Bible Strands
Revelation 18:6
Give back to her as she has done to others; pay her back double for what she has done; mix her a double portion in her own cup.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — A divine voice commands judgment against Babylon in Revelation 18. The speaker addresses heavenly agents at the precise moment her sins are fully recorded and remembered.
The words — The Greek ἀπὸδότε (apodote) issues a direct command to "give back" or "repay." It anchors the verse's demand for exact reciprocity alongside the verb describing what she "has rendered."
The thread — This measured retribution parallels Jeremiah 50:29 and Psalm 137:8, which demand Babylon receive what she inflicted. Revelation 18:7 immediately extends the same principle to her pride and luxury.
Why it lands — The text demands exact reciprocity rather than arbitrary punishment. It requires the reader to recognize that divine justice operates on the precise measure of human actions.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.
Cross-references
- Jeremiah 50:29 Summon the archers against Babylon, all who string the bow. Encamp all around her; let no one escape. Repay her according to her deeds; do to her as she has done. For she has defied the LORD, the Holy One of Israel.
- Psalms 137:8 O Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, blessed is he who repays you as you have done to us.
- Jeremiah 50:15 Raise a war cry against her on every side! She has thrown up her hands in surrender; her towers have fallen; her walls are torn down. Since this is the vengeance of the LORD, take out your vengeance upon her; as she has done, do the same to her.
- Jeremiah 51:24 Before your very eyes I will repay Babylon and all the dwellers of Chaldea for all the evil they have done in Zion,” declares the LORD.
- Revelation 14:10 he too will drink the wine of God’s anger, poured undiluted into the cup of His wrath. And he will be tormented in fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb.
- Revelation 16:19 The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. And God remembered Babylon the great and gave her the cup of the wine of the fury of His wrath.
- Jeremiah 16:18 And I will first repay them double their iniquity and their sin, because they have defiled My land with the carcasses of their detestable idols, and they have filled My inheritance with their abominations.”
- Jeremiah 17:18 Let my persecutors be put to shame, but do not let me be put to shame. Let them be terrified, but do not let me be terrified. Bring upon them the day of disaster and shatter them with double destruction.
- Jeremiah 51:49 “Babylon must fall on account of the slain of Israel, just as the slain of all the earth have fallen because of Babylon.
- Zechariah 9:12 Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; even today I declare that I will restore to you double.