Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJohn Bengel Commentary - Revelation 18:5 - 18:5
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Rev 18:5. [197] Ἐκολλήθησαν) Wolf says, this reading is suspected by me.[198] For the verb κολλᾶσθαι is said only of those, who adhere to any object or person, as pleasing to themselves; but I do not perceive how this can be said of sins, and moreover of sinners, with reference to the heavens. But the verb κολλᾶσθαι is used in a wider sense, Zec 14:5, Καὶ ἐγκολληθήσεται φάραγξ ἓως Ἀσαής. Lam 2:2, Τὰ ὀχυρώματα τῆς θυγατρὸς Ἰούδα ἐκόλλησεν (Κύριος) εἰς τὴς γῆν. Passages might be added, in which דבק and κολλᾶσθαι correspond with each other. But the two former passages prove the matter: for ἕως and εἰς in them, and ἄχρι in the Apocalypse, render the expression altogether similar; and the word הגיע is found in them, which word is used, 2Ch 28:9, to denote a slaughter reaching to the heaven: LXX., ἜΦΘΑΚΕ. The Apocalyptic phrase answers to that passage of Jeremiah 51 (in the Greek 28) 9, ὍΤΙ ἬΓΓΙΣΕΝ ΕἸς ΟὐΡΑΝῸΝ ΤῸ ΚΡΊΜΑ ΑὐΤῆς (ΒΑΒΥΛῶΝΟς); in Hebr. it is נגע, of which word John undoubtedly had an idea in his mind. But ἈΚΟΛΟΥΘΈΩ is never used to express this word; the synonymous words, ΦΘΆΝΕΙΝ, ἘΓΓΊΖΕΙΝ, ΚΟΛΛᾶΣΘΑΙ, are used. The MSS., with general consent, have ἘΚΟΛΛΉΘΗΣΑΝ: Erasmus, ἠκολούθησαν, from mere conjecture, as it seems; for not even does Andreas thus read it. Whether ΑἹ ἉΜΑΡΤΊΑΙ here denote sins, or rather punishments, the passage in Ap. ch. Rev 16:13 is different; for the works follow with those who die in the Lord the sins do not follow with Babylon even to the heaven.
[197] Ver. 4. Ἐξέλθρτε, come out) This coming out will be enjoined immediately before the infliction of the plagues of Babylon.-V. g.
[198] ABC read ἐκολλήθησαν. Vulg. h Cypr. 316 have “pervenerunt:” Rec. Text. ἠκολούθησαν, without good authority.-E.