Revelation 18 12

Revelation 18:12 kjv

The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,

Revelation 18:12 nkjv

merchandise of gold and silver, precious stones and pearls, fine linen and purple, silk and scarlet, every kind of citron wood, every kind of object of ivory, every kind of object of most precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble;

Revelation 18:12 niv

cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble;

Revelation 18:12 esv

cargo of gold, silver, jewels, pearls, fine linen, purple cloth, silk, scarlet cloth, all kinds of scented wood, all kinds of articles of ivory, all kinds of articles of costly wood, bronze, iron and marble,

Revelation 18:12 nlt

She bought great quantities of gold, silver, jewels, and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet cloth; things made of fragrant thyine wood, ivory goods, and objects made of expensive wood; and bronze, iron, and marble.

Revelation 18 verses

Revelation 18 12 Meaning

Revelation 18:12 is a detailed enumeration of luxury commodities and high-value materials, illustrating the vast commercial wealth and opulent lifestyle that characterized "Babylon the Great." This verse, part of the lament from the world's merchants over Babylon's sudden downfall, highlights the depth of her material prosperity and reliance on worldly goods. The extensive list underscores that Babylon's identity was intricately tied to her accumulation and trade of expensive and exotic items, ultimately revealing the objects of her sinful pride and covetousness, which now face complete desolation.

Revelation 18 12 Context

Revelation 18 portrays the devastating judgment and complete fall of "Babylon the Great," which represents the corrupt global system opposing God – often interpreted as an economic, political, and spiritual force, deeply entwined with worldly luxury and idolatry. Chapters 17 and 18 work in tandem: Chapter 17 describes Babylon as the harlot (spiritual apostasy, deception), and Chapter 18 depicts her as a great city (economic and political power). The verse in question is part of the lament cried by the "merchants of the earth" (Rev 18:11), who grieve not over Babylon's sins or suffering, but over their immense financial losses due to her sudden destruction. This exhaustive list of precious goods highlights the profound consumerism and self-indulgence that defined Babylon, making her fall a massive economic catastrophe for those who profited from her worldly system.

