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Selected Verse: Revelation 18:2 - Strong Concordance
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Re 18:2 |
Strong Concordance |
And [2532] he cried [2896] mightily [2479] with [1722] a strong [3173] voice [5456], saying [3004], Babylon [897] the great [3173] is fallen [4098], is fallen [4098], and [2532] is become [1096] the habitation [2732] of devils [1142], and [2532] the hold [5438] of every [3956] foul [169] spirit [4151], and [2532] a cage [5438] of every [3956] unclean [169] and [2532] hateful [3404] bird [3732]. |
| |
King James |
And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
mightily . . . strong--not supported by manuscripts. But A, B, Vulgate, Syriac, and Coptic read, "with (literally, 'in') a mighty voice."
is fallen, is fallen--so A, Vulgate, Syriac, and ANDREAS. But B and Coptic omit the second "is fallen" (Isa 21:9; Jer 51:8). This phrase is here prophetical of her fall, still future, as Rev 18:4 proves.
devils--Greek, "demons."
the hold--a keep or prison. |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
And he cried mightily - Literally, "he cried with a strong great voice." See Rev 10:3.
Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen - See the notes on Rev 14:8. The proclamation here is substantially the same as in that place, and no doubt the same thing is referred to.
And is become the habitation of devils - Of demons - in allusion to the common opinion that the demons inhabited abandoned cities, old ruins, and deserts. See the notes on Mat 12:43-45. The language here is taken from the description of Babylon in Isa 13:20-22; and for a full illustration of the meaning, see the notes on that passage.
And the hold of every foul spirit - φυλακὴ phulakē. A watch-post, station, haunt of such spirits - That is, they, as it were, kept guard there; were stationed there; haunted the place.
And a cage of every unclean and hateful bird - That is, they would resort there, and abide there as in a cage. The word translated "cage" is the same which is rendered "hold" - φυλακὴ phulakē. In Isa 13:21, it is said, "and owls shall dwell there"; and in Isa 14:23, it is said that it would be a "possession for the bittern." The idea is that of utter desolation; and the meaning here is, that spiritual Babylon - papal Rome Rev 14:8 - will be reduced to a state of utter desolation resembling that of the real Babylon. It is not necessary to suppose this of the city of Rome itself - for that is not the object of the representation. It is the papacy, represented under the image of the city, and having its seat there. That is to be destroyed as utterly as was Babylon of old; that will become as odious, and loathsome, and detestable as the literal Babylon, the abode of monsters is. |
| The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917] |
Babylon
Babylon, "confusion," is repeatedly used by the prophets in a symbolic sense
(See Scofield) - (Isa 13:2), note 2.
Two "Babylons" are to be distinguished in the Revelation: ecclesiastical babylon, which is apostate Christendom, headed up under the Papacy; and political babylon, which is the Beast's confederated empire, the last form of Gentile world-dominion.
Ecclesiastical Babylon is "the great whore" (Rev 17:1) and is destroyed by political Babylon (Rev 17:15-18) that the beast may be the alone object of worship. (Th2 2:3); (Th2 2:4); (Rev 13:15). The power of political Babylon is destroyed by the return of the Lord in glory.
(See "Armageddon,"); (Rev 16:14); (Rev 19:17).
The notion of a literal Babylon to be rebuilt on the site of ancient Babylon is in conflict with (Isa 13:19-22). But the language of (Rev 18:10); (Rev 18:16); (Rev 18:18) seems beyond question to identify "Babylon," the "city" of luxury and traffic, with "Babylon" the ecclesiastical centre, namely, Rome. The very kings who hate ecclesiastical Babylon deplore the destruction of commercial Babylon. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Mightily with a strong voice (ἐν ἰσχύΐ́ φωνῇ μεγὰλῃ)
Lit., in strength with a great voice. Omit μεγάλῃ great, and read ἰσχυρᾷ φωνῇ with a mighty voice. So Rev.
Babylon - is fallen
The Rev. improves on the A.V. by placing fallen in the emphatic position of the Greek: "Fallen, fallen is Babylon." Compare Isa 21:9.
Is become (ἐγένετο)
Lit., became.
Devils (δαιμόνων)
Properly, demons, which Rev., strangely commits to the margin. See on Mar 1:34. See Isa 13:20-22; Isa 34:13-15. Also on Luk 11:24.
Hold (φυλακὴ)
See on Pe1 3:19, and see on Act 5:21. Rev., in margin, prison.
Cage (φυλακὴ)
The word rendered above hold. Rev., hold. Some, however, explain it, not as a cage where they are kept, but as a place of safety to which they resort.
Bird (ὀρνέου)
Only in Revelation, here, Rev 19:17, Rev 19:21. Compare Jer 50:39. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| And he cried, Babylon is fallen - This fall was mentioned before, Rev 14:8; but is now declared at large. And is become an habitation - A free abode. Of devils, and an hold - A prison. Of every unclean spirit - Perhaps confined there where they had once practised all uncleanness, till the judgment of the great day. How many horrid inhabitants hath desolate Babylon! of invisible beings, devils, and unclean spirits; of visible, every unclean beast, every filthy and hateful bird. Suppose, then, Babylon to mean heathen Rome; what have the Romanists gained, seeing from the time of that destruction, which they say is past, these are to be its only inhabitants for ever. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen - This is a quotation from Isa 21:9 : And he said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground. This is applied by some to Rome pagan; by others to Rome papal; and by others to Jerusalem.
Is become - the hold of every foul spirit - See the parallel passages in the margin. The figures here point out the most complete destruction. A city utterly sacked and ruined, never to be rebuilt. |
4 And [2532] I heard [191] another [243] voice [5456] from [1537] heaven [3772], saying [3004], Come [1831] out of [1537] her [846], my [3450] people [2992], that [3363] ye be [4790] not [3363] partakers [4790] of her [846] sins [266], and [2532] that [3363] ye receive [2983] not [3363] of [1537] her [846] plagues [4127].
8 Babylon [0894] is suddenly [06597] fallen [05307] and destroyed [07665]: howl [03213] for her; take [03947] balm [06875] for her pain [04341], if so be she may be healed [07495].
9 And, behold, here cometh [0935] a chariot [07393] of men [0376], with a couple [06776] of horsemen [06571]. And he answered [06030] and said [0559], Babylon [0894] is fallen [05307], is fallen [05307]; and all the graven images [06456] of her gods [0430] he hath broken [07665] unto the ground [0776].
8 And [2532] there followed [190] another [243] angel [32], saying [3004], Babylon [897] is fallen [4098], is fallen [4098], that great [3173] city [4172], because [3754] she made [4222] all [3956] nations [1484] drink [4222] of [1537] the wine [3631] of the wrath [2372] of her [846] fornication [4202].
23 I will also make [07760] it a possession [04180] for the bittern [07090], and pools [098] of water [04325]: and I will sweep [02894] it with the besom [04292] of destruction [08045], saith [05002] the LORD [03068] of hosts [06635].
21 But wild beasts of the desert [06728] shall lie [07257] there; and their houses [01004] shall be full [04390] of doleful creatures [0255]; and owls [01323] [03284] shall dwell [07931] there, and satyrs [08163] shall dance [07540] there.
20 It shall never [05331] be inhabited [03427], neither shall it be dwelt [07931] in from generation [01755] to generation [01755]: neither shall the Arabian [06163] pitch tent [0167] there; neither shall the shepherds [07462] make their fold [07257] there.
21 But wild beasts of the desert [06728] shall lie [07257] there; and their houses [01004] shall be full [04390] of doleful creatures [0255]; and owls [01323] [03284] shall dwell [07931] there, and satyrs [08163] shall dance [07540] there.
22 And the wild beasts of the islands [0338] shall cry [06030] in their desolate houses [0490], and dragons [08577] in their pleasant [06027] palaces [01964]: and her time [06256] is near [07138] to come [0935], and her days [03117] shall not be prolonged [04900].
43 [1161] When [3752] the unclean [169] spirit [4151] is gone [1831] out of [575] a man [444], he walketh [1330] through [1223] dry [504] places [5117], seeking [2212] rest [372], and [2532] findeth [2147] none [3756].
44 Then [5119] he saith [3004], I will return [1994] into [1519] my [3450] house [3624] from whence [3606] I came out [1831]; and [2532] when he is come [2064], he findeth [2147] it empty [4980], swept [4563], and [2532] garnished [2885].
45 Then [5119] goeth he [4198], and [2532] taketh [3880] with [3326] himself [1438] seven [2033] other [2087] spirits [4151] more wicked [4191] than himself [1438], and [2532] they enter in [1525] and dwell [2730] there [1563]: and [2532] the last [2078] state of that [1565] man [444] is [1096] worse than [5501] the first [4413]. Even so [3779] shall it be [2071] also [2532] unto this [5026] wicked [4190] generation [1074].
8 And [2532] there followed [190] another [243] angel [32], saying [3004], Babylon [897] is fallen [4098], is fallen [4098], that great [3173] city [4172], because [3754] she made [4222] all [3956] nations [1484] drink [4222] of [1537] the wine [3631] of the wrath [2372] of her [846] fornication [4202].
3 And [2532] cried [2896] with a loud [3173] voice [5456], as [5618] when a lion [3023] roareth [3455]: and [2532] when [3753] he had cried [2896], seven [2033] thunders [1027] uttered [2980] their [1438] voices [5456].
18 And [2532] cried [2896] when they saw [3708] the smoke [2586] of her [846] burning [4451], saying [3004], What [5101] city is like [3664] unto this great [3173] city [4172]!
16 And [2532] saying [3004], Alas [3759], alas [3759], that great [3173] city [4172], that was clothed in [4016] fine linen [1039], and [2532] purple [4210], and [2532] scarlet [2847], and [2532] decked [5558] with [1722] gold [5557], and [2532] precious [5093] stones [3037], and [2532] pearls [3135]!
10 Standing [2476] afar [3113] off [575] for [1223] the fear [5401] of her [846] torment [929], saying [3004], Alas [3759], alas [3759], that great [3173] city [4172] Babylon [897], that mighty [2478] city [4172]! for [3754] in [1722] one [3391] hour [5610] is [2064] thy [4675] judgment [2920] come [2064].
19 And Babylon [0894], the glory [06643] of kingdoms [04467], the beauty [08597] of the Chaldees [03778]' excellency [01347], shall be as when God [0430] overthrew [04114] Sodom [05467] and Gomorrah [06017].
20 It shall never [05331] be inhabited [03427], neither shall it be dwelt [07931] in from generation [01755] to generation [01755]: neither shall the Arabian [06163] pitch tent [0167] there; neither shall the shepherds [07462] make their fold [07257] there.
21 But wild beasts of the desert [06728] shall lie [07257] there; and their houses [01004] shall be full [04390] of doleful creatures [0255]; and owls [01323] [03284] shall dwell [07931] there, and satyrs [08163] shall dance [07540] there.
22 And the wild beasts of the islands [0338] shall cry [06030] in their desolate houses [0490], and dragons [08577] in their pleasant [06027] palaces [01964]: and her time [06256] is near [07138] to come [0935], and her days [03117] shall not be prolonged [04900].
17 And [2532] I saw [1492] an [1520] angel [32] standing [2476] in [1722] the sun [2246]; and [2532] he cried [2896] with a loud [3173] voice [5456], saying [3004] to all [3956] the fowls [3732] that fly [4072] in [1722] the midst of heaven [3321], Come [1205] and [2532] gather yourselves together [4863] unto [1519] the supper [1173] of the great [3173] God [2316];
14 For [1063] they are [1526] the spirits [4151] of devils [1142], working [4160] miracles [4592], which go forth [1607] [3739] [1607] unto [1909] the kings [935] of the earth [1093] and [2532] of the whole [3650] world [3625], to gather [4863] them [846] to [1519] the battle [4171] of that [1565] great [3173] day [2250] of God [2316] Almighty [3841].
15 And [2532] he [846] had power [1325] to give [1325] life [4151] unto the image [1504] of the beast [2342], that [2443] the image [1504] of the beast [2342] should [2980] both [2532] speak [2980], and [2532] cause [4160] that as many as [3745] would [302] [4352] not [3361] worship [4352] the image [1504] of the beast [2342] should be killed [2443] [615].
4 Who [3588] opposeth [480] and [2532] exalteth [5229] himself above [1909] all [3956] that is called [3004] God [2316], or [2228] that is worshipped [4574]; so [5620] that he [846] as [5613] God [2316] sitteth [2523] in [1519] the temple [3485] of God [2316], shewing [584] himself [1438] that [3754] he is [2076] God [2316].
3 Let [1818] no [3361] man [5100] deceive [1818] you [5209] by [2596] any [3367] means [5158]: for [3754] that day shall not come, except [3362] there come [2064] a falling away [646] first [4412], and [2532] that man [444] of sin [266] be revealed [601], the son [5207] of perdition [684];
15 And [2532] he saith [3004] unto me [3427], The waters [5204] which [3739] thou sawest [1492], where [3757] the whore [4204] sitteth [2521], are [1526] peoples [2992], and [2532] multitudes [3793], and [2532] nations [1484], and [2532] tongues [1100].
16 And [2532] the ten [1176] horns [2768] which [3739] thou sawest [1492] upon [1909] the beast [2342], these [3778] shall hate [3404] the whore [4204], and [2532] shall make [4160] her [846] desolate [2049] and [2532] naked [1131], and [2532] shall eat [5315] her [846] flesh [4561], and [2532] burn [2618] her [846] with [1722] fire [4442].
17 For [1063] God [2316] hath put [1325] in [1519] their [846] hearts [2588] to fulfil [4160] his [846] will [1106], and [2532] to agree [4160] [3391] [1106], and [2532] give [1325] their [846] kingdom [932] unto the beast [2342], until [891] the words [4487] of God [2316] shall be fulfilled [5055].
18 And [2532] the woman [1135] which [3739] thou sawest [1492] is [2076] that great [3173] city [4172], which [3588] reigneth [2192] [932] over [1909] the kings [935] of the earth [1093].
1 And [2532] there came [2064] one [1520] of [1537] the seven [2033] angels [32] which [3588] had [2192] the seven [2033] vials [5357], and [2532] talked [2980] with [3326] me [1700], saying [3004] unto me [3427], Come hither [1204]; I will shew [1166] unto thee [4671] the judgment [2917] of the great [3173] whore [4204] that sitteth [2521] upon [1909] many [4183] waters [5204]:
2 Lift ye up [05375] a banner [05251] upon the high [08192] mountain [02022], exalt [07311] the voice [06963] unto them, shake [05130] the hand [03027], that they may go [0935] into the gates [06607] of the nobles [05081].
39 Therefore the wild beasts of the desert [06728] with the wild beasts of the islands [0338] shall dwell [03427] there, and the owls [01323] [03284] shall dwell [03427] therein: and it shall be no more inhabited [03427] for ever [05331]; neither shall it be dwelt [07931] in from generation [01755] to generation [01755].
21 And [2532] the remnant [3062] were slain [615] with [1722] the sword [4501] of him that sat [2521] upon [1909] the horse [2462], which [3588] sword proceeded [1607] out of [1537] his [846] mouth [4750]: and [2532] all [3956] the fowls [3732] were filled [5526] with [1537] their [846] flesh [4561].
