Revelation 18:7 Meaning and Explanation
“How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Babylon's self-exalting luxury is matched by sorrow, for in her heart she boasted she was an untouchable queen who would never grieve.
What Does Revelation 18:7 Mean?
The measure of Babylon's pride becomes the measure of her grief. As high as she lifted herself and as lavishly as she lived, so deep will be her torment and sorrow. The reason lies in her heart's boast: 'I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.' She imagined herself secure, beyond loss, beyond mourning.
Self-glory that says in its heart 'I will never be moved' is the oldest and most fragile of illusions. The boast 'I shall see no sorrow' is exactly the confidence that calls sorrow down. Scripture lays bare the inner speech of pride so the reader can recognize it in themselves. True security is never found in declaring oneself untouchable, but in the humble trust that rests on God, who lifts up the lowly and resists the proud.
Revelation 18:7 in the Original Language
chera (χήρα), 'widow' -- a woman bereft of her husband; Babylon denies she could ever know such loss.
Frequently Asked Questions About Revelation 18:7
What does Revelation 18:7 mean?
Babylon's self-exalting luxury is matched by sorrow, for in her heart she boasted she was an untouchable queen who would never grieve.