Devine Scripture

Revelation 17:2

What does Revelation 17:2 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 17:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 17:2 means

Here the harlot’s reach is exposed: earthly rulers have embraced her spiritual adultery, and the world’s inhabitants have become intoxicated by it. The imagery of fornication signifies covenant unfaithfulness—turning from the living God to idols and self-worship. The phrase “made drunken” shows how her influence dulls conscience and reason, producing moral stupor and eager complicity. This is not a private vice but a public, political, and cultural contagion. The kings’ participation shows that corruption often advances through power and prestige, while the masses follow, seduced by the promise of prosperity, pleasure, or security. The point is not mere immorality, but a systemic rebellion that entangles nations.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and they that dwell in the earth were made drunken with the wine of her fornication.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and they that dwell in the earth were made drunken with the wine of her fornication.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

With whom the kings of the earth made themselves unclean, and those who are on the earth were full of the wine of her evil desires.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

with whom the kings of the earth did commit whoredom; and made drunk from the wine of her whoredom were those inhabiting the earth;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication. And they who inhabit the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her whoredom.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

with whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication; and they that dwell on the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.

Context

Verse 2 expands the charge introduced in verse 1, explaining why judgment must come: the harlot’s seduction has reached the highest thrones and the broadest populations. This prepares the reader to see how extensive and entrenched her influence is. The next movement will shift from general description to a visionary setting in the wilderness, where John will behold the woman more fully, riding a beast whose blasphemous character and political might explain how her sway is maintained and spread.

v.1And there came one of the seven angels that had the seven bowls, and spake with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the judgment of the great harlot that sitteth upon many waters;

v.2This passage

v.3And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness: and I saw a woman sitting upon a scarlet-colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

Cross references

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

  • Jeremiah 51:7

    Babylon hath been a golden cup in Jehovah’s hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunk of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.

  • Revelation 14:8

    And another, a second angel, followed, saying, Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, that hath made all the nations to drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

  • Revelation 17:13

    These have one mind, and they give their power and authority unto the beast.

  • Revelation 17:17

    For God did put in their hearts to do his mind, and to come to one mind, and to give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God should be accomplished.

  • Revelation 18:9

    And the kings of the earth, who committed fornication and lived wantonly with her, shall weep and wail over her, when they look upon the smoke of her burning,

  • Revelation 3:10

    Because thou didst keep the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of trial, that hour which is to come upon the whole world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

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