Revelation 18:13
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The shocking twist here is that the list of luxury goods culminates in "slaves, that is, human souls." This reveals that in the ultimate corruption of this system, people themselves have become commodities, their very essence reduced to something to be bought and sold, a chilling indictment of valuing profit over humanity.
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)
This passage lists the vast array of luxury goods and human beings that Babylon, a symbol of decadent worldly systems, trades in. It follows the pronouncements of judgment against this system and its corrupt practices, showing the extensive commerce and exploitation it thrives on. The list culminates with the chilling inclusion of "slaves, that is, human souls," highlighting that even people's very beings are treated as mere commodities for profit.
This verse lists an astonishing array of goods, from fragrant spices to human beings. What does this extensive list tell us about the city Babylon represents?
Revelation 18:13 presents a catalog of Babylon's vast commercial enterprises. It's not just about luxury items like cinnamon and frankincense, but also essential goods like fine flour and wheat, livestock, and even transportation like horses and chariots. This comprehensive list highlights the pervasive nature of Babylon's economic system, touching every aspect of life and society. It shows that this 'Babylon' isn't just a place of decadence, but a global economic powerhouse built on trade and material prosperity.
This isn't merely about wealth for wealth's sake. These items represent power, influence, and the means by which Babylon seduces the world. The more diverse and extensive the trade, the more deeply entrenched Babylon becomes in the systems and desires of people and nations.
The list climaxes with 'slaves, that is, human souls.' This shocking inclusion reveals the true, horrific nature of Babylon's commerce.
The most disturbing part of this list is the final entry: 'slaves, that is, human souls.' The commentators highlight that the original Greek words used here can refer to both the physical bodies and the very essence of people. This phrase signifies the ultimate commodification of human life.
Babylon's system, built on worldly desires and material gain, ultimately reduces people to mere objects to be bought and sold. This goes beyond physical slavery; it speaks to the spiritual enslavement that occurs when people are enticed by false promises, corrupted by greed, or lose their very identity and freedom in pursuit of worldly status and pleasure. This is the tragic end of a system that prioritizes profit over persons.
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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 passage vividly portrays the decadent excesses and exploitative commerce of a powerful, oppressive entity, drawing parallels to ancient commercial centers like Tyre and the vast luxury markets of the Roman Empire that John likely witnessed or heard about.
c. 8th-6th Century BC
Tyre's Extensive Trade Network
Ancient Tyre was a major maritime power renowned for its vast trade routes and diverse merchandise, which included luxury goods, raw materials, and even human beings, as depicted in Ezekiel 27.
c. 4th Century BC - 1st Century AD
Roman Empire's Luxury and Commerce
The Roman Empire was characterized by immense wealth, sophisticated trade networks, and a significant market for luxury items, spices, and slaves, reflecting a culture of opulence.
c. 1st Century AD
Roman Domination of the Mediterranean
The Pax Romana facilitated trade and movement across the Mediterranean, allowing for the flow of exotic goods and human traffic into major centers like Rome.
c. AD 60s— this verse
John's Vision of Revelation
The Apostle John receives the visions that form the Book of Revelation, likely during his exile on the island of Patmos.
Late 1st Century AD
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
The Roman destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple in AD 70 marked a significant turning point for Judaism and symbolized the end of an era, impacting the early Christian and Jewish communities.
This passage from Ezekiel's prophecy against Tyre lists a strikingly similar array of luxury goods, including a direct parallel to the 'souls of men' as a commodity, highlighting the ancient context of extensive international trade in both material wealth and human lives.
Proverbs 7:17This verse describes the alluring scent of cinnamon used by a seductive woman, providing a glimpse into the sensuous and often deceptive allure that luxury and indulgence could represent, mirroring the 'cinnamon' and other spices in Revelation used for worldly pleasure.
Matthew 27:57-58Here, Joseph of Arimathea, a rich man, uses fine linen (similar to 'fine flour' and precious spices) for Jesus' burial, showing how valuable materials, though intended for good, could also be associated with wealth and commerce.
1 Timothy 6:10This verse warns that the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, directly contrasting with the scene in Revelation where the immense material wealth and trade of Babylon become its downfall, and the love of such commerce leads to the exploitation of souls.
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"
The shocking twist here is that the list of luxury goods culminates in "slaves, that is, human souls." This reveals that in the ultimate corruption of this system, people themselves have become commodities, their very essence reduced to something to be bought and sold, a chilling indictment of valuing profit over humanity.
This passage lists the vast array of luxury goods and human beings that Babylon, a symbol of decadent worldly systems, trades in. It follows the pronouncements of judgment against this system and its corrupt practices, showing the extensive commerce and exploitation it thrives on. The list culminates with the chilling inclusion of "slaves, that is, human souls," highlighting that even people's very beings are treated as mere commodities for profit.
This passage lists the vast array of luxury goods and human beings that Babylon, a symbol of decadent worldly systems, trades in. It follows the pronouncements of judgment against this system and its corrupt practices, showing the extensive commerce and exploitation it thrives on. The list culminates with the chilling inclusion of "slaves, that is, human souls," highlighting that even people's very beings are treated as mere commodities for profit.
"cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, frankincense, wine, oil, fine flour, wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and slaves, that is, human souls." — The shocking twist here is that the list of luxury goods culminates in "slaves, that is, human souls." This reveals that in the ultimate corruption of this system, people themselves have become commo…
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Last reviewed October 2026
