And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, (Revelation 18:9)
Gr. koptō, literally, “to beat [one’s breast],”“to cut [one’s body]” in grief.
Bewail her.
Or, “mourn for her,”“sob on account of her,” in loud, unrestrained wailing. Anticipating their own impending fate, the hapless “kings” and “merchants” (v. 11) of earth join in a dirge of death for haughty Babylon, now in torment upon her blazing funeral pyre. The dramatic effect of vs. 9-20, which describe the inexorable doom of the great harlot, is heightened by their exotic Oriental literary form—poetic diffuseness highlighted by graphic imagery. The appeal of ch. 18 is primarily emotional, but that appeal is reinforced by incisive logic: For those who respond to God’s call to flee from the wrath to come (v. 4) there is still respite from her impending doom.
The symbolism of the chapter is drawn almost entirely from the OT, as a comparison of the many cross references cited makes evident (see Additional Note at end of chapter). A careful study of these OT parallels in connection with the historical incidents there alluded to greatly clarifies the highly symbolic imagery of this chapter. In ch. 17:16 it is the kings of the earth (cf. on v. 12) who set Babylon afire. Here, they are pictured mourning the results of that deed, perhaps in the sad realization that they must soon share Babylon’s fate (cf. Isa. 47:13-15).