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Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for only a little while." /><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/17-10.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/17-10.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/17.htm">Chapter 17</a> > Verse 10</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="/ad10.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/17-9.htm" title="Revelation 17:9">◄</a> Revelation 17:10 <a href="/revelation/17-11.htm" title="Revelation 17:11">►</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/17.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/17.htm">New International Version</a> They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for only a little while. <a href="/nlt/revelation/17.htm">New Living Translation</a> Five kings have already fallen, the sixth now reigns, and the seventh is yet to come, but his reign will be brief. <a href="/esv/revelation/17.htm">English Standard Version</a> they are also seven kings, five of whom have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he does come he must remain only a little while. <a href="/bsb/revelation/17.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. But when he does come, he must remain for only a little while. <a href="/blb/revelation/17.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> and there are seven kings. The five are fallen, the one is, the other has not yet come; and when he shall have come, it behooves him to remain a little while. <a href="/kjv/revelation/17.htm">King James Bible</a> And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. <a href="/nkjv/revelation/17.htm">New King James Version</a> There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time. <a href="/nasb_/revelation/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> and they are seven kings; five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; and when he comes, he must remain a little while. <a href="/nasb/revelation/17.htm">NASB 1995</a> and they are seven kings; five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; and when he comes, he must remain a little while. <a href="/nasb77/revelation/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a> and they are seven kings; five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; and when he comes, he must remain a little while. <a href="/lsb/revelation/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> and they are seven kings; five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; and when he comes, he must remain a little while. <a href="/amp/revelation/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a> and they are seven kings: five of whom have fallen, one exists and is reigning; the other [the seventh] has not yet come, and when he does come, he must remain a little while. <a href="/csb/revelation/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he comes, he must remain for only a little while. <a href="/hcsb/revelation/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> They are also seven kings: Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he comes, he must remain for a little while. <a href="/asv/revelation/17.htm">American Standard Version</a> and they are seven kings; the five are fallen, the one is, the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a little while. <a href="/cev/revelation/17.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Five of the kings are dead. One is ruling now, and the other one has not yet come. But when he does, he will rule for only a little while. <a href="/erv/revelation/17.htm">English Revised Version</a> and they are seven kings; the five are fallen, the one is, the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a little while. <a href="/gwt/revelation/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> They are also seven kings. Five of them have fallen, one is ruling now, and the other has not yet come. When he comes, he must remain for a little while. <a href="/gnt/revelation/17.htm">Good News Translation</a> five of them have fallen, one still rules, and the other one has not yet come; when he comes, he must rule only a little while. <a href="/isv/revelation/17.htm">International Standard Version</a> Five of them have fallen, one is living, and the other has not yet come. When he comes, he must remain in power for a little while. <a href="/msb/revelation/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. But when he does come, he must remain for only a little while. <a href="/net/revelation/17.htm">NET Bible</a> five have fallen; one is, and the other has not yet come, but whenever he does come, he must remain for only a brief time. <a href="/nheb/revelation/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> They are seven kings. Five have fallen, the one is, the other has not yet come. When he comes, he must continue a little while. <a href="/wbt/revelation/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short time. <a href="/wey/revelation/17.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> And they are seven kings: five of them have fallen, and the one is still reigning. The seventh has not yet come, but when he comes he must continue for a short time. <a href="/web/revelation/17.htm">World English Bible</a> They are seven kings. Five have fallen, the one is, and the other has not yet come. When he comes, he must continue a little while. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/revelation/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and there are seven kings, the five fell, and the one is, the other did not yet come, and when he may come, it is necessary for him to remain a short time; <a href="/blb/revelation/17.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> and there are seven kings. The five are fallen, the one is, the other has not yet come; and when he shall have come, it behooves him to remain a little while. <a href="/ylt/revelation/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and there are seven kings, the five did fall, and the one is, the other did not yet come, and when he may come, it behoveth him to remain a little time; <a href="/slt/revelation/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And there are seven kings: five fell, and one is; the other has not yet come; and when he should come, he must remain a little.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/revelation/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Five are fallen, one is, and the other is not yet come: and when he is come, he must remain a short time. <a href="/cpdv/revelation/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet arrived. And when he arrives, he must remain for a brief time. <a href="/nabre/revelation/17.htm">New American Bible</a> five have already fallen, one still lives, and the last has not yet come, and when he comes he must remain only a short while. <a href="/nrsvce/revelation/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> of whom five have fallen, one is living, and the other has not yet come; and when he comes, he must remain only a little while.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/revelation/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And there are seven kings of whom five have fallen, and one is, and the other has not yet come; and when he comes he shall continue only for a short time. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/revelation/17.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “And there are seven Kings; five have fallen and one is, and there is another not yet come, and when he comes, a little remaining time is given to him.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/revelation/17.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And there are seven kings: five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come; and when he comes, he must remain but a little while. <a href="/godbey/revelation/17.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> and there are seven kings; five have fallen, one is, and another is not yet come; and when he may come it behooves him to remain a little while. <a href="/haweis/revelation/17.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> And these are seven kings: five have fallen, and the one exists, the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must abide but a little while. <a href="/mace/revelation/17.htm">Mace New Testament</a> they likewise signify seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; when he comes, he will continue but a short space. <a href="/wey/revelation/17.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> And they are seven kings: five of them have fallen, and the one is still reigning. The seventh has not yet come, but when he comes he must continue for a short time. <a href="/worrell/revelation/17.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And there are seven kings; the five fell, and the one is, the other did not yet come. And, when he comes, he must remain a little time. <a href="/worsley/revelation/17.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> And there are seven kings: five are fallen, one is, and another is not yet come; and when he cometh, he is to continue but a little while. <a href="/parallel/revelation/17-10.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=3492" 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/17.htm">The Mystery Explained</a> …9This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. 10<a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: eisin (V-PIA-3P) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">There are</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">also</a> <a href="/greek/2033.htm" title="2033: hepta (Adj-NMP) -- Seven. A primary number; seven.">seven</a> <a href="/greek/935.htm" title="935: basileis (N-NMP) -- A king, ruler, but in some passages clearly to be translated: emperor. Probably from basis; a sovereign.">kings.</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4002.htm" title="4002: pente (Adj-NMP) -- Five. A primary number; five.">Five</a> <a href="/greek/4098.htm" title="4098: epesan (V-AIA-3P) -- A reduplicated and contracted form of peto; probably akin to petomai through the idea of alighting; to fall.">have fallen,</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1520.htm" title="1520: heis (Adj-NMS) -- One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.">one</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is,</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">and the</a> <a href="/greek/243.htm" title="243: allos (Adj-NMS) -- Other, another (of more than two), different. A primary word; else, i.e. Different.">other</a> <a href="/greek/3768.htm" title="3768: oupō (Adv) -- Not yet. From ou and po; not yet.">has not yet</a> <a href="/greek/2064.htm" title="2064: ēlthen (V-AIA-3S) -- To come, go. ">come;</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">but</a> <a href="/greek/3752.htm" title="3752: hotan (Conj) -- When, whenever. From hote and an; whenever; also causatively inasmuch as.">when</a> <a href="/greek/2064.htm" title="2064: elthē (V-ASA-3S) -- To come, go. ">he does come,</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: auton (PPro-AM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">he</a> <a href="/greek/1163.htm" title="1163: dei (V-PIA-3S) -- Third person singular active present of deo; also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is Necessary.">must</a> <a href="/greek/3306.htm" title="3306: meinai (V-ANA) -- To remain, abide, stay, wait; with acc: I wait for, await. A primary verb; to stay.">remain</a> <a href="/greek/3641.htm" title="3641: oligon (Adj-ANS) -- Puny; especially neuter somewhat.">for only a little while.</a> 11The beast that was, and now is not, is an eighth king, who belongs to the other seven and is going into destruction.…<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="/daniel/7-17.htm">Daniel 7:17</a> ‘These four great beasts are four kings who will arise from the earth. <a href="/daniel/7-23.htm">Daniel 7:23-24</a> This is what he said: ‘The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on the earth, different from all the other kingdoms, and it will devour the whole earth, trample it down, and crush it. / And the ten horns are ten kings who will rise from this kingdom. After them another king, different from the earlier ones, will rise and subdue three kings. <a href="/daniel/2-37.htm">Daniel 2:37-44</a> You, O king, are the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given sovereignty, power, strength, and glory. / Wherever the sons of men or beasts of the field or birds of the air dwell, He has given them into your hand and has made you ruler over them all. You are that head of gold. / But after you, there will arise another kingdom, inferior to yours. Next, a third kingdom, one of bronze, will rule the whole earth. ... <a href="/revelation/13-1.htm">Revelation 13:1</a> Then I saw a beast with ten horns and seven heads rising out of the sea. There were ten royal crowns on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. <a href="/revelation/13-3.htm">Revelation 13:3</a> One of the heads of the beast appeared to have been mortally wounded. But the mortal wound was healed, and the whole world marveled and followed the beast. <a href="/revelation/13-5.htm">Revelation 13:5</a> The beast was given a mouth to speak arrogant and blasphemous words, and authority to act for 42 months. <a href="/revelation/13-7.htm">Revelation 13:7</a> Then the beast was permitted to wage war against the saints and to conquer them, and it was given authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation. <a href="/revelation/13-10.htm">Revelation 13:10</a> “If anyone is destined for captivity, into captivity he will go; if anyone is to die by the sword, by the sword he must be killed.” Here is a call for the perseverance and faith of the saints. <a href="/revelation/12-3.htm">Revelation 12:3</a> Then another sign appeared in heaven: a huge red dragon with seven heads, ten horns, and seven royal crowns on his heads. <a href="/revelation/19-10.htm">Revelation 19:10</a> So I fell at his feet to worship him. But he told me, “Do not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who rely on the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” <a href="/revelation/19-20.htm">Revelation 19:20</a> But the beast was captured along with the false prophet, who on its behalf had performed signs deceiving those who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. Both the beast and the false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. <a href="/revelation/20-4.htm">Revelation 20:4</a> Then I saw the thrones, and those seated on them had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or hands. And they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. <a href="/revelation/20-10.htm">Revelation 20:10</a> And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, into which the beast and the false prophet had already been thrown. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. <a href="/jeremiah/51-24.htm">Jeremiah 51:24-25</a> Before your very eyes I will repay Babylon and all the dwellers of Chaldea for all the evil they have done in Zion,” declares the LORD. / “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="/jeremiah/51-44.htm">Jeremiah 51:44</a> I will punish Bel in Babylon. I will make him spew out what he swallowed. The nations will no longer stream to him; even the wall of Babylon will fall.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he comes, he must continue a short space.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/revelation/13-5.htm">Continue</a> <a href="/revelation/15-8.htm">End</a> <a href="/revelation/11-16.htm">Fall</a> <a href="/revelation/14-8.htm">Fallen</a> <a href="/revelation/9-10.htm">Five</a> <a href="/revelation/17-2.htm">Kings</a> <a href="/revelation/10-10.htm">Little</a> <a href="/matthew/2-22.htm">Reigning</a> <a href="/revelation/17-9.htm">Seven</a> <a href="/revelation/16-17.htm">Seventh</a> <a href="/revelation/12-12.htm">Short</a> <a href="/revelation/14-20.htm">Space</a> <a href="/revelation/16-18.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/revelation/22-11.htm">Continue</a> <a href="/revelation/18-14.htm">End</a> <a href="/genesis/2-21.htm">Fall</a> <a href="/revelation/18-2.htm">Fallen</a> <a href="/revelation/21-16.htm">Five</a> <a href="/revelation/17-12.htm">Kings</a> <a href="/genesis/18-4.htm">Little</a> <a href="/genesis/36-31.htm">Reigning</a> <a href="/revelation/17-11.htm">Seven</a> <a href="/revelation/21-20.htm">Seventh</a> <a href="/revelation/18-19.htm">Short</a> <a href="/genesis/29-14.htm">Space</a> <a href="/revelation/19-3.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">Revelation 17</div>1. <a href="/revelation/17-1.htm">A woman arrayed in purple and scarlet, with a golden cup in her hand sits upon the beast;</a> 5. <a href="/revelation/17-5.htm">which is great Babylon, the mother of all abominations.</a> 9. <a href="/revelation/17-9.htm">The interpretation of the seven heads;</a> 12. <a href="/revelation/17-12.htm">and the ten horns.</a> 14. <a href="/revelation/17-14.htm">The victory of the Lamb.</a> 16. <a href="/revelation/17-16.htm">The punishment of the harlot.</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/17.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/17.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>There are also seven kings. This phrase introduces a symbolic representation of power and authority. In biblical prophecy, "kings" often symbolize kingdoms or empires. The number seven is significant in Scripture, often representing completeness or perfection. This could suggest a complete series of world powers or a specific sequence of rulers. The context of Revelation, with its apocalyptic imagery, points to these kings as significant figures in the unfolding of God's plan.Five have fallen, This indicates that five of these kings or kingdoms have already passed away by the time of John's writing. Historically, this could refer to past empires that have had significant influence over Israel and the biblical narrative, such as Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, and Greece. Each of these empires played a role in the history of God's people and had fallen by the time of the New Testament.one is, The "one is" refers to the current power at the time of John's writing, which would be the Roman Empire. Rome was the dominant world power during the first century and had a significant impact on the early Christian church. This aligns with the historical context of Revelation, written during a time of Roman persecution of Christians.and the other has not yet come. This phrase points to a future kingdom or ruler that had not yet appeared at the time of John's writing. It suggests a prophetic element, indicating that there will be another significant power or leader in the future. This future entity is often interpreted as a final world empire or a specific end-times ruler in eschatological studies.But when he does come, This anticipates the arrival of the future king or kingdom. The language suggests an inevitability, emphasizing the certainty of prophetic fulfillment. This future ruler is often associated with the Antichrist in Christian eschatology, a figure who will oppose Christ and His followers.he must remain for only a little while. This indicates the temporary nature of this future ruler's reign. Despite the power and influence this king or kingdom may wield, it will be short-lived in the grand scope of God's eternal plan. This aligns with the biblical theme that earthly powers are transient and ultimately subject to God's sovereign will. The brevity of this reign offers hope to believers, affirming that evil will not prevail indefinitely.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/s/seven_kings.htm">Seven Kings</a> These represent a sequence of rulers or empires. The number seven often symbolizes completeness in biblical literature, suggesting a complete series of worldly powers. 2. <a href="/topical/f/five_have_fallen.htm">Five Have Fallen</a> This phrase indicates that five of these kings or empires have already passed away or been defeated by the time of John's writing. 3. <a href="/topical/o/one_is.htm">One Is</a> This refers to the current ruling power at the time of John's vision, often interpreted as the Roman Empire. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_other_has_not_yet_come.htm">The Other Has Not Yet Come</a> This king or empire is future from John's perspective, indicating a power that will arise after the Roman Empire. 5. <a href="/topical/m/must_remain_for_only_a_little_while.htm">Must Remain for Only a Little While</a> This suggests that the future power will have a brief period of dominance compared to the others.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_prophetic_imagery.htm">Understanding Prophetic Imagery</a> Recognize that biblical prophecy often uses symbolic language to convey spiritual truths. The sequence of kings represents the transient nature of earthly powers compared to God's eternal kingdom. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_over_history.htm">God's Sovereignty Over History</a> The rise and fall of empires are under God's control. Believers can trust that God is sovereign over all historical events and powers. <a href="/topical/t/the_temporary_nature_of_earthly_power.htm">The Temporary Nature of Earthly Power</a> Earthly kingdoms and rulers are temporary. This should encourage believers to focus on the eternal kingdom of God rather than worldly power. <a href="/topical/v/vigilance_and_discernment.htm">Vigilance and Discernment</a> Christians are called to be vigilant and discerning about the times they live in, understanding that worldly powers can be opposed to God's purposes. <a href="/topical/h/hope_in_christ's_return.htm">Hope in Christ's Return</a> The brevity of the final king's reign points to the hope of Christ's return and the establishment of His eternal kingdom.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_revelation_17.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Revelation 17</a> <a href="/q/how_do_rev_17_10-11_kings_fit_history.htm">Revelation 17:10–11 mentions seven kings and an eighth belonging to the seven; how does this numeric sequence fit known historical or royal lineages? </a> <a href="/q/why_does_prayer_not_heal_amputees.htm">Why does prayer not heal amputees?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_beast_in_revelation.htm">What is the beast described in Revelation?</a> <a href="/q/does_rev_17_9's_seven_hills_mean_rome.htm">Revelation 17:9 associates seven heads with seven hills; how reliably does this align with ancient Rome, and could it point to another location? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/revelation/17.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(10) And there are seven kings. . . .--Better. They are seven kings: five (not "are fallen," but fell, the one is, the other is not yet come; and when he shall come, he must continue a short time. It has been debated whether these kings are individual sovereigns, or forms of government, or kingdoms The last view is the one adopted in this Commentary. The wild beast belongs to no one age, but is a power which has risen in every age; the seven heads represent the successive culminations of the world-power. Our space is insufficient to discuss here the whole question. But the language here used and the passages in the earlier prophets, which may be called the parent passages of the present vision, favour the interpretation that great world-kingdoms are intended. The language favours this view. It is said that the "kings fell." The word is the one which has been used for political catastrophe: the cities of the nations fell (<a href="/revelation/16-19.htm" title="And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give to her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.">Revelation 16:19</a>); Babylon, it is cried, has fallen (<a href="/revelation/14-8.htm" title="And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.">Revelation 14:8</a>). It suits the overthrow of empires, and is so used in the LXX.; to apply it to individual kings is to ask that it shall be equivalent to "they died." It is to be noticed that the four beasts of Daniel (<a href="/context/daniel/7-3.htm" title="And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.">Daniel 7:3-8</a>) are declared to be four kings (<a href="/revelation/17-17.htm" title="For God has put in their hearts to fulfill his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.">Revelation 17:17</a>), but these kings are not individual kings, but represent kingdoms. (See <a href="/daniel/7-23.htm" title="Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.">Daniel 7:23</a>). This brings us to the drift of the parent passage. Daniel saw four wild beasts rise from the sea; they represented the then great world-power Babylon, and its three successors, Persia, Greece, and Rome. This is a guide to us here, as most commentators admit; but two great world-powers had preceded Babylon, viz., Egypt and Assyria: these figure in the ancient prophecies as forces hostile to the righteous King. St. John, whose visions took the range of the world's drama, could not see the representative of the ever rising spirit of worldly hostility to God's chosen without seeing Egypt and Assyria included. The voices of Moses and Isaiah called to him across the centuries that in these the world principle of their day found its clearest and strongest manifestation. In various empires the world-power showed itself: in Egypt, the house of bondage (<a href="/exodus/20-2.htm" title="I am the LORD your God, which have brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.">Exodus 20:2</a>); in Assyria, that exalted herself against God (<a href="/isaiah/37-23.htm" title="Whom have you reproached and blasphemed? and against whom have you exalted your voice, and lifted up your eyes on high? even against the Holy One of Israel.">Isaiah 37:23</a>); in Babylon, the hammer of the whole earth (<a href="/jeremiah/50-23.htm" title="How is the hammer of the whole earth cut asunder and broken! how is Babylon become a desolation among the nations!">Jeremiah 50:23</a>); in Persia, and in Greece; and in succession these kingdoms fell, only to be succeeded by another--Rome. Five fell; the one is. But what is the seventh, the other who is not yet come? We must recall the appearance of the wild beast. It had seven heads and ten horns. Where were these ten horns? It seems generally admitted that they were all on the seventh head. The seventh head, which represents the seventh kingdom, or manifestation of the world principle which is described as not yet come, then, was different in appearance from the others. It was ten-horned. It had not the same unity of appearance as the others. Now the ten horns are explained as ten kings or minor powers (<a href="/revelation/17-12.htm" title="And the ten horns which you saw are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.">Revelation 17:12</a>). The conclusion, therefore, is that the seventh head must be rather an aggregation of monarchies than a single universal empire. This agrees with Daniel's prophecy that out of the fourth kingdom, which corresponds, as we have seen, with the sixth head of the wild beast here, ten kings should arise (<a href="/daniel/7-7.htm" title="After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.">Daniel 7:7</a>; <a href="/context/daniel/7-23.htm" title="Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.">Daniel 7:23-24</a>). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/revelation/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 10. - And there are seven kings; and they are. Here we have the same idea (cf. ver 9), with a somewhat different aspect. The phrase in ver. 9, "seven mountains," regarded the world power as one universal indivisible whole, without respect to particular times or modes in which it might be exhibited. In this phrase, "seven kings," we have the same world power viewed in its successive exhibitions by different nations; though here again we must be on our guard not to interpret the number seven literally of seven nations. The kings represent Worldly states or kingdoms; seven, again, betokens universality. We are thus told that this world power on which the woman relies is exhibited in the manifestation of power by successive nations, e.g. Egyptian, Assyrian, Roman, etc., as many as have ever existed or shall exist; for this is the meaning of seven. Five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; the five; the one; the other. Omit "and." Here, again, not literally five. The seer divides the whole series of antitheistic world powers into three groups, and he would say, some, probably the majority, of these are passed away; the second group embraces the world power as it is exhibited now, whether Roman, Jewish, or any other; in the third group are included those yet to come. Thus those writers who enumerate Egypt, Nineveh, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Syria, etc., in the first group, are partially correct, and only wrong in so far as they attempt to limit and define the kingdoms; and similarly also those who in the third group place the Roman empire after the barbarian invasions, or imperial Germany, etc. And when he cometh, he must continue a short space; a little while (Revised Version). This "short space" describes the remainder of the time of the world's existence. Such is its meaning in <a href="/revelation/6-11.htm">Revelation 6:11</a> and Revelation 12:12, and again in Revelation 20:3. In a similar manner, also, "shortly come to pass," etc. (<a href="/revelation/1-1.htm">Revelation 1:1, 3</a>; <a href="/revelation/2-5.htm">Revelation 2:5, 16</a>, etc.; cf also <a href="/john/16-17.htm">John 16:17, 28</a>). <a href="/commentaries/revelation/17-10.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>There are εἰσιν (eisin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. also καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. seven ἑπτά (hepta) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2033.htm">Strong's 2033: </a> Seven. A primary number; seven. kings. βασιλεῖς (basileis) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> A king, ruler, but in some passages clearly to be translated: emperor. Probably from basis; a sovereign. Five πέντε (pente) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4002.htm">Strong's 4002: </a> Five. A primary number; 'five'. are fallen, ἔπεσαν (epesan) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4098.htm">Strong's 4098: </a> A reduplicated and contracted form of peto; probably akin to petomai through the idea of alighting; to fall. one εἷς (heis) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1520.htm">Strong's 1520: </a> One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one. is, ἔστιν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. [and] the ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative 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. other ἄλλος (allos) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_243.htm">Strong's 243: </a> Other, another (of more than two), different. A primary word; 'else, ' i.e. Different. {has} not yet οὔπω (oupō) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3768.htm">Strong's 3768: </a> Not yet. From ou and po; not yet. come; ἦλθεν (ēlthen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2064.htm">Strong's 2064: </a> To come, go. [but] καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. when ὅταν (hotan) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3752.htm">Strong's 3752: </a> When, whenever. From hote and an; whenever; also causatively inasmuch as. he does come, ἔλθῃ (elthē) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2064.htm">Strong's 2064: </a> To come, go. he αὐτὸν (auton) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 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. must δεῖ (dei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1163.htm">Strong's 1163: </a> Third person singular active present of deo; also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is Necessary. remain μεῖναι (meinai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_3306.htm">Strong's 3306: </a> To remain, abide, stay, wait; with acc: I wait for, await. A primary verb; to stay. for only a little while. ὀλίγον (oligon) Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3641.htm">Strong's 3641: </a> Puny; especially neuter somewhat. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/revelation/17-10.htm">Revelation 17:10 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/revelation/17-10.htm">Revelation 17:10 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/revelation/17-10.htm">Revelation 17:10 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/revelation/17-10.htm">Revelation 17:10 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/revelation/17-10.htm">Revelation 17:10 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/revelation/17-10.htm">Revelation 17:10 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/revelation/17-10.htm">Revelation 17:10 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/revelation/17-10.htm">Revelation 17:10 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/revelation/17-10.htm">Revelation 17:10 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/revelation/17-10.htm">Revelation 17:10 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/revelation/17-10.htm">NT Prophecy: Revelation 17:10 They are seven kings (Rev. Re Apocalypse)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/revelation/17-9.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Revelation 17:9"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Revelation 17:9" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/revelation/17-11.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Revelation 17:11"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Revelation 17:11" /></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>