo: Ha caído, ha caído la gran Babilonia, y se ha hecho habitación de demonios y guarida de todo espíritu inmundo, y albergue de toda ave inmunda y aborrecible.
3Porque todas las naciones han bebido del vino del furor de su fornicación; y los reyes de la tierra han fornicado con ella, y los mercaderes de la tierra se han enriquecido de la potencia de sus deleites.
4Y oí otra voz del cielo, que decía: Salid de ella, pueblo mío, para que no seáis partícipes de sus pecados, ni recibáis parte de sus plagas;
5porque sus pecados han llegado hasta el cielo, y Dios se ha acordado de sus maldades.
6Dadle a ella como ella os ha dado, y pagadle doble según sus obras; en el cáliz en que ella preparó bebida, preparadle a ella el doble.
7Cuanto ella se ha glorificado y ha vivido en deleites, tanto dadle de tormento y llanto; porque dice en su corazón: Yo estoy sentada como reina, y no soy viuda, y no veré llanto;
8por lo cual en un solo día vendrán sus plagas; muerte, llanto y hambre, y será quemada con fuego; porque poderoso es Dios el Señor, que la juzga.
9Y los reyes de la tierra que han fornicado con ella, y con ella han vivido en deleites, llorarán y harán lamentación sobre ella, cuando vean el humo de su incendio,
10parándose lejos por el temor de su tormento, diciendo: ¡Ay, ay, de la gran ciudad de Babilonia, la ciudad fuerte; porque en una hora vino tu juicio!
11Y los mercaderes de la tierra lloran y hacen lamentación sobre ella, porque ninguno compra más sus mercaderías;
12mercadería de oro, de plata, de piedras preciosas, de perlas, de lino fino, de púrpura, de seda, de escarlata, de toda madera olorosa, de todo objeto de marfil, de todo objeto de madera preciosa, de cobre, de hierro y de mármol;
13y canela, especias aromáticas, incienso, mirra, olíbano, vino, aceite, flor de harina, trigo, bestias, ovejas, caballos y carros, y esclavos, almas de hombres.
14Los frutos codiciados por tu alma se apartaron de ti, y todas las cosas exquisitas y espléndidas te han faltado, y nunca más las hallarás.
15Los mercaderes de estas cosas, que se han enriquecido a costa de ella, se pararán lejos por el temor de su tormento, llorando y lamentando,
16y diciendo: ¡Ay, ay, de la gran ciudad, que estaba vestida de lino fino, de púrpura y de escarlata, y estaba adornada de oro, de piedras preciosas y de perlas!
17Porque en una hora han sido consumidas tantas riquezas. Y todo piloto, y todos los que viajan en naves, y marineros, y todos los que trabajan en el mar, se pararon lejos;
18y viendo el humo de su incendio, dieron voces, diciendo: ¿Qué ciudad era semejante a esta gran ciudad?
19Y echaron polvo sobre sus cabezas, y dieron voces, llorando y lamentando, diciendo: ¡Ay, ay de la gran ciudad, en la cual todos los que tenían naves en el mar se habían enriquecido de sus riquezas; pues en una hora ha sido desolada!
20Alégrate sobre ella, cielo, y vosotros, santos, apóstoles y profetas; porque Dios os ha hecho justicia en ella.
21Y un ángel poderoso tomó una piedra, como una gran piedra de molino, y la arrojó en el mar, diciendo: Con el mismo ímpetu será derribada Babilonia, la gran ciudad, y nunca más será hallada.
22Y voz de arpistas, de músicos, de flautistas y de trompeteros no se oirá más en ti; y ningún artífice de oficio alguno se hallará más en ti, ni ruido de molino se oirá más en ti.
23Luz de lámpara no alumbrará más en ti, ni voz de esposo y de esposa se oirá más en ti; porque tus mercaderes eran los grandes de la tierra; pues por tus hechicerías fueron engañadas todas las naciones.
24Y en ella se halló la sangre de los profetas y de los santos, y de todos los que han sido muertos en la tierra.
JAMIESON-FAUSSET-BROWN BIBLE COMMENTARY
I
Versículo 2
I. mightily . . . strong--not supported by manuscripts. But A, B, Vulgate, Syriac, and Coptic read, …
mightily . . . strong--not supported by manuscripts. But A, B, Vulgate, Syriac, and Coptic read, "with (literally, 'in') a mighty voice."
is fallen, is fallen--so A, Vulgate, Syriac, and ANDREAS. But B and Coptic omit the second "is fallen" (Isa 21:9; Jer 51:8). This phrase is here prophetical of her fall, still future, as Rev 18:4 proves.
devils--Greek, "demons."
the hold--a keep or prison.
II
Versículo 3
II. drunk-- Rev 14:8, from which perhaps "the wine" may have been interpolated. They have drunk of he…
drunk-- Rev 14:8, from which perhaps "the wine" may have been interpolated. They have drunk of her fornication, the consequence of which will be wrath to themselves. But A, B, and C read, "(owing to the wrath of her fornication all nations) have fallen." Vulgate and most versions read as English Version, which may be the right reading though not supported by the oldest manuscripts. Babylon, the whore, is destroyed before the beast slays the two witnesses (Rev 11:7), and then the beast himself is destroyed.
the wine--so B, Syriac, and Coptic. But A, C, and Vulgate omit.
abundance--literally, "power."
delicacies--Greek, "luxury." See on Ti1 5:11, where the Greek verb "wax wanton" is akin to the noun here. Translate, "wanton luxury." The reference is not to earthly merchandise, but to spiritual wares, indulgences, idolatries, superstitions, worldly compromises, wherewith the harlot, that is, the apostate Church, has made merchandise of men. This applies especially to Rome; but the Greek, and even in a less degree Protestant churches, are not guiltless. However, the principle of evangelical Protestantism is pure, but the principle of Rome and the Greek church is not so.
III
Versículo 4
III. Come out of her, my people--quoted from Jer 50:8; Jer 51:6, Jer 51:45. Even in the Romish Church …
Come out of her, my people--quoted from Jer 50:8; Jer 51:6, Jer 51:45. Even in the Romish Church God has a people: but they are in great danger; their only safety is in coming out of her at once. So also in every apostate or world-conforming church there are some of God's invisible and true Church, who, if they would be safe, must come out. Especially at the eve of God's judgment on apostate Christendom: as Lot was warned to come out of Sodom just before its destruction, and Israel to come from about the tents of Dathan and Abiram. So the first Christians came out of Jerusalem when the apostate Jewish Church was judged. "State and Church are precious gifts of God. But the State being desecrated to a different end from what God designed it, namely. to govern for, and as under, God, becomes beast-like; the Church apostatizing becomes the harlot. The true woman is the kernel: beast and harlot are the shell: whenever the kernel is mature, the shell is thrown away" [AUBERLEN]. "The harlot is not Rome alone (though she is pre-eminently so), but every Church that has not Christ's mind and spirit. False Christendom, divided into very many sects, is truly Babylon, that is, confusion. However, in all Christendom the true Jesus-congregation, the woman clothed with the sun, lives and is hidden. Corrupt, lifeless Christendom is the harlot, whose great aim is the pleasure of the flesh, and which is governed by the spirit of nature and the world" [HAHN in AUBERLEN]. The first justification of the woman is in her being called out of Babylon the harlot, as the culminating stage of the latter's sin, when judgment is about to fall: for apostate Christendom, Babylon, is not to be converted, but to be destroyed. Secondly, she has to pass through an ordeal of persecution from the beast, which purifies and prepares her for the transfiguration glory at Christ's coming (Rev 20:4; Luk 21:28).
be not partakers--Greek, "have no fellowship with her sins."
that ye receive not of her plagues--as Lot's wife, by lingering too near the polluted and doomed city.
IV
Versículo 5
IV. her sins--as a great heap.
her sins--as a great heap.
reached--Greek, "reached so far as to come into close contact with, and to cleave unto."
V
Versículo 6
V. Addressed to the executioners of God's wrath.
Addressed to the executioners of God's wrath.
