A.T. Robertson Commentary


A.T. Robertson Commentary
"merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stone, and pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet; and all thyine wood, and every vessel of ivory, and every vessel made of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble;" — Revelation 18:12 (ASV)
Of fine linen (βυσσινου). Genitive case after γομον, as are all the items to κοκκινου. Old adjective from βυσσος (linen, Luke 16:19), here a garment of linen, in N.T. only Re 18:12,16; 19:8,14.
Purple (πορφυρας). Fabric colored with purple dye (πορφυρεος, 17:4; 18:16), as in Mr 15:17,20; Luke 16:19.
Silk (σιρικου). So the uncials here. Το σηρικον (the silken fabric) occurs in Plutarch, Strabo, Arrian, Lucian, only here in N.T. Probably from the name of the Indian or Chinese people (ο Σηρες) from whom the fabric came after Alexander invaded India. Silk was a costly article among the Romans, and for women as a rule.
Scarlet (κοκκινου). See 17:4; 18:16.
All thyine wood (παν ξυλον θυινον). Now accusative again without γομον dependence. An odoriferous North African citrus tree, prized for the colouring of the wood for diningtables, like a peacock's tail or the stripes of a tiger or panther. Here only in N.T.
Of ivory (ελεφαντινον). Old adjective (from ελεφας elephant) agreeing with σκευος (vessel), here only in N.T. Cf. Ahab's ivory palace (1 Kings 22:39).
Of marble (μαρμαρου). Old word (from μαρμαιρω, to glisten), genitive after σκευος (vessel), here only in N.T.