And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.
REVELATION 17:15KJVWhat does Revelation 17:15 mean?
Revelation 17:15 explains that the "waters" seen in John's vision represent large groups of people—specifically, peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages. The verse clarifies that the symbolic image of a woman sitting on many waters is meant to show her influence or presence over a wide and diverse population.
In this scene, an angel is speaking to John, the author of Revelation, helping him understand the meaning behind the vision he is witnessing. The angel interprets the imagery, making it clear that the "waters" are not literal but stand for the vast and varied groups of humanity under the influence of the symbolic woman described earlier in the chapter.
The Greek behind Revelation 17:15
- ὕδατα (hydata, "waters"): This word is used symbolically here, and the angel directly explains its meaning, showing that the vision uses imagery to represent real-world groups.
- λαοί (laoi, "peoples"), ὄχλοι (ochloi, "multitudes"), ἔθνη (ethnē, "nations"), γλῶσσαι (glōssai, "tongues/languages"): These four terms emphasize the diversity and vastness of the groups involved, highlighting that the woman's influence crosses ethnic, cultural, and linguistic boundaries.
Why Revelation 17:15 matters
- This verse removes confusion by directly interpreting the vision's symbolism, showing that not every image in Revelation is meant to be taken literally.
- By listing "peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues," the verse stresses the global and multicultural reach of the symbolic woman’s influence, which is a key theme in the surrounding chapters.
- The explanation helps readers understand the broader message of Revelation: that the visions often use vivid symbols to describe real-world realities, and sometimes the text itself provides the key to understanding those symbols.