Revelation 6:1–8:1
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The Seven Seals

6:1 I looked on when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a thunderous voice,1 “Come!”2 6:2 So3 I looked,4 and here came5 a white horse! The6 one who rode it7 had a bow, and he was given a crown,8 and as a conqueror9 he rode out to conquer.

6:3 Then10 when the Lamb11 opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come!” 6:4 And another horse, fiery red,12 came out, and the one who rode it13 was granted permission14 to take peace from the earth, so that people would butcher15 one another, and he was given a huge sword.

6:5 Then16 when the Lamb opened the third seal I heard the third living creature saying, “Come!” So17 I looked,18 and here came19 a black horse! The20 one who rode it21 had a balance scale22 in his hand. 6:6 Then23 I heard something like a voice from among the four living creatures saying, “A quart24 of wheat will cost a day’s pay25 and three quarts of barley will cost a day’s pay. But26 do not damage the olive oil and the wine!”

6:7 Then27 when the Lamb opened the fourth seal I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come!” 6:8 So28 I looked29 and here came30 a pale green31 horse! The32 name of the one who rode it33 was Death, and Hades followed right behind.34 They35 were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill its population with the sword,36 famine, and disease,37 and by the wild animals of the earth.

6:9 Now38 when the Lamb opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been violently killed39 because of the word of God and because of the testimony they had given. 6:10 They40 cried out with a loud voice,41 “How long,42 Sovereign Master,43 holy and true, before you judge those who live on the earth and avenge our blood?” 6:11 Each44 of them was given a long white robe and they were told to rest for a little longer, until the full number was reached45 of both their fellow servants46 and their brothers who were going to be killed just as they had been.

6:12 Then47 I looked when the Lamb opened the sixth seal, and a huge48 earthquake took place; the sun became as black as sackcloth made of hair,49 and the full moon became blood red;50 6:13 and the stars in the sky51 fell to the earth like a fig tree dropping52 its unripe figs53 when shaken by a fierce54 wind. 6:14 The sky55 was split apart56 like a scroll being rolled up,57 and every mountain and island was moved from its place. 6:15 Then58 the kings of the earth, the59 very important people, the generals,60 the rich, the powerful, and everyone, slave61 and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. 6:16 They62 said to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one who is seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb,63 6:17 because the great day of their64 wrath has come, and who is able to withstand it?”65

The Sealing of the 144,000

7:1 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth so no wind could blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. 7:2 Then1 I saw another angel ascending from the east,2 who had3 the seal4 of the living God. He5 shouted out with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given permission6 to damage the earth and the sea:7 7:3 “Do not damage the earth or the sea or the trees until we have put a seal on the foreheads of the servants8 of our God.” 7:4 Now9 I heard the number of those who were marked with the seal,10 one hundred and forty-four thousand, sealed from all11 the tribes of the people of Israel:12

7:5 From the tribe of Judah, twelve thousand were sealed,

from the tribe of Reuben, twelve thousand,

from the tribe of Gad, twelve thousand,

7:6 from the tribe of Asher, twelve thousand,

from the tribe of Naphtali, twelve thousand,

from the tribe of Manasseh, twelve thousand,

7:7 from the tribe of Simeon, twelve thousand,

from the tribe of Levi, twelve thousand,

from the tribe of Issachar, twelve thousand,

7:8 from the tribe of Zebulun, twelve thousand,

from the tribe of Joseph, twelve thousand,

from the tribe of Benjamin, twelve thousand were sealed.

7:9 After these things I looked, and here was13 an enormous crowd that no one could count, made up of persons from every nation, tribe,14 people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb dressed in long white robes, and with palm branches in their hands. 7:10 They were shouting out in a loud voice,

“Salvation belongs to our God,15

to the one seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

7:11 And all the angels stood16 there in a circle around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they threw themselves down with their faces to the ground17 before the throne and worshiped God, 7:12 saying,

“Amen! Praise and glory,

and wisdom and thanksgiving,

and honor and power and strength

be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!”

