Revelation 18 17

Revelation 18:17 kjv

For 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,

Revelation 18:17 nkjv

For in one hour such great riches came to nothing.' Every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance

Revelation 18:17 niv

In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!' "Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off.

Revelation 18:17 esv

For in a single hour all this wealth has been laid waste." And all shipmasters and seafaring men, sailors and all whose trade is on the sea, stood far off

Revelation 18:17 nlt

In a single moment
all the wealth of the city is gone!"
And all the captains of the merchant ships and their passengers and sailors and crews will stand at a distance.

Revelation 18 verses

Revelation 18 17 Meaning

Revelation 18:17 proclaims the sudden and complete destruction of "Babylon's" immense wealth, declaring it utterly ruined "in one hour." This verse then vividly portrays the reaction of those intimately tied to this worldly economic system—specifically, all segments of maritime commerce: shipmasters, passengers or company aboard ships, sailors, and those whose livelihoods depended on sea trade. They observe this cataclysmic fall from a distance, expressing profound sorrow and helplessness at the eradication of their source of prosperity.

Revelation 18 17 Context

Revelation chapter 18 details the definitive fall of "Babylon the Great," described as a mighty city that has become a dwelling for demons, symbolizing a global economic and political system steeped in sin, idolatry, and persecution. The chapter elaborates on the lamentations of those who benefited from her immense wealth and influence—kings, merchants, and mariners. Verse 17 specifically zeroes in on the suddenness of her economic collapse and the despair of the maritime trading community. This destruction is portrayed as a swift, decisive divine act, bringing to an end her pervasive spiritual corruption and material luxury. The historical context draws heavily from the imagery of Old Testament prophecies concerning the fall of ancient Babylon, Tyre, and other wicked empires, often viewed by scholars as a polemic against the powerful, imperial Rome and its exploitative systems.

Revelation 18 17 Word analysis

• For in one hour: (Greek: mia hora, μία ὥρα). This phrase emphasizes the swiftness, suddenness, and decisiveness of God's judgment. It indicates that the destruction is not a gradual decline but an immediate, decisive, and unexpected divine act. This suddenness highlights God's power and sovereignty in bringing down the greatest earthly power.
• so great riches: (Greek: ploutos tosoutos, πλοῦτος τοσοῦτος). "Riches" refers to the vast accumulation of material wealth, luxuries, and economic prosperity. "So great" emphasizes the immense scale of this wealth, acquired through trade, exploitation, and dominion. In Revelation, such wealth often symbolizes worldly power and is frequently linked to moral corruption and spiritual fornication with Babylon.
• is come to nought: This English phrase signifies complete ruination, devastation, and the total worthlessness of what was once immensely valuable. In the context of Revelation 18, it denotes that the entire economic system and its vast assets have been rendered useless, destroyed, and made desolate. It implies an utter collapse beyond repair, leading to a state of void or non-existence for their previous utility.
• And every shipmaster: (Greek: kubernētēs, κυβερνήτης). Refers to the captain, pilot, or navigator of a ship. These individuals were essential for directing voyages and managing maritime commerce. Their inclusion highlights the involvement of all levels of the sea-trade hierarchy.
• and all the company in ships: (Greek: pas ho epi plooi, πᾶς ὁ ἐπὶ πλοίῳ). This denotes anyone aboard a ship, including passengers, crew, or others involved in the voyage who are not necessarily the captain or primary sailors. It expands the scope to include all who profited or participated in maritime ventures connected to Babylon's trade.
• and sailors: (Greek: nautēs, ναύτης). These are the mariners, the general crew members working on ships. Their lament further underscores the pervasive impact of Babylon's fall on the global economy.
• and as many as trade by sea: (Greek: ergazomai tēn thalassan, ἐργάζομαι τὴν θάλασσαν – lit. "work the sea"). This phrase encompasses all individuals whose business, livelihood, or profession revolved around sea-based commerce, including merchants, traders, shipowners, or those dealing in imported/exported goods. It generalizes the impact to the entire commercial network dependent on maritime routes.
• stood afar off: (Greek: apo makrothen hestēsan, ἀπὸ μακρόθεν ἑστῆσαν). This physical distance signifies several things: their inability or unwillingness to offer help, their shock and awe at the sudden, overwhelming judgment, their fear of also being consumed by the destruction, and their status as helpless onlookers to a divine act. It underscores their separation and helplessness in the face of God's justice, contrasted with their previous close alliance for profit.

Words-group analysis:

• "For in one hour so great riches is come to nought": This powerful clause sets the stage for the dramatic consequence of divine judgment. It emphasizes the rapidity of the fall (one hour) and the totality of the economic collapse (come to nought), irrespective of the magnitude of the wealth involved (so great riches). This directly counters worldly wisdom that believes immense wealth brings security.
• "And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea": This comprehensive enumeration stresses the vast number and diverse categories of people affected by Babylon's economic ruin. It paints a picture of a vast global network that depended on her commerce, now collectively facing devastating loss. The repetition and specificity underscore the broad economic reach of Babylon.
• "stood afar off": This phrase, combined with the earlier description of wealth, highlights a stark contrast between their former close association for gain and their present distant, horrified observation. It reveals their powerlessness and separation when judgment falls, confirming that their allegiance was purely opportunistic, based on material gain.

Revelation 18 17 Bonus section

The depiction of "standing afar off" resonates with several Old Testament prophecies where distant observers lament the fall of powerful, wicked cities (e.g., Ezekiel 27, where kings and merchants mourn Tyre from a distance). This is a biblical trope signifying helplessness, fear, and acknowledgement of divine judgment, but without true repentance. It suggests that even the beneficiaries of the corrupt system are not entirely spared the fear of God's power, even if they don't share His moral perspective. The narrative also reinforces the theme that judgment falls upon systems as well as individuals, with the "great riches" signifying the entire global economic system that Babylon represents. This collapse of the world's commercial network is designed to cleanse the earth of the systems that have oppressed God's people and glorified self over Him.

Revelation 18 17 Commentary

Revelation 18:17 encapsulates the immediate and devastating economic impact of Babylon's divine judgment. The emphasis on "one hour" underlines the speed, decisiveness, and sovereignty of God's intervention, making clear that Babylon's downfall is not a result of human conflict or gradual decay, but an instantaneous act of divine will. Her "great riches," the foundation of her worldly influence and seduction, are rendered utterly worthless, demonstrating the ephemeral nature of all earthly treasures when faced with eternal justice (Jam 5:1-3).

The imagery of shipmasters, sailors, and sea traders standing "afar off" is highly symbolic. It reflects the shock and powerlessness of those who eagerly partook in and profited from Babylon's luxurious, exploitative global economy. Their physical distance underscores their inability to avert or even mitigate the catastrophe, highlighting the overwhelming nature of God's wrath. Unlike those who repent and turn to God, their grief is not for sin but for lost profit (Eze 27:31). This self-serving sorrow stands in stark contrast to the rejoicing in heaven over Babylon's demise (Rev 19:1-3), underscoring the divergence between worldly values and divine righteousness. The scene serves as a stark warning about the futility of building life on perishable material wealth and the ultimate consequence of allying with systems opposed to God.