Revelation 18:9

Authorized King James Version

And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
καὶ
G2532
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#2
κλαύσονται
G2799
shall bewail
to sob, i.e., wail aloud (whereas 1145 is rather to cry silently)
#3
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
#4
καὶ
G2532
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#5
κόψονται
G2875
lament
to "chop"; specially, to beat the breast in grief
#6
ἐπ'
G1909
for
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
#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
τῆς
G3588
who
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#9
βασιλεῖς
G935
the kings
a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)
#10
τῆς
G3588
who
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#11
γῆς
G1093
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)
#12
τῆς
G3588
who
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#13
μετ'
G3326
with
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
#14
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
#15
πορνεύσαντες
G4203
have committed fornication
to act the harlot, i.e., (literally) indulge unlawful lust (of either sex), or (figuratively) practise idolatry
#16
καὶ
G2532
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#17
στρηνιάσαντες
G4763
lived deliciously
to be luxurious
#18
ὅταν
G3752
when
whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively (conjunctionally) inasmuch as
#19
βλέπωσιν
G991
they shall see
to look at (literally or figuratively)
#20
τῆς
G3588
who
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#21
καπνὸν
G2586
the smoke
smoke
#22
τῆς
G3588
who
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#23
πυρώσεως
G4451
burning
ignition, i.e., (specially), smelting (figuratively, conflagration, calamity as a test)
#24
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

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 historical context of the Domitian persecution period (c. 95 CE) provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection