Rev 18:17-19 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 17. For in one hour . In a very brief period--so short that it seemed to them to be but one hour. In the prediction ( ) it is said that it would be "in one day," ( ) here it is said, that to the lookers-on it seemed to be but an hour. There is no inconsistency, therefore, between the two statements. So great riches is come to nought . All the accumulated wealth of so great and rich a city. This should have been united with , as it is a part of the lamentation of the merchants, and as the lamentation of the mariners commences in the other part of the verse. It is so divided in the Greek Testaments. And every ship-master . This introduces the lamentation of the mariners, who would, of course, be deeply interested in the destruction of a city with which they had been accustomed to trade, and by carrying merchandise to which they had been enriched. The word ship-master -- κυβερνητης--means, properly, a governor ; then a governor of a ship--the steersman, or pilot , . And all the company in ships . Prof. Stuart renders this coasters . There is here, however, an important difference in the reading in the text. The commonly received text is, παςεπιτωνπλοιωνοομιλος --"the whole company in ships," as in our common version; the reading which is now commonly adopted, and which is found in Griesbach, Hahn, and Tittman, is οετιτοπονπλεων "he who sails to a place;" that is, he who sails from one place to another along the coast, or who does not venture out far to sea; and thus the phrase would denote a secondary class of sea-captains or officers--those less venturesome, or experienced, or bold than others. There can be little doubt that this is the correct reading, (comp. Wetstein, in loc .,) and hence the class of seamen here referred to is coasters . Such seamen would naturally be employed where there was a great and luxurious maritime city, and would have a deep interest in its fall. And sailors . Common seamen. And as many as trade by sea . In any kind of craft, whether employed in a near or a remote trade. Stood afar off . Barnes on "Re 18:10" . (b) "ships"

Revelation of John 18:17-19

Verse 17. For in one hour. In a very brief period--so short that it seemed to them to be but one hour. In the prediction (Rev 18:8) it is said that it would be "in one day," (Rev 18:8) here it is said, that to the lookers-on it seemed to be but an hour. There is no inconsistency, therefore, between the two statements.

So great riches is come to nought. All the accumulated wealth of so great and rich a city. This should have been united with Rev 18:16, as it is a part of the lamentation of the merchants, and as the lamentation of the mariners commences in the other part of the verse. It is so divided in the Greek Testaments.

And every ship-master. This introduces the lamentation of the mariners, who would, of course, be deeply interested in the destruction of a city with which they had been accustomed to trade, and by carrying merchandise to which they had been enriched. The word ship-master-- κυβερνητης--means, properly, a governor; then a governor of a ship--the steersman, or pilot, Acts 27:11.

And all the company in ships. Prof. Stuart renders this coasters. There is here, however, an important difference in the reading in the text. The commonly received text is, παςεπιτωνπλοιωνοομιλος --"the whole company in ships," as in our common version; the reading which is now commonly adopted, and which is found in Griesbach, Hahn, and Tittman, is οετιτοπονπλεων "he who sails to a place;" that is, he who sails from one place to another along the coast, or who does not venture out far to sea; and thus the phrase would denote a secondary class of sea-captains or officers--those less venturesome, or experienced, or bold than others. There can be little doubt that this is the correct reading, (comp. Wetstein, in loc.,) and hence the class of seamen here referred to is coasters. Such seamen would naturally be employed where there was a great and luxurious maritime city, and would have a deep interest in its fall.

And sailors. Common seamen.

And as many as trade by sea. In any kind of craft, whether employed in a near or a remote trade.

Stood afar off. Barnes on "Re 18:10".

(b) "ships" Isa 23:14 Verse 18. And cried, etc. That is, as they had a deep interest in it, they would, on their own account, as well as hers, lift up the voice of lamentation.

What city is like unto this great city? In her destruction. What calamity has ever come upon a city like this?

(c) "What city" Jer 51:37 Verse 19. And they east dust on their heads. A common sign of lamentation and mourning among the Orientals. Job 2:12.

By reason of her costliness. The word rendered costliness-- τιμιοτης--means, properly, preciousness, costliness; then magnificence, costly merchandise. The luxury of a great city enriches many individuals, however much it may impoverish itself.

For in one hour is she made desolate. So it seemed to them. Rev 18:17.

(d) "cast dust" Josh 7:6, Job 2:12, Eze 27:30