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[[File:Blake Whore of Babylon.jpg|thumb|right|[[Whore of Babylon]] by [[William Blake]].]]

[[File:Blake Whore of Babylon.jpg|thumb|right|[[Whore of Babylon]] by [[William Blake]].]]

The '''Whore of Babylon''' is a symbolic figure of evil in the [[Bible prophecy|prophetic book]] of the [[Bible]] the [[Book of Revelation]]. Revelation describes her as, "“Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations.”<ref>{{bibleverse|Revelation|17:5|ESV}}</ref>

The '''Whore of Babylon''' is a symbolic figure of evil in the [[Bible prophecy|prophetic book]] of the [[Bible]] the [[Book of Revelation]]. Revelation describes her as, "Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations."<ref>{{bibleverse|Revelation|17:5|ESV}}</ref>

Bible scholars have various theories on what entity or entities the whore represents. According to the ''International Standard Bible Encyclopedia'', Babylon is a metaphor for imperial Rome. Like Babylon of Revelation, Rome ruled over the kings of the earth (Re 17:18); sat on seven mountains (Re 17:9); was the center of the world's merchandise (Re 18:3,11-13); corrupted nations (Re 17:2; 18:3; 19:2); and was a persecutor of the saints (Re 17:6).<ref> ''[http://www.internationalstandardbible.com/B/babylon-in-the-new-testament.html International Standard Bible Encyclopedia]''</ref>

Bible scholars have various theories on what entity or entities the whore represents. According to the ''International Standard Bible Encyclopedia'', Babylon is a metaphor for imperial Rome.<ref> ''[http://www.internationalstandardbible.com/B/babylon-in-the-new-testament.html International Standard Bible Encyclopedia]''</ref> Like Babylon of Revelation, Rome ruled over the kings of the earth,<ref>{{bibleverse|Revelation|17:18|ESV}}</ref> sat on seven mountains,<ref>{{bibleverse|Revelation|17:9|ESV}}</ref> was the center of the world's merchandise,<ref>{{bibleverse|Revelation|18:3|ESV}} and {{bibleverse|Revelation|18:11-13|ESV}}</ref> corrupted nations;<ref>{{bibleverse|Revelation|17:2|ESV}}, {{bibleverse|Revelation|18:3|ESV}}, and {{bibleverse|Revelation|19:2|ESV}}.</ref> and was a persecutor of saints.<ref>{{bibleverse|Revelation|17:6|ESV}}</ref>

== References ==

== References ==