And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.

REVELATION 17:16KJV
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Revelation 17:16 (KJV)

What does Revelation 17:16 mean?

Revelation 17:16 describes how the ten horns (representing ten rulers or powers) will turn against the "whore" (symbolizing a corrupt city or system), making her desolate, stripping her bare, consuming her flesh, and burning her with fire. This verse shows a dramatic reversal, where former allies become destroyers.

In this vision, the apostle John is being shown the fate of the symbolic "whore" by an angel. The "beast" and its ten horns, which once supported her, now violently turn on her. The language is vivid and harsh, emphasizing total ruin and betrayal, and it marks a turning point in the larger vision about the downfall of evil powers in Revelation.

The Greek behind Revelation 17:16

  • The word for "horns" (κέρατα, kerata) often symbolizes power or authority in biblical imagery, so the ten horns represent ten rulers or kingdoms.
  • The term for "whore" (πόρνη, pornē) is a strong word in Greek, used here to symbolize spiritual unfaithfulness or corruption, not just literal immorality.
  • The verb for "burn" (καίω, kaiō) is used here to show complete destruction, as burning with fire was a way to erase something totally in the ancient world.
  • The phrase "eat her flesh" (φαγεῖν τὰς σάρκας αὐτῆς, phagein tas sarkas autēs) is a graphic way to describe total consumption or destruction, not just physical harm.

Why Revelation 17:16 matters

  • This verse clears up the idea that evil alliances are stable; it shows that those who join together for corrupt purposes may eventually turn on each other.
  • The verse highlights the theme of divine justice running through Revelation, where the very powers that supported evil are used to bring about its downfall.
  • Understanding this verse helps make sense of the wider vision in Revelation 17, where the fate of the symbolic "Babylon" is a key turning point in the book’s message about the end of evil.

Where else these words appear

“desolate” Greek G2049 · used in 5 verses

  • Matthew 12:25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
  • Luke 11:17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.
  • Revelation 18:17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,

“horns” Greek G2768 · used in 10 verses

  • Luke 1:69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
  • Revelation 12:3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
  • 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.

“burn” Greek G2618 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 3:12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
  • Luke 3:17 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.
  • Hebrews 13:11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.

“whore” Greek G4204 · used in 12 verses

  • Matthew 21:31 Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
  • 1 Corinthians 6:15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.
  • Revelation 17:1 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: