Attributed commentary excerpt
John Gill's Exposition on Revelation 18:19
A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.
Exposition of the Old and New Testament
John Gill (1697–1771) · 18th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.
And they cast dust on their heads, etc.] As the seafaring men on account of Tyre, (<262730>Ezekiel 27:30) this was a gesture used in mourning when persons were in afflicted and distressed circumstances, denoting disorder, confusion, and debasement; (see <060706>Joshua 7:6 <180212>Job 2:12) and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, alas, alas! that great city; as in (<661810>Revelation 18:10,16) so it was once, though now in flames: wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea; not only the merchants of the earth, as in (<661803>Revelation 18:3) the cardinals, archbishops, and bishops, but the governors of religious houses; these accumulated great wealth to themselves, and got the best of lands into their possession for the use and support of their abbeys and monasteries: by reason of her costliness; or costly things; pardons, indulgences, absolution, saying Mass, and praying souls out of purgatory, all which are costly, and hereby these traders have been enriched; and now the remembrance of these things, of which they will be deprived, will affect and grieve them, as well as the suddenness of Rome's ruin: for in one hour is she made desolate; her judgment come, and her riches come to nought, (<661810>Revelation 18:10,17).
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