Those who are condemned as “bedfellows with sinners” in 1 Enoch 97:4 correspond to the collaborating nations and client kings across the Roman Empire who are depicted as committing fornication with Rome (Rev 18:3). The introduction of the merchants of the earth in 18:3 characterizes them as the wicked in the light of 1 Enoch, because they “have grown rich from the power of [Rome’s] luxury,” which is a succinct pejorative collocation of wealth, oppressive power, and luxury. In 18:23, merchants are called the magnates, or aristocrats, of the earth because they are given the place of honor and
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