Devine Scripture

Revelation 6:5

What does Revelation 6:5 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 6:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 6:5 means

With the third seal opened, a black horse rides forth, its rider holding a balance, or scales, used for measuring food. Black conveys mourning and deprivation. The scales point to careful rationing, the grim mathematics of scarcity when plenty is gone. This is the economic fallout of turmoil: markets constrained, supplies thin, every measure weighed and counted. The image communicates justice as well—God measures out consequences fitting to a world that trusts in its own power. The rider does not swing a sword; he sets prices and portions, reminding us that judgment often arrives through tightened belts and empty cupboards, not only through battlefield losses.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And when he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying, Come. And I saw, and behold, a black horse; and he that sat thereon had a balance in his hand.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And when he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying, Come. And I saw, and behold, a black horse; and he that sat thereon had a balance in his hand.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And when the third stamp was undone, the voice of the third beast came to my ears, saying, Come and see. And I saw a black horse; and he who was seated on it had scales in his hand.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And when he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying, `Come and behold!' and I saw, and lo, a black horse, and he who is sitting upon it is having a balance in his hand,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying: Come and see. And behold a black horse. And he that sat on him had a pair of scales in his hand.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And when it opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying, Come [and see]. And I saw: and behold, a black horse, and he that sat upon it having a balance in his hand.

Context

This continues the chain reaction: conquest leads to war; war to scarcity. Verse 6 will supply the specific terms of shortage—steep costs for basic grains and curious protection for oil and wine—showing both severity and restraint. The third seal shifts the scene from battlefields to marketplaces and homes, spotlighting the everyday pain that follows conflict. Understanding this connection clarifies why the next seal (verse 8) will speak of death on a large scale.

v.4And anotherhorsecame forth, a red horse: and to him that sat thereon it was given to take peace from the earth, and that they should slay one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.

v.5This passage

v.6And I heard as it were a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, A measure of wheat for a shilling, and three measures of barley for a shilling; and the oil and the wine hurt thou not.

Cross references

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

  • Revelation 5:5

    and one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not; behold, the Lion that is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath overcome to open the book and the seven seals thereof.

  • Ezekiel 4:10

    And thy food which thou shalt eat shall be by weight, twenty shekels a day: from time to time shalt thou eat it.

  • Leviticus 26:26

    When I break your staff of bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall deliver your bread again by weight: and ye shall eat, and not be satisfied.

  • Zechariah 6:2

    In the first chariot were red horses; and in the second chariot black horses;

  • Revelation 4:6

    and before the throne, as it were a sea of glass like unto crystal; and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, four living creatures full of eyes before and behind.

  • Ezekiel 4:16

    Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, behold, I will break the staff of bread in Jerusalem: and they shall eat bread by weight, and with fearfulness; and they shall drink water by measure, and in dismay:

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