The Six Seals: Tribulation and Cosmic Disturbance
Revelation 6:1-17
Rev.6.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- ειδον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- οτε: CONJ
- ηνοιξεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- αρνιον: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- μιαν: NUM,acc,sg,f
- εκ: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- επτα: NUM,acc,pl,neut
- σφραγιδων: NOUN,gen,pl,f
- και: CONJ
- ηκουσα: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- ενος: NUM,gen,sg,m
- εκ: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- τεσσαρων: NUM,gen,pl,m
- ζωων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- λεγοντος: PTCP,pres,act,gen,sg,m
- ως: ADV
- φωνη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- βροντης·Ερχου: NOUN,gen,sg,f + VERB,pres,act,imp,2,sg
Parallels
- Revelation 4:6-8 (verbal): Both passages feature the four living creatures and highlight their loud, thunder-like voices that speak and proclaim—setting the same heavenly courtroom imagery and liturgical speech.
- Revelation 5:1-8 (structural): Immediate literary parallel: 5:1–8 introduces the sealed scroll and the four living creatures/elders whose actions and voices frame the Lamb taking the scroll, providing the narrative context for the opening of the first seal in 6:1.
- Ezekiel 1:4-25 (thematic): Ezekiel’s vision of the four living creatures/cherubim (with moving wheels and a powerful, thunder-like sound) is a prototypical Old Testament source for Revelation’s imagery and the thunderous voice associated with these beings.
- Psalm 29:3-4 (thematic): The psalm’s repeated motif of the Lord’s voice as thunder parallels Revelation’s description of the living creatures’ voice as like thunder, linking divine speech with overwhelming, cosmic sound.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then I saw the Lamb open one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, "Come!"
- Then I saw the Lamb open one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, "Come."
Rev.6.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ειδον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- και: CONJ
- ιδου: PART
- ιππος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- λευκος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- καθημενος: PART,nom,sg,m
- επ᾽αυτον: PREP+PRON,acc,sg,3,m
- εχων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- τοξον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- εδοθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- στεφανος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- εξηλθεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- νικων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ινα: CONJ
- νικηση: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Rev.19:11-16 (verbal): Another rider on a white horse—here explicitly the victorious, judging figure (ʻFaithful and Trueʼ) who goes out to make war; parallels the white-horse motif and conquest language of 6:2.
- Zechariah 6:1-5 (structural): Vision of chariots and horses of different colors sent by God; provides an Old Testament structural precedent for colored horses as heavenly agents executing divine commission.
- Zechariah 1:8-11 (thematic): Earlier Zechariah vision of horses (various colors) and riders sent to patrol the earth—thematises horses as messengers/agents of God, a background for Revelation's horsemen.
- Rev.3:21 (allusion): Uses the motif and language of the conqueror (ὁ νικῶν) and rewarding with honors/seat/crown; connects the idea of a crowned victor in Revelation’s letters with the crowned rider of 6:2.
Alternative generated candidates
- And I looked, and behold, a white horse. Its rider held a bow, and a crown was given to him; and he went out conquering, that he might conquer.
- And I looked, and behold — a white horse; and its rider held a bow. A crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.
Rev.6.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- οτε: CONJ
- ηνοιξεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- σφραγιδα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- δευτεραν: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- ηκουσα: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- δευτερου: ADJ,gen,sg,m
- ζωου: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- λεγοντος·Ερχου: VERB,pres,act,part,gen,sg,n+VERB,pres,mid,imp,2,sg
Parallels
- Revelation 6:1 (verbal): Opening of the first seal: the first living creature issues the same summons ('Come'), establishing the repeated verbal formula used as each seal is opened.
- Revelation 6:5 (verbal): When the third seal is opened the third living creature says 'Come and see'—a close verbal and functional parallel continuing the pattern of the creatures calling for revelation as each seal is broken.
- Revelation 6:7 (verbal): At the fourth seal the voice of the fourth living creature again says 'Come,' completing the series of summonses by the four living creatures that introduce each horseman/vision.
- Revelation 4:6-8 (structural): Earlier introduction and description of the four living creatures around God's throne; provides the structural and narrative basis for their role in Revelation 6 as the ones who call forth the seal visions.
- Ezekiel 1:5-14 (allusion): Ezekiel's vision of four living creatures (cherubim) with coordinated movement and multiple faces/eyes forms a formative background for John's imagery and the function of the creatures as throne-attendants who announce divine action.
Alternative generated candidates
- When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, "Come!"
