Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/robertsn/rwp-re/re18.rwp

Text File | 1993-03-13 | 21KB | 370 lines

18:1 {Coming down out of heaven} (\katabainonta ek tou ouranou\).
Present active predicate participle. Not the angel of #17:1,7,15|
(John's guide), but one announcing the doom of Babylon (Rome). As
in #10:1; 20:1|. {Was lightened} (\ephôtisthê\). First aorist
passive of \phôtizô\, old causative verb (from \phôs\, light),
common in N.T. as in #Re 18:1; 21:23; 22:5|. {With his glory}
(\ek tês doxês autou\). "By reason of (\ek\ as in #8:13; 16:10|)
his glory." "So recently has he come from the Presence that in
passing he flings a broad belt of light across the dark earth"
(Swete).

18:2 {Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great} (\epesen, epesen
Babulôn hê megalê\). The very words of #14:8|: "Did fall, did
fall Babylon the great." Prophetic aorists of \piptô\ repeated
like a solemn dirge of the damned. {Is become} (\egeneto\).
Prophetic aorist middle. {A habitation of devils}
(\katoikêtêrion\). Late word (from \katoikeô\, to dwell), in N.T.
only here and #Eph 2:22|. Devils should be demons, of course. So
Isaiah prophesied of Babylon (#Isa 12:21f.|) and also Jeremiah
(#Jer 50:39|) and Zephaniah of Nineveh (#Zep 2:14|). Both Babylon
and Nineveh are ruins. {A hold of every unclean spirit} (\phulakê
pantos pneumatos akathartou\). \Phulakê\ is garrison or
watch-tower as in #Hab 2:1|, rather than a prison (#20:7|). {A
hold of every unclean and hateful bird} (\phulakê pantos orneou
akathartou kai memisêmenou\). \Orneou\ is old word for bird, in
N.T. only #Re 18:2; 19:17,21|. "The evil spirits, watching over
fallen Rome like night-birds or harpies that wait for their prey,
build their eyries in the broken towers which rise from the ashes
of the city" (Swete). Long ago true of Babylon and Nineveh, some
day to be true of Rome.

18:3 {By} (\ek\). "As a result of." Some MSS. omit "of the wine"
(\tou oinou\). Cf. #14:10; 16:10|. {Have fallen} (\peptôkan\).
Perfect active third personal of \piptô\ for usual \peptôkasi\.
Some MSS. read \pepôkan\ (have drunk), from \pinô\ like the
metaphor in #14:8,10; 16:19; 17:2|. See #17:2| for the same
charge about the kings of the earth. {The merchants of the earth}
(\hoi emporoi tês gês\). Old word for one on a journey for trade
(from \en, poros\), like drummers, in N.T. only #Mt 13:45; Re
18:3,11,15,23|. Like \emporion\ (#Joh 2:16|) and \emporeuomai\
(#Jas 4:13|). {Waxed rich} (\eploutêsan\). First ingressive
aorist active indicative of \plouteô\, to be rich (cf. #3:17|).
Here alone in the N.T. do we catch a glimpse of the vast traffic
between east and west that made Rome rich. {Of her wantonness}
(\tou strênous autês\). Late word for arrogance, luxury, here
alone in N.T. See \strêniaô\ in verses #7,9|, to live wantonly.

18:4 {Come forth, my people, out of her} (\exelthate, ho laos
mou, ex autês\). Second aorist (urgency) active imperative (\-a\
form) of \exerchomai\. Like #Isa 48:20; 52:11; Jer 50:8; 51:6|,
(about Babylon). See also the call of Abram (#Ge 12:1|). the
rescue of Lot (#Ge 19:12ff.|). In the N.T. see #Mr 13:4; 2Co
6:14; Eph 5:11; 1Ti 5:11|. \Ho laos\ is vocative with the form of
the nominative. {That ye have no fellowship with her sins} (\hina
mê sunkoinônêsête tais hamartais autês\). Purpose clause with
\hina mê\ and the first aorist active subjunctive of
\sunkoinôneô\, old compound (\sun\, together, \koinônos\,
partner), in N.T. only here, #Php 4:14; Eph 5:11|. With
associative instrumental case \hamartiais\. {And that ye receive
not of her plagues} (\kai ek tôn plêgôn autês hina mê labête\).
Another purpose clause dependent on the preceding, with \hina mê\
and the second aorist active subjunctive of \lambanô\, and with
proleptic emphatic position of \ek tôn plêgôn autês\ before \hina
mê\.

18:5 {Have reached} (\ekollêthêsan\). First aorist passive
(deponent) indicative of \kollaô\, old verb (from \kolla\,
gluten, glue), to cleave to, to join one another in a mass "up to
heaven" (\achri tou ouranou\). Cf. #Jer 51:9; Zec 14:5|. {Hath
remembered} (\emnêmoneusen\). First aorist (prophetic) active
indicative of \mnêmoneuô\, here with the accusative (\adikêmata\,
iniquities) instead of the genitive (#Col 4:18|).

18:6 {Render as she rendered} (\apodote hôs apedôken\). Second
aorist (effective) active imperative and first aorist (effective)
active of \apodidômi\, old and common verb for requital, to give
back, the _lex talionis_ which is in the O.T. (#Jer 50:15,29;
51:24,56; Ps 137:8|), and in the N.T. also (#Mt 7:2|). Here the
reference is to persecutions by Rome, particularly the martyrdom
of the saints (#18:24; 19:2|). {Double the double} (\diplôsate ta
dipla\). First aorist imperative of \diploô\, old verb (from
\diploos\, double, #Mt 23:15|), here only in N.T. \Diplâ\ is
simply the neuter plural accusative (cognate) contract form for
\diploa\ (not \diplô\). Requite here in double measure, a full
requital (#Ex 22:4,7,9; Isa 40:2; Jer 16:18; 17:18; Zec 9:12|).
The double recompense was according to the Levitical law. {Which
she mingled} (\hôi ekerasen\). First aorist active indicative of
\kerannumi\. The relative \hôi\ is attracted to the locative case
of its antecedent \potêriôi\ (cup), for which see #14:8,10; 17:4;
18:3|. {Mingle unto her double} (\kerasate autêi diploun\). First
aorist active imperative of the same verb \kerannumi\, with the
same idea of double punishment.

18:7 {How much soever} (\hosa\). Indefinite quantitative relative
pronoun \hosos\ in the accusative (cognate) neuter plural object
of \edoxasen\ (first aorist active indicative of \doxazô\).
{Herself} (\hautên\). Reflexive pronoun, accusative also with
\edoxasen\. {Waxed wanton} (\estrêniasen\). First aorist
(ingressive) active indicative of \strêniaô\ (to live
luxuriously), verb in late comedy instead of \truphaô\ (#Jas
5:5|), from \strênos\ (#Re 18:3|), only here in N.T. {So much
give her of torment and mourning} (\tosouton dote autêi
basanismon kai penthos\). Second aorist active imperative of
\didômi\, to give. The correlative pronoun \tosouton\ is
masculine singular accusative, agreeing with \basanismon\, for
which see #9:5; 14:11|, and is understood with the neuter word
\penthos\ (mourning), in N.T. only in #Jas 4:9; Re 18:7ff.; 21:4|
(kin to \pathos, penomai\). {I sit a queen} (\kathêmai
basilissa\). Predicate nominative for the old form \basileia\
(\basilis\), as in #Mt 12:42|. Babylon and Tyre had preceded Rome
in such boasting (#Isa 47:7-9; Eze 27:3; 28:2; Zep 2:15|). {And
am no widow} (\kai chêra ouk eimi\). Feminine of the adjective
\chêros\ (barren), old word (#Mr 12:40|). {Shall in no wise see
mourning} (\penthos ou mê idô\). Confident boast of security with
emphatic position of \penthos\ (see above) and double negative
\ou mê\ with the second aorist active subjunctive of \horaô\
(defective verb).

