Rev 6:3-5 | NETfull | STEP | Then when the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come!”

Revelation of John 6:3-5

3 Then ^{▼▼ Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.} when the Lamb ^{▼▼ Grk “he”; the referent (the Lamb) has been specified in the translation for clarity here and throughout the rest of the chapter.} opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come!” 4 And another horse, fiery red, ^{▼▼ L&N 79.31 states, “‘fiery red’ (probably with a tinge of yellow or orange).”} came out, and the one who rode it ^{▼▼ Grk “the one sitting on it.”} was granted permission ^{▼▼ The word “permission” is implied; Grk “it was given to him to take peace from the earth.”} to take peace from the earth, so that people would butcher ^{▼▼ 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.”} one another, and he was given a huge sword.

5 Then ^{▼▼ Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.} when the Lamb opened the third seal I heard the third living creature saying, “Come!” So ^{▼▼ Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the summons by the third creature.} I looked, ^{▼▼ 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.} and here came ^{▼▼ The phrase “and here came” expresses the sense of καὶ ἰδού (kai idou).} a black horse! The ^{▼▼ Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.} one who rode it ^{▼▼ Grk “the one sitting on it.”} had a balance scale ^{▼▼ A balance scale would have been a rod held by a rope in the middle with pans attached to both ends for measuring.} in his hand.