Devine Scripture

Revelation 19:3

What does Revelation 19:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 19:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 19:3 means

Heaven repeats its Hallelujah, underscoring the certainty and joy of God’s verdict. The image of smoke rising “for ever and ever” declares that Babylon’s downfall is irreversible. The proud city’s power, wealth, and allure have met a final end; no recovery or reprise is possible. This is not gloating over misery but relief that corruption will no longer spread and persecution will no longer harm God’s people. The eternal ascent of smoke is a solemn witness: God’s justice, once executed, is not undone. The praise matches the permanence of the judgment, strengthening the confidence of the saints that evil’s triumphs are temporary while God’s decrees endure.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And a second time they say, Hallelujah. And her smoke goeth up for ever and ever.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And a second time they say, Hallelujah. And her smoke goeth up for ever and ever.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And again they said, Praise to the Lord. And her smoke went up for ever and ever.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and a second time they said, `Alleluia;' and her smoke doth come up--to the ages of the ages!

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And again they said: Alleluia. And her smoke ascendeth for ever and ever.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And a second time they said, Hallelujah. And her smoke goes up to the ages of ages.

Context

The second Hallelujah amplifies the first two verses: heaven lingers over the finality of God’s sentence against the great harlot. By highlighting the unending smoke, the chorus prepares the way for the worship of heaven’s closest attendants in verse 4. The literary pattern is escalating doxology—multitude, repetition, then the elders and living creatures respond—before a voice from the throne invites all servants to join (verse 5). This mounting praise sets the atmosphere for the forthcoming announcement of festal joy, the marriage of the Lamb (verses 7–9), which stands in deliberate contrast to Babylon’s ruin.

v.2for true and righteous are his judgments; for he hath judged the great harlot, her that corrupted the earth with her fornication, and he hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.

v.3This passage

v.4And the four and twenty elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshipped God that sitteth on the throne, saying, Amen; Hallelujah.

Cross references

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

  • Isaiah 34:10

    It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever; from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it for ever and ever.

  • 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 18:18

    and cried out as they looked upon the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like the great city?

  • Genesis 19:28

    and he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the Plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the land went up as the smoke of a furnace.

  • Revelation 14:11

    and the smoke of their torment goeth up for ever and ever; and they have no rest day and night, they that worship the beast and his image, and whoso receiveth the mark of his name.

  • Revelation 19:1

    After these things I heard as it were a great voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, Hallelujah; Salvation, and glory, and power, belong to our God:

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Revelation 19

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Revelation 19.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Revelation 19:3.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary