17. Hath put (exer). Rey., with stricter rendering of the aorist, did put. Lit., ded give.
To fulfil His will (woujoas Thy yvdpnv avtov). See on ver. 13. Rev., more literally, to do his mind.
To agree (moujoat piav yveopunv). Lit., to make one mind. Rev., come to one mind.
The words (7a pryara). But read of Aoyou the prophetic words. For the distinction, see on Luke TaOls
18. Reigneth (éyouca Bactrelav). Lit., hath a kingdom.
CHAPTER XVIII. 1. Was lightened. Compare Ezek. xliii. 2.
9. Mightily with a strong voice (ev loxyvi pwovh peyarn). Lit., in strength with w great voice. Omit peyadrn great, and read loyupa povy with a mighty voice. So Rev.
Babylon—is fallen. The Rev. improves on the A. V. by placing fallen in the emphatic position of the Greek: “ Fallen, fallen is Babylon.” Compare Isa. xxi. 9.
Is become (éyéveto). Lit., became.
Devils (Saypdvev). Properly, demons, which Rev., strangely commits to the margin. See on Mark i. 34. See Isa. xiii. 20- 92; xxxiv. 13-15. Also on Luke xi, 24.
Hold (dvrax7). See on 1 Pet. iii. 19, and Acts v. 21. Rev., in margin, proson.
Cage (dvdaxi). The word rendered above hold. Rev., hold. Some, however, explain it, not as a cage where they are kept, but as a place of safety to which they resort.
Bird (dpvéov). Only in the Apocalypse, here, rake, Ver See Compare Jer. i. 39.
3. Have drunk (éraxey or wémaxav). Some, however, read térraxav have fallen. So Rev.
Of the wine (é« Tod olvov). Thus if we read have drunk. If we adopt have fallen, é« is instrumental, by. So Rev.
Of the wrath. The wine of fornication has turned to wrath against herself.
Merchants (guzropov). The word originally means one on a journey by sea or land, especially for traffic. Hence a mer- chant as distinguished from «dandos a retailer or huckster.
The abundance of her delicacies (ris Suvdpews Tod oTpn- vous avis). Lit., as Rev., the power of her luxury. tphvos is akin to otepeds firm, hard, stubborn (see on steadfast, 1 Pet. v. 9). Hence over-strength, luaury, wantonness. Only here in the New Testament. The kindred verb otpyvidw to live de- liciously occurs ch. xviii. 7, 9.
4. Come out of her. Compare Jer. li. 6, 45; Isa. xlviii. 20; lii. 11; Num. xvi. 26.
Have fellowship with (cuyxowwrjonte). This compound verb is not of frequent occurrence in the New Testament. It is found only in Eph. v. 11, Philip. iv. 14, and here. On the kindred noun ovyxowevds companion, see on ch. i. 9.
5. Have reached (jxodovIncav). Lit., followed. But the best texts read éxoAdjnInoav clave. Compare Jer. li. 9. For different applications of the verb see on Matt. xix. 5; Luke xv. 15; Acts v. 13. Compare the classical phrase for following up closely a fleeing foe, hwrere in terga hostiwm, to cleave to the backs of the enemy. See also Zech. xiv. 5 (Sept.), “ The valley of the mountains shall reach (éyxodrAnIjoerar) unto Azal.” The radical idea of the metaphor is that of following or reach- ing after so as to be joined to.