Revelation 18:12 Meaning and Explanation
“The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The list of Babylon's luxury goods begins: precious metals, jewels, fine fabrics, rare woods, and costly materials.
What Does Revelation 18:12 Mean?
John records the inventory of Babylon's trade, and it reads like a catalog of the world's finest things: gold and silver, jewels and pearls, fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet, rare scented wood, and vessels of ivory, costly wood, brass, iron, and marble. These are the wares of the wealthy and powerful, the splendor on which the great city was built.
The sheer length of the list shows how much was poured into luxury and how much weight the world placed on it. None of it is evil in itself, yet here it has become the measure of a life and the soul of a city. When riches become the point, they cannot save in the day of loss. The reader is reminded that the most precious things this world offers are still passing, and that lasting worth is found in another treasure altogether.
Frequently Asked Questions About Revelation 18:12
What does Revelation 18:12 mean?
The list of Babylon's luxury goods begins: precious metals, jewels, fine fabrics, rare woods, and costly materials.