Revelation 18:8

Authorized King James Version

Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.

Word-by-Word Analysis

διὰ

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

τοῦτο

G5124

Therefore

that thing

ἐν

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

μιᾷ

G1520

one

ἡμέρᾳ

G2250

day

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

ἥξουσιν

G2240

come

to arrive, i.e., be present (literally or figuratively)

ὁ

G3588

who

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πληγαὶ

G4127

plagues

a stroke; by implication, a wound; figuratively, a calamity

αὐτήν

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

#10

θάνατος

G2288

death

(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)

#11

καὶ

G2532

and

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

#12

πένθος

G3997

mourning

grief

#13

καὶ

G2532

and

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

#14

λιμός

G3042

famine

a scarcity of food

#15

καὶ

G2532

and

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

#16

ἐν

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

#17

πυρὶ

G4442

fire

"fire" (literally or figuratively, specially, lightning)

#18

κατακαυθήσεται

G2618

she shall be utterly burned

to burn down (to the ground), i.e., consume wholly

#19

ὅτι

G3754

for

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

#20

ἰσχυρὸς

G2478

strong

forcible (literally or figuratively)

#21

κύριος

G2962

is the Lord

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

#22

ὁ

G3588

who

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#23

θεὸς

G2316

God

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

#24

ὁ

G3588

who

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#25

κρίνων

G2919

judgeth

by implication, to try, condemn, punish

#26

αὐτήν

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

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 divine sovereignty 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

In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about judgment and justice?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address questions about God's character and purposes in the modern world, and how should the church respond?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of judgment and justice, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of fundamental Christian doctrine?