This calls for a mind with wisdom.This phrase emphasizes the need for discernment and spiritual insight to understand the symbolic language used in Revelation. Wisdom in biblical terms often refers to a God-given ability to perceive spiritual truths (
James 1:5). The book of Revelation is apocalyptic literature, rich in symbolism and requiring divine insight to interpret its meanings accurately. This call for wisdom echoes the need for understanding in other parts of Scripture, such as
Proverbs 4:7, where wisdom is paramount.
The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits.
The "seven heads" symbolize seven mountains, which many scholars and theologians associate with the city of Rome, historically known as the city on seven hills. This geographical reference would have been familiar to the original audience of Revelation, as Rome was the center of power and persecution against Christians at the time. The "woman" is often interpreted as representing a corrupt system or city, possibly symbolizing the Roman Empire or a future manifestation of worldly power opposed to God. The imagery of mountains can also be seen in other biblical contexts as symbols of strength and stability (Psalm 125:2), but here they are linked to a worldly power that is ultimately transient and opposed to God's eternal kingdom.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
The WomanSymbolic of a great city or entity that holds significant power and influence. In the context of Revelation, she is often associated with Babylon, representing a system of worldly corruption and opposition to God.
2.
The Seven HeadsThese are symbolic representations, often interpreted as seven hills or mountains, which have been historically associated with the city of Rome. They can also represent seven kingdoms or powers.
3.
The Seven MountainsThese are often interpreted as the seven hills of Rome, but they can also symbolize completeness or fullness of worldly power and authority.
4.
The BeastA symbolic representation of a powerful, oppressive regime or leader that works against God's purposes.
5.
John the ApostleThe author of Revelation, who receives this vision and conveys it to the early Christian churches.
Teaching Points
Wisdom and DiscernmentBelievers are called to seek wisdom and discernment to understand the spiritual realities behind worldly powers and influences.
Symbolism of MountainsThe seven mountains can represent the pervasive influence of worldly systems. Christians should be aware of how these systems can impact their faith and witness.
The Role of the ChurchThe church is called to stand firm against the corrupting influences of worldly powers, maintaining faithfulness to Christ.
God's SovereigntyDespite the apparent power of worldly systems, God remains sovereign and will ultimately judge and overthrow all opposition.
Living in ExpectationChristians are encouraged to live with an eternal perspective, recognizing that current worldly powers are temporary and will be replaced by God's eternal kingdom.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Revelation 17:9?
2.How does Revelation 17:9's "mind with wisdom" guide our understanding of prophecy?
3.What is the significance of the "seven heads" in Revelation 17:9?
4.How can we apply the wisdom from Revelation 17:9 in today's world?
5.What Old Testament prophecies connect with the imagery in Revelation 17:9?
6.How does Revelation 17:9 encourage discernment in interpreting symbolic biblical passages?
7.What is the significance of the seven heads in Revelation 17:9?
8.How do the seven mountains relate to historical or future events?
9.Why is wisdom required to interpret Revelation 17:9?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Revelation 17?
11.Revelation 17:9 associates seven heads with seven hills; how reliably does this align with ancient Rome, and could it point to another location?
12.What does the Bible say about Rome?
13.Revelation 17:18 claims a great city rules over the earth’s kings; what tangible proof exists that identifies a single city wielding such global power at any point in history?
14.What is the beast described in Revelation?What Does Revelation 17:9 Mean
This calls for a mind with wisdom• “This calls for a mind with wisdom” (Revelation 17:9) reminds readers that God Himself invites thoughtful, Spirit-led reflection (Proverbs 1:7;James 1:5).
• In Revelation, angelic explanations often come with this urging (Revelation 13:18), signaling that what follows is both knowable and deeply significant.
• Wisdom here is not merely intellectual; it is moral and spiritual discernment (1 Corinthians 2:14-16). Believers are expected to approach prophetic truth humbly, trusting God to reveal meaning in His timing (Daniel 2:20-22).
The seven heads are seven mountains• John identifies the seven heads of the beast (first seen inRevelation 13:1) as “seven mountains.”
• Mountains frequently symbolize ruling powers in Scripture (Psalm 30:7;Jeremiah 51:25).
• Taken literally, the phrase evokes the famous seven-hilled city of Rome—a natural match for the contemporaneous seat of imperial power. This fits the first-century context of John’s readers (Revelation 17:18), who associated Rome with persecution and idolatry.
• Yet prophecy often layers meaning.Daniel 2 and 7 link successive empires with symbolic imagery; likewise, these “mountains” can anticipate a series of kingdoms culminating in the beast’s final form (Revelation 17:10).
• Thus, the mountains represent both a real geographic setting and successive political entities opposed to God—each embraced by the woman’s corrupting influence.
On which the woman sits• The woman, earlier called “Babylon the Great” (Revelation 17:5), is shown sitting on both the beast (Revelation 17:3) and these mountains.
• Her posture of sitting conveys authority, alliance, and exploitation (Revelation 18:3).
• Throughout Scripture, Babylon typifies organized rebellion against God (Genesis 11:4;Isaiah 13:19). In the end times, this rebellion coalesces into a global religious-political system that rides, directs, and ultimately is destroyed by the beast it once controlled (Revelation 17:16-17).
• The imagery portrays:
– Geographical scope: rooted in earthly centers of power.
– Political reach: intertwined with ruling empires.
– Spiritual corruption: intoxicating “the kings of the earth” (Revelation 17:2).
• God permits this arrangement for a season, then judges it decisively (Revelation 18:8-10).
summaryRevelation 17:9 urges Spirit-guided insight to grasp how the woman (Babylon) exerts influence over successive earthly powers, pictured as seven mountains. Rooted historically in Rome yet extending prophetically to future global dominion, the verse shows that human empires—no matter how impressive—serve God’s purposes and will ultimately fall before Christ’s righteous reign.
(9)
And here is the mind . . .--Better,
Here (omit "and")
is the mind,&c. Attention is asked to the fuller explanation which follows. It needs true wisdom to behold many incidents of the world's history and not find stumbling-blocks in them (
Psalm 73:2-3;
Psalm 119:165).
The seven heads are seven mountains where the woman sitteth upon them. The description seems to be drawn from Rome, the seven-hilled city. This keeps the reference to Rome before us, but at the same time the further explanation (in
Revelation 17:10) widens our thoughts, and shows us that the literalism on which the imagery is based is used to convey a broader symbolical meaning.
The seven heads are seven mountains, &c.,and they (the seven heads; the words "There are seven kings" in the English version are confusing)
are seven kings: the woman rides on the seven-headed beast; even so Rome dwells on her seven hills, and so also the world-city, seen in vision, sits among the various empires which have risen, like great mountains, in the history of the world.
Verse 9. -
And here is the mind which hath wisdom. Omit "and." Read,
Here is the mind (or,
meaning), etc. These words (as in
Revelation 13:18) draw attention to the explanation which follows - or else that which precedes (cf.
Revelation 13:18). They also make it appear that the explanation which the angel offers of the "mystery" is not one to be understood without some difficulty. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. The diversity of opinions on the interpretation of this passage is mainly owing to the fact that writers are not consistent in their application of symbols and numbers; in one place interpreting figuratively, in another literally. We have repeatedly seen that the language of the Apocalypse and its numbers are symbolical. The seals are not literal seals, the Lamb is not a literal Lamb, the beast is not a literal beast, etc. So here, the
mountains are not literal mountains. A mountain is a symbol of power (see on Revelation 8:8);
seven is the number significant of universality (see on Revelation 1:4; 5:1, etc.). The plain meaning of the passage, therefore, is that the woman relies upon a visibly universal power. This is precisely the idea contained in ver. 3, which describes the faithless part of the Church (the harlot) trusting to the power of the world (the beast). Of course, the most prominent form of this world power in St. John's time was heathen Rome, hence some writers believe that "the seven-hilled city," Rome, is referred to here - either pagan or papal Rome. And, indeed, this may be a partial fulfilment of the vision; but it is not the whole signification. To understand
seven mountains literally in this place renders it necessary to interpret forty-two weeks, etc., literally in another.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
This calls forὯδε(Hōde)Adverb
Strong's 5602:From an adverb form of hode; in this same spot, i.e. Here or hither.a mindνοῦς(nous)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3563:Probably from the base of ginosko; the intellect, i.e. Mind; by implication, meaning.thatὁ(ho)Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.hasἔχων(echōn)Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2192:To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.wisdom.σοφίαν(sophian)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4678:Wisdom, insight, skill (human or divine), intelligence. From sophos; wisdom.Theαἱ(hai)Article - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.sevenἑπτὰ(hepta)Adjective - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 2033:Seven. A primary number; seven.headsκεφαλαὶ(kephalai)Noun - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 2776:From the primary kapto; the head, literally or figuratively.areεἰσίν(eisin)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.sevenἑπτὰ(hepta)Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2033:Seven. A primary number; seven.mountainsὄρη(orē)Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3735:A mountain, hill. Probably from an obsolete oro; a mountain: -hill, mount(-ain).onἐπ’(ep’)Preposition
Strong's 1909:On, to, against, on the basis of, at.whichὅπου(hopou)Adverb
Strong's 3699:Where, whither, in what place. From hos and pou; what(-ever) where, i.e. At whichever spot.theἡ(hē)Article - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.womanγυνὴ(gynē)Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1135:A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife.sits.κάθηται(kathētai)Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2521:To sit, be seated, enthroned; I dwell, reside. From kata; and hemai; to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside.
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NT Prophecy: Revelation 17:9 Here is the mind that has wisdom (Rev. Re Apocalypse) 
