Revelation 17:4

And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:

And {G2532} the woman {G1135} was {G2258} arrayed {G4016} in purple {G4209} and {G2532} scarlet colour {G2847}, and {G2532} decked {G5558} with gold {G5557} and {G2532} precious {G5093} stones {G3037} and {G2532} pearls {G3135}, having {G2192} a golden {G5552} cup {G4221} in {G1722} her {G846} hand {G5495} full of {G1073} abominations {G946} and {G2532} filthiness {G168} of her {G846} fornication {G4202}:

The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet and glittered with gold, precious stones and pearls. In her hand was a gold cup filled with the obscene and filthy things produced by her whoring.

The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls. She held in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality.

And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and decked with gold and precious stone and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations, even the unclean things of her fornication,

Commentary on Revelation 17:4 (KJV)

Revelation 17:4 provides a striking and symbolic description of the "great harlot," a central figure in end-times prophecy often identified with "Babylon the Great." This verse vividly portrays her deceptive allure and profound spiritual corruption, highlighting the stark contrast between outward splendor and inward depravity.

Context

This verse is part of a vision granted to the Apostle John, revealing the judgment of a powerful, corrupt system or city that opposes God and deceives the nations. The woman, introduced in Revelation 17:1, is depicted riding a scarlet beast, symbolizing her worldly power and pervasive influence over political entities. Her lavish attire, detailed in verse 4, serves as a deceptive facade, concealing the true nature of her abominable actions and spiritual wickedness. This imagery sets the stage for understanding the nature of this powerful, yet condemned, entity.

Key Themes

  • Deceptive Splendor and Worldly Wealth: The description of the woman being "arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls" signifies immense wealth, worldly power, and royal status. Historically, purple was the color of royalty and extreme luxury, while scarlet often represented lavish living, sin, or even bloodshed. This imagery suggests a system or entity that appears glorious, attractive, and desirable from the outside, drawing people in through material appeal and extensive worldly influence. It symbolizes a spiritual entity that mimics true glory but is inherently corrupt and opposed to divine truth.
  • Spiritual Corruption and Idolatry: The "golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication" is a powerful symbol of profound spiritual depravity. While the cup itself is gold, indicating a deceptive outward appearance of purity or value, its contents are utterly repulsive. "Abominations" (Greek: bdelugmata) refers to things detestable to God, frequently associated with idolatrous practices and pagan worship. "Fornication" (Greek: porneia) here extends beyond physical immorality to represent spiritual harlotry – unfaithfulness to God through the worship of false gods, pursuit of worldly power, or devotion to pleasure over divine truth. This highlights a system that leads people into deep spiritual compromise, idolatry, and moral pollution.
  • The Allure of Worldly Systems: The verse powerfully illustrates how worldly systems, even those filled with corruption, can be incredibly alluring due to their apparent wealth, power, and promise of luxury. This serves as a warning against being captivated by such external displays.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "abominations," bdelugmata, is often used in the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament) to describe idolatrous practices and things that are utterly detestable in God's sight. This reinforces the idea that the woman's cup is filled with the very spiritual defilement that God abhors. Similarly, porneia, translated as "fornication," is a broad term that in prophetic literature frequently signifies spiritual unfaithfulness to God, where devotion due to Him is instead given to idols, false gods, or worldly systems.

Related Scriptures

The ominous portrayal of this woman and her corrupt influence sets the stage for her ultimate downfall. The prophetic declaration of the fall of "Babylon the Great" is vividly described in Revelation 18:2. The concept of spiritual harlotry and unfaithfulness to God through idolatry is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, particularly in passages describing Israel's departure from God, such as Ezekiel 16:15-19. The warning against being captivated by the world's allurements also echoes the admonition in 1 John 2:15: "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world."

Practical Application

Revelation 17:4 serves as a potent warning for believers today. It cautions against being deceived by systems, ideologies, or cultural trends that may appear attractive, powerful, and wealthy but are fundamentally opposed to God's truth and righteousness. This verse encourages believers to cultivate spiritual discernment, reminding us that true spiritual richness and lasting peace come not from worldly acclaim, material possessions, or political influence, but from unwavering faithfulness to Christ. It calls us to examine where our allegiances truly lie and to reject anything that leads to spiritual compromise, idolatry, or moral defilement, no matter how appealing it may seem outwardly. We are called to be separate from the world's corruption, as emphasized in 2 Corinthians 6:17: "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord."

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Revelation 18:16

    And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!

  • 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 19:2

    For true and righteous [are] his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.

  • Revelation 18:12

    The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:3

    ¶ Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:10

    And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

  • Lamentations 1:9

    Her filthiness [is] in her skirts; she remembereth not her last end; therefore she came down wonderfully: she had no comforter. O LORD, behold my affliction: for the enemy hath magnified [himself].

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