7:13 Then18 one of the elders asked19 me, “These dressed in long white robes—who are they and where have they come from?” 7:14 So20 I said to him, “My lord, you know the answer.”21 Then22 he said to me, “These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation. They23 have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb! 7:15 For this reason they are before the throne of God, and they serve24 him day and night in his temple, and the one seated on the throne will shelter them.25 7:16 They will never go hungry or be thirsty again, and the sun will not beat down on them, nor any burning heat,26 7:17 because the Lamb in the middle of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”27

The Seventh Seal

8:1 Now1 when the Lamb2 opened the seventh seal there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.

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1	tn Grk “saying like a voice [or sound] of thunder.”
2	tc The addition of “and see” (καὶ ἴδε or καὶ βλέπε [kai ide or kai blepe]) to “come” (ἔρχου, erchou) in 6:1, 3–5, 7 is a gloss directed to John, i.e., “come and look at the seals and the horsemen!” But the command ἔρχου is better interpreted as directed to each of the horsemen. The shorter reading also has the support of the better witnesses.
3	tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of hearing the voice summon the first rider.
4	tc The reading “and I looked” (καὶ εἶδον, kai eidon) or some slight variation (e.g., ἶδον, idon) has excellent ms support ({א A C P 1611}) and its omission seems to come through the mss that have already placed “and look” (καὶ ἴδε or καὶ βλέπε [kai ide or kai blepe]) after the verb “come” (ἔρχου, erchou) as mentioned in the text-critical note on 6:1. Thus, for these copyists it was redundant to add “and I looked” again.
5	tn The phrase “and here came” expresses the sense of καὶ ἰδού (kai idou).
6	tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
7	tn Grk “the one sitting on it.” sn The one who rode it. The identity of the first rider on the white horse has been discussed at great length by interpreters. Several answers are given: (1) A number understand the rider on the white horse to be Christ himself, identifying this horse and rider with the one mentioned in 19:11, where the identification is clear (cf. 19:13, 16). It must be noted, though, that there is little in common between the two riders beyond the white horse. The word for “crown” is different, the armament is different, and the context here is different (conquest vs. retribution), with three other horsemen bringing catastrophe following. (2) Others see the rider on the white horse representing a spirit of military conquest that dominates human history and leads to the catastrophes that follow. (3) Another possibility is that the white horse rider represents the Antichrist, who appears later in Rev 11:7; 13:17, and whose similarity to Christ explains the similarity with the rider in 19:11. This interpretation has been discussed at length by M. Rissi, “The Rider on the White Horse: A Study of Revelation 6:1–8,” Int 18 (1964): 407–18. This interpretation is the most probable one.
8	sn See the note on the word crown in Rev 3:11.
9	tn The participle νικῶν (nikōn) has been translated as substantival, the subject of the verb ἐξῆλθεν (exēlthen). Otherwise, as an adverbial participle of manner, it is somewhat redundant: “he rode out conquering and to conquer.”
10	tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
11	tn Grk “he”; the referent (the Lamb) has been specified in the translation for clarity here and throughout the rest of the chapter.
12	tn L&N 79.31 states, “ ‘fiery red’ (probably with a tinge of yellow or orange).”
13	tn Grk “the one sitting on it.”
14	tn The word “permission” is implied; Grk “it was given to him to take peace from the earth.”
15	tn BDAG 979 s.v. σφάζω states, “Of the killing of a person by violence … σφάζειν τινά butcher or murder someone (4 Km 10:7; Jer 52:10; Manetho: 609 fgm. 8, 76 Jac. [in Jos., C. Ap. 1, 76]; Demetr.[?]: 722 fgm. 7; Ar. 10, 9) 1J 3:12; Rv 6:4. Pass. (Hdt. 5, 5) 5:9; 6:9; 18:24.”
16	tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
17	tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the summons by the third creature.
18	tc The reading “and I looked” (καὶ εἶδον, kai eidon) or some slight variation (e.g., ἶδον, idon) has excellent ms support ({א A C P 1611}) and its omission seems to have come through the mss that have already placed “and look” (καὶ ἴδε or καὶ βλέπε [kai ide or kai blepe]) after the verb “come” (ἔρχου, erchou) in 6:1. Thus, for these copyists it was redundant to add “and I looked” again.
19	tn The phrase “and here came” expresses the sense of καὶ ἰδού (kai idou).
20	tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
21	tn Grk “the one sitting on it.”
22	sn A balance scale would have been a rod held by a rope in the middle with pans attached to both ends for measuring.
23	tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
24	tn BDAG 1086 s.v. χοῖνιξ states, “a dry measure, oft. used for grain, approximately equivalent to one quart or one liter, quart. A χ.of grain was a daily ration for one pers.… Rv 6:6ab.”
25	tn Grk “a quart of wheat for a denarius.” A denarius was one day’s pay for an average worker. The words “will cost” are used to indicate the genitive of price or value; otherwise the English reader could understand the phrase to mean “a quart of wheat to be given as a day’s pay.”
26	tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
27	tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
28	tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the summons by the fourth creature.
29	tc The reading “and I looked” (καὶ εἶδον, kai eidon) or some slight variation (e.g., ἶδον, idon) has excellent ms support ({א A C P 1611}) and its omission seems to have come through the mss that have already placed “and look” (καὶ ἴδε or καὶ βλέπε [kai ide or kai blepe]) after the verb “come” (ἔρχου, erchou) in 6:1. Thus, for these copyists it was redundant to add “and I looked” again.
30	tn The phrase “and here came” expresses the sense of καὶ ἰδού (kai idou).
31	tn A sickly pallor, when referring to persons, or the green color of plants. BDAG 1085 s.v. χλωρός 2 states, “pale, greenish gray … as the color of a pers. in sickness contrasted with appearance in health … so the horse ridden by Death … ἴππος χλωρός Rv 6:8.” Because the color of the horse is symbolic, “pale green” is used in the translation. Cf. NIV, NCV “pale”; NASB “ashen.”
32	tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
33	tn Grk “the one sitting on it.”
34	tn Grk “And Hades was following with him.” The Greek expression μετʼ αὐτοῦ (met’ autou, “with him”) is Semitic and indicates close proximity. The translation “followed right behind” reflects this.
35	tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style. Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
36	tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
37	tn Grk “with death.” θάνατος (thanatos) can in particular contexts refer to a manner of death, specifically a contagious disease (see BDAG 443 s.v. 3; L&N 23.158).
38	tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the introduction of a new and somewhat different topic after the introduction of the four riders.
39	tn Or “murdered.” See the note on the word “butcher” in 6:4.
40	tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
41	tn Grk “voice, saying”; the participle λέγοντες (legontes) is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated here.
42	tn The expression ἔως πότε (eōs pote) was translated “how long.” Cf. BDAG 423 s.v. ἕως 1.b.γ.
43	tn The Greek term here is δεσπότης (despotēs; see L&N 37.63).
44	tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
45	tn Grk “until they had been completed.” The idea of a certain “number” of people is implied by the subject of πληρωθῶσιν (plērōthōsin).
46	tn Though σύνδουλος (sundoulos) has been translated “fellow servant,” the word does not bear the connotation of a free individual serving another. See the note on the word “servants” in 1:1.
47	tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
48	tn Or “powerful”; Grk “a great.”
49	tn Or “like hairy sackcloth” (L&N 8.13).
50	tn Grk “like blood,” understanding αἷμα (aima) as a blood-red color rather than actual blood (L&N 8.64).
51	tn Or “in heaven” (the same Greek word means both “heaven” and “sky”). The genitive τοῦ οὐρανοῦ (tou ouranou) is taken as a genitive of place.
52	tn Grk “throws [off]”; the indicative verb has been translated as a participle due to English style.
53	tn L&N 3.37 states, “a fig produced late in the summer season (and often falling off before it ripens)—‘late fig.’ ὡς συκὴ βάλλει τοὺς ὀλύνθους αὐτῆς ὑπὸ ἀνέμου μεγάλου σειομένη ‘as the fig tree sheds its late figs when shaken by a great wind’ Re 6:13. In the only context in which ὄλυνθος occurs in the NT (Re 6:13), one may employ an expression such as ‘unripe fig’ or ‘fig which ripens late.’ ”
54	tn Grk “great wind.”
55	tn Or “The heavens were.” The Greek word οὐρανός (ouranos) can mean either “heaven” or “sky.”
56	tn BDAG 125 s.v. ἀποχωρίζω states, “ὁ οὐρανὸς ἀπεχωρίσθη the sky was split Rv 6:14.” Although L&N 79.120 gives the meaning “the sky disappeared like a rolled-up scroll” here, a scroll that is rolled up does not “disappear,” and such a translation could be difficult for modern readers to understand.
57	tn On this term BDAG 317 s.v. ἑλίσσω states, “ὡς βιβλίον ἑλισσόμενον like a scroll that is rolled up … Rv 6:14.”
