Revelation 17:9

KJV

And here [is] the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.

KJV (with Strong's)

And here {G5602} is the mind {G3563} which {G3588} hath {G2192} wisdom {G4678}. The seven {G2033} heads {G2776} are {G1526} seven {G2033} mountains {G3735}, on {G1909} which {G846} the woman {G1135} sitteth {G2521}{G3699}.

Complete Jewish Bible

This calls for a mind with wisdom: the seven heads are seven hills on which the woman is sitting; also they are seven kings —

Berean Standard Bible

This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits.

American Standard Version

Here is the mind that hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 17:9 serves as a crucial interpretive key within John's vision of the "great harlot" and the beast. It explicitly states that understanding the profound symbolism of the beast's seven heads requires spiritual wisdom, revealing that these heads represent "seven mountains" upon which the mysterious woman is seated. This declaration immediately directs the reader towards a deeper, divinely-granted insight into the nature of the beast's power and the woman's pervasive influence, setting the stage for the unfolding judgment of "Babylon the Great."

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Revelation 17 is a pivotal chapter, initiating a detailed exposition of the judgment upon "Babylon the Great," a symbolic entity introduced earlier in the book. Following the vision of the seven bowls of wrath in [Revelation 16](/revelation/16 "Revelation 16 - The Seven Bowls of Wrath"), an angel invites John to witness the judgment of the "great harlot" who sits on many waters ([Revelation 17:1](/revelation/17-1 "Revelation 17:1 - The Great Harlot")). The narrative then describes the woman, arrayed in opulent and blasphemous attire, riding a scarlet beast with seven heads and ten horns ([Revelation 17:3-6](/revelation/17-3-6 "Revelation 17:3-6 - The Woman and the Beast")). The angel promises to explain the "mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her" ([Revelation 17:7](/revelation/17-7 "Revelation 17:7 - The Mystery Explained")). Verse 9, therefore, is the *beginning* of this promised explanation, providing the first interpretive clue regarding the beast's heads, emphasizing that this understanding is not for the intellectually curious alone but requires divine wisdom.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** John wrote Revelation during a period of intense persecution of Christians, likely under the Roman Emperor Domitian (c. AD 95). The Roman Empire was the dominant global superpower, known for its vast infrastructure, military might, and pervasive pagan cults, including emperor worship. Rome itself was famously built upon seven hills, a well-known geographical feature that would have been immediately recognizable to John's audience. Furthermore, in the ancient Near East, "mountains" or "hills" were often used symbolically in prophetic literature to represent powerful kingdoms, empires, or significant centers of authority (e.g., [Isaiah 2:2](/isaiah/2-2 "Isaiah 2:2 - The Mountain of the Lord's House"); [Jeremiah 51:25](/jeremiah/51-25 "Jeremiah 51:25 - Babylon, a Destroying Mountain")). This dual understanding—literal and symbolic—would have informed the early readers' interpretation of John's cryptic vision, pointing to both a specific historical power and a broader spiritual reality.
* **Key Themes:** Revelation 17:9 significantly contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Revelation. Firstly, it underscores the **necessity of divine wisdom and discernment** for interpreting God's prophetic word, a theme echoed in [Revelation 13:18](/revelation/13-18 "Revelation 13:18 - Wisdom for the Number of the Beast") concerning the number of the beast. Secondly, it introduces a crucial layer to the **identity and nature of the beast and the harlot**, linking them to specific geographical or political realities ("seven mountains") while maintaining a symbolic ambiguity that allows for broader application. This ties into the theme of **worldly power in opposition to God**, illustrating how such power, whether imperial Rome or any subsequent anti-God system, is characterized by spiritual harlotry and idolatry. Finally, by providing an interpretive key, the verse subtly reinforces the theme of **God's sovereign control over history and prophecy**, assuring believers that even the most complex and intimidating manifestations of evil are ultimately understood and judged by Him.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mind (Greek, _noûs'_):** From G3563, this term refers to the intellect, encompassing thought, feeling, and will. In this context, it signifies not merely intellectual capacity but a spiritual understanding or discernment. John emphasizes that comprehending the profound mysteries of Revelation requires a divinely-granted insight, an inner faculty attuned to spiritual truth, rather than just human cleverness.
* **Woman (Greek, _gynḗ'_):** From G1135, this refers to a female, often a wife. In Revelation 17, this "woman" is explicitly identified as "Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth" ([Revelation 17:5](/revelation/17-5 "Revelation 17:5 - Babylon the Great")). Her "sitting" on the mountains signifies her dominion, influence, or reliance upon these powerful entities, symbolizing her pervasive control over or integration with worldly systems that oppose God.
* **Mountains (Greek, _óros'_):** From G3735, this word literally means a mountain or hill. However, in biblical prophecy, "mountains" frequently symbolize powerful kingdoms, nations, or centers of political and spiritual authority. The dual meaning here is crucial, allowing for both a literal geographical interpretation (e.g., Rome's seven hills) and a broader symbolic understanding of dominant world powers.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And here is the mind which hath wisdom."**: This opening phrase serves as a direct address to the reader, a parenthetical interjection from the narrator (John or the angel). It signals that the following interpretation is not straightforward but requires spiritual insight and discernment. It's a call to attentiveness and a recognition that divine truth often demands more than superficial understanding.
* **"The seven heads are seven mountains,"**: This clause provides the first explicit interpretive key for the beast's seven heads, identifying them as "seven mountains." This statement immediately connects the symbolic heads to a concrete, albeit still potentially symbolic, reality. The use of "are" (Greek: _eisí_) here is declarative, equating the heads with the mountains, thereby narrowing the interpretive possibilities and pointing towards a specific understanding.
* **"on which the woman sitteth."**: This final clause clarifies the relationship between the woman (Babylon the Great) and the "seven mountains." Her "sitting" (Greek: _káthēmai_) implies a position of authority, dominion, or stable residence. It indicates that the woman's power and influence are intrinsically linked to, and perhaps derived from or supported by, these "seven mountains," whether they represent literal hills, specific empires, or a succession of global powers.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 17:9 masterfully employs **Symbolism** and **Metaphor** to convey profound theological truths. The "seven heads" are explicitly identified as "seven mountains," which itself is a **Metaphor** for powerful kingdoms or centers of authority. This layered symbolism requires the reader to engage with the text on multiple levels, moving beyond a literal interpretation to grasp the deeper spiritual and political realities being depicted. The phrase "here is the mind which hath wisdom" acts as a **Direct Address** or **Apostrophe**, drawing the reader into the interpretive process and emphasizing the need for divine illumination. This rhetorical device underscores that the understanding of these symbols is not merely an intellectual exercise but a spiritual discernment, highlighting the **Didactic** purpose of the passage. The imagery of the woman "sitting" on these mountains is also highly symbolic, representing her pervasive influence, control, or reliance upon these worldly powers.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 17:9 is a pivotal verse that bridges the symbolic language of prophecy with concrete interpretive clues, emphasizing that God's revelation, while mysterious, is ultimately understandable through divine wisdom. It highlights the pervasive nature of worldly power that opposes God, whether manifested as a specific historical empire or as a recurring pattern of human rebellion. The woman "sitting" on the mountains signifies the deep entanglement of spiritual harlotry (idolatry, rebellion against God) with political and economic systems. This verse sets the stage for understanding the ultimate downfall of this anti-God system, demonstrating that no earthly power, however formidable, can withstand God's righteous judgment. It calls believers to discern the true nature of worldly influence and to remain separate from its corrupting allure, trusting in God's ultimate sovereignty.

