Rev 17:1-2 | Clarke | e4.org | CHAPTER XVII. The judgment of the great whore, which sits on many waters , 1, 2. Her description, name, and conduct , 3-6. The angel explains the mystery of the woman, of the beast, &c. , 7-18. This chapter is, on several accounts, very important, and particularly as it appears to explain several of the most remarkable symbols in the book. The same author who has written so largely on the twelfth and thirteenth chapters, has also obliged me with his interpretation of this chapter. Not pretending to explain these things myself, I insert this as the most elaborate and learned exposition I have yet seen, leaving my readers at perfect liberty to reject it, and adopt any other mode of interpretation which they please. God alone knows all the secrets of his own wisdom. NOTES ON CHAP. XVII., BY J. E. C. Verse 1. And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will show unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters ] That idolatrous worship is frequently represented in Scripture under the character of a whore or whoredom , is evident from numerous passages which it is unnecessary to quote. See ; , &c. The woman mentioned here is called a great whore , to denote her excessive depravity, and the artful nature of her idolatry. She is also represented as sitting upon many waters , to show the vast extent of her influence. .

‏ Revelation of John 17:1-2

CHAPTER XVII.

The judgment of the great whore, which sits on many waters,

1, 2.

Her description, name, and conduct, 3-6.

The angel explains the mystery of the woman, of the beast, &c.,

7-18.

This chapter is, on several accounts, very important, and particularly as it appears to explain several of the most remarkable symbols in the book. The same author who has written so largely on the twelfth and thirteenth chapters, has also obliged me with his interpretation of this chapter. Not pretending to explain these things myself, I insert this as the most elaborate and learned exposition I have yet seen, leaving my readers at perfect liberty to reject it, and adopt any other mode of interpretation which they please. God alone knows all the secrets of his own wisdom.

NOTES ON CHAP. XVII., BY J. E. C.

Verse 1. And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will show unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters] That idolatrous worship is frequently represented in Scripture under the character of a whore or whoredom, is evident from numerous passages which it is unnecessary to quote. See 1Ch 5:25; Eze 16:1-63; 23:1-49, &c. The woman mentioned here is called a great whore, to denote her excessive depravity, and the artful nature of her idolatry. She is also represented as sitting upon many waters, to show the vast extent of her influence. See Clarke on Re 17:13.

Verse 2. With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.] What an awful picture this is of the state of the religion of the world in subjection to this whore! Kings have committed spiritual fornication with her, and their subjects have drunk deep, dreadfully deep, into the doctrine of her abominable errors.