Reward--Greek, "repay."
she rewarded--English Version reading adds "you" with none of the oldest manuscripts. But A, B, C, Vulgate, Syriac, and Coptic omit it. She had not rewarded or repaid the world power for some injury which the world power had inflicted on her; but she had given the world power that which was its due, namely, spiritual delusions, because it did not like to retain God in its knowledge; the unfaithful Church's principle was, "Populus vult decipi, et decipiatur." "The people like to be deceived, and let them be deceived."
double--of sorrow. Contrast with this the double of joy which Jerusalem shall receive for her past suffering (Isa 61:7; Zac 9:12); even as she has received double punishment for her sins (Isa 40:2).
unto her--So Syriac, Coptic, and ANDREAS. A, B, and C omit it.
in the cup-- (Rev 18:3; Rev 14:8; Rev 17:4).
filled--literally "mixed."
fill to her double--of the Lord's cup of wrath.
VI
Versículo 7
VI. How much--that is in proportion as.
How much--that is in proportion as.
lived deliciously--luxuriously: see on Rev 18:3, where the Greek is akin.
sorrow--Greek, "mourning," as for a dead husband.
I sit--so Vulgate. But A, B, and C prefix "that."
I . . . am no widow--for the world power is my husband and my supporter.
shall see no sorrow--Greek, "mourning." "I am seated (this long time) . . . I am no widow . . . I shall see no sorrow," marks her complete unconcerned security as to the past, present, and future [BENGEL]. I shall never have to mourn as one bereft of her husband. As Babylon was queen of the East, so Rome has been queen of the West, and is called on Imperial coins "the eternal city." So Papal Rome is called by AMMIAN MARCELLIN [15.7]. "Babylon is a former Rome, and Rome a latter Babylon. Rome is a daughter of Babylon, and by her, as by her mother, God has been pleased to subdue the world under one sway" [AUGUSTINE]. As the Jew's restoration did not take place till Babylon's fall, so R. KIMCHI on Obadiah, writes, "When Rome (Edom) shall be devastated, there shall be redemption to Israel." Romish idolatries have been the great stumbling-blocks to the Jews' acceptance of Christianity.
VII
Versículo 8
VII. death--on herself, though she thought herself secure even from the death of her husband.
death--on herself, though she thought herself secure even from the death of her husband.
mourning--instead of her feasting.
famine--instead of her luxurious delicacies (Rev 18:3, Rev 18:7).
fire--(See on Rev 17:16). Literal fire may burn the literal city of Rome, which is situated in the midst of volcanic agencies. As the ground was cursed for Adam's sin, and the earth under Noah was sunk beneath the flood, and Sodom was burnt with fire, so may Rome be. But as the harlot is mystical (the whole faithless Church), the burning may be mainly mystical, symbolizing utter destruction and removal. BENGEL is probably right in thinking Rome will once more rise to power. The carnal, faithless, and worldly elements in all churches, Roman, Greek, and Protestant, tend towards one common center, and prepare the way for the last form of the beast, namely, Antichrist. The Pharisees were in the main sound in creed, yet judgment fell on them as on the unsound Sadducees and half-heathenish Samaritans. So faithless and adulterous, carnal, worldly Protestant churches, will not escape for their soundness of creed.
the Lord--so B, C, Syriac, and ANDREAS. But A and Vulgate omit. "Strong" is the meaning of God's Hebrew name, "EL."
judgeth--But A, B, and C read the past tense (Greek, "krinas"), "who hath judged her": the prophetical past for the future: the charge in Rev 18:4 to God's people to come out of her implies that the judgment was not yet actually executed.
VIII
Versículo 9
VIII. lived deliciously--Greek, "luxuriated." The faithless Church, instead of reproving, connived at t…
lived deliciously--Greek, "luxuriated." The faithless Church, instead of reproving, connived at the self-indulgent luxury of the great men of this world, and sanctioned it by her own practice. Contrast the world's rejoicing over the dead bodies of the two witnesses (Rev 11:10) who had tormented it by their faithfulness, with its lamentations over the harlot who had made the way to heaven smooth, and had been found a useful tool in keeping subjects in abject tyranny. Men's carnal mind relishes a religion like that of the apostate Church, which gives an opiate to conscience, while leaving the sinner license to indulge his lusts.
bewail her--A, B, C, Syriac, Coptic, and CYPRIAN omit "her."
IX
Versículo 10
IX. God's judgments inspire fear even in the worldly, but it is of short duration, for the kings and …
God's judgments inspire fear even in the worldly, but it is of short duration, for the kings and great men soon attach themselves to the beast in its last and worst shape, as open Antichrist, claiming all that the harlot had claimed in blasphemous pretensions and more, and so making up to them for the loss of the harlot.
mighty--Rome in Greek means strength; though that derivation is doubtful.
