Difference between revisions of "Whore of Babylon"
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| − | [[File:Blake Whore of Babylon.jpg|thumb|right| | + | [[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 '''Whore of Babylon''' is a symbolic figure of evil described in [[Book of Revelation|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 | + | Bible scholars have various theories concerning what the whore represents. In ancient times, [[Tertullian]] suggested that Babylon was a stand-in for pagan Rome.<ref name=ISBE>"[http://www.internationalstandardbible.com/B/babylon-in-the-new-testament.html Babylon in the New Testament]," ''International Standard Bible Encyclopedia''. See also "Revelation— Note on 17: 9– 11," ''ESV Study Bible''. "Rome, which then had “dominion over the kings of the earth” (v. 18), rests on seven mountains (or seven hills)."</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> If Babylon does represent Rome, it follows that the beast represents Emperor Nero and that the whore represents the Jews, 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> |
| − | + | Historically, Protestant commentators emphasized parallels between the Whore and the papacy. The ''Geneva Bible'' (1540) connects the papacy to the Whore by portraying it as a continuation of imperial Rome: "A scarlet color, that is, with a red and purple garment: and surely it was not without cause that the Romish clergy were so much delighted with this color."<ref>''Geneva Bible'' (1560), Commentary for Revelation 17:3.</ref> There is also, "That harlot, the spiritual Babylon, which is Rome."<ref>''Geneva Bible'' (1560), Commentary for Revelation 17:4.</ref> In his 1706 Bible commentary, Matthew Henry identified those who followed the whore with those that "have been bewitched and enslaved by the papacy."<ref>Matthew, Henry, ''[https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/revelation/17.html Complete Commentary on Revelation 17]''.</ref> This view has waned in recent years due to increased cooperation between Protestants and Catholics (though the cooperation is mainly on social issues such as [[abortion]]); however, it is still the prevalent view within [[fundamentalism]] especially within [[Independent Baptist]] churches. | |
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== External links == | == External links == | ||
| − | *[ | + | *[https://ca.thegospelcoalition.org/columns/ad-fontes/who-is-the-whore-of-babylon-and-why-does-it-matter/ Who Is The Whore Of Babylon? (And Why Does It Matter?)], The Gospel Coalition |
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| − | + | == References == | |
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| + | {{reflist|1}} | ||
Latest revision as of 20:43, September 20, 2025
The Whore of Babylon is a symbolic figure of evil described in Revelation. Revelation describes her as, "Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations."[1]
Bible scholars have various theories concerning what the whore represents. In ancient times, Tertullian suggested that Babylon was a stand-in for pagan Rome.[2] Like Babylon of Revelation, Rome ruled over the kings of the earth,[3] sat on seven mountains,[4] was the center of the world's merchandise,[5] corrupted nations,[6] and was a persecutor of saints.[7] If Babylon does represent Rome, it follows that the beast represents Emperor Nero and that the whore represents the Jews, who John accuses of collaborating with the Roman authorities against Christians.[8]
Historically, Protestant commentators emphasized parallels between the Whore and the papacy. The Geneva Bible (1540) connects the papacy to the Whore by portraying it as a continuation of imperial Rome: "A scarlet color, that is, with a red and purple garment: and surely it was not without cause that the Romish clergy were so much delighted with this color."[9] There is also, "That harlot, the spiritual Babylon, which is Rome."[10] In his 1706 Bible commentary, Matthew Henry identified those who followed the whore with those that "have been bewitched and enslaved by the papacy."[11] This view has waned in recent years due to increased cooperation between Protestants and Catholics (though the cooperation is mainly on social issues such as abortion); however, it is still the prevalent view within fundamentalism especially within Independent Baptist churches.
External links
- Who Is The Whore Of Babylon? (And Why Does It Matter?), The Gospel Coalition
References
- ↑ Revelation 17:5
- ↑ "Babylon in the New Testament," International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. See also "Revelation— Note on 17: 9– 11," ESV Study Bible. "Rome, which then had “dominion over the kings of the earth” (v. 18), rests on seven mountains (or seven hills)."
- ↑ Revelation 17:18.
- ↑ Revelation 17:9.
- ↑ Revelation 18:3 and Revelation 18:11-13.
- ↑ Revelation 17:2, Revelation 18:3, and Revelation 19:2.
- ↑ Revelation 17:6.
- ↑ "Who is the Whore of Babylon?," Catholic Apologetics.
- ↑ Geneva Bible (1560), Commentary for Revelation 17:3.
- ↑ Geneva Bible (1560), Commentary for Revelation 17:4.
- ↑ Matthew, Henry, Complete Commentary on Revelation 17.