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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.<ref>[http://www.internationalstandardbible.com/B/babylon-in-the-new-testament.html Babylon in the New Testament], ''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> This would suggest that the beast represents Emperor Nero and that the whore represents the Jewish priesthood, who John accuses of collaborating with the Roman authorities against Christians.<ref>[http://www.catholicapologetics.info/apologetics/protestantism/WhoreOfBabyl.html Who is the Whore of Babylon?], Catholic Apologetics.</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 Babylon in the New Testament]," ''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> This would suggest that the beast represents Emperor Nero and that the whore represents the Jewish priesthood, who John accuses of collaborating with the Roman authorities against Christians.<ref>[http://www.catholicapologetics.info/apologetics/protestantism/WhoreOfBabyl.html Who is the Whore of Babylon?], Catholic Apologetics.</ref>

== References ==

== References ==