- When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, "Come."
Rev.6.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- εξηλθεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αλλος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ιππος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- πυρρος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- καθημενω: PART,perf,pass,ptcp,dat,sg,m
- επ᾽αυτον: PREP+PRON,acc,sg,3,m
- εδοθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- λαβειν: VERB,aor,act,inf
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- ειρηνην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εκ: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- γης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- ινα: CONJ
- αλληλους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- σφαξουσιν: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,pl
- και: CONJ
- εδοθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- μαχαιρα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- μεγαλη: ADJ,nom,sg,f
Parallels
- Zechariah 6:2 (allusion): Zechariah describes four chariots with a red horse among them (LXX/MT), providing a possible Old Testament backdrop for Revelation's colored horsemen imagery.
- Revelation 6:1-2 (structural): Immediate parallel within Revelation: the preceding white horse introduces the sequence of the Four Horsemen and contrasts the missions of the riders.
- Revelation 6:8 (structural): The later pale (or ashen) horse continues the Four Horsemen motif; together these verses form a unit about conquest, war, famine, and death.
- Matthew 24:6-7 (thematic): Jesus' eschatological warning about wars and nation rising against nation parallels the red horse's taking of peace from the earth and widespread killing.
- Matthew 10:34 (verbal): Jesus' saying 'I came not to send peace, but a sword' juxtaposes peace and sword imagery similar to the red horse motif of removal of peace and the granting of a great sword.
Alternative generated candidates
- And another, a red horse, came forth. Its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that people should slay one another; and to him was given a great sword.
- And another horse came forth, fiery red. Its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that people would slay one another; and he was given a great sword.
Rev.6.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- οτε: CONJ
- ηνοιξε: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- σφραγιδα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- τριτην: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- ηκουσα: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- τριτου: ADJ,gen,sg,neut
- ζωου: NOUN,gen,sg,neut
- λεγοντος·Ερχου: VERB,pres,act,part,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ειδον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- και: CONJ
- ιδου: PART
- ιππος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- μελας: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- καθημενος: PART,nom,sg,m
- επ᾽αυτον: PREP+PRON,acc,sg,3,m
- εχων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- ζυγον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- χειρι: NOUN,dat,sg,fem
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Zechariah 6:1-3 (verbal): Vision of horses of different colors (red, sorrel, white, dappled) parallels Revelation's use of colored horses as symbolic riders and cosmic agents.
- Amos 8:5, 8:4-6 (verbal): Complaint against merchants who ‘falsify the balances’ and exploit market practices—connects the black horse's scales to economic injustice, cheating measures, and market-driven suffering.
- Matthew 24:7 (cf. Luke 21:11) (thematic): Lists famines among the end‑time signs; the black horse and its scales in Revelation function thematically as a symbol of famine and economic hardship in eschatological judgment.
- Deuteronomy 25:13-16 (cf. Proverbs 11:1) (thematic): Laws requiring honest weights and measures frame scales as a symbol of justice/cheating; Revelation’s rider holding a balance evokes the moral/ethical implications of distorted measures and commerce.
Alternative generated candidates
- When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come!" And I looked, and behold, a black horse; and its rider held a pair of scales in his hand.
- When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come." I looked, and behold — a black horse; and its rider held a pair of scales in his hand.
Rev.6.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ηκουσα: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- ως: ADV
- φωνην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- μεσω: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- τεσσαρων: NUM,gen,pl,m
- ζωων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- λεγουσαν·Χοινιξ: PART,pres,act,acc,f,sg
- σιτου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- δηναριου: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- τρεις: NUM,acc,pl,f
- χοινικες: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- κριθων: NOUN,gen,pl,f
- δηναριου·και: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- ελαιον: NOUN,acc,sg,neut
- και: CONJ
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- οινον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- μη: PART
- αδικησης: VERB,aor,act,subj,2,sg
Parallels
- Ezekiel 4:9-17 (thematic): Ezekiel prescribes a measured, scarce diet and predicts bread becoming scarce—parallel to Revelation's rationed wheat/barley and famine imagery.
- 1 Kings 17:14-16 (allusion): Elijah's miracle in which a widow's jar of flour and jug of oil are miraculously not exhausted echoes Revelation's contrast between scarcity of grain and the instruction not to harm oil (and wine).
- Matthew 20:1-2 (verbal): Uses the term denarius for daily wage; the coin-denomination language in Revelation 6:6 ('a denarius') echoes New Testament economic vocabulary.
- Amos 8:4-6 (thematic): Condemns exploitation in the grain market and eagerness to sell wheat—parallels Revelation's focus on grain prices and the social/economic distress of famine.
- Matthew 24:7 (cf. Luke 21:11) (structural): Jesus' eschatological listing of famines as signs of the end parallels the third seal's famine imagery in Revelation, linking scarcity to judgment in end-time structure.
Alternative generated candidates
- And I heard as it were a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, "A measure of wheat for a denarius, and three measures of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine."
- And I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures say, "A denarius for a measure of wheat, and three measures of barley for a denarius; but do not harm the oil and the wine."
Rev.6.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- οτε: CONJ
- ηνοιξεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- σφραγιδα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- τεταρτην: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- ηκουσα: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- φωνην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- τεταρτου: ADJ,gen,sg,n
- ζωου: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- λεγοντος·Ερχου: VERB,pres,act,ptc,gen,sg,m + VERB,pres,mid,imp,2,sg
Parallels
- Rev.6.1 (verbal): The first of the four living creatures issues the same summons 'Come' when the Lamb opens the first seal—repetition of the formula at the opening of each seal.
- Rev.6.3 (verbal): The second living creature likewise says 'Come' at the opening of the second seal, forming a verbal pattern with 6:7.
- Rev.6.5 (verbal): The third living creature's summons 'Come' at the third seal parallels the fourth creature's command in 6:7—stylistic and structural repetition across the seal sequence.
- Rev.4.1 (structural): A voice saying 'Come up here' (Greek: 'Ἐρχου ἐνθάδε') invites John to a heavenly vision; the imperative 'Come' links the summonses that introduce new visionary scenes.
- Zech.6.1-8 (thematic): The four chariots/winds sent from between the mountains echo the motif of fourfold divine agents (and the ensuing judgment/processions) that underlies Revelation's four living creatures and the sequence that begins with the seals.
Alternative generated candidates
- When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, "Come!"
- When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, "Come."
Rev.6.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ειδον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- και: CONJ
- ιδου: PART
- ιππος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- χλωρος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- καθημενος: PART,nom,sg,m
- επανω: PREP
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- ονομα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Θανατος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- αδης: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ηκολουθει: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- μετ᾽αυτου: PREP+PRON,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- εδοθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- εξουσια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- επι: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- τεταρτον: ADJ,nom,sg,ne
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- γης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- αποκτειναι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- εν: PREP
- ρομφαια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- λιμω: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- θανατω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- υπο: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- θηριων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- γης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Ezekiel 14:21 (verbal): Lists four judgments—sword, famine, pestilence (death), and wild beasts—closely paralleling the four means of killing in Rev 6:8; likely background for the imagery.
- Deuteronomy 28:22–26 (thematic): Part of the covenant curses describing pestilence, fever, defeat by the sword, and provisions of carcasses to birds/beasts—an Old Testament matrix for sword, famine, pestilence, and animals in Revelation.
- Revelation 6:4 (structural): The red horse and its rider wield the great sword (war); structurally parallels the sequence of the four horsemen and connects the causes of death (sword/war) across the tableau.
- Matthew 24:7 (thematic): Jesus' end-time signs include 'famines and pestilences' (and wars), thematically echoing the modes of destruction (hunger, death, sword) announced by the fourth horseman.
- Revelation 20:13–14 (verbal): Uses the same paired terms 'Death and Hades' (or Sheol) as personified forces; connects the motif of Death/Hades in Revelation and their ultimate fate in the narrative.
Alternative generated candidates
- And I looked, and behold, a pale horse; and its rider's name was Death, and Hades followed with him. Authority was given to them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by wild beasts of the earth.
- And I looked, and behold — a pale horse; and the name of its rider was Death, and Hades followed close behind him. Authority was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill by the sword, by famine, by pestilence, and by wild beasts of the earth.
Rev.6.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- οτε: CONJ
- ηνοιξεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- πεμπτην: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- σφραγιδα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ειδον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- υποκατω: ADV
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θυσιαστηριου: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- ψυχας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- εσφαγμενων: VERB,perf,pass,ptc,gen,pl,m
- δια: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- λογον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- δια: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- μαρτυριαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- ειχον: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- Revelation 20:4 (verbal): Mentions those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and the word of God—language and description parallel the martyrs 'for the word of God and for the testimony' in 6:9.
- Revelation 12:11 (thematic): Speaks of believers overcoming by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony—connects the theme of martyrdom and the power/role of testimony found in 6:9.
