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,

REVELATION 18:9KJV
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Revelation 18:9 (KJV)

What does Revelation 18:9 mean?

Revelation 18:9 describes how the rulers of the world, who were closely involved with the symbolic woman called "Babylon" and enjoyed her luxuries, will mourn and grieve when they witness her destruction. The verse pictures these powerful leaders reacting with sorrow as they see the evidence of her downfall, shown by the smoke rising from her burning.

In the book of Revelation, John is describing a vision where "Babylon" stands for a corrupt and influential city or system. The "kings of the earth" refers to those in authority who benefited from their relationship with her. Their mourning shows both their loss and their fear as they see her judgment unfold, emphasizing the suddenness and completeness of her ruin.

The Greek behind Revelation 18:9

  • The word for "fornication" is πορνεύω (porneuō), which often means not just sexual immorality but also unfaithful alliances or corrupt dealings. Here, it points to the kings' deep involvement with Babylon's corrupt ways.
  • The word translated "lived deliciously" is στρηνιάω (strēniaō), meaning to live in luxury or self-indulgence. This highlights that the kings were not just politically connected to Babylon but also shared in her extravagant lifestyle.
  • The verbs "bewail" (κλαίω, klaiō) and "lament" (κόπτω, koptō) both express deep grief, but "lament" especially carries the sense of beating one's chest in mourning. This shows the intensity of their reaction to Babylon's destruction.

Why Revelation 18:9 matters

  • This verse makes clear that the downfall of "Babylon" is not just a private tragedy but a public event that shakes those in power who depended on her.
  • The grief of the kings is not out of love for Babylon, but because they are losing the source of their own luxury and power, revealing their self-interest.
  • The image of smoke rising from her burning connects to Old Testament pictures of judgment and destruction, underlining the finality of what is happening in John's vision.

Where else these words appear

“deliciously” Greek G4763 · used in 2 verses

  • Revelation 18:7 How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.

“burning” Greek G4451 · used in 3 verses

  • 1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
  • Revelation 18:18 And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!

“fornication” Greek G4203 · used in 7 verses

  • 1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
  • Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
  • 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.

“lament” Greek G2875 · used in 8 verses

  • Matthew 11:17 And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.
  • Matthew 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
  • Luke 8:52 And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.