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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - Revelation 18:10 - 18:10
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Standing afar off (apo makrothen hestēkotes). Perfect active (intransitive) participle of histēmi. Vivid picture of the terrible scene, fascinated by the lurid blaze (cf. Nero’s delight in the burning of Rome in a.d. 64), and yet afraid to draw near. On apo makrothen see Mar 5:6. There is a weird charm in a burning city. They feared the same fate (cf. Rev 18:7 for basanismou, torment).
Woe, woe, the great city (ouai, ouai, hē polis hē megalē). Only example in the Apocalypse of the nominative with ouai except Rev 18:16, Rev 18:19, though in Luk 6:25 and common in lxx (Isa 5:7, 11, etc.). For the dative see Rev 8:13, once so “strong” (hē ischura)!
In one hour (miāi hōrāi). Repeated in Rev 18:16, Rev 18:19, and like miāi hēmerāi (in one day) in Rev 18:8. Some MSS. have here mian hōran, like poian hōran (accusative of extent of time) in Rev 3:3. See Rev 18:8 (ho krinas) for hē krisis sou (thy judgment). This is the dirge of the kings.