Revelation 17:2

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

With {G3326} whom {G3739} the kings {G935} of the earth {G1093} have committed fornication {G4203}, and {G2532} the inhabitants {G2730} of the earth {G1093} have been made drunk {G3184} with {G1537} the wine {G3631} of her {G846} fornication {G4202}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The kings of the earth went whoring with her, and the people living on earth have become drunk from the wine of her whoring.”

Berean Standard Bible

The kings of the earth were immoral with her, and those who dwell on the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her immorality.”

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 17:2 vividly portrays the pervasive spiritual corruption emanating from the symbolic entity identified as "Babylon the Great." This verse underscores how both the world's governing authorities and its general populace have become deeply enmesnared in, and intoxicated by, the deceptive allure and idolatrous practices propagated by this powerful system. It highlights a widespread spiritual unfaithfulness that impacts all levels of society, leading to a profound moral and spiritual stupor.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Revelation 17:2 is an integral part of a detailed vision given to the Apostle John by an angel, specifically concerning the judgment of "the great whore that sitteth upon many waters" ([Revelation 17:1](/revelation/17-1 "Revelation 17:1 - The Great Prostitute")). This chapter introduces a new symbolic figure, "Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth" ([Revelation 17:5](/revelation/17-5 "Revelation 17:5 - Identity of Babylon the Great")), who is depicted as a powerful, seductive force. Verse 2 specifically elaborates on the extent of her corrupting influence, detailing how "the kings of the earth" and "the inhabitants of the earth" have succumbed to her spiritual "fornication" and "wine," thereby setting the stage for her impending judgment later in the chapter and in [Revelation 18](/revelation/18 "Revelation 18 - The Fall of Babylon"). This imagery stands in stark contrast to the purity and faithfulness of the [Bride of Christ](/revelation/19-7 "Revelation 19:7 - The Marriage of the Lamb") and the true worshipers of God.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of a "harlot" and "fornication" in prophetic literature often refers to spiritual unfaithfulness, idolatry, and covenant breaking, drawing heavily from Old Testament prophetic condemnations of Israel's idolatry (e.g., [Ezekiel 16](/ezekiel/16 "Ezekiel 16 - Jerusalem as an Unfaithful Wife") and [Hosea 1-3](/hosea/1-3 "Hosea 1-3 - Hosea's Marriage as a Metaphor for Israel's Unfaithfulness")). In John's day, "Babylon" was a common cryptic reference to Rome, the dominant imperial power, which was notorious for its idolatry, persecution of Christians, and pervasive moral corruption. The "kings of the earth" would represent the rulers and political powers aligned with or subservient to Rome, while "inhabitants of the earth" signifies the broader populace. The "wine of her fornication" alludes to the intoxicating allure of Rome's wealth, power, and pagan practices, which led people into spiritual stupor and moral compromise, blinding them to divine truth and justice.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several major themes within Revelation and broader biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **Spiritual Adultery and Idolatry**, where "fornication" (Greek: _porneia_) is a potent metaphor for unfaithfulness to God, encompassing idolatry, the pursuit of worldly power and riches, and alliances with systems that oppose divine truth. The "kings of the earth" engaging in this "fornication" highlights the complicity of political and economic powers in this corrupt system, betraying their allegiance to the true King. Another crucial theme is **Widespread Deception and Intoxication**, illustrated by the "inhabitants of the earth" being "made drunk with the wine of her fornication." This signifies a profound spiritual stupor, a loss of clear judgment, and a willing embrace of deception, preventing discernment between truth and error. This "wine" symbolizes the seductive pleasures, false promises, and worldly ideologies that lead people astray from God's righteous path. Finally, the inclusion of both "kings of the earth" and "inhabitants of the earth" underscores the **Global Influence** and pervasive nature of Babylon's corrupting power, affecting all strata of human society.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **fornication (Greek, _porneúō_ / _porneía_):** The verb G4203 (_porneúō_) means "to act the harlot," indulging unlawful lust or, figuratively, practicing idolatry. The noun G4202 (_porneía_) refers to "harlotry," including adultery and incest, but most significantly in this context, "idolatry." In prophetic literature, this term consistently signifies spiritual unfaithfulness, a turning away from the exclusive covenant relationship with God to pursue other gods, worldly powers, or material gain. It represents a betrayal of divine allegiance.
* **earth (Greek, _gē_):** G1093 (_gē_) refers to "soil," "a region," or "the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe." Crucially, it can also include "the occupants" in each application. In Revelation, "the earth" often refers to the ungodly world system and its inhabitants who oppose God, in contrast to those "who dwell in heaven" or "worship God." Its repetition here ("kings of the earth," "inhabitants of the earth") emphasizes the universal scope of Babylon's corrupting influence across the entire human realm.
* **made drunk (Greek, _methýō_):** G3184 (_methýō_) means "to drink to intoxication," or "to get drunk." This term vividly portrays a state of spiritual stupor, moral insensibility, and clouded judgment. It suggests an irrational and corrupt behavior driven by the intoxicating allurements of Babylon's system, where individuals are so overwhelmed by its pleasures, false doctrines, or worldly benefits that they lose their spiritual discernment and capacity for righteous action.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication":** This clause highlights the involvement of global political and economic powers in Babylon's spiritual harlotry. "Kings of the earth" signifies the rulers and authorities who, instead of serving God and promoting justice, align themselves with and benefit from the corrupt, idolatrous system of Babylon. Their "fornication" is not necessarily literal sexual immorality, but rather a profound spiritual unfaithfulness, a covenant-breaking act of idolatry where they give their allegiance, resources, and worship to worldly systems and false gods rather than to the one true God. This implies a symbiotic relationship where Babylon offers power, wealth, and influence in exchange for their spiritual compromise.
* **"and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication":** This second clause extends the scope of Babylon's influence beyond the rulers to the general populace, the "inhabitants of the earth." The imagery of being "made drunk" with "the wine of her fornication" powerfully conveys the intoxicating, deluding, and incapacitating effect of Babylon's system. This "wine" represents the seductive pleasures, false ideologies, material prosperity, and spiritual deception that Babylon offers. It leads to a spiritual stupor, rendering people morally insensitive, unable to discern truth, and willingly complicit in her idolatrous practices. Their spiritual judgment is clouded, and they are led astray into ungodliness, losing their capacity for sober spiritual discernment.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 17:2 is rich in **Symbolism** and **Metaphor**. The figure of "Babylon the Great" is a powerful **Personification** of a global system of spiritual, political, and economic corruption, depicted as a "great whore" or harlot. This imagery is a **Metaphor** for spiritual unfaithfulness and idolatry, drawing on Old Testament prophetic traditions where Israel's turning away from God was often described as harlotry. The "fornication" committed by the "kings of the earth" is symbolic of their unholy alliances, their pursuit of worldly power and wealth over divine righteousness, and their idolatrous allegiance to systems opposed to God. Furthermore, the "wine of her fornication" serves as a potent **Metaphor** for the intoxicating, deluding influence of Babylon's allurements—false doctrines, material pleasures, and deceptive promises—that lead the "inhabitants of the earth" into a state of spiritual stupor and moral insensibility. The repetition of "earth" (kings of the earth, inhabitants of the earth) emphasizes the universal reach and pervasive nature of this corruption, employing a form of **Anaphora** to underscore its global impact.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 17:2 profoundly illustrates the biblical theme of idolatry as spiritual adultery, a concept deeply rooted in the Old Testament where Israel's unfaithfulness to Yahweh was consistently depicted as harlotry. This verse extends that metaphor to a global scale, revealing how humanity, from its highest rulers to its common citizens, can be seduced by worldly systems that offer power, pleasure, or false security in place of genuine devotion to God. It highlights the insidious nature of spiritual deception, where the allure of worldly gain and false ideologies can intoxicate and blind individuals to divine truth, leading them into a state of spiritual stupor that culminates in judgment. The verse serves as a stark reminder of God's unwavering demand for exclusive worship and His ultimate judgment on all forms of spiritual unfaithfulness and rebellion against His sovereignty.

