Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Revelation 17:7

"And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou wonder? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and the ten horns." — Revelation 17:7 (ASV)

Verses 7–18 contain an extended interpretation of the vision that parallels the method used in apocalyptic sections in OT prophecy (cf. Zec l:8ff., etc.; Revelation 7:9ff). First the beast is described and identified (vv.7–8), then the seven heads (vv.9–11), the ten horns (vv.12–14), the waters (v.15), and finally the woman (v.18). John’s astonishment over the arresting figure of the woman on the beast is quickly subdued by the interpreting angel’s announcement that John will be shown the explanation of the divine mystery of the symbolic imagery of woman and beast.