Devine Scripture

Revelation 6:2

What does Revelation 6:2 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 6:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 6:2 means

A white horse appears, ridden by one with a bow, given a crown, who rides out conquering. White here does not necessarily identify Christ; unlike the Rider in chapter 19, this figure bears a bow, not a sword from his mouth, and is one among several judgments. He pictures conquest—ambition, empire, and victorious expansion. The crown “given” to him shows authority permitted by God, not seized independently. He is successful and bent on more, signaling the beginning of troubles as human power surges unchecked. Under the Lamb’s sovereignty, even the rise of domineering forces serves God’s purposes, exposing the fragile hope people place in earthly rulers and victories.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And I saw, and behold, a white horse, and he that sat thereon had a bow; and there was given unto him a crown: and he came forth conquering, and to conquer.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And I saw, and behold, a white horse, and he that sat thereon had a bow; and there was given unto him a crown: and he came forth conquering, and to conquer.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And I saw a white horse, and he who was seated on it had a bow; and there was given to him a crown: and he went out with power to overcome.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and I saw, and lo, a white horse, and he who is sitting upon it is having a bow, and there was given to him a crown, and he went forth overcoming, and that he may overcome.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And I saw: and behold a white horse, and he that sat on him had a bow, and there was a crown given him, and he went forth conquering that he might conquer.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And I saw: and behold, a white horse, and he that sat upon it having a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went forth conquering and that he might conquer.

Context

This is the first horseman, launching the sequence that many call the four horsemen. Conquest comes first, often the seedbed for later woes. With authority granted from heaven, he sets the tone for escalating judgments. Next (verses 3–4) will come the removal of peace through bloodshed, followed by famine (verses 5–6), and then widespread death (verse 8). Seeing the first rider as conquest prepares readers to trace a logical progression from human ambition to war, scarcity, and mortality.

v.1And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, Come.

v.2This passage

v.3And when he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, Come.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Zechariah 1:8

    I saw in the night, and, behold, a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle-trees that were in the bottom; and behind him there were horses, red, sorrel, and white.

  • Psalms 45:3

    Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O mighty one, Thy glory and thy majesty.

  • Revelation 14:14

    And I saw, and behold, a white cloud; and on the cloudI sawone sitting like unto a son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.

  • Revelation 3:21

    He that overcometh, I will give to him to sit down with me in my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father in his throne.

  • Revelation 19:11

    And I saw the heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and he that sat thereon called Faithful and True; and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

  • Zechariah 6:3

    and in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grizzled strong horses.

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