And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.
And {G2532} cinnamon {G2792}, and {G2532} odours {G2368}, and {G2532} ointments {G3464}, and {G2532} frankincense {G3030}, and {G2532} wine {G3631}, and {G2532} oil {G1637}, and {G2532} fine flour {G4585}, and {G2532} wheat {G4621}, and {G2532} beasts {G2934}, and {G2532} sheep {G4263}, and {G2532} horses {G2462}, and {G2532} chariots {G4480}, and {G2532} slaves {G4983}, and {G2532} souls {G5590} of men {G444}.
cinnamon, cardamom, incense, myrrh, frankincense, wine, oil, flour, grain, cattle, sheep, horses, chariots — and bodies — and people’s souls.
of cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, and frankincense; of wine, olive oil, fine flour, and wheat; of cattle, sheep, horses, and chariots; of slaves and souls of men.
and cinnamon, and spice, and incense, and ointment, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and cattle, and sheep; and merchandise of horses and chariots and slaves; and souls of men.
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Ezekiel 27:13
Javan, Tubal, and Meshech, they [were] thy merchants: they traded the persons of men and vessels of brass in thy market. -
Amos 2:6
Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not turn away [the punishment] thereof; because they sold the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of shoes; -
2 Peter 2:3
¶ And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. -
Nehemiah 5:8
And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing [to answer]. -
Isaiah 50:1
¶ Thus saith the LORD, Where [is] the bill of your mother's divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors [is it] to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away. -
Exodus 21:16
And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death. -
Deuteronomy 24:7
If a man be found stealing any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and maketh merchandise of him, or selleth him; then that thief shall die; and thou shalt put evil away from among you.
Context
Revelation 18 describes the dramatic fall of "Babylon the Great," a symbolic entity representing a powerful, corrupt world system that opposes God. This chapter is a lament sung by merchants, shipmasters, and kings who mourn the sudden destruction of this once-dominant economic power. Verse 13 is part of a comprehensive list (starting from Revelation 18:12) detailing the vast array of luxury goods and valuable commodities that constituted Babylon's immense wealth and extensive trade network. This inventory underscores the city's materialistic nature and the foundation of its influence.
Meaning of the Verse
This verse continues the catalog of goods traded by Babylon, moving from highly prized spices and aromatic items like cinnamon, odours, ointments, and frankincense, to essential provisions such as wine, oil, fine flour, and wheat. The list then progresses to livestock and transportation: beasts, sheep, horses, and chariots. The chilling climax of the list, however, is the inclusion of "slaves, and souls of men." This progression reveals the depths of Babylon's depravity, where not only material possessions but also human beings were treated as mere commodities for profit, culminating in the ultimate commodification of human life itself.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "souls of men" translates the Greek psychas anthrōpōn (ψυχὰς ἀνθρώπων). While psychē can refer to life, breath, or the inner self, its use here in conjunction with "slaves" (Greek: somatōn, meaning 'bodies' or 'slaves') emphasizes the complete commodification of human beings—not just their physical labor, but their very essence, their personhood, and their spiritual being. It suggests a trade that views people as property, utterly devoid of their intrinsic worth as creations made in God's image.
Historical and Cultural Context
In the ancient world, extensive trade networks were common, and luxury goods like spices (cinnamon, frankincense) were highly valued and transported across vast distances. Slavery was also a widespread and deeply ingrained institution. The Roman Empire, a potential historical parallel for the symbolic Babylon, was a major center for both commerce and slavery, with human beings often sold as property. The lament of the merchants in Revelation 18 reflects the economic shock felt when such a powerful trading hub collapses, highlighting the intertwining of wealth, power, and often, human exploitation in dominant empires.
Practical Application
Revelation 18:13 serves as a timeless warning. It challenges us to examine our own economic systems and personal values. Are we contributing to or benefiting from systems that exploit others or devalue human life for profit? The verse calls believers to:
- Prioritize Human Dignity: Recognize the inherent worth of every individual, created in God's image, and resist any system that treats people as commodities.
- Discern Materialism: Be wary of the allure of excessive wealth and luxury, which can lead to spiritual blindness and moral compromise.
- Seek Justice: Support practices and policies that promote fairness, ethical trade, and the protection of vulnerable populations, echoing the call to "Come out of her, my people" from Babylon's corrupting influence.
This verse reminds us that true prosperity is not measured by material accumulation but by righteousness and justice.