Tool Beta
Is It Actually in the Bible?
Phrases people quote as Scripture. The real verse, or the honest answer that there is not one.
"The merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies" (Revelation 18:3) sounds like it's mainly about fancy foods.
"Delicacies" here translates a Greek word for luxurious, self-indulgent excess in general, not fancy dishes.
Revelation 18:3
Revelation 18:3, in every translation this tool compares.
What is actually going on
The Greek word is strenos, meaning insolent, wanton luxury: opulent living and sensual indulgence broadly, not a menu item. The phrase describes Babylon's whole extravagant lifestyle as the engine that enriched merchants worldwide, not a market in delicacies.
"Delicacy" in English has since narrowed heavily toward food (a rare or fine dish), so a modern reader pictures caviar where the text means something closer to "decadent excess."