18:8 {Therefore} (\dia touto\). Because of her presumption added
to her crimes. {In one day} (\en miâi hêmerâi\). Symbolical term
for suddenness like \miâi hôrâi\, in one hour (#18:10,16,19|).
John has in mind still #Isa 47:7-9|. {Shall come} (\hêxousin\).
Future active of \hêkô\. Her plagues are named (death, mourning,
famine). {She shall be utterly burned} (\katakauthêsetai\).
Future passive of \katakaiô\ (perfective use of \kata\). {With
fire} (\en puri\). "In fire," as in #17:16|. {Which judged her}
(\ho krinas autên\). Articular first aorist active participle of
\krinô\ referring to \kurios ho theos\ (the Lord God). The doom
of Babylon is certain because of the power of God.

18:9 {Shall weep} (\klausousin\). Future active of \klaiô\,
middle \klausontai\ in Attic, as in #Joh 16:20|. {And wail over
her} (\kai kopsontai ep' autên\). Future direct middle of
\koptô\, old verb, to beat, to cut, middle to beat oneself (#Re
1:7|). For combination with \klaiô\ as here see #Lu 8:52|. See
#17:2; 18:3,7| for \hoi porneusantes kai strêniasantes\). {When
they look upon} (\hotan blepôsin\). Indefinite temporal clause
with \hotan\ and the present active subjunctive of \blepô\. {The
smoke of her burning} (\ton kapnon tês purôseôs autês\).
\Purôsis\ is an old word (from \puroô\ to burn), in N.T. only
#1Pe 4:12; Re 18:9,18|. See verse #8| for other plagues on Rome,
but fire seems to be the worst (#17:16; 18:8,9,17; 19:3|).

18:10 {Standing afar off} (\apo makrothen hestêkotes\). Perfect
active (intransitive) participle of \histêmi\. Vivid picture of
the terrible scene, fascinated by the lurid blaze (cf. Nero's
delight in the burning of Rome in A.D. 64), and yet afraid to
draw near. On \apo makrothen\ see #Mr 5:6|. There is a weird
charm in a burning city. They feared the same fate (cf. verse #7|
for \basanismou\, torment). {Woe, woe, the great city} (\ouai,
ouai, hê polis hê megalê\). Only example in the Apocalypse of the
nominative with \ouai\ except verses #16,19|, though in #Lu 6:25|
and common in LXX (#Isa 5:7,11|, etc.). For the dative see #Re
8:13|, once so "strong" (\hê ischura\)! {In one hour} (\miâi
hôrâi\). Repeated in verses #16,19|, and like \miâi hêmerâi\ (in
one day) in verse #8|. Some MSS. have here \mian hôran\, like
\poian hôran\ (accusative of extent of time) in #3:3|. See verse
#8| (\ho krinas\) for \hê krisis sou\ (thy judgment). This is the
dirge of the kings.

18:11 {The merchants} (\hoi emporoi\). As in #18:3,15,23|. The
dirge of the merchants follows the wail of the kings. {Weep and
mourn} (\klaiousin kai penthousin\). Present active indicatives
of \klaiô\ and \pentheô\ as in verses #9| (for \klaiô\), #15,19|.
{For no man buyeth their merchandise any more} (\hoti ton gomon
autôn oudeis agorazei ouketi\). Reason enough for their sorrow
over Rome's fall. \Gomos\ is old word (from \gemô\ to be full)
for a ship's cargo (#Ac 21:3|) and then any merchandise (#Re
18:11f.|). Galen, Pliny, Aristides tell of the vastness of the
commerce and luxury of Rome, the world's chief market. Many of
the items here are like those in the picture of the destruction
of Tyre in #Eze 26; 27|. There are twenty-nine items singled out
in verses #12,13| of this merchandise or cargo (\gomon\), imports
into the port of Rome. Only a few need any comment.