* [Daniel 2:35](/daniel/2-35 "Daniel 2:35 - The Mountain Filling the Earth")
* [Jeremiah 51:25](/jeremiah/51-25 "Jeremiah 51:25 - Babylon as a Destroying Mountain")
* [James 1:5](/james/1-5 "James 1:5 - Asking God for Wisdom")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 17:9 challenges us to approach God's Word, especially prophetic texts, with a posture of humility and a hunger for spiritual wisdom. It reminds us that true understanding comes not from human intellect alone, but from the Holy Spirit, who illuminates the Scriptures and grants discernment. In an age saturated with information and competing ideologies, this verse calls us to critically evaluate the "mountains" of influence in our own time—the dominant cultural narratives, political systems, economic forces, and media—and to discern where the "woman" of worldly rebellion might be sitting. We are to recognize the subtle and overt ways in which these powers seek to draw humanity away from God, often cloaked in allure and perceived stability. Ultimately, this verse encourages us to trust in God's sovereign plan, knowing that He has revealed these truths so that His people might not be deceived, but might stand firm in faith, awaiting the ultimate triumph of His kingdom over all earthly opposition.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are some "mountains" of influence in our contemporary society that might represent worldly power or systems opposed to God's kingdom?**
* **How can believers cultivate the "mind which hath wisdom" to discern spiritual realities in a complex world?**
* **In what ways might the "woman" (symbolizing spiritual harlotry or rebellion against God) manifest her influence in our personal lives or communities today?**

### FAQ
**What is the primary interpretation of the "seven mountains" in Revelation 17:9?**

Answer: The "seven mountains" in [Revelation 17:9](/revelation/17-9 "Revelation 17:9 - The Seven Mountains") are widely understood in two primary ways, both rooted in the historical and symbolic context of the Bible. The most prominent historical interpretation identifies them with the seven literal hills upon which the city of Rome was built, making the "woman" a direct symbol of imperial Rome, known for its persecution of Christians and its pervasive paganism. This view is supported by the fact that Rome was the dominant world power at the time John wrote Revelation. However, a broader, more symbolic interpretation understands "mountains" as representing powerful kingdoms, empires, or centers of authority throughout history, a common prophetic motif (e.g., [Isaiah 2:2](/isaiah/2-2 "Isaiah 2:2 - The Mountain of the Lord's House"); [Daniel 2:35](/daniel/2-35 "Daniel 2:35 - The Mountain Filling the Earth")). Under this view, the "seven mountains" could symbolize a succession of world empires that oppose God, or the totality of worldly power that stands in opposition to divine rule. Both interpretations acknowledge the "woman" as "Babylon the Great" ([Revelation 17:5](/revelation/17-5 "Revelation 17:5 - Babylon the Great")), representing a spiritual system of idolatry and rebellion against God that is deeply intertwined with worldly political and economic structures.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Revelation 17:9 focuses on the nature of anti-God worldly power, its ultimate fulfillment points to the absolute supremacy of Christ. The "mind which hath wisdom" ultimately leads to knowing Christ, for He is "the wisdom of God" ([1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ, the Wisdom of God")). The "seven mountains" and the woman who sits upon them represent all earthly powers and systems that set themselves against God's rule, culminating in the final, futile rebellion against the Lamb. Yet, it is Christ, the Lamb who was slain, who is worthy to open the scroll and reveal these mysteries ([Revelation 5:1-5](/revelation/5-1-5 "Revelation 5:1-5 - The Lamb Who Opens the Scroll")). He is the true King, whose kingdom is not of this world ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")), and who will ultimately judge and utterly destroy all opposing "mountains" and the harlot system they support ([Revelation 19:11-21](/revelation/19-11-21 "Revelation 19:11-21 - Christ's Triumphant Return and Judgment")). The wisdom imparted in [Revelation 17:9](/revelation/17-9 "Revelation 17:9 - The Seven Mountains") is a wisdom that grounds believers in the eternal victory of Christ, assuring them that His reign will endure long after all earthly powers have crumbled, and He will establish His righteous rule forever ([Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdom of the World Becomes the Kingdom of Our Lord")).

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 13:18

Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number [is] Six hundred threescore [and] six.

Revelation 17:7

¶ And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.

Daniel 12:8

And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what [shall be] the end of these [things]?

Daniel 12:10

Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.

Revelation 17:3

So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

Matthew 24:15

When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

Revelation 13:1

¶ And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.