Revelation 18:9

KJV

¶ 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,

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} the kings {G935} of the earth {G1093}, who {G3588} have committed fornication {G4203} and {G2532} lived deliciously {G4763} with {G3326} her {G846}, shall bewail {G2799} her {G846}, and {G2532} lament {G2875} for {G1909} her {G846}, when {G3752} they shall see {G991} the smoke {G2586} of her {G846} burning {G4451},

Complete Jewish Bible

The kings of the earth who went whoring with her and shared her luxury will sob and wail over her when they see the smoke as she burns.

Berean Standard Bible

Then the kings of the earth who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her will weep and wail at the sight of the smoke rising from the fire that consumes her.

American Standard Version

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,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 18:9 vividly portrays the self-serving grief of the world's rulers as they witness the catastrophic demise of Babylon the Great, the symbolic embodiment of global systems of apostasy, corruption, and economic exploitation. These kings, who had forged illicit alliances and indulged in lavish living through their partnership with Babylon, now bewail and lament her destruction, not out of repentance for their sins, but from the profound loss of their source of power, wealth, and luxurious indulgence, as they observe the inescapable evidence of her fiery judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Revelation 18:9 is strategically placed within the climactic narrative of Babylon's fall, immediately following the pronouncement of her swift and utter destruction in [Revelation 18:8](/revelation/18-8 "Revelation 18:8 - Babylon's Sudden Judgment"). Chapters [Revelation 17](/revelation/17 "Revelation 17 - The Great Harlot and the Beast") and [Revelation 18](/revelation/18 "Revelation 18 - The Fall of Babylon") together detail the identity and judgment of "Babylon the Great," depicted first as a harlot riding a beast, symbolizing spiritual and political corruption, and then as a vast commercial city. This verse initiates a series of laments from various worldly factions—kings, merchants, and mariners—who mourn Babylon's collapse, highlighting their deep entanglement with her system. Their sorrow stands in stark contrast to the heavenly rejoicing over God's righteous judgment, which is celebrated in [Revelation 19:1-3](/revelation/19-1-3 "Revelation 19:1-3 - Heavenly Praise for God's Judgment").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While "Babylon the Great" is primarily a symbolic entity, its imagery draws heavily on the historical and cultural realities of the Roman Empire, particularly its economic power, imperial dominance, and pervasive idolatry. The "kings of the earth" would have been understood by John's original audience as rulers of client kingdoms or provinces who benefited from Rome's Pax Romana and extensive trade networks, often at the cost of moral compromise and oppression. The concept of "fornication" (G4203, _porneúō_) and "living deliciously" (G4763, _strēniáō_) reflects the opulent and often immoral lifestyles associated with imperial power and wealth, where luxury was often intertwined with pagan worship and exploitation. The "smoke of her burning" (G2586, _kapnós_) is a common Old Testament motif for divine judgment and irreversible destruction, echoing the fates of Sodom and Gomorrah or ancient Babylon itself, serving as a powerful visual of finality.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes woven throughout Revelation. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Unholy Alliances and Their Consequences**, illustrating the corrupt partnership between worldly powers and the spiritual-economic system of Babylon. Their "fornication" (G4203, _porneúō_) symbolizes not merely sexual sin but profound spiritual idolatry and illicit political and economic entanglements that betray allegiance to God, as seen in [Revelation 17:2](/revelation/17-2 "Revelation 17:2 - Kings committing fornication with the great harlot"). Secondly, it highlights **Self-Serving Sorrow**, as the kings' lament is not born of repentance for their sins or Babylon's wickedness, but purely from the devastating loss of their source of power, luxury, and economic gain. Their grief is a stark demonstration of worldly attachment and the absence of spiritual discernment. Finally, the verse reinforces the theme of **Divine Judgment and Retribution**, affirming God's sovereign control over history and the certainty of His justice against all systems that oppose His righteousness and lead humanity astray, a judgment that comes "in one hour," as stated in [Revelation 18:10](/revelation/18-10 "Revelation 18:10 - Babylon's judgment in one hour").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fornication (Greek, _porneúō'_):** Derived from _porne_ (harlot), this verb signifies acting the harlot, which literally means indulging in unlawful sexual lust. However, in the prophetic context of Revelation, it carries a profound figurative meaning of spiritual adultery, idolatry, and engaging in illicit alliances that compromise one's devotion and faithfulness to God. It represents a departure from divine purity and covenant fidelity, often linked to the worship of false gods or the pursuit of worldly power and wealth over divine principles.
* **Lived deliciously (Greek, _strēniáō'_):** This term describes a state of being luxurious, wanton, and unrestrained in indulgence. It conveys a lifestyle characterized by excessive opulence, self-gratification, and sumptuous living, often acquired through unjust or unholy means. It implies a sense of arrogance and defiance born from material prosperity, where worldly comforts and pleasures are prioritized above all else.
* **Bewail (Greek, _klaíō'_):** This verb means to sob or wail aloud, indicating a public and demonstrative expression of grief or sorrow. It points to a deep, visceral emotional reaction, distinct from a silent cry. In this context, the kings' loud weeping signifies their profound distress and despair over the irreparable loss of their source of power and pleasure, emphasizing the magnitude of their worldly attachment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her":** This phrase identifies the subjects of the lament: the world's rulers. Their actions—"committed fornication" and "lived deliciously"—describe their deep, corrupt entanglement with Babylon. "Fornication" here is spiritual and political harlotry, signifying illicit alliances and idolatrous devotion to worldly power and wealth, while "lived deliciously" speaks to the extravagant, self-indulgent lifestyle enabled by this unholy partnership. "Her" refers directly to Babylon the Great, the symbolic entity representing the global system of corruption.
* **"shall bewail her, and lament for her":** This clause describes the kings' emotional response to Babylon's downfall. "Bewail" (G2799, _klaíō_) denotes loud, public weeping, and "lament" (G2875, _kóptō_) refers to beating one's breast in grief, a traditional sign of deep mourning. Their sorrow is intense and demonstrative, yet it is rooted in self-interest rather than genuine repentance or empathy for Babylon's wickedness. They mourn the loss of their own benefits, not the injustice or sin that Babylon embodied.
* **"when they shall see the smoke of her burning":** This final clause provides the catalyst and visual evidence for their lamentation. The "smoke of her burning" (G2586, _kapnós_, G4451, _pýrōsis_) signifies the complete and irreversible destruction of Babylon by fire, a common biblical image for divine judgment. Witnessing this undeniable sign of finality confirms the end of their profitable alliance and the collapse of the system that sustained their luxurious lives, provoking their desperate, self-centered grief.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 18:9 employs powerful **Symbolism** to convey its message. "Babylon the Great" is a potent symbol, representing not a literal city but a global system of spiritual apostasy, political corruption, and economic exploitation that opposes God. The "kings of the earth" symbolize the worldly powers and rulers who align themselves with and benefit from this corrupt system. Their "fornication" is symbolic of spiritual adultery and illicit alliances, while "living deliciously" symbolizes the excessive luxury and self-indulgence derived from such partnerships. The "smoke of her burning" is vivid **Imagery**, a common biblical motif for complete and irreversible divine judgment, echoing the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. There is also a strong element of **Irony** present: the kings' profound grief is not for the wickedness of Babylon or their own complicity in sin, but solely for the loss of their material gains and luxurious lifestyle. This self-serving lament highlights the spiritual blindness and moral bankruptcy of those deeply entrenched in worldly systems.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 18:9 powerfully underscores the theological principle that all systems and individuals that stand in opposition to God's righteousness will ultimately face His just and decisive judgment. The "fornication" of the kings with Babylon highlights the pervasive biblical theme of idolatry, where devotion is given to created things—power, wealth, pleasure—rather than to the Creator. This verse serves as a stark warning against the dangers of worldly entanglement and the futility of placing trust in transient earthly powers. It reveals that worldly alliances, though seemingly profitable in the short term, lead to ultimate ruin and a sorrow rooted in loss rather than repentance. The lament of the kings is a poignant reminder that true security and lasting joy are found only in allegiance to God's eternal kingdom, not in the fleeting pleasures and corrupt systems of this world.
* [Ezekiel 26:16-17](/ezekiel/26-16-17 "Lament over Tyre's Fall")
* [James 4:4](/james/4-4 "Friendship with the World is Enmity with God")
* [Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19-21 "Lay Up Treasures in Heaven")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 18:9 serves as a profound call to introspection for believers in every age. It challenges us to critically examine our own allegiances and dependencies: where do we derive our security, pleasure, and sense of identity? Are we, perhaps subtly, committing "fornication" by prioritizing worldly systems, values, or comforts over our unwavering devotion to God? The kings' self-serving lament is a sobering reminder that earthly gains, power, and luxury are fleeting and will ultimately perish. True and lasting security, satisfaction, and joy are found only in Christ and His eternal kingdom. This verse compels us to heed the call to "come out of her" ([Revelation 18:4](/revelation/18-4 "Revelation 18:4 - Come Out of Babylon")), disentangling ourselves from corrupting influences and aligning our lives fully with God's righteous purposes, ensuring that our sorrow, when it comes, is for sin and not for lost worldly comforts.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be tempted to form "unholy alliances" with worldly systems or values for personal gain or comfort?**
* **What "delicious living" or luxuries in my life might be subtly distracting me from my devotion to Christ?**
* **How does the kings' self-serving lament challenge my own motivations for sorrow or joy?**
* **Am I truly laying up treasures in heaven, or am I too invested in earthly systems that are destined to fall?**

