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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Revelation 18:18 and cry out at the sight of the smoke rising from the fire that consumes her. "What city was ever like this great city?" they will exclaim.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/revelation/18-18.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/66_Rev_18_18.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Revelation 18:18 - Lament over Babylon" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="and cry out at the sight of the smoke rising from the fire that consumes her. What city was ever like this great city? they will exclaim." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/revelation/18-18.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/revelation/18-18.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/revelation/">Revelation</a> > <a href="/revelation/18.htm">Chapter 18</a> > Verse 18</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad18.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/revelation/18-17.htm" title="Revelation 18:17">◄</a> Revelation 18:18 <a href="/revelation/18-19.htm" title="Revelation 18:19">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/revelation/18.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/revelation/18.htm">New International Version</a> When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, &#8216Was there ever a city like this great city?&#8217 <a href="/nlt/revelation/18.htm">New Living Translation</a> They will cry out as they watch the smoke ascend, and they will say, “Where is there another city as great as this?” <a href="/esv/revelation/18.htm">English Standard Version</a> and cried out as they saw the smoke of her burning, “What city was like the great city?” <a href="/bsb/revelation/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> and cry out at the sight of the smoke rising from the fire that consumes her. “What city was ever like this great city?” they will exclaim. <a href="/blb/revelation/18.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> and were crying out, seeing the smoke of her burning, saying, 'What is like the great city?' <a href="/kjv/revelation/18.htm">King James Bible</a> And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! <a href="/nkjv/revelation/18.htm">New King James Version</a> and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What is like this great city?’ <a href="/nasb_/revelation/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> and were crying out as they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What city is like the great city?’ <a href="/nasb/revelation/18.htm">NASB 1995</a> and were crying out as they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, &#8216What city is like the great city?&#8217 <a href="/nasb77/revelation/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a> and were crying out as they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What city is like the great city?’ <a href="/lsb/revelation/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> and were crying out as they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What is like the great city?’ <a href="/amp/revelation/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a> and exclaimed as they watched the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What could be compared to the great city?’ <a href="/csb/revelation/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> as they watched the smoke from her burning and kept crying out, “Who was like the great city? ” <a href="/hcsb/revelation/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> as they watched the smoke from her burning and kept crying out: &#8220Who is like the great city?&#8221 <a href="/asv/revelation/18.htm">American Standard Version</a> and cried out as they looked upon the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like the great city? <a href="/cev/revelation/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> When they saw the smoke from her fire, they shouted, "This was the greatest city ever!" <a href="/erv/revelation/18.htm">English Revised Version</a> and cried out as they looked upon the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like the great city? <a href="/gwt/revelation/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> When they saw the smoke rise from her raging fire, they repeatedly cried out, 'Was there ever a city as important as this?' <a href="/gnt/revelation/18.htm">Good News Translation</a> and cried out as they saw the smoke from the flames that consumed her: "There never has been another city like this great city!" <a href="/isv/revelation/18.htm">International Standard Version</a> When they saw the smoke rising from the fire that consumed her, they began to cry out, "What city was like that great city?" <a href="/msb/revelation/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> and cry out at the sight of the smoke rising from the fire that consumes her. ?What city was ever like this great city?? they will exclaim. <a href="/net/revelation/18.htm">NET Bible</a> and began to shout when they saw the smoke from the fire that burned her up, "Who is like the great city?" <a href="/nheb/revelation/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> and exclaimed as they looked at the smoke of her burning, saying, 'What is like the great city?' <a href="/wbt/revelation/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like this great city! <a href="/wey/revelation/18.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> stood afar off, and cried aloud when they saw the smoke of her burning. And they said, 'What city is like this great city?' <a href="/web/revelation/18.htm">World English Bible</a> and cried out as they looked at the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What is like the great city?’ <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/revelation/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and were crying, seeing the smoke of her burning, saying, What [city is] like to the great city? <a href="/blb/revelation/18.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> and were crying out, seeing the smoke of her burning, saying, 'What is like the great city?' <a href="/ylt/revelation/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and were crying, seeing the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like to the great city? <a href="/slt/revelation/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And cried, seeing the smoke of her burning, saying, What like the great city!<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/revelation/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And cried, seeing the place of her burning, saying: What city is like to this great city? <a href="/cpdv/revelation/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And they cried out, seeing the place of her conflagration, saying: ‘What city resembles this great city?’ <a href="/nabre/revelation/18.htm">New American Bible</a> and cried out when they saw the smoke of her pyre, “What city could compare with the great city?” <a href="/nrsvce/revelation/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> and cried out as they saw the smoke of her burning, “What city was like the great city?”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/revelation/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like to this great city! <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/revelation/18.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And they lamented her when they saw the smoke of her burning and they were saying, “Who is like The Great City?”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/revelation/18.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> and cried, when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying: "What city is like the great city? <a href="/godbey/revelation/18.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> and they continued to cry seeing the smoke of her burning, saying, Who is like unto the great city? <a href="/haweis/revelation/18.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> and cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What is like that great city! <a href="/mace/revelation/18.htm">Mace New Testament</a> and cry out, when they see the smoke of her burning, what city could be compar'd to this great city? <a href="/wey/revelation/18.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> stood afar off, and cried aloud when they saw the smoke of her burning. And they said, 'What city is like this great city?' <a href="/worrell/revelation/18.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> and they cried out, when beholding the smoke of her burning, saying, 'What city is like the great city?' <a href="/worsley/revelation/18.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> and cried out, when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like to this great city? <a href="/parallel/revelation/18-18.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LJfD7KQcx0I?start=3814" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/revelation/18.htm">Lament over Babylon</a> …17For in a single hour such fabulous wealth has been destroyed!” Every shipmaster, passenger, and sailor, and all who make their living from the sea, will stand at a distance 18<a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/2896.htm" title="2896: ekrazon (V-IIA-3P) -- To cry aloud, shriek. A primary verb; properly, to croak or scream, i.e. to call aloud.">cry out</a> <a href="/greek/991.htm" title="991: blepontes (V-PPA-NMP) -- (primarily physical), I look, see, perceive, discern. A primary verb; to look at.">at the sight</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">of the</a> <a href="/greek/2586.htm" title="2586: kapnon (N-AMS) -- Smoke. Of uncertain affinity; smoke.">smoke rising</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">from</a> <a href="/greek/4451.htm" title="4451: pyrōseōs (N-GFS) -- A burning, trial, fiery test. From puroo; ignition, i.e., smelting.">the fire that consumes</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autēs (PPro-GF3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">her.</a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: Tis (IPro-NFS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">“What city was ever</a> <a href="/greek/3664.htm" title="3664: homoia (Adj-NFS) -- Like, similar to, resembling, of equal rank. From the base of homou; similar.">like</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tē (Art-DFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tē (Art-DFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">this</a> <a href="/greek/3173.htm" title="3173: megalē (Adj-DFS) -- Large, great, in the widest sense. ">great</a> <a href="/greek/4172.htm" title="4172: polei (N-DFS) -- A city, the inhabitants of a city. Probably from the same as polemos, or perhaps from polus; a town.">city?”</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legontes (V-PPA-NMP) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">they will exclaim.</a> 19Then they will throw dust on their heads as they weep and mourn and cry out: “Woe, woe to the great city, where all who had ships on the sea were enriched by her wealth! For in a single hour she has been destroyed.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/ezekiel/27-30.htm">Ezekiel 27:30-31</a> They will raise their voices for you and cry out bitterly. They will throw dust on their heads and roll in ashes. / They will shave their heads for you and wrap themselves in sackcloth. They will weep over you with anguish of soul and bitter mourning. <a href="/jeremiah/51-42.htm">Jeremiah 51:42</a> The sea has come up over Babylon; she is covered in turbulent waves. <a href="/isaiah/34-10.htm">Isaiah 34:10</a> It will not be quenched—day or night. Its smoke will ascend forever. From generation to generation it will lie desolate; no one will ever again pass through it. <a href="/isaiah/13-19.htm">Isaiah 13:19</a> And Babylon, the jewel of the kingdoms, the glory of the pride of the Chaldeans, will be overthrown by God like Sodom and Gomorrah. <a href="/jeremiah/50-46.htm">Jeremiah 50:46</a> At the sound of Babylon’s capture the earth will quake; a cry will be heard among the nations. <a href="/ezekiel/26-15.htm">Ezekiel 26:15-18</a> This is what the Lord GOD says to Tyre: ‘Will not the coastlands quake at the sound of your downfall, when the wounded groan at the slaughter in your midst? / All the princes of the sea will descend from their thrones, remove their robes, and strip off their embroidered garments. Clothed with terror, they will sit on the ground, trembling every moment, appalled over you. / Then they will lament for you, saying, “How you have perished, O city of renown inhabited by seafaring men—she who was powerful on the sea, along with her people, who imposed terror on all peoples! ... <a href="/isaiah/23-1.htm">Isaiah 23:1-14</a> This is the burden against Tyre: Wail, O ships of Tarshish, for Tyre is laid waste, without house or harbor. Word has reached them from the land of Cyprus. / Be silent, O dwellers of the coastland, you merchants of Sidon, whose traders have crossed the sea. / On the great waters came the grain of Shihor; the harvest of the Nile was the revenue of Tyre; she was the merchant of the nations. ... <a href="/jeremiah/51-25.htm">Jeremiah 51:25</a> “Behold, I am against you, O destroying mountain, you who devastate the whole earth, declares the LORD. I will stretch out My hand against you; I will roll you over the cliffs and turn you into a charred mountain. <a href="/isaiah/47-11.htm">Isaiah 47:11</a> But disaster will come upon you; you will not know how to charm it away. A calamity will befall you that you will be unable to ward off. Devastation will happen to you suddenly and unexpectedly. <a href="/jeremiah/51-37.htm">Jeremiah 51:37</a> Babylon will become a heap of rubble, a haunt for jackals, an object of horror and scorn, without inhabitant. <a href="/isaiah/24-10.htm">Isaiah 24:10</a> The city of chaos is shattered; every house is closed to entry. <a href="/jeremiah/50-40.htm">Jeremiah 50:40</a> As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah along with their neighbors,” declares the LORD, “no one will dwell there; no man will abide there. <a href="/isaiah/21-9.htm">Isaiah 21:9</a> Look, here come the riders, horsemen in pairs.” And one answered, saying: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon! All the images of her gods lie shattered on the ground!” <a href="/jeremiah/51-8.htm">Jeremiah 51:8</a> Suddenly Babylon has fallen and been shattered. Wail for her; get her balm for her pain; perhaps she can be healed. <a href="/ezekiel/27-32.htm">Ezekiel 27:32-36</a> As they wail and mourn over you, they will take up a lament for you: ‘Who was ever like Tyre, silenced in the middle of the sea? / When your wares went out to sea, you satisfied many nations. You enriched the kings of the earth with your abundant wealth and merchandise. / Now you are shattered by the seas in the depths of the waters; your merchandise and the people among you have gone down with you. ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like to this great city!when.<a href="/revelation/18-9.htm">Revelation 18:9</a> 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,What.<a href="/revelation/18-10.htm">Revelation 18:10</a> Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.<a href="/revelation/13-4.htm">Revelation 13:4</a> And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?<a href="/isaiah/23-8.htm">Isaiah 23:8,9</a> Who hath taken this counsel against Tyre, the crowning city, whose merchants are princes, whose traffickers are the honourable of the earth? … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/revelation/18-17.htm">Afar</a> <a href="/revelation/18-16.htm">Aloud</a> <a href="/revelation/18-9.htm">Burning</a> <a href="/revelation/18-16.htm">City</a> <a href="/revelation/18-2.htm">Cried</a> <a href="/revelation/18-15.htm">Crying</a> <a href="/matthew/11-19.htm">Exclaim</a> <a href="/revelation/18-17.htm">Great</a> <a href="/revelation/18-9.htm">Smoke</a> <a href="/revelation/18-17.htm">Stood</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/22-4.htm">Afar</a> <a href="/revelation/18-19.htm">Aloud</a> <a href="/revelation/19-20.htm">Burning</a> <a href="/revelation/18-19.htm">City</a> <a href="/revelation/18-19.htm">Cried</a> <a href="/revelation/19-1.htm">Crying</a> <a href="/psalms/35-10.htm">Exclaim</a> <a href="/revelation/18-19.htm">Great</a> <a href="/revelation/19-3.htm">Smoke</a> <a href="/revelation/22-2.htm">Stood</a><div class="vheading2">Revelation 18</div>1. <a href="/revelation/18-1.htm">Babylon is fallen.</a> 4. <a href="/revelation/18-4.htm">People commanded to depart out of her.</a> 9. <a href="/revelation/18-9.htm">The kings of the earth, with the merchants and mariners, lament over her.</a> 20. <a href="/revelation/18-20.htm">The saints rejoice for the judgments of God upon her.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/revelation/18.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/revelation/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/revelation/18.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>and cry out at the sight of the smoke rising from the fire that consumes her. This phrase depicts a scene of lamentation and astonishment as observers witness the destruction of Babylon, symbolizing a great city or system opposed to God. The imagery of smoke rising is reminiscent of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (<a href="/genesis/19-28.htm">Genesis 19:28</a>), where smoke was a sign of divine judgment. The fire consuming her indicates total destruction, aligning with Old Testament prophecies against cities like Tyre and Nineveh (<a href="/ezekiel/26-19.htm">Ezekiel 26:19-21</a>, <a href="/nahum/3-7.htm">Nahum 3:7</a>). The lamentation reflects the deep impact of Babylon's fall on those who benefited from her, highlighting the transient nature of worldly power and wealth.“What city was ever like this great city?” they will exclaim. This rhetorical question emphasizes the unparalleled nature of Babylon's greatness and subsequent fall. It echoes the lament over Tyre in <a href="/ezekiel/27-32.htm">Ezekiel 27:32</a>, where the city's unmatched splendor and influence are mourned. The phrase underscores the theme of hubris and the inevitable downfall of those who exalt themselves against God. In a broader biblical context, it serves as a warning against idolatry and the pursuit of earthly glory, contrasting with the eternal kingdom of God. The exclamation also points to the ultimate futility of human pride and the certainty of divine justice.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/the_great_city.htm">The Great City</a> Often interpreted as Babylon, symbolizing a powerful, corrupt system or empire that opposes God. In the context of Revelation, it represents the culmination of human pride and rebellion against God. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_smoke.htm">The Smoke</a> Represents the destruction and judgment of the great city. Smoke is a visual symbol of the city's downfall and the finality of God's judgment. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_onlookers.htm">The Onlookers</a> These are the kings, merchants, and mariners who benefited from the city's wealth and power. Their lamentation signifies the loss of their source of prosperity and security. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_fire.htm">The Fire</a> Symbolizes God's righteous judgment. Fire in biblical terms often represents purification and judgment. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_exclamation.htm">The Exclamation</a> The rhetorical question highlights the unparalleled nature of the city's former greatness and the shock of its sudden destruction.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_transience_of_earthly_power.htm">The Transience of Earthly Power</a> Earthly empires and systems, no matter how powerful, are temporary and subject to God's ultimate authority and judgment. <a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_idolatry.htm">The Consequences of Idolatry</a> The great city's fall serves as a warning against idolatry and placing trust in material wealth and human achievements. <a href="/topical/g/god's_righteous_judgment.htm">God's Righteous Judgment</a> God's judgment is just and inevitable. It serves as a call to repentance and faithfulness to God's ways. <a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_spiritual_readiness.htm">The Call to Spiritual Readiness</a> Believers are encouraged to live with an eternal perspective, prioritizing spiritual readiness over worldly success. <a href="/topical/t/the_hope_of_redemption.htm">The Hope of Redemption</a> Despite the judgment, Revelation ultimately points to the hope of redemption and the establishment of God's eternal kingdom.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_revelation_18.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Revelation 18</a> <a href="/q/can_a_city_fall_to_plagues_fire_in_a_day.htm">Revelation 18:8 - Is it scientifically plausible for an entire great city to be consumed by plagues and fire 'in one day'?</a> <a href="/q/proof_of_one_city_ruling_all_kings.htm">Revelation 17:18 claims a great city rules over the earth's kings; what tangible proof exists that identifies a single city wielding such global power at any point in history?</a> <a href="/q/2_peter_3_10__is_earth's_fiery_end_real.htm">2 Peter 3:10: Is the total annihilation of the earth by fire scientifically plausible, or just an ancient myth?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_oneness_doctrine.htm">What does Revelation 18:2 mean by Babylon's fall?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/revelation/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 18. - And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying. The same description as in ver. 9 (which see). What city is like unto this great city! (cf. <a href="/ezekiel/27-32.htm">Ezekiel 27:32</a>, "And lament over thee, saying, What city is like Tyrus, like the destroyed in the midst of the sea?"). <a href="/commentaries/revelation/18-18.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. cry out ἔκραζον (ekrazon) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2896.htm">Strong's 2896: </a> To cry aloud, shriek. A primary verb; properly, to 'croak' or scream, i.e. to call aloud. at the sight βλέποντες (blepontes) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_991.htm">Strong's 991: </a> (primarily physical), I look, see, perceive, discern. A primary verb; to look at. of the τὸν (ton) Article - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. smoke [rising] καπνὸν (kapnon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2586.htm">Strong's 2586: </a> Smoke. Of uncertain affinity; smoke. from τῆς (tēs) Article - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. the fire that consumes πυρώσεως (pyrōseōs) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4451.htm">Strong's 4451: </a> A burning, trial, fiery test. From puroo; ignition, i.e., smelting. her, αὐτῆς (autēs) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Feminine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. saying, λέγοντες (legontes) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ‘What [city was ever] Τίς (Tis) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what. like ὁμοία (homoia) Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3664.htm">Strong's 3664: </a> Like, similar to, resembling, of equal rank. From the base of homou; similar. [this] τῇ (tē) Article - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. great μεγάλῃ (megalē) Adjective - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3173.htm">Strong's 3173: </a> Large, great, in the widest sense. city?’ πόλει (polei) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4172.htm">Strong's 4172: </a> A city, the inhabitants of a city. Probably from the same as polemos, or perhaps from polus; a town. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/revelation/18-18.htm">Revelation 18:18 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/revelation/18-18.htm">Revelation 18:18 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/revelation/18-18.htm">Revelation 18:18 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/revelation/18-18.htm">Revelation 18:18 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/revelation/18-18.htm">Revelation 18:18 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/revelation/18-18.htm">Revelation 18:18 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/revelation/18-18.htm">Revelation 18:18 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/revelation/18-18.htm">Revelation 18:18 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/revelation/18-18.htm">Revelation 18:18 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/revelation/18-18.htm">Revelation 18:18 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/revelation/18-18.htm">NT Prophecy: Revelation 18:18 And cried out as they looked at (Rev. Re Apocalypse)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/revelation/18-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Revelation 18:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Revelation 18:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/revelation/18-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Revelation 18:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Revelation 18:19" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>