Revelation 18:15

Authorized King James Version

The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
τοῦ
G3588
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#2
ἔμποροι
G1713
The merchants
a (wholesale) tradesman
#3
τούτων
G5130
of these things
of (from or concerning) these (persons or things)
#4
τοῦ
G3588
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#5
πλουτήσαντες
G4147
were made rich
to be (or become) wealthy (literally or figuratively)
#6
ἀπὸ
G575
by
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
#7
αὐτῆς
G846
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
#8
ἀπὸ
G575
by
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
#9
μακρόθεν
G3113
afar
from a distance or afar
#10
στήσονται
G2476
shall stand
to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
#11
διὰ
G1223
for
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
#12
τοῦ
G3588
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#13
φόβον
G5401
the fear
alarm or fright
#14
τοῦ
G3588
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#15
βασανισμοῦ
G929
torment
torture
#16
αὐτῆς
G846
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
#17
κλαίοντες
G2799
weeping
to sob, i.e., wail aloud (whereas 1145 is rather to cry silently)
#18
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#19
πενθοῦντες
G3996
wailing
to grieve (the feeling or the act)

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