X
Versículo 11
X. shall--So. B. But A and C read the present, "weep and mourn."
shall--So. B. But A and C read the present, "weep and mourn."
merchandise--Greek, "cargo": wares carried in ships: ship-lading (compare Rev 18:17). Rome was not a commercial city, and is not likely from her position to be so. The merchandise must therefore be spiritual, even as the harlot is not literal, but spiritual. She did not witness against carnal luxury and pleasure-seeking, the source of the merchants' gains, but conformed to them (Rev 18:7). She cared not for the sheep, but for the wool. Professing Christian merchants in her lived as if this world not heaven, were the reality, and were unscrupulous as to the means of getting gain. Compare Notes, see on Zac 5:4-11, on the same subject, the judgment on mystical Babylon's merchants for unjust gain. All the merchandise here mentioned occurs repeatedly in the Roman Ceremonial.
XI
Versículo 12
XI. (See on Rev 17:4).
(See on Rev 17:4).
stones . . . pearls--Greek, "stone . . . pearl."
fine linen--A, B, and C read Greek, "bussinou" for "bussou," that is, "fine linen manufacture" [ALFORD]. The manufacture for which Egypt (the type of the apostate Church, Rev 11:8) was famed. Contrast "the fine linen" (Eze 16:10) put on Israel, and on the New Testament Church (Rev 19:8), the Bride, by God (Psa 132:9).
thyine wood--the citrus of the Romans: probably the cypressus thyoyides, or the thuia articulata. "Citron wood" [ALFORD]. A sweet-smelling tree of Cyrene in Lybia, used for incense.
all manner vessels--Greek, "every vessel," or "furniture."
XII
Versículo 13
XII. cinnamon--designed by God for better purposes: being an ingredient in the holy anointing oil, and…
cinnamon--designed by God for better purposes: being an ingredient in the holy anointing oil, and a plant in the garden of the Beloved (Sol 4:14); but desecrated to vile uses by the adulteress (Pro 7:17).
odours--of incense. A, C, Vulgate, and Syriac prefix "and amomium" (a precious hair ointment made from an Asiatic shrub). English Version reading is supported by Coptic and ANDREAS, but not oldest manuscripts.
ointments--Greek, "ointment."
frankincense--Contrast the true "incense" which God loves (Psa 141:2; Mal 1:11).
fine flour--the similago of the Latins [ALFORD].
beasts--of burden: cattle.
slaves--Greek, "bodies."
souls of men-- (Eze 27:13). Said of slaves. Appropriate to the spiritual harlot, apostate Christendom, especially Rome, which has so often enslaved both bodies and souls of men. Though the New Testament does not directly forbid slavery, which would, in the then state of the world, have incited a slave revolt, it virtually condemns it, as here. Popery has derived its greatest gains from the sale of masses for the souls of men after death, and of indulgences purchased from the Papal chancery by rich merchants in various countries, to be retailed at a profit [MOSHEIM, III, 95, 96].
XIII
Versículo 14
XIII. Direct address to Babylon.
Direct address to Babylon.
the fruits that thy soul lusted after--Greek, "thy autumn-ripe fruits of the lust (eager desire) of the soul."
dainty--Greek, "fat": "sumptuous" in food.
goodly--"splendid," "bright," in dress and equipage.
departed--supported by none of our manuscripts. But A, B, C, Vulgate, Syriac, and Coptic read, "perished."
thou shalt--A, C, Vulgate, and Syriac read, "They (men) shall no more find them at all."
XIV
Versículo 15
XIV. of these things--of the things mentioned, Rev 18:12-13.
of these things--of the things mentioned, Rev 18:12-13.
which--"who."
made rich by--Greek, "derived riches from her."
stand afar off for the fear--(Compare Rev 18:10).
wailing--Greek, "mourning."
XV
Versículo 16
XV. And--so Vulgate and ANDREAS. But A, B, and C omit.
And--so Vulgate and ANDREAS. But A, B, and C omit.
decked--literally, "glided."
stones . . . pearls--Greek, "stone . . . pearl." B and ANDREAS read "pearls." But A and C, "pearl."
16
Versículo 17
16. is come to naught--Greek, "is desolated."
is come to naught--Greek, "is desolated."
shipmaster--Greek, "steersman," or "pilot."
all the company in ships--A, C, Vulgate, and Syriac read, "Every one who saileth to a place" (B has ". . . to the place"), every voyager. Vessels were freighted with pilgrims to various shrines, so that in one month (A.D. 1300) two hundred thousand pilgrims were counted in Rome [D'AAUBIGNE, Histoire de la Reformation]: a source of gain, not only to the Papal see, but to shipmasters, merchants, pilots, &c. These latter, however, are not restricted to those literally "shipmasters," &c., but mainly refer, in the mystical sense, to all who share in the spiritual traffic of apostate Christendom.
17
Versículo 18
17. when they saw--Greek, "horontes." But A, B, C, and ANDREAS read, Greek, "blepontes," "looking at.…
when they saw--Greek, "horontes." But A, B, C, and ANDREAS read, Greek, "blepontes," "looking at." Greek, "blepo," is to use the eyes, to look: the act of seeing without thought of the object seen. Greek, "horao," refers to the thing seen or presented to the eyes [TITTMANN].
smoke--so B, C. But A reads "place."
What city is like--Compare the similar beast as to the beast, Rev 13:4 : so closely do the harlot and beast approximate one another. Contrast the attribution of this praise to God, to whom alone it is due, by His servants (Exo 15:11). MARTIAL says of Rome, "Nothing is equal to her;" and ATHENÆUS, "She is the epitome of the world."
18
Versículo 19
18. wailing--"mourning."
wailing--"mourning."
that had ships--A, B, and C read, "that had their ships": literally, "the ships."
costliness--her costly treasures: abstract for concrete.
19
Versículo 20
19. holy apostles--So C reads. But A, B, Vulgate, Syriac, Coptic, and ANDREAS read, "Ye saints and ye…
holy apostles--So C reads. But A, B, Vulgate, Syriac, Coptic, and ANDREAS read, "Ye saints and ye apostles."
avenged you on her--Greek, "judged your judgment on (literally, exacting it from) her." "There is more joy in heaven at the harlot's downfall than at that of the two beasts. For the most heinous of all sin is the sin of those who know God's word of grace, and keep it not. The worldliness of the Church is the most worldly of all worldliness. Hence, Babylon, in Revelation, has not only Israel's sins, but also the sins of the heathen; and John dwells longer on the abominations and judgments of the harlot than on those of the beast. The term 'harlot' describes the false Church's essential character. She retains her human shape as the woman, does not become a beast: she has the form of godliness, but denies its power. Her rightful lord and husband, Jehovah-Christ, and the joys and goods of His house, are no longer her all in all, but she runs after the visible and vain things of the world, in its manifold forms. The fullest form of her whoredom is, where the Church wishes to be itself a worldly power, uses politics and diplomacy, makes flesh her arm, uses unholy means for holy ends, spreads her dominion by sword or money, fascinates men by sensual ritualism, becomes 'mistress of ceremonies' to the dignitaries of the world, flatters prince or people, and like Israel, seeks the help of one world power against the danger threatening from another" [AUBERLEN]. Judgment, therefore, begins with the harlot, as in privileges the house of God.
20
Versículo 21
20. a--Greek, "one."
a--Greek, "one."
millstone--Compare the judgment on the Egyptian hosts at the Red Sea, Exo 15:5, Exo 15:10; Neh 9:11, and the foretold doom of Babylon, the world power, Jer 51:63-64.
with violence--Greek, "with impetus." This verse shows that this prophecy is regarded as still to be fulfilled.
21
Versículo 22
21. pipers--flute players. "Musicians," painters and sculptors, have desecrated their art to lend fas…
pipers--flute players. "Musicians," painters and sculptors, have desecrated their art to lend fascination to the sensuous worship of corrupt Christendom.
craftsman--artisan.
22
Versículo 23
22. What a blessed contrast is Rev 22:5, respecting the city of God: "They need no candle (just as Ba…
What a blessed contrast is Rev 22:5, respecting the city of God: "They need no candle (just as Babylon shall no more have the light of a candle, but for a widely different reason), for the Lord God giveth them light."
candle--Translate as Greek, "lamp."
bridegroom . . . bride . . . no more . . . in thee--Contrast the heavenly city, with its Bridegroom, Bride, and blessed marriage supper (Rev 19:7, Rev 19:9; Rev 21:2, Rev 21:9; Isa 62:4-5).
thy merchants were--So most of the best authorities read. But A omits the Greek article before "merchants," and then translates, "The great men of . . . were thy merchants."
sorceries--Greek, "sorcery."
23
Versículo 24
23. Applied by Christ (Mat 23:35) to apostate Jerusalem, which proves that not merely the literal cit…
Applied by Christ (Mat 23:35) to apostate Jerusalem, which proves that not merely the literal city Rome, and the Church of Rome (though the chief representative of the apostasy), but the WHOLE of the faithless Church of both the Old and New Testament is meant by Babylon the harlot; just as the whole Church (Old and New Testament) is meant by "the woman" (Rev 12:1). As to literal city, ARINGHUS in BENGEL says, Pagan Rome was the "general shambles" for slaying the sheep of Jesus. FRED. SEYLER in BENGEL calculates that papal Rome, between A.D. 1540 and 1580, slew more than nine hundred thousand Protestants. Three reasons for the harlot's downfall are given: (1) The worldly greatness of her merchants, which was due to unholy traffic in spiritual things. (2) Her sorceries, or juggling tricks, in which the false prophet that ministers to the beast in its last form shall exceed her; compare "sorcerers" (Rev 21:8; Rev 22:15), specially mentioned among those doomed to the lake of fire. (3) Her persecution of (Old Testament) "prophets" and (New Testament) "saints."
Next: Revelation Chapter 19
Nuevo Testamento
Revelation — Capítulo 18
BABYLON'S FALL: GOD'S PEOPLE CALLED OUT OF HER: THE KINGS AND MERCHANTS OF THE EARTH MOURN, WHILE THE SAINTS REJOICE AT HER FALL. (Rev. 18:1-24) And--so Vulgate and ANDREAS. But A, B, Syriac, and Coptic omit "And." po…
Texto — Reina-Valera 1960
1Después de esto vi a otro ángel descender del cielo con gran poder; y la tierra fue alumbrada con su gloria.
2Y clamó con voz potente, diciendo: Ha caído, ha caído la gran Babilonia, y se ha hecho habitación de demonios y guarida de todo espíritu inmundo, y albergue de toda ave inmunda y aborrecible.
3Porque todas las naciones han bebido del vino del furor de su fornicación; y los reyes de la tierra han fornicado con ella, y los mercaderes de la tierra se han enriquecido de la potencia de sus deleites.
4Y oí otra voz del cielo, que decía: Salid de ella, pueblo mío, para que no seáis partícipes de sus pecados, ni recibáis parte de sus plagas;
5porque sus pecados han llegado hasta el cielo, y Dios se ha acordado de sus maldades.
6Dadle a ella como ella os ha dado, y pagadle doble según sus obras; en el cáliz en que ella preparó bebida, preparadle a ella el doble.
7Cuanto ella se ha glorificado y ha vivido en deleites, tanto dadle de tormento y llanto; porque dice en su corazón: Yo estoy sentada como reina, y no soy viuda, y no veré llanto;
8por lo cual en un solo día vendrán sus plagas; muerte, llanto y hambre, y será quemada con fuego; porque poderoso es Dios el Señor, que la juzga.
9Y los reyes de la tierra que han fornicado con ella, y con ella han vivido en deleites, llorarán y harán lamentación sobre ella, cuando vean el humo de su incendio,
10parándose lejos por el temor de su tormento, diciendo: ¡Ay, ay, de la gran ciudad de Babilonia, la ciudad fuerte; porque en una hora vino tu juicio!
11Y los mercaderes de la tierra lloran y hacen lamentación sobre ella, porque ninguno compra más sus mercaderías;
12mercadería de oro, de plata, de piedras preciosas, de perlas, de lino fino, de púrpura, de seda, de escarlata, de toda madera olorosa, de todo objeto de marfil, de todo objeto de madera preciosa, de cobre, de hierro y de mármol;
13y canela, especias aromáticas, incienso, mirra, olíbano, vino, aceite, flor de harina, trigo, bestias, ovejas, caballos y carros, y esclavos, almas de hombres.
