Revelation 18 22

Revelation 18:22 kjv

And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;

Revelation 18:22 nkjv

The sound of harpists, musicians, flutists, and trumpeters shall not be heard in you anymore. No craftsman of any craft shall be found in you anymore, and the sound of a millstone shall not be heard in you anymore.

Revelation 18:22 niv

The music of harpists and musicians, pipers and trumpeters, will never be heard in you again. No worker of any trade will ever be found in you again. The sound of a millstone will never be heard in you again.

Revelation 18:22 esv

and the sound of harpists and musicians, of flute players and trumpeters, will be heard in you no more, and a craftsman of any craft will be found in you no more, and the sound of the mill will be heard in you no more,

Revelation 18:22 nlt

The sound of harps, singers, flutes, and trumpets
will never be heard in you again.
No craftsmen and no trades
will ever be found in you again.
The sound of the mill
will never be heard in you again.

Revelation 18 verses

Revelation 18 22 Meaning

Revelation 18:22 proclaims the utter and complete desolation of Babylon the Great. It signifies the permanent cessation of all the elements that define a living, vibrant city: music, entertainment, artistry, commerce, daily work, and basic human sustenance. The absence of these sounds and activities points to a city left entirely silent, lifeless, and uninhabited, symbolizing the irreversible nature of divine judgment.

Revelation 18 22 Context

Revelation chapter 18 details the definitive fall of "Babylon the Great," identified earlier in chapter 17 as the spiritual harlot, symbolizing a global, idolatrous, and oppressive system that stands in opposition to God and persecutes His people. This chapter provides a lament over Babylon's destruction, delivered by various voices, emphasizing the suddenness, completeness, and finality of her ruin. Verse 22, along with verses 21 and 23, dramatically underscores this utter desolation, picturing a city devoid of life, activity, and joy, a profound silence replacing its former bustling glory and seductive influence. The destruction serves as a climactic act of divine justice against the wickedness that deceived nations and martyred saints, bringing both sorrow to those who benefited from its illicit gains and rejoicing to heaven and God's people.

Revelation 18 22 Word analysis

• And the sound of harpers (κιθαρῳδῶν - kitharōdōn): "Harpers" refer to stringed instrument players. The term "sound" (φωνὴ - phōnē) indicates the audible presence of their music. This signifies the end of celebration, pleasure, luxury, and revelry that characterized Babylon. Music was an integral part of pagan worship, banquets, and everyday life in ancient cities.
• and musicians (μουσικῶν - mousikōn): A general term for those engaged in music, whether singers or instrumentalists. This emphasizes a complete silencing of all forms of artistic entertainment and joyful expression within the city. It includes the music often associated with pagan rites and the world's revelry.
• and of pipers (αὐλητῶν - aulētōn): "Pipers" refer to flute players. Flutes were commonly used in both celebratory events and somber occasions like funerals. Their silencing marks the end of all public and private rituals and festivities.
• and trumpeters (σαλπιστῶν - salpistōn): "Trumpeters" are those who play trumpets, instruments used for alarms, royal processions, military signals, and public announcements. Their silence implies the cessation of all public functions, military alerts, and formal pronouncements. The absence of these diverse musical sounds points to an eerie, all-encompassing quiet, replacing Babylon's former vibrancy.
• shall be heard no more at all in thee: The phrase "no more at all" translates a very strong double negative in the Greek (οὐ μὴ ἔτι - ou mē eti), emphasizing the absolute and permanent nature of the cessation. There is no possibility of these sounds ever returning.
• and no craftsman (πᾶς τεχνίτης - pas technitēs): "Craftsman" refers to any artisan or skilled worker. Babylon was renowned for its splendid architecture, luxury goods, and commercial prowess, which depended heavily on various crafts.
• of whatsoever craft he be (πάσης τέχνης - pasēs technēs): This phrase reinforces the idea of comprehensive judgment, implying all types of trades and skills—from fine jewelers to builders—will cease. This signifies the total destruction of the city's economic vitality, its industry, wealth production, and commercial life. The source of its material splendor and trade influence will vanish.
• shall be found any more in thee: Similar to the "no more at all" for sounds, this emphasizes the absolute disappearance of these essential elements of urban life and commerce. No artisans means no production, no economic activity, no future.
• and the sound of a millstone (φωνὴ μύλου - phōnē mylou): The millstone represents the most basic level of daily sustenance – the grinding of grain into flour for bread. The constant sound of millstones was characteristic of an active, inhabited household or community. Its cessation indicates utter desolation and absence of life, where there is no need for food preparation because no one lives there. It's a common biblical idiom for the silencing of a inhabited place.
• shall be heard no more at all in thee: Reiteration of the emphatic "no more at all," cementing the finality of Babylon's desolation, extending even to the most fundamental aspects of human existence. The silence of the millstone suggests the very basic rhythm of life has ended.
• Words-group Analysis: The entire verse portrays a deliberate and escalating silence. It moves from sounds of celebration (music), to sounds of productive industry (craftsmen), to sounds of daily life and sustenance (millstone). This progression demonstrates that judgment affects Babylon at every level—from its outward glory and pleasure to its economic foundations and even its fundamental existence as an inhabited place. The triple "no more at all" signifies the divine irreversibility of this judgment, emphasizing the permanence of the city's utter ruin. This also serves as a strong contrast to the sounds of worship and praise in heaven.

Revelation 18 22 Bonus section

The imagery in Revelation 18:22 finds deep resonance in Old Testament prophetic literature, particularly in prophecies against Tyre (Ezek 26:13) and Jerusalem/Judah (Jer 7:34, 25:10), where the silencing of music, merriment, and millstones universally signifies irreversible judgment, abandonment, and desolation. This shared prophetic language underscores the universal principles of divine justice: what occurred to earthly cities in the past, applies even more dramatically to the ultimate anti-God system, Babylon the Great. The inclusion of the "millstone" in particular speaks to an archaic, agrarian symbol of fundamental life and population, emphasizing that even the most basic elements required for sustaining a community will be gone. The very possibility of human life persisting within its former walls will cease.

Revelation 18 22 Commentary

Revelation 18:22 vividly paints the picture of Babylon's total collapse, not merely through its destruction but by highlighting the absolute cessation of life within its former boundaries. The specific elements mentioned – music, crafts, and millstones – are symbolic of the city's social life, economic prosperity, and the very rhythms of daily existence. Their silencing points to a city emptied of its inhabitants, stripped of its vibrancy, and reduced to a desolate wasteland. This detailed negative portrayal underscores the permanence and comprehensiveness of divine judgment. Babylon, representing a world system opposed to God, is utterly divested of its splendor, influence, and the very signs of life, revealing the ephemeral nature of all earthly power and glory when arrayed against the sovereign will of the Almighty. The complete silence contrasts sharply with the "Hallelujah" chorus heard in heaven in response to this righteous judgment (Rev 19:1-6).