Rev 6:5-7 | NETfull | STEP | Then when the Lamb opened the third seal I heard the third living creature saying, “Come!” So I looked, and here came a black horse! The one who rode it had a balance scale in his hand.

Revelation of John 6:5-7

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. 6 Then ^{▼▼ Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.} I heard something like a voice from among the four living creatures saying, “A quart ^{▼▼ 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.”} of wheat will cost a day’s pay ^{▼▼ 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.”} and three quarts of barley will cost a day’s pay. But ^{▼▼ Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.} do not damage the olive oil and the wine!”

7 Then ^{▼▼ Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.} when the Lamb opened the fourth seal I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come!”