Revelation 18 12 Word analysis

• gold (χρυσός, chrysos): A precious, incorruptible metal, signifying immense value, purity, or deity when associated with God. Here, it denotes earthly opulence and pride, accumulated for human glory.
• silver (ἀργύριον, argyrian): Another precious metal, often associated with commerce, currency, or redemption (e.g., thirty pieces of silver for Judas). In this context, it speaks to commercial wealth and trade.
• precious stones (λίθῳ τιμίῳ, litho timio): Stones like jewels, diamonds, sapphires, etc. They represent extraordinary beauty, rarity, and exorbitant worth, frequently used for adornment or symbols of power. In heavenly contexts (Rev 21), they symbolize divine glory, but here, they symbolize earthly vanity.
• pearls (μαργαρίται, margaritai): Unique in their formation, highly prized for beauty and luster. While in Matt 13:45-46, they can symbolize the priceless value of the Kingdom of Heaven, here they are items of earthly luxury, contrasting with true spiritual riches.
• fine linen (βύσσου, byssou): Exquisitely soft and expensive linen, often used for royal garments or priestly robes. It represents high status, purity (Rev 19:8 for the bride of Christ), but in Babylon, it denotes outward show and self-righteousness.
• purple cloth (πορφύρας, porphyras): Dyed with very costly murex snail extract, historically worn by kings, emperors, and high officials to signify royalty, power, and extreme wealth. Its presence on Babylon (and the harlot in Rev 17) denotes her arrogant, self-proclaimed royalty.
• silk (σηρικοῦ, serikou): An exceptionally luxurious and costly fabric, typically imported from the Far East. Its inclusion signifies the peak of extravagant consumption and Babylon's far-reaching trade network.
• scarlet cloth (κοκκίνου, kokkinou): Like purple, a dye requiring significant effort and cost, associated with luxury, royalty, and even sin (Isa 1:18). It is another direct link to the harlot's attire in Revelation 17:4.
• all kinds of scented wood (πᾶν ξύλον θύϊνον, pan xylon thyinon): Likely referring to thuya wood, a rare and highly aromatic wood prized for making expensive furniture, ceremonial objects, and possibly even incense burners for pagan rites. "All kinds of" indicates a comprehensive array of such luxury timbers.
• all kinds of articles of ivory (πᾶν σκεῦος ἐλεφάντινον, pan skeuos elephantinon): Carved or inlaid items made from elephant tusks, symbolizing immense wealth and often imported from distant lands (cf. 1 Kgs 10:22, Amos 6:4 for houses adorned with ivory). These include furniture, musical instruments, and decorative art.
• all kinds of articles of costly wood (πᾶν ξύλον τιμιώτατον, pan xylon timiotaton): A general category for all other types of very expensive, high-quality, or rare woods, perhaps used for structures, carvings, or furniture. "All kinds of" reiterates the extensive scope of her material possessions.
• bronze (χαλκοῦ, chalkou): Though common, its presence in this list implies highly crafted or decorative bronze items, perhaps statues, ornamental fittings, or refined tools that signify art and skilled labor rather than mere utility.
• iron (σιδήρου, siderou): A strong, foundational metal. Here, alongside luxurious items, it could represent the strength, industry, or formidable military/architectural elements of Babylon.
• and marble (καὶ μαρμάρου, kai marmarou): A high-grade, beautiful stone used extensively in prestigious architecture, monuments, and luxurious flooring or decoration, symbolizing permanence, grandeur, and sophisticated construction.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• gold, silver, precious stones, pearls: This opening cluster represents the absolute pinnacle of luxury, wealth, and adornment, speaking to Babylon's greed for precious metals and glittering jewels, acquired and flaunted as signs of her pride and earthly magnificence.
• fine linen, purple cloth, silk, scarlet cloth: This group highlights Babylon's lavish fashion and textiles. These fabrics were costly, indicating not just wealth but an extravagant, showy lifestyle, where appearance and outward grandeur held immense importance, symbolizing her moral defilement (Rev 17:4).
• all kinds of scented wood, all kinds of articles of ivory, all kinds of articles of costly wood: This trio points to Babylon's possession of the most exquisite and exotic furniture, decor, and art pieces crafted from rare and expensive natural resources, indicative of far-reaching trade, indulgence in non-essential luxury, and possible engagement in illicit or exploitative commerce. The repeated "all kinds of" underscores the comprehensive nature of her material holdings.
• bronze, iron, and marble: This final group lists essential building and crafting materials. While fundamental, their inclusion here amidst extreme luxuries suggests not just practical use, but grand architectural ambition, monumental structures, or perhaps exquisite, refined artistry even in these more common materials, solidifying Babylon's vast commercial and construction enterprise.

Revelation 18 12 Bonus section

The extensive and specific inventory of goods in Rev 18:11-13 (of which verse 12 is a significant part) echoes Old Testament prophetic laments over the fall of powerful trading cities, most notably Tyre in Ezekiel 27. Both lists detail an almost encyclopedic array of commodities, underscoring the commercial magnitude of the fallen entity. This literary parallel deepens the understanding that "Babylon the Great" embodies the quintessential human civilization defined by vast economic power, luxury, and pride that ultimately incurs divine wrath. The very items that constitute her perceived greatness and attract global commerce are paradoxically cataloged as the elements of her vulnerability and the extent of her ruin. This complete listing also suggests that Babylon represents the sum total of all earthly systems that stand in opposition to God, highlighting the encompassing nature of God's judgment over all such worldly glory.

Revelation 18 12 Commentary

Revelation 18:12 is more than a mere inventory; it's a symbolic depiction of everything the fallen Babylon valued and depended upon. Each item speaks to a different facet of her worldly opulence, commercial prowess, and spiritual decay. The detailed list of luxuries—from exquisite jewelry and fabrics to exotic timbers and finely worked metals—demonstrates Babylon's self-indulgent nature and her position as the global center of excessive consumption. This comprehensive enumeration serves to underline the totality of her material assets that are about to be annihilated, providing a stark contrast to the eternal, spiritual treasures of God's kingdom. The merchants' lament over these lost commodities signifies their deep entanglement in, and ultimate heartbreak over, the collapse of a purely materialistic system that prioritized gain above all else, foreshadowing God's decisive judgment against all forms of worldly wealth accumulation built upon injustice and self-exaltation.