Devine Scripture

Revelation 17:15

What does Revelation 17:15 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 17:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 17:15 means

The angel now interprets the “many waters” from verse 1 as “peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.” The harlot’s seat is not confined; it spans the globe. Her influence works through culture, commerce, and religion among diverse groups. By decoding this symbol, the text makes plain that the vision concerns more than a single locale. She presides over humanity’s collective estrangement from God as it expresses itself in every language and people. This worldwide scope also makes sense of the scale of her judgment—when she falls, the world feels it. The rule is clear: broad influence brings broad accountability before God.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the harlot sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the harlot sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said to me, The waters which you saw, where the evil woman is seated, are peoples, and armies, and nations and languages.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And he saith to me, `The waters that thou didst see, where the whore doth sit, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he said to me: The waters which thou sawest, where the harlot sitteth, are peoples and nations and tongues.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he says to me, The waters which thou sawest, where the harlot sits, are peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues.

Context

With the Lamb’s victory announced, the angel resumes explanation to prevent misreading the imagery. Verse 15 clarifies the reach of the woman’s sway, connecting the earlier statement about sitting on many waters to a global horizon. This prepares for the shock of verse 16: the very coalition that once empowered her will become the instrument of her destruction. Understanding her worldwide seat underscores the significance of her collapse when it comes.

v.14These shall war against the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them, for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings; and they also shall overcome that are with him, called and chosen and faithful.

v.15This passage

v.16And the ten horns which thou sawest, and the beast, these shall hate the harlot, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and shall burn her utterly with fire.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Revelation 13:7

    And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and there was given to him authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.

  • Revelation 11:9

    And from among the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations do men look upon their dead bodies three days and a half, and suffer not their dead bodies to be laid in a tomb.

  • Psalms 93:3

    The floods have lifted up, O Jehovah, The floods have lifted up their voice; The floods lift up their waves.

  • Psalms 18:4

    The cords of death compassed me, And the floods of ungodliness made me afraid.

  • Jeremiah 51:42

    The sea is come up upon Babylon; she is covered with the multitude of the waves thereof.

  • Psalms 65:7

    Who stilleth the roaring of the seas, The roaring of their waves, And the tumult of the peoples.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Revelation 17

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Revelation 17.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Revelation 17:15.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary