Revelation 6:5
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The black horse and its rider, holding scales, represent not just physical famine but a spiritual starvation where essential truths become incredibly scarce and expensive. While luxuries like "oil and wine" are spared, the basic nourishment for the soul is doled out with severe, oppressive measures, highlighting a world where basic spiritual sustenance is a luxury few can afford.
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 had a pair of scales in his hand.
English Standard Version (ESV)
As the Lamb opens the third seal, the third living creature calls John to witness what unfolds. A black horse appears, signifying distress and calamity, ridden by a figure holding scales, which symbolize scarcity and the careful rationing of essential food.
Why a black horse, and what does its color reveal about the suffering it brings?
The blackness of the horse is a stark symbol of mourning, distress, and scarcity. It's not just a color; it's a visual representation of the grim reality of famine. This imagery evokes a sense of gloom and hardship, directly linking the horse and its rider to a time when basic necessities become scarce and life itself feels overshadowed by want. The color black historically signifies suffering, lack of hope, and death, painting a vivid picture of the dire circumstances described.
What does the rider holding scales signify, and how does it translate to daily life?
The 'pair of scales' held by the rider is a powerful symbol of scarcity and severe rationing. In times of abundance, food is readily available. But when scales are brought out, it means food is being measured out precisely, indicating extreme shortage. This isn't just about being expensive; it's about the critical situation where even basic sustenance is doled out in limited quantities. The scales represent a time when people have to carefully weigh every portion, making survival a daily struggle. The proclamation associated with this seal highlights this: a day's wages for a tiny amount of grain, and even coarser barley is scarce. This emphasizes the immense difficulty in obtaining even the most basic necessities for survival.
Why would the decree be to 'not hurt the oil and the wine' when bread is so scarce?
The command to 'not hurt the oil and the wine' amidst the scarcity of bread creates a stark contrast. Oil and wine were often considered luxuries or secondary provisions compared to essential grains. This instruction highlights a disturbing reality: even in times of severe famine, where basic food is rationed and incredibly expensive, luxuries might remain relatively untouched or even abundant. This contrast can point to societal inequalities where the wealthy or powerful are less affected by the widespread suffering. It shows how worldly systems can perpetuate such disparities, leaving the poor struggling for essentials while comforts remain accessible to a select few. It’s a powerful commentary on injustice and the uneven distribution of hardship.
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Understand the original words
zygos · Greek Noun
An instrument used for weighing goods, often grain; in apocalyptic literature, it is a symbol of scarcity, famine, and the strict rationing of essential resources.
The imagery of a black horse and scales points to economic hardship, specifically famine and scarcity, often brought on by oppressive taxation and mismanagement. This wasn't just a hypothetical future; it was a reality that recurred throughout the Roman Empire, particularly during periods of instability and heavy fiscal demands.
c. AD 95— this verse
Prophetic Vision of Revelation
The Apostle John receives a series of visions on the island of Patmos, which form the content of the Book of Revelation. These visions often use symbolic language to represent spiritual realities and future events.
c. AD 96-180
Roman Peace (Pax Romana)
This period generally saw relative peace and stability across the Roman Empire, though local conflicts and internal issues persisted. This era provides a backdrop against which the subsequent judgments of the seals are understood.
c. AD 165-180
Antonine Plague
A devastating pandemic, possibly smallpox or measles, swept through the Roman Empire, causing widespread death and social disruption. This event reflects the potential for widespread calamity.
c. AD 193-235
Severan Dynasty and Increased Taxation
Emperors like Septimius Severus and Caracalla were known for their military focus and the significant tax burdens placed upon the empire. This led to economic hardship and increased state control over resources.
Early 3rd Century AD
Economic Strain and Famine
Historical accounts suggest periods of severe economic distress and food shortages within the Roman Empire during this time, exacerbated by heavy taxation and military campaigns.
This passage directly parallels the imagery of bread being rationed by weight, highlighting scarcity and divine judgment as a consequence of disobedience.
Ezekiel 4:16Similar to Revelation, this verse describes eating bread by weight and with anxiety, signifying famine and divine punishment.
Jeremiah 14:2This verse uses the imagery of Judah mourning and gates languishing, literally described as 'black' due to drought and famine, connecting the color black with severe scarcity.
Matthew 20:2This passage discusses the daily wage (a denarius) for laborers, providing context for the extreme economic hardship implied when a day's wage only buys a tiny amount of food, as seen in Revelation 6:6.
ellicottRevelation 6:5: "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."
(5, 6) When He had opened. —Better, When he opened. The words “and see” are to be omitted here, as in the other seals. And I saw , and behold a horse, black, and he that sat on him having a balance in his hand. And I heard as it were a voice in the midst of the four living beings, saying , A choenix of…
barnesRevelation 6:5: "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."
And when he had opened the third seal - Unfolding another portion of the volume. See the notes on Revelation 5:1 . I heard the third beast say, Come and see - See the notes on Revelation 4:7. It is not apparent why the third beast is represented as taking a particular interest in the opening of this sea…
The black horse and its rider, holding scales, represent not just physical famine but a spiritual starvation where essential truths become incredibly scarce and expensive. While luxuries like "oil and wine" are spared, the basic nourishment for the soul is doled out with severe, oppressive measures, highlighting a world where basic spiritual sustenance is a luxury few can afford.
As the Lamb opens the third seal, the third living creature calls John to witness what unfolds. A black horse appears, signifying distress and calamity, ridden by a figure holding scales, which symbolize scarcity and the careful rationing of essential food.
As the Lamb opens the third seal, the third living creature calls John to witness what unfolds. A black horse appears, signifying distress and calamity, ridden by a figure holding scales, which symbolize scarcity and the careful rationing of essential food.
"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 had a pair of scales in his hand." — The black horse and its rider, holding scales, represent not just physical famine but a spiritual starvation where essential truths become incredibly scarce and expensive. While luxuries like "oil an…
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Last reviewed October 2026
