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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - Revelation 17:10 - 17:10
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Seven kings (basileis hepta). This is another change in the symbolism. The identification of these seven kings is one of the puzzles of the book.
The five are fallen (hoi pente epesan). Second aorist active indicative of piptō with the ̇an ending. Common for the downfall of kings (Eze 29:5; Eze 30:6; Isa 21:9, etc.). See 2Sa 3:38.
The one is (ho heis estin). The one when this vision is dated.
The other is not yet come (ho allos oupō ēlthen). Prophetic second aorist active of erchomai. Charles takes this as the date of this “source” or part of the Apocalypse. But John could himself have used this language in the time of Domitian even if he was the one who had not yet come. The difficulty about counting these emperors is that Galba, Otho, Vitellius reigned so briefly that they hardly merit being included.
When he cometh (hotan elthēi). Indefinite temporal clause for the future, with hotan and the second aorist active subjunctive of erchomai, “whenever he comes.”
He must continue a little while (oligon auton dei meinai). Swete takes this to be Titus, who died September 13, 81, after a short reign.