58	tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
59	tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated; nor is it translated before each of the following categories, since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.
60	tn Grk “chiliarchs.” A chiliarch was normally a military officer commanding a thousand soldiers, but here probably used of higher-ranking commanders like generals (see L&N 55.15; cf. Rev 6:15).
61	tn See the note on the word “servants” in 1:1.
62	tn Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation. Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
63	tn It is difficult to say where this quotation ends. The translation ends it after “withstand it” at the end of v. 17, but it is possible that it should end here, after “Lamb” at the end of v. 16. If it ends after “Lamb,” v. 17 is a parenthetical explanation by the author.
64	tc Most mss (A 𝔐 bo) change the pronoun “their” to “his” (αὐτοῦ, autou) in order to bring the text in line with the mention of the one seated on the throne in the immediately preceding verse, and to remove the ambiguity about whose wrath is in view here. The reading αὐτῶν (autōn, “their”) is well supported by א C 1611 1854 2053 2329 2344 pc latt sy. On both internal and external grounds, it should be regarded as original.
65	tn The translation “to withstand (it)” for ἵστημι (histēmi) is based on the imagery of holding one’s ground in a military campaign or an attack (BDAG 482 s.v. B.4).
1	tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
2	tn Grk “from the rising of the sun.” BDAG 74 s.v. ἀνατολή 2.a takes this as a geographical direction: “ἀπὸ ἀ. ἡλίου … from the east Rv 7:2; 16:12 … simply ἀπὸ ἀ.… 21:13.”
3	tn Grk “having,” but v. 3 makes it clear that the angel’s purpose is to seal others with the seal he carries.
4	tn Or “signet” (L&N 6.54).
5	tn Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation. Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
6	tn The word “permission” is implied; Grk “to whom it was given to them to damage the earth.”
7	tn Grk “saying.” The participle λέγων (legōn) is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.
8	tn See the note on the word “servants” in 1:1.
9	tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the introduction of new but related material.
10	tn Grk “who were sealed.”
11	tn Normally, “every,” but since 144,000 is the total number, “all” is clearer here.
12	tn Grk “the sons of Israel,” normally an idiom for the Israelites as an ethnic entity (L&N 11.58). However, many scholars understand the expression in this context to refer to Christians rather than ethnic Israelites.
13	tn The phrase “and here was” expresses the sense of καὶ ἰδού (kai idou).
14	tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated before each of the following categories, since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.
15	tn The dative here has been translated as a dative of possession.
16	tn The verb is pluperfect, but the force is simple past. See ExSyn 586.
17	tn Grk “they fell down on their faces.” BDAG 815 s.v. πίπτω 1.b.α.ב. has “fall down, throw oneself to the ground as a sign of devotion or humility, before high-ranking persons or divine beings.”
18	tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
19	tn Grk “spoke” or “declared to,” but in the context “asked” reads more naturally in English.
20	tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the previous question.
21	tn Though the expression “the answer” is not in the Greek text, it is clearly implied. Direct objects in Greek were frequently omitted when clear from the context.
22	tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
23	tn Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation. Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
24	tn Or “worship.” The word here is λατρεύω (latreuō).
25	tn Grk “will spread his tent over them,” normally an idiom for taking up residence with someone, but when combined with the preposition ἐπί (epi, “over”) the idea is one of extending protection or shelter (BDAG 929 s.v. σκηνόω).
26	tn An allusion to Isa 49:10. The phrase “burning heat” is one word in Greek (καῦμα, kauma) that refers to a burning, intensely-felt heat. See BDAG 536 s.v.
27	sn An allusion to Isa 25:8.
1	tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the resumption of the topic of the seals.
2	tn Grk “he”; the referent (the Lamb) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

Verse of the Day: Revelation 7:10

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Revelation 6:1–8:1 DARBYARAASVABSVDCSBVGCLEMD-RELB 1905NETThe NET Bible

Verse of the Day: Revelation 7:10

Revelation 6:1–8:1
DARBY
ARA
ASV
ABSVD
CSB
VGCLEM
D-R
ELB 1905
NET
The NET Bible