Revelation 19:3

New Testament Apocalyptic ASV (1901)

What does Revelation 19:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And a second time they say, Hallelujah. And her smoke goeth up for ever and ever.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And a second time they say, Hallelujah. And her smoke goeth up for ever and ever.
Revelation 19:3 — American Standard Version

Context — Revelation 19

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
3And a second time they say, Hallelujah. And her smoke goeth up for ever and ever.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And again they said, Alleluia, etc.] Or a “second time” they said it; they began and ended their solemn worship and service with it; so some psalms begin and end with this word, translated in the Old Testament by the words “Praise ye the LORD”, as in (<19A601>Psalm 106:1,48 113:1,9) etc. and the repeating of the word shows how hearty, arnest, and constant they were in the work of praise on this account: and her smoke rose up for ever and ever; they repeated their hallelujah, or gave one spiritual “huzza” more at the burning of Rome, and this followed: or the words may be rendered, “for her smoke rose”, etc. and so are a reason for the second “hallelujah”: it looks as if Rome, like another…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“again--Greek, "a second time." rose up--Greek, "goeth up." for ever and ever--Greek, "to the ages of the ages."”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And again they said, Alleluia - See the notes on Revelation 19:1. The event was so glorious and so important; the final destruction of the great enemy of the church was of so much moment in its bearing on the welfare of the world, as to call forth repeated expressions of praise. And her smoke rose up forever and ever - See the notes on Revelation 14:11. This is an image of final ruin; the image being derived probably from the description in Genesis of the smoke that ascended from the cities of the plain, Genesis 19:28. On the joy expressed here in her destruction, compare the notes on Revelation 18:20. return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“19:3 The smoke from that city: God’s people praise him once again as they see the evil city’s demise (cp. 14:11).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Alleluia: Rev 19:1 And her: Rev 14:11, Rev 18:9, Rev 18:18; Gen 19:28; Isa 34:10; Jde 1:7 Revelation 19:4”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification