Revelation 18:10

Authorized King James Version

Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
ἀπὸ
G575
off
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
#2
μακρόθεν
G3113
afar
from a distance or afar
#3
ἑστηκότες
G2476
Standing
to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
#4
διὰ
G1223
for
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
#5
τὸν
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#6
φόβον
G5401
the fear
alarm or fright
#7
τοῦ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#8
βασανισμοῦ
G929
torment
torture
#9
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
#10
λέγοντες
G3004
saying
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
#11
οὐαί
G3759
Alas
woe
#12
οὐαί
G3759
Alas
woe
#13
ἡ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#14
πόλις
G4172
city
a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)
#15
ἡ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#16
μεγάλη
G3173
that great
big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)
#17
Βαβυλὼν
G897
Babylon
babylon, the capitol of chaldaea (literally or figuratively (as a type of tyranny))
#18
ἡ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#19
πόλις
G4172
city
a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)
#20
ἡ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#21
ἰσχυρά
G2478
that mighty
forcible (literally or figuratively)
#22
ὅτι
G3754
! for
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
#23
ἐν
G1722
in
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#24
μιᾷ
G1520
one
#25
ὥρᾳ
G5610
hour
an "hour" (literally or figuratively)
#26
ἦλθεν
G2064
come
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#27
ἡ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#28
κρίσις
G2920
judgment
decision (subjectively or objectively, for or against); by extension, a tribunal; by implication, justice (especially, divine law)
#29
σου
G4675
thy
of thee, thy

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

The literary and historical milieu of Jewish apocalyptic literature using symbolic imagery to convey hope shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of kingdom of God within the theological tradition of Revelation Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection