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They cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and mourning, saying, `Woe, woe, the great city, in which all who had their ships in the sea were made rich by reason of her great wealth!` For in one hour is she made desolate.

Verse Takeaways

1

Sorrow for Profit, Not Sin

Commentators highlight that the mourning of the sea traders is purely worldly. They cast dust on their heads, a traditional sign of deep grief, not because they have offended God, but because their source of immense wealth has been suddenly destroyed. Their sorrow is for the loss of luxury and financial gain, revealing the emptiness of a life built on materialism.

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Commentaries

6

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes

On Revelation 18:19

18th Century

Theologian

And they cast dust on their heads. A common sign of lamentation and mourning among Eastern peoples. See Barnes on Job 2:12.

By …

AT Robertson

AT Robertson

On Revelation 18:19

They cast dust (εβαλον χουν). Second aorist active of βαλλω. Χους is old word (from χεω to pour) for heap of earth, dust, in N.T. …

Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott

On Revelation 18:19

19th Century

Bishop

Alas! alas! that great city . . .—The lament is parallel with the laments of the kings and the merchants; the difference is the ap…

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Expositor's Bible Commentary

Expositor's Bible Commentary

On Revelation 18:19

Even quick reading of Eze 27 shows that John has in mind Ezekiel’s lamentation over the fall of ancient Tyre. Those who entered into fornication wi…

John Gill

John Gill

On Revelation 18:19

17th Century

Pastor

And they cast dust on their heads
As the seafaring men on account of Tyre, (Ezekiel 27:30) this was a ge…

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry

On Revelation 18:9–19

17th Century

Minister

The mourners had shared in Babylon's sensual pleasures and gained from her wealth and trade. The kings of the earth, whom she flattered into idolat…

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