14Los frutos codiciados por tu alma se apartaron de ti, y todas las cosas exquisitas y espléndidas te han faltado, y nunca más las hallarás.
15Los mercaderes de estas cosas, que se han enriquecido a costa de ella, se pararán lejos por el temor de su tormento, llorando y lamentando,
16y diciendo: ¡Ay, ay, de la gran ciudad, que estaba vestida de lino fino, de púrpura y de escarlata, y estaba adornada de oro, de piedras preciosas y de perlas!
17Porque en una hora han sido consumidas tantas riquezas. Y todo piloto, y todos los que viajan en naves, y marineros, y todos los que trabajan en el mar, se pararon lejos;
18y viendo el humo de su incendio, dieron voces, diciendo: ¿Qué ciudad era semejante a esta gran ciudad?
19Y echaron polvo sobre sus cabezas, y dieron voces, llorando y lamentando, diciendo: ¡Ay, ay de la gran ciudad, en la cual todos los que tenían naves en el mar se habían enriquecido de sus riquezas; pues en una hora ha sido desolada!
20Alégrate sobre ella, cielo, y vosotros, santos, apóstoles y profetas; porque Dios os ha hecho justicia en ella.
21Y un ángel poderoso tomó una piedra, como una gran piedra de molino, y la arrojó en el mar, diciendo: Con el mismo ímpetu será derribada Babilonia, la gran ciudad, y nunca más será hallada.
22Y voz de arpistas, de músicos, de flautistas y de trompeteros no se oirá más en ti; y ningún artífice de oficio alguno se hallará más en ti, ni ruido de molino se oirá más en ti.
23Luz de lámpara no alumbrará más en ti, ni voz de esposo y de esposa se oirá más en ti; porque tus mercaderes eran los grandes de la tierra; pues por tus hechicerías fueron engañadas todas las naciones.
24Y en ella se halló la sangre de los profetas y de los santos, y de todos los que han sido muertos en la tierra.
JAMIESON-FAUSSET-BROWN BIBLE COMMENTARY
Versículo 2
I. mightily . . . strong--not supported by manuscripts. But A, B, Vulgate, Syriac, and Coptic read, …
Versículo 3
II. drunk-- Rev 14:8, from which perhaps "the wine" may have been interpolated. They have drunk of he…
Versículo 4
III. Come out of her, my people--quoted from Jer 50:8; Jer 51:6, Jer 51:45. Even in the Romish Church …
Versículo 5
IV. her sins--as a great heap.
Versículo 6
V. Addressed to the executioners of God's wrath.
Versículo 7
VI. How much--that is in proportion as.
Versículo 8
VII. death--on herself, though she thought herself secure even from the death of her husband.
Versículo 9
VIII. lived deliciously--Greek, "luxuriated." The faithless Church, instead of reproving, connived at t…
Versículo 10
IX. God's judgments inspire fear even in the worldly, but it is of short duration, for the kings and …
Versículo 11
X. shall--So. B. But A and C read the present, "weep and mourn."
Versículo 12
XI. (See on Rev 17:4).
Versículo 13
XII. cinnamon--designed by God for better purposes: being an ingredient in the holy anointing oil, and…
Versículo 14
XIII. Direct address to Babylon.
Versículo 15
XIV. of these things--of the things mentioned, Rev 18:12-13.
Versículo 16
XV. And--so Vulgate and ANDREAS. But A, B, and C omit.
Versículo 17
16. is come to naught--Greek, "is desolated."
Versículo 18
17. when they saw--Greek, "horontes." But A, B, C, and ANDREAS read, Greek, "blepontes," "looking at.…
Versículo 19
18. wailing--"mourning."
Versículo 20
19. holy apostles--So C reads. But A, B, Vulgate, Syriac, Coptic, and ANDREAS read, "Ye saints and ye…
Versículo 21
20. a--Greek, "one."
Versículo 22
21. pipers--flute players. "Musicians," painters and sculptors, have desecrated their art to lend fas…
Versículo 23
22. What a blessed contrast is Rev 22:5, respecting the city of God: "They need no candle (just as Ba…
Versículo 24
23. Applied by Christ (Mat 23:35) to apostate Jerusalem, which proves that not merely the literal cit…