- Revelation 8:3-5 (structural): Features an angel at the altar offering the prayers of the saints—parallels the altar setting in 6:9 and the motif of saints' petitions and vindication.
- Genesis 4:10 (allusion): God hears the cry of Abel's blood 'from the ground'—an antecedent image of slain blood/voice crying out, echoed by the souls 'under the altar' in 6:9–10.
- Matthew 23:34-35 (allusion): Jesus speaks of blood from 'Abel to Zechariah' shed in the temple—echoes the motif of righteous blood shed and crying out associated with the altar imagery in 6:9.
Alternative generated candidates
- When he opened the fifth seal, I saw beneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony they bore.
- When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony they held.
Rev.6.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- εκραξαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- φωνη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- μεγαλη: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- λεγοντες·Εως: PART,pres,act,nom,pl,m
- ποτε: ADV
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δεσποτης: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- αγιος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- αληθινος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ου: PART,neg
- κρινεις: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- και: CONJ
- εκδικεις: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- αιμα: NOUN,nom,sg,neut
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- εκ: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- κατοικουντων: PART,pres,act,gen,pl,m
- επι: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- γης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Genesis 4:10 (verbal): The image of blood 'crying' to God (Abel's blood cries from the ground) parallels the martyrs' cry for vengeance in Rev 6:10.
- Matthew 23:35 (allusion): Jesus speaks of 'the blood of righteous Abel' and other slain prophets—echoing the theme of righteous blood shed on earth and calling divine judgment.
- Hebrews 12:24 (thematic): Contrasts and continuities with the motif of blood speaking—Jesus' blood 'speaks a better word than the blood of Abel,' engaging the theological significance of martyrdom and divine vindication.
- Psalm 94:1-2 (verbal): An explicit plea for God, 'O Lord, God of vengeance,' to rise and execute judgment, closely matching the martyrs' cry 'how long... will you judge and avenge our blood?'.
- Revelation 19:2 (verbal): Internal parallel within Revelation: God 'has judged the great prostitute... and has avenged on her the blood of his servants,' directly reflecting the martyrs' demand for vindication.
Alternative generated candidates
- They cried with a loud voice, "O Sovereign, holy and true, how long will you refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?"
- They cried with a loud voice, "O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?"
Rev.6.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- εδοθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- εκαστω: ADJ,dat,sg,m
- στολη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- λευκη: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- ερρεθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- ινα: CONJ
- αναπαυσονται: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,pl
- ετι: ADV
- χρονον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- μικρον: ADV
- εως: CONJ
- πληρωθωσιν: VERB,aor,pass,subj,3,pl
- και: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- συνδουλοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- αδελφοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- μελλοντες: PART,pres,act,nom,pl,m
- αποκτεννεσθαι: VERB,pres,pass,inf
- ως: ADV
- και: CONJ
- αυτοι: PRON,nom,pl,3
Parallels
- Revelation 6:9-10 (structural): Immediate context: the souls under the altar cry for justice; verse 11 continues the scene, giving white robes and a temporary respite to the martyrs.
- Revelation 7:9-14 (verbal): Same imagery of a great multitude in white robes who come out of the great tribulation; 7:14 explicitly links white garments to having come through suffering for the Lamb.
- Revelation 20:4 (thematic): Speaks of those who were beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and did not worship the beast—another depiction of martyrdom and vindication of the slain for faith found elsewhere in Revelation.
- Revelation 14:13 (thematic): Declares that the dead in the Lord will 'rest from their labors,' echoing the instruction in 6:11 that the martyred are to 'rest yet for a little season.'
- John 15:20 (thematic): Jesus' warning that if they persecuted him they will persecute his followers connects to the expectation in 6:11 that others ('their brethren') will likewise be killed for the same testimony.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to rest a little longer, until the number should be completed of their fellow servants and of their brothers who were to be killed as they themselves had been.
- Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to rest a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers should be completed, those who were to be killed as they themselves had been. And I was told to write it down.
Rev.6.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- ειδον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- οτε: CONJ
- ηνοιξεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- σφραγιδα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- εκτην: ADJ,acc,sg,f,ord
- και: CONJ
- σεισμος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- μεγας: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- εγενετο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- ηλιος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εγενετο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- μελας: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ως: ADV
- σακκος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- τριχινος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- σεληνη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- ολη: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- εγενετο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- ως: ADV
- αιμα: NOUN,nom,sg,neut
Parallels
- Joel 2:31 (Joel 3:4 LXX) (verbal): Rev 6:12 closely echoes Joel's language — 'the sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood' — linking the cosmic signs to the coming day of the Lord.
- Matthew 24:29 (verbal): Jesus' Olivet discourse uses nearly identical imagery ('the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light') describing cosmic disturbances immediately after tribulation, paralleling Revelation's sixth-seal scene.
- Acts 2:20 (quotation): Peter explicitly quotes Joel ('the sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood') in explaining eschatological signs — the same prophetic stock underlying Revelation's depiction.
- Isaiah 13:10 (cf. 34:4) (thematic): Isaiah describes stars, sun and moon losing their light as signs of God's judgment on the nations, providing an Old Testament background for Revelation's cosmic upheaval imagery.
- Amos 8:9 (thematic): Amos proclaims a divine darkening ('I will make the sun go down at noon') as judgment language; similar motifs of daytime darkness appear in Revelation's sixth-seal vision.
Alternative generated candidates
- When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black like sackcloth of hair, and the whole moon became like blood.
- I looked when he opened the sixth seal, and lo — there was a great earthquake; the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became like blood,
Rev.6.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- αστερες: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ουρανου: NOUN,gen,sg,masc
- επεσαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- εις: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- γην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ως: ADV
- συκη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- βαλλει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- ολυνθους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- αυτης: PRO,gen,sg,f
- υπο: PREP
- ανεμου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- μεγαλου: ADJ,gen,sg,m
- σειομενη: PART,pres,mid/pass,nom,sg,f
Parallels
- Isaiah 34:4 (verbal): Cosmic upheaval language—heavens and stars falling or being stripped away; Revelation echoes Isaiah's apocalyptic imagery of stars descending and the heavens being shaken.
- Isaiah 13:10 (thematic): Describes stars and heavenly hosts losing light and the heavens being shaken as signs of divine judgement, a thematic background for Revelation's falling stars.
- Joel 2:31 (allusion): Speaks of the sun, moon and stars being darkened or altered as part of the day of the LORD—Joel's cosmic portents are drawn upon by Revelation's depiction of celestial disturbance.
- Matthew 24:29 (quotation): Jesus' eschatological saying that the stars will fall from heaven 'immediately after the tribulation' parallels Revelation's use of falling stars as signs accompanying end-time judgement.
- Revelation 8:10-11 (structural): Within Revelation itself a 'star' falls to earth (the Wormwood star) with destructive effect—a closely related verbal and structural parallel to 6:13's falling stars image.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the stars of heaven fell to the earth as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind.
- and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, as a fig tree casts its late figs when shaken by a great wind.
Rev.6.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- ουρανος: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- απεχωρισθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- ως: ADV
- βιβλιον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- ελισσομενον: PART,pres,mid/pass,acc,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- παν: ADJ,nom,sg,n
- ορος: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- νησος: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- εκ: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- τοπων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- εκινηθησαν: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- Isaiah 34:4 (verbal): Heaven(s) 'rolled up like a scroll' and celestial hosts dissolved — close verbal and imagistic parallel to Revelation's heavens being rolled up.
- Revelation 16:20 (verbal): Immediate Revelation parallel: 'every island fled away and the mountains were not found,' echoing the mountains and islands moved from their places.
- Isaiah 13:13 (thematic): Prophetic depiction of cosmic upheaval — heavens shaken and the earth moved — similar end‑time cataclysmic imagery.
- Matthew 24:29 (allusion): Jesus' eschatological signs (sun darkened, stars fall) reflect the same cosmic disturbances that Revelation portrays after the tribulation.
- Joel 2:10 (thematic): The prophet's picture of earth shaking and heavens trembling before the Lord's coming parallels Revelation's motif of cosmic disturbance accompanying divine judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the sky departed like a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island were removed from their places.
- The sky withdrew like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved from its place.
Rev.6.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- βασιλεις: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- γης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- μεγιστανες: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- χιλιαρχοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- πλουσιοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- ισχυροι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- πας: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- δουλος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ελευθερος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- εκρυψαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- εαυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- εις: PREP
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- σπηλαια: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- και: CONJ
- εις: PREP
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- πετρας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- ορεων·: NOUN,gen,pl,n
Parallels
- Rev.6.16-17 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same scene: the people who hid in caves cry to the mountains and rocks to fall on them and ask who can stand the Lamb's wrath, completing the image begun in 6:15.
