Revelation 18:15
The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,
Original Language Analysis
τοῦ
which
G3588
τοῦ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τούτων
of these things
G5130
τούτων
of these things
Strong's:
G5130
Word #:
3 of 19
of (from or concerning) these (persons or things)
τοῦ
which
G3588
τοῦ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πλουτήσαντες
were made rich
G4147
πλουτήσαντες
were made rich
Strong's:
G4147
Word #:
5 of 19
to be (or become) wealthy (literally or figuratively)
ἀπὸ
by
G575
ἀπὸ
by
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
6 of 19
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
αὐτῆς
her
G846
αὐτῆς
her
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 19
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
ἀπὸ
by
G575
ἀπὸ
by
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
8 of 19
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
στήσονται
shall stand
G2476
στήσονται
shall stand
Strong's:
G2476
Word #:
10 of 19
to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
διὰ
for
G1223
διὰ
for
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
11 of 19
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τοῦ
which
G3588
τοῦ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
which
G3588
τοῦ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτῆς
her
G846
αὐτῆς
her
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
16 of 19
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
κλαίοντες
weeping
G2799
κλαίοντες
weeping
Strong's:
G2799
Word #:
17 of 19
to sob, i.e., wail aloud (whereas 1145 is rather to cry silently)
Cross References
Revelation 18:3For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.Ezekiel 27:31And they shall make themselves utterly bald for thee, and gird them with sackcloth, and they shall weep for thee with bitterness of heart and bitter wailing.
Historical Context
Rome's merchant class enriched themselves through trade networks. The vision depicts their horror at sudden economic collapse destroying their wealth. Their distant stance reflects both physical danger (city burning) and moral separation—unwilling to risk association with fallen Babylon. This fulfills prophetic patterns where allies abandon doomed cities (Ezekiel 27:29-36 on Tyre).
Questions for Reflection
- How do the merchants' selfish grief and fearful distance challenge you to evaluate whether your relationships are based on mutual benefit or genuine covenant love?
- What does their weeping over financial loss rather than moral issues reveal about misplaced priorities?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The merchants standing afar off for fear of her torment reveals self-preservation overcoming commercial loyalty. Their weeping and wailing demonstrates grief over financial loss, not moral conviction. The distance they maintain shows fear of sharing her judgment. Reformed theology recognizes that worldly relationships ultimately prove shallow—based on mutual benefit, not covenant love. The merchants' response contrasts heaven's rejoicing (v. 20), revealing different value systems. Their tears are for lost profits, not lost souls or justice served.