Revelation 17:4a
Bible, KJV Translation:
17:4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:
Re-evaluation Translation:
17:4 The emerging hierarchical power was enveloped in regal elegance and elitism, and gilded with authority and established esteem and powerful words, possessing a minds full of abominations and filthiness from their allegiance:
Significant Words and Comments:
Commentary on Revelation 17:4 (17 June 2008): “The woman,” the emerging entity of elitist affluent power, as discussed in notes on Revelation 17:3.
“Was arrayed in purple,” is enwrapped in regal elegance and authority. Purple is from porphura [G4209], “the purple fish, a species of shell fish or mussel; a fabric coloured with purple dye, a garment made from purple cloth.” The corresponding Hebrew word, 'argaman [H0713, purple (the color or the dyed stuff)], described fibers in the sanctuary fabrics [Exodus 25:4; 26:1, 31, 36; 27:16; 28:5 6, 8, 15, 33; 35:6, 23 25, 35; 36:8, 35, 37; 38:18, 23; 39:1 2, 3, 5, 8, 24, 29; Numbers 4:13; 2 Chronicles 2:7, 14; 3:14] and royal hangings and garments [Judges 8:26; Esther 1:6; 8:15; Proverbs 31:22; Song of Solomon 3:10; 7:5; Jeremiah 10:9; Ezekiel 27:7, 16].
“Scarlet colour,” elitist domination, discussed in notes on Revelation 17:3.
“Decked with gold,” in Greek really states, “golded with gold.” This elitist dominating class establishes their superiority and authority on the basis of their accumulated wealth and the influence and power it affords them. While these individual leaders doubtless enjoy wearing gold jewelry, the focus here is more on that enveloping wealth and the power it affords than on golden body-decorating items. Gold, as a symbol of Yehuveh’s word, is discussed in notes on Revelation 9:7, but here the word more aptly applies to accumulated wealth.
“Precious stones,” while doubtless describing the wealth attained from precious stones, here more aptly describes that solidified esteem which comes with this acquired wealth, even though it be ill-gotten gain. Precious is from timios [G5093], meaning “as of great price, precious; held in honor, esteemed, especially dear.” Timios is used six times in Revelation [17:4; 18:12 (twice), 16; 21:11, 19]. Stones is from the primary word lithos [G3037], meaning “a stone; something solid or solidified.” Lithos is used eight times in Revelation [4:3; 17:4; 18:12, 16, 21; 21:11 (twice), 19]. See the fuller discussion of stones in the notes on Revelation 4:3 and especially on 21:19-20a.
Gael Bataman
Originally Written: 17 June 2008
Latest Update: 17 June 2008
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