And the merchants of the earth
The term "merchants" refers to those who engage in trade and commerce. In the ancient world, merchants were vital for the distribution of goods and wealth. The Greek word used here is "emporoi," which signifies traders who traveled extensively, often across seas, to exchange goods. Historically, merchants were seen as the lifeblood of economic prosperity, and their activities were crucial for the flourishing of cities and nations. In the context of Revelation, these merchants symbolize the global economic system that thrives on materialism and wealth accumulation, often at the expense of spiritual values.

will weep and mourn over her
The imagery of weeping and mourning is profound, indicating deep sorrow and loss. The Greek words "klaio" (weep) and "pentheo" (mourn) are often used in the New Testament to describe intense grief, akin to the mourning for the dead. This emotional response underscores the catastrophic impact of Babylon's fall on the world's economic systems. Historically, mourning rituals in ancient cultures involved loud lamentations and public displays of grief, reflecting the depth of despair felt by those who relied on Babylon's wealth and influence.

because no one buys their cargo anymore—
The phrase highlights the cessation of trade and commerce, a direct consequence of Babylon's downfall. The Greek word "agorazo" (buys) implies the act of purchasing, which is central to economic activity. The cessation of buying indicates a complete collapse of the market, leading to economic ruin. In the historical context, cities like Babylon were centers of trade, and their destruction would have had far-reaching effects on global commerce. Scripturally, this serves as a warning against placing trust in material wealth, which is transient and ultimately unsatisfying.

(11-13) And the merchants of the earth . . .--Better, The merchants of the earth weep and mourn (not "shall weep;" the vividness of the description is intensified by the use of the present tense) over her; because their cargo no one buyeth any longer--the cargo of gold, &c. The list of the cargoes and merchandise is not without arrangement. The various goods are placed in groups. The treasures come first--gold, silver, precious stones, and pearls. The soft goods used for raiment are placed next--fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet; in the description of Dives, clothed in purple and fine linen (Byssus, the same word as here), we have a suggestive resemblance. Materials used in giving splendour to the furnishing of houses come next. Thyine wood, and every article (vessel, as in the English version, is hardly wide enough in meaning) of ivory, costly wood, brass, iron, and marble. The thyine wood was derived probably from a kind of citron-tree of African growth; the wood was sweet-scented, and was a favourite wood for doors, panels, and ceilings; its rich brown hue was often relieved by inlaid ivory. To articles used in furniture aromatics succeed. Cinnamon, amomum (this is omitted in the English version, but authority is in favour of its insertion), odours, ointments, and frankincense. Cinnamon, on its use, comp. Exodus 30:2-3; it was one of the perfumes employed to enhance the delight of the voluptuary (Proverbs 7:17). It is doubtful whether it is the same as our modern cinnamon. Amomum, a kind of sweet-scented shrub, yielding an ointment much used for the hair. Odours, employed in incense. Next come articles of food--wine, oil, fine meal, wheat, cattle, and sheep. Then come the equipages--horses and chariots. The chariot (rheda) was a vehicle much used in Rome by the wealthy classes. Lastly, the traffic in human beings closes the list. Slaves (literally, bodies, and souls of men. There is perhaps an allusion specially to those slaves who were attached to the chariots or litters used by the rich. The traffic in slaves ("persons of men") is mentioned as part of the commerce of Tyre (Ezekiel 27:13). The number of slaves in Rome was enormous. "Souls of men." The climax of wicked worldliness is reached in this last; it gives the finishing touch to the picture of society wholly engrossed in pleasure and indolence and selfishness, which lays every market under tribute to add to its luxuriousness, and sacrifices not only the happiness, but the lives and liberties of their fellow-creatures, to their own enjoyment. It has been said that the general description here does not suit Rome, as Rome never was, and never could be, a commercial centre; but the picture is designed to show the corrupt luxury and voluptuousness of society in great Babylon, not necessarily the accumulated merchandize of a great commercial city. The various wares are "for her use and consumption," not for her to sell. All the avenues from every distant spot of the earth found their focus in Rome; her existence, her political supremacy, and her luxuriousness of living, created and sustained all the commercial activity here described; with her fall, the hope of their gains passed from the merchants of the earth. Compare the language of Gibbon:--"The most remote countries of the ancient world were ransacked to supply the pomp and delicacy of Rome. The forests of Scythia afforded some valuable furs; amber was brought from the shores of the Baltic and the Danube; and the barbarians were astonished at the price which they received for so useless a commodity. There was a considerable demand for Babylonian carpets and other manufactures of the East; but the most important and unpopular branch of foreign trade was carried on with Arabia and India. Every year, about the time of the summer solstice, a fleet of an hundred and twenty vessels sailed from Myos-hormos, a port of Egypt on the Red Sea. The coast of Malabar or the island of Ceylon was the usual term of their navigation, and it was in those markets that the merchants from the more remote countries of Asia expected their arrival. The return of the fleet was fixed to the months of December or January; and as soon as their rich cargo had been transported on the backs of camels, from the Red Sea to the Nile, and had descended that river as far as Alexandria, it was poured without delay into the capital of the Empire. The objects of Oriental traffic were splendid and trifling: silk, a pound of which was esteemed in value not inferior to a pound of gold; precious stones also, among which the pearl claimed the first rank after the diamond, and a variety of aromatics that were consumed in religious worship and the pomp of funerals. The labour and risk of the voyage was rewarded with almost incredible profits; but the profits were made upon Roman subjects, and a few individuals were enriched at the expense of the public" (Gibbon's Decline and Fall, vol. i., Rev. ii.).

Verse 11. - And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her. Weep and mourn; the historical present (see on ver. 9). The kings have been mentioned; the merchants and next the seamen are referred to, showing the wide distribution of "Babylon," and forbidding the application to a single state or city. The description which follows is analogous to that in Ezekiel 27; Isaiah 23. For no man buyeth their merchandise any more; their cargo. We are naturally reminded of the action of the second beast in forbidding to buy and sell (Revelation 13:17). Alford here recognizes the difficulty in applying the prophecy to Rome, either pagan or papal, and adds, "I leave this difficulty unsolved .... The details of this mercantile lamentation far more nearly suit London than Rome." (See the interpretation given of the harlot and Babylon on Revelation 17:1.)

Parallel Commentaries ...


And
Καὶ (Kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

merchants
ἔμποροι (emporoi)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1713: A merchant, trader; one on a journey. From en and the base of poreuomai; a tradesman.

of the
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

earth
γῆς (gēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1093: Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.

will weep
κλαίουσιν (klaiousin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2799: To weep, weep for, mourn, lament. Of uncertain affinity; to sob, i.e. Wail aloud.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

mourn
πενθοῦσιν (penthousin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 3996: To mourn, lament, feel guilt. From penthos; to grieve.

over
ἐπ’ (ep’)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

her,
αὐτήν (autēn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

because [there is]
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

no one
οὐδεὶς (oudeis)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3762: No one, none, nothing.

left
οὐκέτι (ouketi)
Adverb
Strong's 3765: No longer, no more. Also ouk eti from ou and eti; not yet, no longer.

to buy
ἀγοράζει (agorazei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 59: To buy. From agora; properly, to go to market, i.e. to purchase; specially, to redeem.

their
αὐτῶν (autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

cargo—
γόμον (gomon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1117: A cargo, freight. From gemo; a load, i.e. a cargo, or wares.


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NT Prophecy: Revelation 18:11 The merchants of the earth weep (Rev. Re Apocalypse)