Translation
On her forehead
a name was written,
a name which was also a symbol:
Go to footnote numberBABYLON
Go to footnote numberTHE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
Paraphrase
Right in plain sight, where it should have been obvious to all, her reputation was made clear, a reputation which was only understood by looking under the surface, i.e. THE GREAT GATEWAY OF THE GODS, the open door to idolatry, the source of great CONFUSION, THE ORIGIN AND PRIME EXAMPLE OF ONE WHO IS WILLING TO SELL HER SOUL TO GET WHAT SHE WANTS, AND THE ORIGIN OF EVERYTHING ABONIMABLE ON EARTH.
Footnotes
1: “A name which was also a symbol”
This is a quasi-symbol. Where I have used the word “symbol” the Greek uses the word “mystery.” There is much dispute as to whether this word is part of the name or not, however, a large majority seem to agree that it is there to indicate that this title is symbolic, it is not a title in the normal sense, and there is more there than first meets the eye.
2
“Babylon” meant “Gateway of the gods” to the Babylonians, and “confusion” to the Hebrews.