Revelation 17:9 Meaning and Explanation
“And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The angel calls for a mind of wisdom: the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated.
What Does Revelation 17:9 Mean?
The angel pauses to summon wisdom before giving the next clue. The seven heads of the beast, he says, are seven mountains, and it is upon these that the woman takes her seat. To John's first readers the image of a city enthroned on her hills would have been unmistakable, naming the proud capital of the age that ruled the world.
The call for a discerning mind is part of the message. This is not knowledge that yields itself to the careless; it asks for the wisdom that comes from God. The woman's secure perch on the mountains pictures a power that feels permanent and immovable, settled on the high places of the earth. Yet the verses that follow will show how quickly such seats can be overturned. Wisdom looks at the towering thing and sees both its present height and its certain fall.
Frequently Asked Questions About Revelation 17:9
What does Revelation 17:9 mean?
The angel calls for a mind of wisdom: the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated.