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REV 6:3-4

The Second Seal: War

3And when he opened the second seal, I heard the second living being saying: 'Come!'

4And another horse went out, bright red. And to the one seated on it was granted to take peace from the earth, so that they would slaughter one another. And a great sword was given to him.

In the world it was spoken into

In the apocalyptic vision of Revelation, the opening of the second seal introduces a fiery red horse, a symbol deeply resonant in 1st-century Mediterranean culture. The color (bright red) evokes bloodshed and destruction, imagery familiar to a society accustomed to the ravages of war, whether from Roman military campaigns or local conflicts. The rider is given a (short sword), a weapon associated with close combat and slaughter, reflecting the brutal reality of warfare in the ancient world. The removal of (peace) signifies not just the absence of tranquility but the collapse of societal order and security, a catastrophic event for communities reliant on stability for survival. The phrase 'one another they will slay' suggests civil strife, a phenomenon well-known in the Roman Empire, where internal rebellions and power struggles often led to widespread violence. This imagery would have struck a chord with early audiences, who lived under the constant threat of war and its devastating consequences.

›See the receipts

How other translations render this

REV 6:3

KJV
And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.
BSB
And when the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!”
Koinōnos
And when he opened the second seal, I heard the second living being saying: 'Come!

REV 6:4

KJV
And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.
BSB
Then another horse went forth. It was bright red, and its rider was granted permission to take away peace from the earth and to make men slay one another. And he was given a great sword.
Koinōnos
And another horse went out, bright red. And to the one seated on it was granted to take peace from the earth, so that they would slaughter one another. And a great sword was given to him.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Where the historical framing draws from

  • Josephus, WarsWars 1.7.5
›Josephus, Wars Wars 1.7.5

“The greatest part of them were slain by their own countrymen, of the adverse faction, and an innumerable multitude threw themselves down precipices”

Cited to ground: The phrase 'one another they will slay' suggests civil strife, a phenomenon well-known in the Roman Empire, where internal rebellions and power struggles often led to widespread violence.

Translator's notes

REV 6:3

  • living creature:The word translated 'living creature' refers to any living being, often an animal, emphasizing its vitality and distinction from inanimate objects.

REV 6:4

  • bright red.:The term translated 'bright red' specifically evokes a fiery, flame-like red, suggesting intensity and perhaps a connection to fire itself.
  • peace:The word translated 'peace' in this context refers to a state of societal tranquility and order, often implying the absence of war or civil strife.
  • a sword:The word translated 'a sword' could refer to a large knife or a dirk, often used for combat or sacrifice, rather than exclusively a long, heavy sword.