- Isaiah 2:19 (verbal): Isaiah uses nearly identical language of people entering 'caves of the rocks' and holes of the earth to hide from the LORD's terrifying presence — a clear Old Testament source for Revelation's image of hiding before divine judgment.
- Luke 23:30 (allusion): Jesus' eschatological saying ('Then they will begin to say to the mountains, “Fall on us”' ) echoes the same motif of calling on mountains/rocks to hide from coming judgment found in Revelation 6:15–17.
- 1 Kings 19:9-13 (thematic): Elijah's flight to and concealment in a cave at Horeb presents the motif of humans sheltering in caves in the face of divine presence or confrontation, thematically resonant with the fear-motivated hiding in Revelation 6:15.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave and free person hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains,
- Then the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich, the commanders, the mighty, and every slave and free hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains,
Rev.6.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- λεγουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- ορεσιν: NOUN,dat,pl,neut
- και: CONJ
- ταις: ART,dat,pl,f
- πετραις·Πεσετε: NOUN,dat,pl,f+VERB,aor,act,imp,2,pl
- εφ᾽ημας: PREP+PRON,acc,pl
- και: CONJ
- κρυψατε: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,pl
- ημας: PRON,acc,pl,1
- απο: PREP
- προσωπου: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- καθημενου: PART,pres,mid,gen,m,sg
- επι: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θρονου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- απο: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- οργης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- αρνιου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Isaiah 2:10, 2:19 (verbal): Isaiah calls people to 'enter the rocks, hide in the dust' and to seek refuge from the terror/presence of the LORD—language and imagery closely echoed in Rev 6:16.
- Luke 23:30 (verbal): Jesus' prophetic utterance ('then will they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us...') uses virtually the same formula of addressing mountains/hills to hide from coming judgment, mirrored in Revelation's wording.
- Nahum 1:5-6 (thematic): Depicts mountains quaking and the earth reeling at the LORD's presence and wrath—parallels Revelation's portrayal of cosmic upheaval and fear before divine judgment.
- Isaiah 64:1-3 (allusion): Speaks of God coming down, the mountains trembling at his presence and deeds—an allusionary backdrop for Revelation's scene of terror before the one 'seated on the throne.'
Alternative generated candidates
- and they said to the mountains and to the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb,
- and they called to the mountains and to the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb,
Rev.6.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οτι: CONJ
- ηλθεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- ημερα: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- μεγαλη: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- οργης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- δυναται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
- σταθηναι: VERB,aor,pass,inf
Parallels
- Zephaniah 1:14-18 (verbal): Uses the phrase and concept of 'the great day of the LORD' as a day of wrath and judgment; Zephaniah's language ('near is the great day... who can endure?') is closely echoed in Revelation's question 'who can stand?'."
- Joel 2:11; 2:31 (thematic): Joel announces 'the great and terrible day of the LORD' bringing divine wrath and cosmic signs—background imagery for Revelation's depiction of a decisive, wrathful day of the Lord.
- Isaiah 13:6-9 (thematic): Isaiah proclaims 'Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand' and characterizes it as a day of wrath and fierce anger—a prophetic template for Revelation's emphasis on irresistible divine fury.
- Revelation 16:14 (structural): Within Revelation itself this verse speaks of 'that great day of God Almighty' to which demonic spirits gather the kings—closely related language and eschatological function to 6:17's 'great day of their wrath.'"
- 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 (thematic): Paul describes the revelation of Christ as a time when he executes vengeance on those who do not obey, portraying a coming 'day' of divine retribution that parallels Revelation's announcement of irresistible wrath and judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?"
- for the great day of his wrath has come; and who is able to stand?"
Then I saw the Lamb open one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, "Come!"
I looked, and behold—a white horse. Its rider held a bow; a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.
When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, "Come!" And another horse came forth, fiery red. Its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that people would slay one another; and a great sword was given to him.
When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come!" I looked, and behold—a black horse. Its rider held a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, "A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; do not harm the oil and the wine."
When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, "Come!"
I looked, and behold—a pale horse. Its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed him. Authority was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by wild beasts of the earth.
When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony they held.
They cried out with a loud voice, "O Sovereign—holy and true—how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?"
Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers should be complete—those who were to be killed as they had been.
When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold—a great earthquake. The sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood,
and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, like a fig tree dropping its late figs when shaken by a mighty wind.
The sky vanished like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place.
Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the strong and every slave and free hid themselves in caves and among the rocks of the mountains,
and they said to the mountains and to the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb,
for the great day of their wrath has come—who is able to stand?"