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Revelation 17

Rev. 17:1 KJV (With Strong’s)

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1
And
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
there came
erchomai (Greek #2064)
middle voice of a primary verb (used only in the present and imperfect tenses, the others being supplied by a kindred (middle voice) ἐλεύθομαι (el-yoo'-thom-ahee), or (active) ἔλθω (el'-tho), which do not otherwise occur) to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
KJV usage: accompany, appear, bring, come, enter, fall out, go, grow, X light, X next, pass, resort, be set.
Pronounce: er'-khom-ahee
one
heis (Greek #1520)
a primary numeral; one
KJV usage: a(-n, -ny, certain), + abundantly, man, one (another), only, other, some. See also 1527, 3367, 3391, 3762.
Pronounce: hice
Origin: (including the neuter (etc.) ἕν)
of
ek (Greek #1537)
or ἐξ (ex) a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote)
KJV usage: after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, ...ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion.
Pronounce: ek
the seven
hepta (Greek #2033)
seven
KJV usage: seven.
Pronounce: hep-tah'
Origin: a primary number
angels
aggelos (Greek #32)
a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor
KJV usage: angel, messenger.
Pronounce: ang'-el-os
Origin: from ἀγγέλλω (probably derived from 71; compare 34) (to bring tidings)
which had
echo (Greek #2192)
(used in certain tenses only) 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 usage: 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.
Pronounce: ekh'-o
Origin: σχέω (skheh'-o)
the seven
hepta (Greek #2033)
seven
KJV usage: seven.
Pronounce: hep-tah'
Origin: a primary number
vials
phiale (Greek #5357)
a broad shallow cup ("phial")
KJV usage: vial.
Pronounce: fee-al'-ay
Origin: of uncertain affinity
, and
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
talked
laleo (Greek #2980)
to talk, i.e. utter words
KJV usage: preach, say, speak (after), talk, tell, utter. Compare 3004.
Pronounce: lal-eh'-o
Origin: a prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb
with
meta (Greek #3326)
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 575 or 1537 and 1519 or 4314; less intimate than 1722 and less close than 4862)
KJV usage: 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.
Pronounce: met-ah'
Origin: a primary preposition (often used adverbially)
me
emou (Greek #1700)
of me
KJV usage: me, mine, my.
Pronounce: em-oo'
Origin: a prolonged form of 3449
, saying
lego (Greek #3004)
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas 2036 and 5346 generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while 4483 is properly to break silence merely, and 2980 means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean
KJV usage: ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
Pronounce: leg'-o
Origin: a primary verb
unto me
moi (Greek #3427)
to me
KJV usage: I, me, mine, my.
Pronounce: moy
Origin: the simpler form of 1698
, Come hither
deuro (Greek #1204)
here; used also imperative hither!; and of time, hitherto
KJV usage: come (hither), hither(-to).
Pronounce: dyoo'-ro
Origin: of uncertain affinity
; I will show
deiknuo (Greek #1166)
to show (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: shew.
Pronounce: dike-noo'-o
Origin: a prolonged form of an obsolete primary of the same meaning
unto thee
soi (Greek #4671)
to thee
KJV usage: thee, thine own, thou, thy.
Pronounce: soy
Origin: dative case of 4771
the judgment
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
krima (Greek #2917)
a decision (the function or the effect, for or against ("crime"))
KJV usage: avenge, condemned, condemnation, damnation, + go to law, judgment.
Pronounce: kree'-mah
Origin: from 2919
of the great
megas (Greek #3173)
big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)
KJV usage: (+ fear) exceedingly, great(-est), high, large, loud, mighty, + (be) sore (afraid), strong, X to years.
Pronounce: meg'-as
Origin: (including the prolonged forms, feminine μεγάλη, plural μεγάλοι, etc.; compare also 3176, 3187)
whore
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
porne (Greek #4204)
a strumpet; figuratively, an idolater
KJV usage: harlot, whore.
Pronounce: por'-nay
Origin: feminine of 4205
v that sitteth
kathemai (Greek #2521)
and ἧμαι (to sit; akin to the base of 1476); to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside
KJV usage: dwell, sit (by, down).
Pronounce: kath'-ay-mahee
Origin: from 2596
upon
epi (Greek #1909)
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 usage: 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).
Pronounce: ep-ee'
Origin: a primary preposition
many
polus (Greek #4183)
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
KJV usage: abundant, + altogether, common, + far (passed, spent), (+ be of a) great (age, deal, -ly, while), long, many, much, oft(-en (-times)), plenteous, sore, straitly. Compare 4118, 4119.
Pronounce: pol-oos'
Origin: including the forms from the alternate πολλός
waters
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
hudor (Greek #5204)
water (as if rainy) literally or figuratively
KJV usage: water.
Pronounce: hoo'-dore
Origin: ὕδατος (hoo'-dat-os), etc. from the base of 5205
w:
v
Rev. 19:2• 2For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. (Rev. 19:2)
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Nah. 3:4• 4Because of the multitude of the whoredoms of the wellfavored harlot, the mistress of witchcrafts, that selleth nations through her whoredoms, and families through her witchcrafts. (Nah. 3:4)
w
Jer. 51:13• 13O thou that dwellest upon many waters, abundant in treasures, thine end is come, and the measure of thy covetousness. (Jer. 51:13)

More on:

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Angels,
Seven,
Vials

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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1-4:  A woman arrayed in purple and scarlet, with a golden cup in her hand sits upon the beast;
5-8:  which is great Babylon, the mother of all abominations.
9-11:  The interpretation of the seven heads;
12-13:  and the ten horns.
14-15:  The victory of the Lamb.
16-18:  The punishment of the whore.
one.
Rev. 15:1,6• 1And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.
 6And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles. (Rev. 15:1,6)
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Rev. 17:1‑17• 1And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will show unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:
 2With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.
 3So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
 4And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:
 5And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
 6And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.
 7And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.
 8The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
 9And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.
 10And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.
 11And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
 12And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
 13These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
 14These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
 15And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.
 16And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.
 17For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. (Rev. 17:1‑17)
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Rev. 21:9• 9And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. (Rev. 21:9)
talked.
Rev. 4:1• 1After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter. (Rev. 4:1)
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Rev. 21:15• 15And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. (Rev. 21:15)
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Luke 9:30• 30And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: (Luke 9:30)
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Luke 24:32• 32And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? (Luke 24:32)
I will.
Rev. 16:19• 19And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. (Rev. 16:19)
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Rev. 18:16‑19• 16And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!
 17For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,
 18And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!
 19And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate. (Rev. 18:16‑19)
the great.
Rev. 17:4‑5,15‑16• 4And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:
 5And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
 15And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.
 16And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. (Rev. 17:4‑5,15‑16)
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Rev. 19:2• 2For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. (Rev. 19:2)
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Isa. 57:3• 3But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the whore. (Isa. 57:3)
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Nah. 3:4‑5• 4Because of the multitude of the whoredoms of the wellfavored harlot, the mistress of witchcrafts, that selleth nations through her whoredoms, and families through her witchcrafts.
 5Behold, I am against thee, saith the Lord of hosts; and I will discover thy skirts upon thy face, and I will show the nations thy nakedness, and the kingdoms thy shame. (Nah. 3:4‑5)
that sitteth.
Rev. 17:15• 15And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. (Rev. 17:15)
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Jer. 51:13• 13O thou that dwellest upon many waters, abundant in treasures, thine end is come, and the measure of thy covetousness. (Jer. 51:13)
• It is described as a harlot here; not only as a woman, but as a corrupt and licentious one…. this term is used in special reference to religious corruption. (“Lectures on Revelation 17-18” by W. Kelly)
• [sits upon the many waters] The figure implies the wide-spread influence which this abandoned woman exercises. (“Lectures on Revelation 17-18” by W. Kelly)
• The chapter gives us character and description, not dates. The history is resumed in Revelation 19, first as to heaven, and next as to earth; Revelation 17, 18 forming a descriptive episode. (“Lectures on Revelation 17-18” by W. Kelly)
• The woman—the strange woman—sets forth corruption, human nature indulging itself in its own evil desires, irrespective of God's will. The beast is the expression of the will of man setting itself up in direct antagonism to God. In short, one may be described as corruption, and the other as violence. (“Lectures on Revelation 17-18” by W. Kelly)
• In these chapters, then, it is no longer the Antichrist that is before us, but the anti-church. We have a twofold view of this false church. In Chapter 17 it is presented under the figure of a woman; in Chapter 18 it is seen under the figure of a great city. The woman presents the Papacy in all its corruption, as seen by God, for the woman is presented as a harlot. The city sets forth the Papacy as seen by man in all its magnificence and luxury. (“Revelation 17” by W. Kelly)
• Waters: People under Satanic power and influence (See ver. 15). (“Revelation 17 Symbols” by A.H. Burton)

J. N. Darby Translation

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1
And one of the seven angels, which had the seven bowls, came and spoke with me, saying, Come here, I will shew thee the sentence of the great harlot who sits upon the many waters;

W. Kelly Translation

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1
And there came one of the seven angels that had the seven bowls, and spoke with me, sayinga, Come hither; I will show thee the judgment of the great harlot that sitteth onb [thec] many waters;

WK Translation Notes

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a
The words "to me" rest on the witness of a few later MSS. The omission is assuredly right, and has all the higher authorities, and the mass too.
b
Or, "by."
c
The article inserted before "many waters" is omitted in some MSS. I have therefore bracketed it as a mark of doubt, though disposed to lean towards its reception.