18:12 {Of fine linen} (\bussinou\). Genitive case after \gomon\,
as are all the items to \kokkinou\. Old adjective from \bussos\
(linen, #Lu 16:19|), here a garment of linen, in N.T. only #Re
18:12,16; 19:8,14|. {Purple} (\porphuras\). Fabric colored with
purple dye (\porphureos\, #17:4; 18:16|), as in #Mr 15:17,20; Lu
16:19|. {Silk} (\sirikou\). So the uncials here. \To sêrikon\
(the silken fabric) occurs in Plutarch, Strabo, Arrian, Lucian,
only here in N.T. Probably from the name of the Indian or Chinese
people (\hoi Sêres\) from whom the fabric came after Alexander
invaded India. Silk was a costly article among the Romans, and
for women as a rule. {Scarlet} (\kokkinou\). See #17:4; 18:16|.
{All thyine wood} (\pan xulon thuinon\). Now accusative again
without \gomon\ dependence. An odoriferous North African citrus
tree, prized for the colouring of the wood for dining-tables,
like a peacock's tail or the stripes of a tiger or panther. Here
only in N.T. {Of ivory} (\elephantinon\). Old adjective (from
\elephas\ elephant) agreeing with \skeuos\ (vessel), here only in
N.T. Cf. Ahab's ivory palace (#1Ki 22:39|). {Of marble}
(\marmarou\). Old word (from \marmairô\, to glisten), genitive
after \skeuos\ (vessel), here only in N.T.

18:13 {Cinnamon} (\kinnamômon\). Old word transliterated into
English, here only in N.T. Of Phoenician origin (Herodotus) as to
name and possibly from South China. {Spice} (\amômon\). A
fragrant plant of India, \amomum\, for perfume. {Incense}
(\thumiamata\). See #5:8; 8:3|. {Ointment} (\muron\). See #Mt
26:7|. {Frankincense} (\libanon\). See #8:3|. {Fine flour}
(\semidalin\). Old word for finest wheaten flour, here only in
N.T. {Of horses} (\hippôn\). Here then is a return to the
construction of the genitive after \gomon\ in verse #12|, though
not used here, an anomalous genitive construction (Charles). {Of
chariots} (\redôn\). A Gallic word for a vehicle with four
wheels, here only in N.T. {Of slaves} (\somatôn\). "Of bodies,"
treated as animals or implements, like the horses and the
chariots (cf. _rickshaw_ men in China). This use of \sôma\ for
slave occurs in #Ge 34:29|; Tob 10:11 (\sômata kai ktênê\, slaves
and cattle); II Macc. 8:11. {Souls of men} (\psuchas anthrôpôn\).
Deissmann (_Bible Studies_, p. 160) finds this use of \sôma\ for
slave in the Egyptian Delta. Return to the accusative \psuchas\.
From #Nu 31:35; 1Ch 5:21; Eze 27:13|. This addition is an
explanation of the use of \sômata\ for slaves, "human live stock"
(Swete), but slaves all the same. Perhaps \kai\ here should be
rendered "even," not "and": "bodies even souls of men." The slave
merchant was called \sômatemporos\ (body merchant).

18:14 {The fruits} (\hê opôra\). The ripe autumn fruit (#Jer
40:10,12|). Here only in N.T. Of uncertain etymology (possibly
\opos\, sap, \hôra\, hour, time for juicy sap). See #Jude 1:12|
for \dendra phthinopôrinos\ (autumn trees). {Which thy soul
lusteth after} (\sou tês epithumias tês psuchês\). "Of the
lusting of thy soul." {Are gone from thee} (\apêlthen apo sou\).
Prophetic aorist active indicative of \aperchomai\ with
repetition of \apo\. {All things that were dainty and sumptuous}
(\panta ta lipara kai ta lampra\). "All the dainty and the
gorgeous things." \Liparos\ is from \lipos\ (grease) and so fat,
about food (here only in N.T.), while \lampros\ is bright and
shining (#Jas 2:2f.|), about clothing. {Are perished from thee}
(\apôleto apo sou\). Prophetic second aorist middle indicative of
\apollumi\ (intransitive). {Shall find them no more at all}
(\ouketi ou mê auta heurêsousin\). Doubled double negative with
future active, as emphatic a negation as the Greek can make.

18:15 {Of these things} (\toutôn\). Listed above in verses
#12-14|. {Who were made rich by her} (\hoi ploutêsantes ap'
autês\). "Those who grew rich (ingressive aorist active
participle of \plouteô\, for which see verses #3,13|) from her."
{Shall stand afar off} (\apo makrothen stêsontai\). Future middle
of \histêmi\. Repeating the picture in verse #10|. Again in verse
#17|. See verse #11| for the two participles \klaiontes kai
penthountes\.

18:16 For the Woe see verses #10,19|. For the next clause see
#17:4| with the addition here of \bussinon\ (#18:12|). {For in
one hour so great riches is made desolate} (\hoti miâi hôrâi
êrêmôthê ho tosoutos ploutos\). The reason (\hoti\) for the
"woe." First aorist passive indicative of \erêmoô\, for which
verb see #17:16; 18:19|. This is the dirge of the merchants.

18:17 {Shipmaster} (\kubernêtês\). Old word (from \kubernaô\, to
steer), helmsman, sailing-master, in N.T. only here and #Ac
27:11|. Subordinate to the \nauklêros\ (supreme commander). {That
saileth any whither} (\ho epi topon pleôn\). "The one sailing to
a place." See #Ac 27:2|, \tous kata tên Asian pleontas\ (those
sailing down along Asia). Nestle suggests \ponton\ (sea) here for
\topon\ (place), but it makes sense as it is. {Mariners}
(\nautai\). Old word (from \naus\, ship), in N.T. only here and
#Ac 27:27,30|. {Gain their living by the sea} (\tên thalassan
ergazontai\). "Work the sea." This idiom is as old as Hesiod for
sailors, fishermen, etc. See verses #10,15|.

18:18 {As they looked} (\blepontes\). Present active participle
of \blepô\. See \hotan blepôsin\ in verse #10|. {What city is
like the great city?} (\tis homoia têi polei têi megalêi;\). No
\polis\ with \tis\, but implied. Associative instrumental case,
as usual, with \homoia\. "The eternal city" is eternal no longer.

18:19 {They cast dust} (\ebalon choun\). Second aorist active of
\ballô\. \Chous\ is old word (from \cheô\ to pour) for heap of
earth, dust, in N.T. only here and #Mr 6:11|. Cf. #Eze 27:30; Lu
10:13|. This is the dirge of the sea-folk (cf. verses #10,16|).
{By reason of her costliness} (\ek tês timiotêtos autês\).
Occasionally in later literary Greek, though here only in N.T.
and not in LXX. The same use of \timê\ appears in #1Pe 2:7|.
Common in the papyri as a title like "Your Honor" (Moulton and
Milligan's _Vocabulary_).

18:20 {Rejoice over her} (\Euphrainou ep' autêi\). Present middle
imperative of \euphrainô\, for which verb see #11:10|, used there
of the joy of the wicked over the death of the two witnesses,
just the opposite picture to this. "The song of doom" (Charles)
here seems to be voiced by John himself. {God hath judged your
judgment} (\ekrinen ho theos to krima\). First aorist (prophetic)
active of \krinô\ and cognate accusative \krima\, here a case for
trial (#Ex 18:22; 1Co 6:7|), not a sentence as in #17:1|. God has
approved the case of heaven.

18:21 {A strong angel} (\heis aggelos ischuros\). Here \heis\ =
a, just an indefinite article, not "one" as a numeral. {Took up}
(\êren\). First aorist active indicative of \airô\. {As it were a
great millstone} (\hôs mulinon megan\). Late adjective, in
inscriptions, here only in N.T., made of millstone (\mulos\, #Mt
18:6; Re 18:22|), while \mulikos\ (#Lu 17:2|) means belonging to
a mill. This is not a small millstone turned by women (#Mt
24:41|), but one requiring an ass to turn it (#Mr 9:42|), and so
"a great" one. {Cast} (\ebalen\). Second aorist active of
\ballô\, to hurl. {With a mighty fall} (\hormêmati\).
Instrumental case (manner) of \hormêma\, a rush, old word from
\hormaô\, to rush (#Mt 8:32|), here only in N.T. {Shall be cast
down} (\blethêsetai\). Future (first) passive of \ballô\, the
same verb (\ebalen\), effective punctiliar future. Like a boulder
hurled into the sea. {Shall be found no more at all} (\ou mê
heurethêi eti\). Double negative with first aorist passive
subjunctive of \heuriskô\. See #9:6| for \ou mê\ with the active
voice of \heuriskô\. Already the old Babylon was a desert waste
(Strabo, XVI. 1073).

18:22 {The voice} (\phônê\). Cf. #Eze 26:13|. Or "sound" as in
#1Co 14:8| with \salpigx\ (trumpet). For this song of judgment
see #Jer 25:10|. {Of harpers} (\kitharôidôn\). Old word (from
\kithara\, harp, and \ôidos\, singer) as in #14:2|. {Of
minstrels} (\mousikôn\). Old word (from \mousa\, music), here
only in N.T., one playing on musical instruments. {Of
flute-players} (\aulêtôn\). Old word (from \auleô\, to play on a
flute, #Mt 11:17|, \aulos\, flute, #1Co 14:7|), in N.T. only here
and #Mt 9:23|. {Of trumpeters} (\salpistôn\). Late form for the
earlier \salpigktês\ (from \salpizô\), here only in N.T. {Shall
be heard no more at all} (\ou mê akousthêi\). First aorist
passive subjunctive of \akouô\ with the double negative as below,
with \phônê mulou\ (sound of the millstone), and as in verse #21|
with \ou me heurethêi\ and again with \pâs technitês\
(craftsman). This old word is from \technê\, art, as here in some
MSS. ("of whatsoever craft," \pasês technês\). \Technitês\ occurs
also in this sense in #Ac 19:24,38|; and in #Heb 11:10| of God as
the Architect. There is power in this four-fold sonorous
repetition of \ou mê\ and the subjunctive with two more examples
in verse #23|.

18:23 {Of a lamp} (\luchnou\). Old word (#Mt 5:15|), again in #Re
22:5|. {Shall shine no more at all} (\ou mê phanêi\). Fifth
instance in these verses of \ou mê\ with the aorist subjunctive,
here the active of \phainô\ as in #Re 8:12|. It is not known
whether Rome had street lights or not. {The voice of the
bridegroom and of the bride} (\phônê numphiou kai numphês\). See
#Joh 3:29; Jer 7:34; 16:9|. "Even the occasional flash of the
torches carried by bridal processions (#Mt 25:1ff.|) is seen no
more" (Swete). The sixth instance of \ou mê\, in verses #21-23|,
occurs with \akousthêi\ (third instance of \akousthêi\, two in
verse #22|). {Were the princes of the earth} (\êsan hoi
megistânes tês gês\). For \megistân\ see #Re 6:15; Mr 6:21|. "Thy
merchants were the grandees" once, but now these merchant princes
are gone. {With thy sorcery} (\en têi pharmakiâi sou\). \En\
(instrumental use) and the locative case of \pharmakia\, old word
(from \pharmakeuô\, to prepare drugs, from \pharmakon\, sorcery,
#Re 9:21|), in N.T. only here and #Ga 5:20| for sorcery and
magical arts. If one is puzzled over the connection between
medicine and sorcery as illustrated by this word (our pharmacy),
he has only to recall quackery today in medicine (patent
medicines and cure-alls), witch-doctors, professional
faith-healers, medicine-men in Africa. True medical science has
had a hard fight to shake off chicanery and charlatanry. {Were
deceived} (\eplanêthêsan\). First aorist passive indicative of
\planaô\. These charlatans always find plenty of victims. See #Mr
12:24|.

18:24 {In her} (\en autêi\). In Rome. {Was found} (\heurethê\).
First aorist passive indicative of \heuriskô\. See #16:6; 17:6|
for the blood already shed by Rome. Rome "butchered to make a
Roman holiday" (Dill, _Roman Society_, p. 242) not merely
gladiators, but prophets and saints from Nero's massacre A.D. 64
to Domitian and beyond. {Of all that have been slain} (\pantôn
tôn esphagmenôn\). Perfect passive articular participle genitive
plural of \sphazô\, the verb used of the Lamb slain (#5:9,12;
13:8|). Cf. #Mt 23:35| about Jerusalem.