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John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 18:17

For in one hour so great riches is come to nought ,.... That is, in a very short time, expressing the suddenness and speediness of Rome's destruction, the quick dispatch and expedition that will be made in it, by the instruments of it, as in Revelation 18:10 . Rome was always famous for its great wealth and riches; the Jews have a saying F12 T. Bab. Kiddushin, fol. 49. 2. , that if ten kabs of riches descend into the world, the ancient Romans take nine of them, and the other the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 18:11

The merchants of the earth - These are represented as mourning over her, because their traffic with her was at an end. Bishop Bale, who applies all these things to the Church of Rome, thus paraphrases the principal passages: - The mighty kinges and potentates of the earth, not havinge afore their eyes the love and feare of God, have committed with this whore moste vile filthynesse; abusinge themselves by many straunge or uncommaunded worshippings, and bynding themselves by othe to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 18:12

The merchandise of gold, and silver, etc. - The same author, Bishop Bale, who was once a priest of the Romish Church, goes on to apply all these things to that Church; and whether the text have this meaning or not, they will show us something of the religious usages of his time, and the real mockery of this intolerant and superstitious Church. Speaking in reference to the Reformation, and the general light that had been diffused abroad by the word of God, which was then translated into the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 18:13

And cinnamon - " By the sinamon is ment all maner of costly spyces, wherewith they bury their byshops and founders, lest they shoulde stinke when they translate them agayne to make them saintes for advauntage. "By the smellynge odours, the swete herbes that they strewe abrode at theyr dedications and burials; besydes the damaske waters, bawmes, muskes, pomaunder, civet, and other curious confections they yet bestow upon theyr owne precious bodyes. "The oyntments are such oyles as they... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 18:14

And the fruits that thy soul lusted after - και ἡ οπωρα της επιθυμιας της ψυχης σου . As οπωρα signifies autumn, any and all kinds of autumnal fruits may be signified by the word in the above clause. Dainty and goodly - Τα λιπαρα· Delicacies for the table. Τα λαμπρα , what is splendid and costly in apparel. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 18:16

Clothed in fine linen, and purple, etc. - The verb περιβαλλεσθαι , which we here translate clothed, signifies often to abound, be enriched, laden with, and is so used by the best Greek writers; see many examples in Kypke. These articles are not to be considered here as personal ornaments, but as articles of trade or merchandise, in which this city trafficked. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 18:17

Every shipmaster - Captains of vessels; some think pilots are meant, and this is most likely to be the meaning of the original word κυβερνητης . This description appears to be at least partly taken from Ezekiel 27:26-28 . And all the company in ships - Και πας επι των πλοιων ὁ ὁμιλος· The crowd or passengers aboard. But the best MSS, and versions have και πας ὁ επι τοπον πλεων , those who sail from place to place, or such as stop at particular places on the coast, without... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 18:1-24

The overthrow of wickedness. This, in symbolic form, is the real subject of this chapter. Wickedness shall be utterly and forever destroyed. I. A GLORIOUS ANGEL PROCLAIMS THIS . (Cf. Revelation 18:1 as to this angel.) Then such overthrow must be: 1 . Righteous. 2 . Blessed. 3 . Divine. Had it been possible for men to affect this, it would have been done long since. II. GOD 'S PEOPLE RECEIVE COMMAND . 1 . To separate themselves from sin. From... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 18:9-24

Lamentations over the fall of Babylon. In our previous study of "Babylon the great," we had occasion to remark that there were three forms under which a great Babylon might be recognized. 1 . In that worldwide spirit of alienation from God which has corrupted every form of human life everywhere. 2 . In any Church which, allying itself with the world power, fornicates therewith, and puts itself on the throne instead of God. 3 . Most manifestly of all in the papal Church, where... read more

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