And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:

REVELATION 17:4KJV
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Revelation 17:4 (KJV)

What does Revelation 17:4 mean?

Revelation 17:4 describes a woman dressed in luxurious and royal colors—purple and scarlet—and adorned with gold, precious stones, and pearls, holding a golden cup filled with abominations and the impurities of her immoral acts. The verse uses vivid imagery to show her outward splendor and wealth, contrasted with the corruption and moral filth symbolized by what is in her cup.

This scene is part of a vision given to John, where an angel shows him the symbolic "woman" often understood as representing a powerful, corrupt system or city. The details about her clothing and jewelry highlight her allure and influence, while the golden cup reveals her true nature—what looks attractive on the outside is full of spiritual and moral corruption inside.

The Greek behind Revelation 17:4

  • "πορφυροῦν" (porphyroun, "purple") and "κόκκινον" (kokkinon, "scarlet colour"): These colors were associated with royalty, wealth, and power in the ancient world, emphasizing the woman's high status and seductive appeal.
  • "κεχρυσωμένη" (kechrysōmenē, "decked with gold"): The Greek word carries the sense of being lavishly adorned, not just wearing gold but being covered in it, underlining the extreme display of wealth.
  • "ποτήριον" (potērion, "cup"): The cup is described as "golden," suggesting something valuable and attractive, but its contents—"βδελυγμάτων" (bdelygmatōn, "abominations") and "ἀκαθαρτητος" (akathartētos, "filthiness")—show that the external beauty hides deep corruption.

Why Revelation 17:4 matters

  • The verse warns that outward appearances—wealth, beauty, and power—can mask deep moral and spiritual corruption, a theme that runs throughout Revelation.
  • Understanding the symbolism helps readers see that the "woman" is not a literal person but represents a larger reality, often interpreted as a corrupt city or system opposed to God.
  • The contrast between the woman's dazzling appearance and the filth in her cup prepares the reader for the judgment described in the following verses, highlighting the danger of being deceived by surface-level allure.

Where else these words appear

“decked” Greek G5558 · used in 2 verses

  • Revelation 18:16 And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!

“purple” Greek G4209 · used in 5 verses

  • Mark 15:17 And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head,
  • Mark 15:20 And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.
  • Luke 16:19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

“colour” Greek G2847 · used in 6 verses

  • Matthew 27:28 And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.
  • Hebrews 9:19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,
  • Revelation 18:12 The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,

“abominations” Greek G946 · used in 6 verses

  • 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:)
  • Mark 13:14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not,(let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:
  • Revelation 17:5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.