Revelation 17:5 kjv — And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EAR…

King James Version

"And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH."

— Revelation 17:5, King James Version

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Revelation 17:5 in Other Translations

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Revelation 17 — Context

2

With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.

3

So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

4

And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:

5

And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

6

And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.

7

And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.

8

The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

Revelation 17:5 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Revelation 17:5 say?
Revelation 17:5 in the King James Version reads: “And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.”
Where is Revelation 17:5 in the Bible?
Revelation 17:5 is found in the New Testament, in the book of Revelation, chapter 17, verse 5.
Who wrote Revelation?
Revelation is traditionally attributed to John (traditionally John the Apostle, exiled on Patmos). It was written c. AD 95.
What is the book of Revelation about?
Revelation is the unveiling of Jesus Christ — risen, reigning, returning. Through vivid, symbolic visions it shows the church's suffering, Christ's victory, the judgment of evil, and the new heavens and new earth where God dwells with his people forever. The Bible's grand finale.
What are the major themes of Revelation?
Revelation explores themes including Christ Victorious, Judgment, Worship, Endurance, New Creation. These themes shape the meaning and context of Revelation 17:5.
What translation should I read Revelation 17:5 in?
Revelation 17:5 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Revelation 17:5?
Revelation 17:5 reads (KJV): “And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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