* [Jeremiah 3:8-9](/jeremiah/3-8-9 "Jeremiah 3:8-9 - Israel's Spiritual Harlotry")
* [Ezekiel 23:30](/ezekiel/23-30 "Ezekiel 23:30 - Punishment for Spiritual Adultery")
* [James 4:4](/james/4-4 "James 4:4 - Friendship with the World as Adultery")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 17:2 serves as a timeless warning against the seductive power of worldly systems and their capacity to lead both leaders and common people into spiritual compromise and moral decay. For believers today, this verse calls for vigilant spiritual discernment. We must critically evaluate the ideologies, values, and pursuits propagated by the world around us, recognizing that many can subtly compete with or corrupt our devotion to God. The "wine of her fornication" represents anything that intoxicates us, clouding our judgment and drawing us away from Christ—be it materialism, political power, entertainment, or even seemingly good causes that become ultimate concerns. This passage urges us to maintain spiritual sobriety, to be "sober-minded" ([1 Peter 5:8](/1_peter/5-8 "1 Peter 5:8 - Be Sober and Vigilant")), and to stand apart from systems that promote idolatry, greed, and ungodliness, even when such systems are widely accepted or appear beneficial. Our ultimate allegiance must be to God alone, resisting the intoxicating allurements that promise earthly satisfaction but lead to spiritual ruin and judgment.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "wines" of our contemporary culture that threaten to intoxicate believers and lead to spiritual compromise?**
* **How can individual believers and the church as a whole maintain spiritual discernment and resist the pervasive influence of worldly systems?**
* **In what ways might we, perhaps unknowingly, be committing "fornication" by aligning our allegiances or priorities with worldly powers or values instead of God's kingdom?**
* **What practical steps can we take to cultivate spiritual sobriety and unwavering faithfulness to Christ in a world increasingly "made drunk" by its own allurements?**

