Rev 6:4-5 | RWP | e4.org | A red horse ( ιππος πυρρος ). Old adjective from πυρ (fire), flame-coloured, blood-red ( ), in N.T. only here and , like ; (roan horse). To take peace from the earth ( λαβειν την ειρηνην εκ της γης ). Second aorist active infinitive of λαμβανω , and here the nominative case, the subject of εδοθη (see verse ), "to take peace out of the earth." Alas, how many red horses have been ridden through the ages. And that they should slay one another ( κα ινα αλληλους σφαξουσιν ). Epexegetical explanatory purpose clause with ινα and the future active of σφαζω ( ) instead of the more usual subjunctive (verse ). Cf. Robertson, Grammar , p. 998f. This is what war does to perfection, makes cannon fodder (cf. ) of men. A great sword ( μαχαιρα μεγαλη ). Μαχαιρα may be a knife carried in a sheath at the girdle ( ) or a long sword in battle as here. Ρομφαια , also a large sword, is the only other word for sword in the N.T. ( ; , ; ; , ).

‏ Revelation of John 6:4-5

A red horse ( ιππος πυρρος ). Old adjective from πυρ (fire), flame-coloured, blood-red (2Ki 3:22), in N.T. only here and 12:3, like Zec 1:8; 6:2 (roan horse).

To take peace from the earth ( λαβειν την ειρηνην εκ της γης ). Second aorist active infinitive of λαμβανω, and here the nominative case, the subject of εδοθη (see verse 2), "to take peace out of the earth." Alas, how many red horses have been ridden through the ages.

And that they should slay one another ( κα ινα αλληλους σφαξουσιν ). Epexegetical explanatory purpose clause with ινα and the future active of σφαζω (5:6) instead of the more usual subjunctive (verse 2). Cf. Robertson, Grammar, p. 998f. This is what war does to perfection, makes cannon fodder (cf. Joh 14:27) of men.

A great sword ( μαχαιρα μεγαλη ). Μαχαιρα may be a knife carried in a sheath at the girdle (Joh 18:10) or a long sword in battle as here. Ρομφαια, also a large sword, is the only other word for sword in the N.T. (Re 1:16; 2:12, 16; 6:8; 19:15, 21).

A black horse ( ιππος μελας ). Lust of conquest brings bloodshed, but also famine and hunger. "The colour of mourning and famine. See Jer 4:28; 8:21; Mal 3:14, where mournfully is, literally, in black" (Vincent).

Had ( εχων ) as in verse 2.

A balance ( ζυγον ). Literally, a yoke (old word from ζευγνυμ, to join), of slavery (Ac 15:10; Ga 5:1), of teaching (Mt 11:29), of weight or measure like a pair of scales evenly balancing as here (Eze 5:1; 45:10). The rider of this black horse, like the spectral figure of hunger, carries in his hand a pair of scales. This is also one of the fruits of war.