Revelation 17:2

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
μεθ'
G3326
With
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
#2
ἧς
G3739
whom
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
#3
ἐπόρνευσαν
G4203
have committed fornication
to act the harlot, i.e., (literally) indulge unlawful lust (of either sex), or (figuratively) practise idolatry
#4
οἱ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#5
βασιλεῖς
G935
the kings
a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)
#6
τῆς
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#7
γῆν
G1093
of the earth
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
#8
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#9
ἐμεθύσθησαν
G3184
have been made drunk
to drink to intoxication, i.e., get drunk
#10
ἐκ
G1537
with
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
#11
τοῦ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#12
οἴνου
G3631
the wine
"wine" (literally or figuratively)
#13
τῆς
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#14
πορνείας
G4202
fornication
harlotry (including adultery and incest); figuratively, idolatry
#15
αὐτῆς
G846
of her
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#16
οἱ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#17
κατοικοῦντες
G2730
the inhabitants
to house permanently, i.e., reside (literally or figuratively)
#18
τὴν
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#19
γῆν
G1093
of the earth
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)

Analysis

The kingdom of God theme here intersects with the progressive revelation of God's rule from creation to consummation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of development from creation mandate through Davidic kingdom to eschatological fulfillment. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's reign from creation through the millennial kingdom.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within imperial persecution under Domitian's demand for emperor worship. The author writes to address persecuted Christians in Asia Minor facing pressure to compromise, making the emphasis on kingdom of God particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection