Revelation 18:3

Authorized King James Version

For 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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
ὅτι
For
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
#2
ἐκ
of
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
#3
τοῦ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#4
οἴνου
the wine
"wine" (literally or figuratively)
#5
τοῦ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#6
θυμοῦ
of the wrath
passion (as if breathing hard)
#7
τῆς
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#8
πορνείας
fornication
harlotry (including adultery and incest); figuratively, idolatry
#9
αὐτῆς
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
πέπωκεν
have drunk
to imbibe (literally or figuratively)
#11
πάντα
all
all, any, every, the whole
#12
τὰ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#13
ἔθνη
nations
a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)
#14
καὶ
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#15
οἱ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#16
βασιλεῖς
the kings
a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)
#17
τῆς
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#18
γῆς
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)
#19
μετ'
with
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
#20
αὐτῆς
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
#21
ἐπόρνευσαν
have committed fornication
to act the harlot, i.e., (literally) indulge unlawful lust (of either sex), or (figuratively) practise idolatry
#22
καὶ
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#23
οἱ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#24
ἔμποροι
the merchants
a (wholesale) tradesman
#25
τῆς
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#26
γῆς
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)
#27
ἐκ
of
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
#28
τῆς
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#29
δυνάμεως
the abundance
force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself)
#30
τοῦ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#31
στρήνους
delicacies
a "straining", "strenuousness" or "strength", i.e., (figuratively) luxury (voluptuousness)
#32
αὐτῆς
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
#33
ἐπλούτησαν
are waxed rich
to be (or become) wealthy (literally or figuratively)

Analysis

The judgment and justice theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing covenant community contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

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 judgment and justice 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