Revelation 18:13
cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, frankincense, wine, oil, fine flour, wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and slaves, that is, human souls.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse culminates its list of earthly luxuries with a shocking twist: the ultimate commodity is "slaves, that is, human souls." This isn't just about physical bondage; it points to the ultimate exploitation where people's very essence, their very being, is reduced to something to be bought and sold, highlighting the utter dehumanization at the heart of this corrupted system.
This passage paints a stark picture of the vast commercial empire of Babylon, detailing the luxurious and exotic goods her merchants traded, from spices and fine fabrics to livestock and horses. The list climaxes with the chilling inclusion of "slaves, that is, human souls," revealing the ultimate commodification and exploitation inherent in this decadent system, echoing ancient practices of trading people like property.
Revelation paints a picture of immense wealth, but it's a wealth tied to something deeply rotten.
This verse lists an astonishing array of goods – spices, fine flours, livestock, even chariots and slaves. These aren't just items of daily life; they represent the height of luxury, comfort, and power enjoyed by the city of Babylon.
But the commentary highlights a crucial point: these worldly goods are often presented as corrupted. Spices and incense, meant for worship or even intimate love, are here associated with the sensuality and false religion of Babylon. The very things God intended for good are being twisted for personal gain and idolatry.
This shows us that immense material wealth and worldly comfort aren't automatically sinful. However, when they become the focus, when they are pursued at the expense of spiritual devotion, and when they enable exploitation, they become part of a system that opposes God.
The list culminates in something chilling: 'souls of men.' How did this become merchandise?
The inclusion of 'slaves' and then specifically 'souls of men' is incredibly stark. The original languages use terms that strongly imply the literal buying and selling of people.
Commentaries point out that this reflects the brutal reality of ancient economies, where human beings were reduced to property. But it’s more than just physical enslavement. The phrase 'souls of men' can also refer to enslaving people spiritually – manipulating them, deceiving them, and ultimately leading them away from God for profit.
This highlights the deepest evil of Babylon: it doesn't just trade in goods; it trades in the eternal value of human beings. It exploits, deceives, and destroys lives for its own gain, showing a complete disregard for the sacredness of life that God values so highly.
Understand the original words
psychē · Greek Noun
The inner self or the core of a person’s being; it is the seat of life, emotion, and the immortal spirit that is accountable to God. In this context, it highlights the ultimate degradation of treating human life as a mere commodity.
This verse paints a vivid picture of 'Babylon' as a global commercial powerhouse, mirroring the opulence and exploitative trade practices of ancient entities like Tyre and Rome, including the abhorrent trade in human beings, which the text elevates to the level of souls.
c. 7th-4th century BC
Tyre as a Global Trade Hub
Ancient Tyre was a Phoenician city renowned for its extensive trade networks, exotic goods, and shipbuilding. Its merchants dealt in a vast array of luxury items, spices, and even people.
c. 6th century BC
Ezekiel's Prophecy Against Tyre
The prophet Ezekiel delivered a scathing oracle against Tyre, detailing its immense wealth and pride, and prophesying its destruction. He specifically mentions the city's merchants trading in 'persons of men' (slaves).
1st century BC - 1st century AD
Roman Empire's Economic Dominance
The Roman Empire controlled vast territories and trade routes, facilitating the movement of goods and people across its vast domain. Rome became a center of luxury and commerce, absorbing goods from across the known world.
c. AD 95— this verse
Revelation Written to Asian Churches
The Book of Revelation was written by the Apostle John during a time of intense persecution of Christians by the Roman Empire. The visions describe symbolic representations of worldly powers and their ultimate downfall.
This passage from Ezekiel's prophecy against Tyre lists similar luxury goods and explicitly mentions 'persons' or 'souls of men' as merchandise, drawing a direct parallel to the commercial depravity described in Revelation.
Jeremiah 51:7Jeremiah's prophecy against Babylon declares it 'a golden cup in the Lord’s hand, making the whole earth drunken,' reflecting the intoxicating luxury and influence of the city that Revelation critiques.
Luke 12:15Jesus warns against greed, stating that 'one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions,' a principle that the excessive and soul-destroying commerce in Revelation 18 fundamentally violates.
1 Timothy 6:10The Apostle Paul identifies the love of money as 'a root of all kinds of evils,' which connects to the decadent trade and ultimate downfall of the commercial power described in Revelation 18.
barnesRevelation 18:13: "And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men."
And cinnamon - Cinnamon is the aromatic bark of the Laurus Cinnamomam, which grows in Arabia, India, and especially in the island of Ceylon. It was formerly, as it is now, a valuable article in the Oriental trade. And odours - Aromatics employed in religious worship, and for making perfumes. Mr…
pooleRevelation 18:13: "And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men."
See Poole on "Revelation 18:12"
This verse culminates its list of earthly luxuries with a shocking twist: the ultimate commodity is "slaves, that is, human souls." This isn't just about physical bondage; it points to the ultimate exploitation where people's very essence, their very being, is reduced to something to be bought and sold, highlighting the utter dehumanization at the heart of this corrupted system.
This passage paints a stark picture of the vast commercial empire of Babylon, detailing the luxurious and exotic goods her merchants traded, from spices and fine fabrics to livestock and horses. The list climaxes with the chilling inclusion of "slaves, that is, human souls," revealing the ultimate commodification and exploitation inherent in this decadent system, echoing ancient practices of trading people like property.
This passage paints a stark picture of the vast commercial empire of Babylon, detailing the luxurious and exotic goods her merchants traded, from spices and fine fabrics to livestock and horses. The list climaxes with the chilling inclusion of "slaves, that is, human souls," revealing the ultimate commodification and exploitation inherent in this decadent system, echoing ancient practices of trading people like property.
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c. 2nd Century AD
Roman Slave Trade Flourishes
The Roman Empire was deeply reliant on slave labor. Historical accounts indicate enormous numbers of slaves were bought and sold, serving in all aspects of life, from domestic service to gladiatorial combat.
"cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, frankincense, wine, oil, fine flour, wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and slaves, that is, human souls." — This verse culminates its list of earthly luxuries with a shocking twist: the ultimate commodity is "slaves, that is, human souls." This isn't just about physical bondage; it points to the ultimate e…
