Revelation of John 18:17-24
Shipmaster ( κυβερνητης ). Old word (from κυβερναω, to steer), helmsman, sailing-master, in N.T. only here and Ac 27:11. Subordinate to the ναυκληρος (supreme commander).That saileth any whither ( ο επ τοπον πλεων ). "The one sailing to a place." See Ac 27:2, τους κατα την Ασιαν πλεοντας (those sailing down along Asia). Nestle suggests ποντον (sea) here for τοπον (place), but it makes sense as it is.
Mariners ( ναυτα ). Old word (from ναυς, ship), in N.T. only here and Ac 27:27, 30.
Gain their living by the sea ( την θαλασσαν εργαζοντα ). "Work the sea." This idiom is as old as Hesiod for sailors, fishermen, etc. See verses 10, 15.
As they looked ( βλεποντες ). Present active participle of βλεπω. See οταν βλεπωσιν in verse 10.
What city is like the great city? ( τις ομοια τη πολε τη μεγαληι; ). No πολις with τις, but implied. Associative instrumental case, as usual, with ομοια. "The eternal city" is eternal no longer.
They cast dust ( εβαλον χουν ). Second aorist active of βαλλω. Χους is old word (from χεω to pour) for heap of earth, dust, in N.T. only here and Mr 6:11. Cf. Eze 27:30; Lu 10:13. This is the dirge of the sea-folk (cf. verses 10, 16).
By reason of her costliness ( εκ της τιμιοτητος αυτης ). Occasionally in later literary Greek, though here only in N.T. and not in LXX. The same use of τιμη appears in 1Pe 2:7. Common in the papyri as a title like "Your Honor" (Moulton and Milligan's Vocabulary).
Rejoice over her ( Ευφραινου επ' αυτη ). Present middle imperative of ευφραινω, for which verb see 11:10, used there of the joy of the wicked over the death of the two witnesses, just the opposite picture to this. "The song of doom" (Charles) here seems to be voiced by John himself.
God hath judged your judgment ( εκρινεν ο θεος το κριμα ). First aorist (prophetic) active of κρινω and cognate accusative κριμα, here a case for trial (Ex 18:22; 1Co 6:7), not a sentence as in 17:1. God has approved the case of heaven.
A strong angel ( εις αγγελος ισχυρος ). Here εις = a, just an indefinite article, not "one" as a numeral.
Took up ( ηρεν ). First aorist active indicative of αιρω.
As it were a great millstone ( ως μυλινον μεγαν ). Late adjective, in inscriptions, here only in N.T., made of millstone ( μυλος, Mt 18:6; Re 18:22), while μυλικος (Lu 17:2) means belonging to a mill. This is not a small millstone turned by women (Mt 24:41), but one requiring an ass to turn it (Mr 9:42), and so "a great" one.
Cast ( εβαλεν ). Second aorist active of βαλλω, to hurl.
With a mighty fall ( ορμηματ ). Instrumental case (manner) of ορμημα, a rush, old word from ορμαω, to rush (Mt 8:32), here only in N.T.
Shall be cast down ( βλεθησετα ). Future (first) passive of βαλλω, the same verb ( εβαλεν ), effective punctiliar future. Like a boulder hurled into the sea.
Shall be found no more at all ( ου μη ευρεθη ετ ). Double negative with first aorist passive subjunctive of ευρισκω. See 9:6 for ου μη with the active voice of ευρισκω. Already the old Babylon was a desert waste (Strabo, XVI. 1073).
The voice ( φωνη ). Cf. Eze 26:13. Or "sound" as in 1Co 14:8 with σαλπιγξ (trumpet). For this song of judgment see Jer 25:10.
Of harpers ( κιθαρωιδων ). Old word (from κιθαρα, harp, and ωιδος, singer) as in 14:2.
Of minstrels ( μουσικων ). Old word (from μουσα, music), here only in N.T., one playing on musical instruments.
Of flute-players ( αυλητων ). Old word (from αυλεω, to play on a flute, Mt 11:17, αυλος, flute, 1Co 14:7), in N.T. only here and Mt 9:23.
Of trumpeters ( σαλπιστων ). Late form for the earlier σαλπιγκτης (from σαλπιζω ), here only in N.T.
Shall be heard no more at all ( ου μη ακουσθη ). First aorist passive subjunctive of ακουω with the double negative as below, with φωνη μυλου (sound of the millstone), and as in verse 21 with ου με ευρεθη and again with πας τεχνιτης (craftsman). This old word is from τεχνη, art, as here in some MSS. ("of whatsoever craft," πασης τεχνης ). Τεχνιτης occurs also in this sense in Ac 19:24, 38; and in Heb 11:10 of God as the Architect. There is power in this four-fold sonorous repetition of ου μη and the subjunctive with two more examples in verse 23.
Of a lamp ( λυχνου ). Old word (Mt 5:15), again in Re 22:5.
Shall shine no more at all ( ου μη φανη ). Fifth instance in these verses of ου μη with the aorist subjunctive, here the active of φαινω as in Re 8:12. It is not known whether Rome had street lights or not.
The voice of the bridegroom and of the bride ( φωνη νυμφιου κα νυμφης ). See Joh 3:29; Jer 7:34; 16:9. "Even the occasional flash of the torches carried by bridal processions (Mt 25:1ff.) is seen no more" (Swete). The sixth instance of ου μη, in verses 21-23, occurs with ακουσθη (third instance of ακουσθη, two in verse 22).
Were the princes of the earth ( ησαν ο μεγιστανες της γης ). For μεγισταν see Re 6:15; Mr 6:21. "Thy merchants were the grandees" once, but now these merchant princes are gone.
With thy sorcery ( εν τη φαρμακια σου ). Εν (instrumental use) and the locative case of φαρμακια, old word (from φαρμακευω, to prepare drugs, from φαρμακον, sorcery, Re 9:21), in N.T. only here and Ga 5:20 for sorcery and magical arts. If one is puzzled over the connection between medicine and sorcery as illustrated by this word (our pharmacy), he has only to recall quackery today in medicine (patent medicines and cure-alls), witch-doctors, professional faith-healers, medicine-men in Africa. True medical science has had a hard fight to shake off chicanery and charlatanry.
Were deceived ( επλανηθησαν ). First aorist passive indicative of πλαναω. These charlatans always find plenty of victims. See Mr 12:24.
In her ( εν αυτη ). In Rome.
Was found ( ευρεθη ). First aorist passive indicative of ευρισκω. See 16:6; 17:6 for the blood already shed by Rome. Rome "butchered to make a Roman holiday" (Dill, Roman Society, p. 242) not merely gladiators, but prophets and saints from Nero's massacre A.D. 64 to Domitian and beyond.
Of all that have been slain ( παντων των εσφαγμενων ). Perfect passive articular participle genitive plural of σφαζω, the verb used of the Lamb slain (5:9, 12; 13:8). Cf. Mt 23:35 about Jerusalem.
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