### FAQ
**What does "fornication" mean in this context?**

Answer: In Revelation 17:2, "fornication" (Greek: _porneia_) is used metaphorically and theologically, not primarily to denote literal sexual immorality. It signifies spiritual unfaithfulness, idolatry, and a betrayal of one's covenant relationship with God. This imagery is deeply rooted in Old Testament prophetic language, where Israel's turning away from Yahweh to worship other gods or rely on worldly alliances was consistently described as harlotry or spiritual adultery (e.g., [Hosea 4:12](/hosea/4-12 "Hosea 4:12 - Israel's Spiritual Prostitution")). Here, it refers to the unholy alliances and idolatrous practices of the world's rulers and inhabitants with the corrupt system of "Babylon the Great," prioritizing worldly power, wealth, and false worship over allegiance to the one true God.

**Who are the "kings of the earth" and "inhabitants of the earth"?**

Answer: The "kings of the earth" represent the political, economic, and ruling powers of the world. In John's original context, this would have likely included the Roman emperors and their subservient client kings and governors. The "inhabitants of the earth" refers to the general populace, the masses of humanity. The inclusion of both groups emphasizes the universal and pervasive nature of Babylon's corrupting influence, affecting all levels of human society, from the highest echelons of power to the common person. This highlights the comprehensive reach of spiritual deception and worldliness.

**What is the "wine of her fornication"?**

Answer: The "wine of her fornication" is a powerful metaphor for the intoxicating and deluding influence of Babylon's system. It symbolizes the seductive pleasures, false promises, worldly ideologies, material prosperity, and spiritual deceptions that Babylon offers. Just as literal wine can intoxicate and impair judgment, this "wine" causes spiritual stupor, moral insensibility, and a loss of discernment, leading people to embrace ungodliness and idolatry willingly. It represents anything that blinds individuals to divine truth and justice, drawing them into a state of spiritual drunkenness and complicity with the world's rebellion against God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 17:2, with its stark depiction of global spiritual fornication and intoxication, finds its ultimate fulfillment and counterpoint in Jesus Christ. While the world's kings and inhabitants are made drunk by Babylon's deceptive wine, Jesus offers the true "living water" ([John 4:10](/john/4-10 "John 4:10 - Jesus Offers Living Water")) that satisfies spiritual thirst and brings clarity, not stupor. He is the faithful King, unlike the "kings of the earth" who commit spiritual harlotry; He is the one who remained perfectly faithful to God, even unto death ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience Unto Death")). Christ came to expose the darkness and deception of the world's systems ([John 3:19](/john/3-19 "John 3:19 - Light and Darkness")), offering liberation from the spiritual bondage of sin and idolatry. His sacrifice on the cross purifies those who believe, cleansing them from the "fornication" of worldly allegiances and making them part of His pure and spotless Bride ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ Loves the Church as His Bride")). Ultimately, the judgment poured out on Babylon signifies Christ's triumph over all ungodly systems, establishing His eternal kingdom where only righteousness and truth prevail, and calling His people to come out of Babylon and remain faithful to Him alone ([Revelation 18:4](/revelation/18-4 "Revelation 18:4 - Come Out of Babylon")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Revelation 14:8

And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

Revelation 18:3

For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

Jeremiah 51:7

Babylon [hath been] a golden cup in the LORD'S hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.

Revelation 18:9

¶ And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,

Revelation 18:23

And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.

Revelation 3:10

Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

Revelation 17:17

For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.