Revelation 17 16

Revelation 17:16 kjv

And 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.

Revelation 17:16 nkjv

And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire.

Revelation 17:16 niv

The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire.

Revelation 17:16 esv

And the ten horns that you saw, they and the beast will hate the prostitute. They will make her desolate and naked, and devour her flesh and burn her up with fire,

Revelation 17:16 nlt

The scarlet beast and his ten horns all hate the prostitute. They will strip her naked, eat her flesh, and burn her remains with fire.

Revelation 17 verses

Revelation 17 16 Meaning

Revelation 17:16 describes the catastrophic and decisive judgment upon "the great harlot," symbolic of corrupt global systems, at the hands of the very powers that once supported or collaborated with her. The "ten horns" and "the beast" will turn violently against this harlot, stripping her of her power, wealth, and influence, utterly devastating her through consumption and fiery destruction. This sudden reversal signifies a divine orchestration, leading to the ultimate downfall of this symbol of spiritual idolatry, economic exploitation, and political corruption.

Revelation 17 16 Context

Revelation chapter 17 introduces the "Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots and of the Abominations of the Earth," depicted as a harlot seated upon a scarlet beast with seven heads and ten horns. This chapter describes her spiritual debauchery, her widespread influence over "many waters" (peoples, multitudes, nations), and her oppressive persecution of saints. Verse 16 presents a pivotal turn in the narrative: the very powers symbolized by the ten horns and the beast, previously complicit with or influenced by the harlot, reverse course and become instruments of her complete annihilation. This transition directly precedes the detailed account of Babylon's fall in Revelation 18, highlighting God's sovereign control over even wicked rulers to execute His judgment. The original audience would have understood "Babylon" as a code word for Rome, the powerful and corrupt empire oppressing them, with its imperial cults and widespread immorality embodying the harlot's characteristics. The depiction serves as a polemic against Rome's perceived invincibility, showing that its downfall would be brought about not just by external forces but also by internal collapse.

Revelation 17 16 Word analysis

• And the ten horns: Gk. Kai ta deka kerata (Καὶ τὰ δέκα κέρατα). "Horns" (κεράτα) symbolize power, authority, and kings/kingdoms, as seen throughout biblical prophecy (e.g., Dan 7:24). These "ten horns" represent ten distinct rulers or kingdoms that are allied with and draw their authority from the beast (Rev 17:12). Their turning against the harlot signifies an internal dissolution or a betrayal of their prior alignment.
• which thou sawest upon the beast: Gk. ha eides epi tou theriou (ἃ εἶδες ἐπὶ τοῦ θηρίου). This reiterates their association and initial support for "the beast" (τὸ θηρίον), which represents the comprehensive anti-God political and governmental power, often identified with oppressive global empires, and specifically for the original audience, the Roman Empire.
• these shall hate: Gk. houtoi misēsousin (οὗτοι μισήσουσιν). The Greek misēsousin means a strong, active, and deeply rooted aversion. It's not passive dislike but an aggressive, intentful hatred, leading to destructive action. This highlights the ferocity of the impending judgment.
• the whore: Gk. tēn pornēn (τὴν πόρνην). Refers to "the great harlot" (ἡ πόρνη ἡ μεγάλη) introduced earlier in Rev 17:1. She embodies spiritual adultery, idolatry, moral depravity, political corruption, and economic exploitation. For John's audience, this powerfully symbolizes the seductive yet destructive allure and corruption of Imperial Rome.
• and shall make her desolate: Gk. kai erēmōsousin autēn (καὶ ἐρημώσουσιν αὐτήν). Erēmōsousin means to lay waste, make desolate, abandon, or render uninhabitable. It implies a complete and thorough ruin, a cessation of her vibrant life and influence, making her empty and stripped of inhabitants.
• and naked: Gk. kai gumnēn (καὶ γυμνήν). Being "naked" in ancient contexts, especially for a woman, signified extreme public disgrace, shame, vulnerability, and exposure. It symbolizes the removal of all her grandeur, wealth, and cover, revealing her true, defiled nature for all to see. It indicates loss of honor and status.
• and shall eat her flesh: Gk. kai tas sarkas autēs phagontai (καὶ τὰς σάρκας αὐτῆς φάγονται). This is a stark, gruesome metaphor. "Eating flesh" can symbolize a complete devouring of her substance, wealth, and power, leaving nothing behind. It also carries connotations of barbaric and cannibalistic destruction, indicating a total consumption and dismantling of her essence, often signifying extreme cruelty or complete absorption. In a biblical context, it can signify warring nations consuming one another (e.g., Isa 9:20).
• and burn her with fire: Gk. kai autēn en pyri katakausousin (καὶ αὐτὴν ἐν πυρὶ κατακαύσουσin). This is the ultimate act of destruction in biblical judgment, signifying complete, irreversible obliteration. Fire purifies but also annihilates. It often symbolizes divine judgment and wrath (e.g., Sodom and Gomorrah, Jer 29:22 for adulterers). This final act ensures nothing remains of her power, influence, or memory.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• The ten horns...these shall hate the whore: This phrase emphasizes the betrayal and hostile turning of erstwhile allies against the system they once supported. It underscores the theme of internal strife and judgment originating from within the beast's sphere. This reversal is significant, as it shows the system consuming itself.
• shall make her desolate and naked: This pairing highlights the comprehensive nature of the destruction. First, a state of physical ruin and depopulation ("desolate"), followed by an unveiling of moral shame and utter defenselessness ("naked"). It speaks to the stripping away of both material wealth and reputation.
• and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire: These two acts represent the culmination of her destruction. "Eating her flesh" implies seizing and consuming her immense resources and vitality, stripping her utterly bare. "Burning with fire" is the final, irreversible annihilation, symbolizing the total end of her existence and power, leaving no remnant. It reflects the intensity and finality of God's wrath poured out through these instruments.

Revelation 17 16 Bonus section

The destruction described here, executed by the very political powers previously associated with the harlot, represents an internal collapse of the world system rather than merely an external conquest. This suggests that the judgment upon spiritual harlotry (idolatry, economic exploitation, corrupt religion/politics) is so severe that its own supporters will be compelled by divine decree to turn against it. The imagery also has roots in Old Testament prophecies concerning the judgment of unfaithful cities and nations, like Babylon or Tyre, which were consumed by their own allies or subjected to immense humiliation. The specific actions—desolating, stripping naked, eating flesh, burning with fire—each echo prophetic curses against apostasy and harlotry from prophets like Ezekiel and Nahum.

Revelation 17 16 Commentary

Revelation 17:16 unveils a dramatic turning point in the prophetic narrative: the beast and its allied ten horns, which are extensions of its power, suddenly turn on "the great harlot." This indicates that the instruments of persecution and anti-God rule will ultimately devour the system of spiritual prostitution and corruption that has intoxicated the world. Their hatred manifests in a devastating sequence: they make her desolate, strip her naked of her glory and resources, consume her essence, and finally incinerate her completely. This act is sovereignly orchestrated by God, as stated in the subsequent verse (17:17), where He puts it in their hearts to execute His purpose. This reveals that even the most wicked powers unknowingly serve God's ultimate plan of judgment. The verse is a powerful assurance to believers facing oppression that the oppressive and corrupt worldly systems, though seemingly powerful and intertwined with political might, are ultimately destined for a cataclysmic, internally driven downfall ordained by divine will. It demonstrates the precariousness of earthly alliances not founded on God's truth.