ISB ~ Revelation 17 v1

seated:Symbolizes the unholy alliance between the harlot city and the pagan power with whom she is united in opposition to the Christian message.

Multiple images are used to depict these partners in crime but always with the same posture:John sees a harlot seated on the waters (17:1, 15), a woman sitting on a beast (17:3), and a woman seated on seven hills (17:9). Violent action was taken against early Christians by both the harlot city (17:6; 18:24) and the beast (11:7; 13:7).

many waters:Symbolic of the Gentile world, according to 17:15. It fittingly stands for the multinational Roman Empire.

• Allusion is made to the Greek version of Jer 51:13, which depicts ancient Babylon dwelling upon “many waters”.