Revelation 18:22
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Revelation 18:22
The sound of harpists . . .
Various occupations within the city are listed together with an indication that they will no longer be found. This harmonizes with Babylon’s Predicted Destruction which indicates she will be perpetually uninhabited. The diversity of occupations also indicates the impossibility of escape—the destruction will fall on all classes of people alike (cf. Isa. Isa. 24:1-2). Thus, the saints are instructed to escape the city to avoid her plagues (Rev. Rev. 18:4+). Musicians may be listed first as an intentional contrast to the resounding praise from heaven over her destruction. The tumultuous praise in heaven correlates with the deathly silence in Babylon below (Rev. Rev. 19:1-4+). Similar results attend the destruction of Tyre (Eze. Eze. 26:13).
No craftsman . . . and the sound of a millstone
Not only will there be no entertainment or rejoicing, there will be no more industry. Craftsman is τεχνίτης [technitēs] , related to our word technician: “A skilled workman craftsman, artisan . . . architect.”1
shall not be heard, shall not be found
In each of these phrases, the double negative, οὐ μὴ [ou mē] , emphasizes the certainty of the declaration.
Various occupations within the city are listed together with an indication that they will no longer be found. This harmonizes with Babylon’s Predicted Destruction which indicates she will be perpetually uninhabited. The diversity of occupations also indicates the impossibility of escape—the destruction will fall on all classes of people alike (cf. Isa. Isa. 24:1-2). Thus, the saints are instructed to escape the city to avoid her plagues (Rev. Rev. 18:4+). Musicians may be listed first as an intentional contrast to the resounding praise from heaven over her destruction. The tumultuous praise in heaven correlates with the deathly silence in Babylon below (Rev. Rev. 19:1-4+). Similar results attend the destruction of Tyre (Eze. Eze. 26:13).
No craftsman . . . and the sound of a millstone
Not only will there be no entertainment or rejoicing, there will be no more industry. Craftsman is τεχνίτης [technitēs] , related to our word technician: “A skilled workman craftsman, artisan . . . architect.”1
shall not be heard, shall not be found
In each of these phrases, the double negative, οὐ μὴ [ou mē] , emphasizes the certainty of the declaration.
Notes
1 Timothy Friberg, Barbara Friberg, and Neva F. Miller, Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2000), 379.