17 And [2532] I saw [1492] an [1520] angel [32] standing [2476] in [1722] the sun [2246]; and [2532] he cried [2896] with a loud [3173] voice [5456], saying [3004] to all [3956] the fowls [3732] that fly [4072] in [1722] the midst of heaven [3321], Come [1205] and [2532] gather yourselves together [4863] unto [1519] the supper [1173] of the great [3173] God [2316];
21 And [1161] when they heard [191] that, they entered [1525] into [1519] the temple [2411] early in the morning [5259] [3722], and [2532] taught [1321]. But [1161] the high priest [749] came [3854], and [2532] they that were with [4862] him [846], and called [4779] the council [4892] together [4779], and [2532] all [3956] the senate [1087] of the children [5207] of Israel [2474], and [2532] sent [649] to [1519] the prison [1201] to have [71] them [846] brought [71].
19 By [1722] which [3739] also [2532] he went [4198] and preached [2784] unto the spirits [4151] in [1722] prison [5438];
24 When [3752] the unclean [169] spirit [4151] is gone [1831] out of [575] a man [444], he walketh [1330] through [1223] dry [504] places [5117], seeking [2212] rest [372]; and [2532] finding [2147] none [3361], he saith [3004], I will return [5290] unto [1519] my [3450] house [3624] whence [3606] I came out [1831].
13 And thorns [05518] shall come up [05927] in her palaces [0759], nettles [07057] and brambles [02336] in the fortresses [04013] thereof: and it shall be an habitation [05116] of dragons [08577], and a court [02681] for owls [01323] [03284].
14 The wild beasts of the desert [06728] shall also meet [06298] with the wild beasts of the island [0338], and the satyr [08163] shall cry [07121] to his fellow [07453]; the screech owl [03917] also shall rest [07280] there, and find [04672] for herself a place of rest [04494].
15 There shall the great owl [07091] make her nest [07077], and lay [04422], and hatch [01234], and gather [01716] under her shadow [06738]: there shall the vultures [01772] also be gathered [06908], every one [0802] with her mate [07468].
20 It shall never [05331] be inhabited [03427], neither shall it be dwelt [07931] in from generation [01755] to generation [01755]: neither shall the Arabian [06163] pitch tent [0167] there; neither shall the shepherds [07462] make their fold [07257] there.
21 But wild beasts of the desert [06728] shall lie [07257] there; and their houses [01004] shall be full [04390] of doleful creatures [0255]; and owls [01323] [03284] shall dwell [07931] there, and satyrs [08163] shall dance [07540] there.
22 And the wild beasts of the islands [0338] shall cry [06030] in their desolate houses [0490], and dragons [08577] in their pleasant [06027] palaces [01964]: and her time [06256] is near [07138] to come [0935], and her days [03117] shall not be prolonged [04900].
34 And [2532] he healed [2323] many [4183] that were [2192] sick [2560] of divers [4164] diseases [3554], and [2532] cast out [1544] many [4183] devils [1140]; and [2532] suffered [863] not [3756] the devils [1140] to speak [2980], because [3754] they knew [1492] him [846].
9 And, behold, here cometh [0935] a chariot [07393] of men [0376], with a couple [06776] of horsemen [06571]. And he answered [06030] and said [0559], Babylon [0894] is fallen [05307], is fallen [05307]; and all the graven images [06456] of her gods [0430] he hath broken [07665] unto the ground [0776].
8 And [2532] there followed [190] another [243] angel [32], saying [3004], Babylon [897] is fallen [4098], is fallen [4098], that great [3173] city [4172], because [3754] she made [4222] all [3956] nations [1484] drink [4222] of [1537] the wine [3631] of the wrath [2372] of her [846] fornication [4202].
9 And, behold, here cometh [0935] a chariot [07393] of men [0376], with a couple [06776] of horsemen [06571]. And he answered [06030] and said [0559], Babylon [0894] is fallen [05307], is fallen [05307]; and all the graven images [06456] of her gods [0430] he hath broken [07665] unto the ground [0776].