Revelation 17 5

Revelation 17:5 kjv

And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

Revelation 17:5 nkjv

And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

Revelation 17:5 niv

The name written on her forehead was a mystery: babylon the great the mother of prostitutes and of the abominations of the earth.

Revelation 17:5 esv

And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: "Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth's abominations."

Revelation 17:5 nlt

A mysterious name was written on her forehead: "Babylon the Great, Mother of All Prostitutes and Obscenities in the World."

Revelation 17 verses

Revelation 17 5 Meaning

Revelation 17:5 reveals the identity inscribed on the forehead of the great harlot seen in the vision. This name, presented as a mystery, identifies her as "BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF EARTH'S ABOMINATIONS." It signifies her character as the ultimate source and archetype of all spiritual idolatry, moral corruption, and wickedness that has spread throughout human history, embodying opposition to God and His people.

Revelation 17 5 Context

Revelation 17 introduces a detailed vision of "Babylon the Great," symbolized as a great harlot seated on many waters and then on a scarlet beast. This verse, Revelation 17:5, immediately follows John's astonishment at the woman, providing the crucial identification found written on her forehead. The surrounding chapters (especially 14, 16, 18) highlight the ongoing divine judgment against this spiritual entity identified as Babylon. Chapter 17 specifically delves into the harlot's characteristics, her power, her relationship with earthly kings, and her ultimate destruction by the beast she rides, culminating in her judgment as a force antithetical to God's kingdom. Historically and culturally, the symbolism would have resonated with the original audience who were familiar with pagan goddesses, temple prostitution, and the proud, idolatrous power of Rome, which was perceived as the dominant "city of sin" oppressing believers.

Revelation 17 5 Word analysis

• And on her forehead: (Greek: kai epi tou metōpou autēs). The forehead (metōpon) was a prominent place for public display, often used for identifying slaves, prisoners, or those devoted to a deity (as seen with priests in the Old Testament, Ex 28:36, or in Revelation with God's seal, Rev 7:3, and the mark of the beast, Rev 13:16). This mark signifies public identification, ownership, and deep commitment to what is written.
• was written: (gegrammenon). A permanent, publicly declared inscription. It's not a temporary tag but a defining characteristic.
• a name: (onoma). Names in the Bible often represent character, nature, and identity. This isn't just a label, but a complete summation of who this harlot is.
• a mystery: (mystērion). This term signifies something that was hidden or veiled but is now revealed, often requiring divine insight to comprehend. It indicates that the identity of "Babylon the Great" is not straightforward or purely literal in the common sense, but has a deeper, spiritual, symbolic meaning beyond a simple geographical city, requiring interpretative revelation. It suggests a spiritual reality disguised as something else.
• “BABYLON THE GREAT”: (BABYLŌN Ē MEGALĒ). This is the primary identification. "Babylon" carries historical weight as the archetype of pride, idolatry, rebellion against God (Gen 11), and oppressive world empires that persecute God's people (Jer 50-51; Dan). "The Great" amplifies its pervasive influence, power, and significance in the end-time spiritual conflict, elevating it beyond a single historical city to represent the full extent of earthly opposition to God.
• THE MOTHER: (MĒTĒR). This term implies origination, source, and ultimate progenitor. It suggests that this "Babylon" is not merely a participant in harlotry and abominations, but the foundational source and archetype from which all other similar spiritual perversions originate or derive their sustenance. It portrays her as fertile in corruption.
• OF HARLOTS: (PORNŌN). Plural, emphasizing the numerous spiritual and often literal forms of idolatry, immorality, and unfaithfulness that she produces. In prophetic language, harlotry (or fornication) often symbolizes spiritual infidelity to God through idolatry or seeking worldly alliances rather than divine faithfulness.
• AND OF EARTH’S ABOMINATIONS: (KAI TŌN BDELYGMETŌN TĒS GĒS). "Abominations" (bdelygma) refer to things utterly detestable to God, typically encompassing idolatry, grievous sin, and pagan religious practices (as seen in Deut, Lev). This phrase indicates that "Babylon the Great" is the fount of all detestable and vile practices that permeate the earth, contrary to God's holiness.

Words-group Analysis:

• "a name, a mystery: 'BABYLON THE GREAT'": The juxtaposition of "name" and "mystery" highlights that while the name provides an identity, its full meaning requires revelation, as it refers to a complex spiritual system rather than just a historical city. The "greatness" of Babylon here points to its vast influence and universal scope of its anti-God character.
• "THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF EARTH'S ABOMINATIONS": This full descriptive title paints a comprehensive picture of the harlot's nature. "Mother" clarifies her role as the origin and archetype of spiritual and moral corruption globally, spawning numerous lesser harlotries and vile practices across the entire earth. It underscores her prolific production of evil.

Revelation 17 5 Bonus section

• The practice of branding slaves or religious devotees on the forehead was known in the Roman Empire. The harlot’s name on her forehead would thus convey both a public declaration of her identity and a mark of possession by an unseen, dark spiritual power, signifying her allegiance.
• The title "mystery" here serves to clarify that the entity "Babylon" is more than simply literal ancient Babylon or even Rome. It points to a pervasive, spiritual-systemic evil that manifests throughout history and intensifies in the end times, rather than a strictly geographic or single political entity.
• This verse provides a polemic against any human system that elevates itself above God, demands ultimate loyalty, promotes idolatry (whether explicit religious idolatry or the worship of wealth, power, or self), and persecutes God's faithful. Its description of "mother of harlots and abominations" fundamentally defines its nature as anti-God and anti-truth.

Revelation 17 5 Commentary

Revelation 17:5 acts as a definitive theological label for the great harlot, an enigmatic figure central to end-time prophecies. The inscription on her forehead declares her public and fundamental identity: she is "BABYLON THE GREAT," representing the quintessential expression of worldly power, pride, idolatry, and rebellion against God, deeply rooted in the historical and prophetic symbolism of ancient Babylon. The designation "mystery" implies that this "Babylon" is not merely a re-emerging historical city, but rather a profound spiritual force or system operating behind earthly political and economic powers.

As "THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS," she is depicted as the origin point and chief enabler of all forms of spiritual apostasy and unfaithfulness to God that mimic or stem from her own core corruptions. Her offspring, the "harlots," represent specific instances, nations, or institutions that align themselves with her idolatry and moral depravity. Likewise, being "OF EARTH'S ABOMINATIONS" confirms her role as the fountainhead of all that is detestable in God's eyes—pagan worship, spiritual uncleanness, gross immorality, and all actions that oppose God's holiness and justice. This verse concisely summarizes the harlot's character as the universal wellspring of ungodliness and sin, contrasting starkly with the pure Bride of Christ. She is the epitome of the world system in opposition to God.