### FAQ
**Is "Babylon the Great" a literal city that will be destroyed?**

Answer: While some interpretations suggest a literal future city, the predominant scholarly view understands "Babylon the Great" in Revelation as a symbolic representation. It embodies a global system of spiritual apostasy, political corruption, and economic exploitation that opposes God and seduces humanity. This symbolic interpretation is supported by the highly metaphorical language used throughout [Revelation chapters 17 and 18](/revelation/17 "Revelation 17-18 - The Fall of Babylon"), where Babylon is depicted as both a harlot and a commercial city, encompassing the spiritual, political, and economic dimensions of rebellion against God. Its destruction signifies God's ultimate judgment on all such systems throughout history and at the end of time.

**Why do the kings "bewail and lament" Babylon's destruction?**

Answer: The kings' lamentation, as described in [Revelation 18:9](/revelation/18-9 "Revelation 18:9 - Kings Lamenting Babylon's Fall"), is not born of repentance for their sins or sorrow for Babylon's wickedness. Instead, it is a purely self-serving grief stemming from the loss of their source of power, wealth, and luxurious living. They had "committed fornication and lived deliciously" with Babylon, meaning they benefited immensely from their illicit alliances and the corrupt economic system she represented. Her sudden destruction means the end of their lavish lifestyle and the collapse of the system that enabled their prosperity. Their sorrow is for what they have lost, not for what they have done.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 18:9, though depicting the judgment of worldly powers, points powerfully to the ultimate triumph of Christ. The kings' lament over Babylon's destruction underscores the transient nature of all earthly kingdoms and the futility of placing trust in anything other than God's eternal reign. This stands in stark contrast to the unshakable kingdom established by Christ, as prophesied in [Daniel 2:44](/daniel/2-44 "Daniel 2:44 - God's Everlasting Kingdom"). The "fornication" and "delicious living" of the kings with Babylon highlight humanity's pervasive tendency towards idolatry and self-indulgence, a condition that only Christ can redeem. He is the true King, who did not live deliciously but "humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death" ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humiliation and Obedience")), offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice to liberate humanity from the bondage of sin and worldly systems. The smoke of Babylon's burning foreshadows the final, decisive judgment that Christ will execute upon all evil and rebellion, culminating in His glorious return as the "King of kings and Lord of lords" ([Revelation 19:16](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - Christ, King of Kings")). Ultimately, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that while earthly powers and their corrupt alliances will inevitably fall, Christ's kingdom endures forever, offering true and lasting peace, justice, and prosperity to all who pledge their allegiance to Him.

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 19:3

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

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.

Revelation 17:2

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.

Revelation 18:18

And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What [city is] like unto this great city!

Ezekiel 26:16

Then all the princes of the sea shall come down from their thrones, and lay away their robes, and put off their broidered garments: they shall clothe themselves with trembling; they shall sit upon the ground, and shall tremble at [every] moment, and be astonished at thee.

Ezekiel 26:17

And they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and say to thee, How art thou destroyed, [that wast] inhabited of seafaring men, the renowned city, which wast strong in the sea, she and her inhabitants, which cause their terror [to be] on all that haunt it!

Revelation 14:11

And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.