The Meaning of Revelation 6:12 Explained

Revelation 6:12

KJV: And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;

YLT: And I saw when he opened the sixth seal, and lo, a great earthquake came, and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood,

Darby: And I saw when it opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as hair sackcloth, and the whole moon became as blood,

ASV: And I saw when he opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the whole moon became as blood;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  I beheld  when  he had opened  the sixth  seal,  and,  lo,  there was  a great  earthquake;  and  the sun  became  black  as  sackcloth  of hair,  and  the moon  became  as  blood; 

What does Revelation 6:12 Mean?

Context Summary

Revelation 6:9-17 - "the Wrath Of The Lamb"
This imagery is very majestic; but we cannot really think that the holy martyrs desire to be revenged, except in love and grace. That their persecutors should be forgiven in Pentecosts of revival must be the highest conception of vengeance that they permit themselves to have. The striking command that they should rest, each enclothed in a white robe of acceptance and purity, until the full roll of martyrs is complete, suggests that every age must yield its tale of those who love not their lives unto the death, because they love the Master so much more. We, too, have our daily martyrdoms, for it may be harder to live for Jesus always against continued opposition and scorn than to die once for Him.
Revelation 9:1-21; Revelation 10:1-11 answer to Matthew 24:6-7. Revelation 12:1-17; Revelation 17:1-18 to Matthew 24:29-30. Probably the words here refer, not to the final judgment, but to those revolutionary changes which always accompany the closing of one era and the opening of another; Hebrews 12:26-27. [source]

Chapter Summary: Revelation 6

1  The First Seal: Rider on White Horse
3  The Second Seal: War
5  The Third Seal: Famine
7  The Fourth Seal: Death
9  The Fifth Seal: Martyrs
12  The Sixth Seal: Terror

Greek Commentary for Revelation 6:12

There was a great earthquake [σεισμος μεγας εγενετο]
“There came a great earthquake.” Jesus spoke of earthquakes in his great eschatological discourse (Mark 13:8). In Matthew 24:29 the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Σεισμος — Seismos is from σειω — seiō to shake, and occurs also in Revelation 8:5; Revelation 11:13, Revelation 11:19; Revelation 16:18. The reference is not a local earthquake like those so common in Asia Minor. [source]
As sackcloth of hair [ως σακκος τριχινος]
Σακκος — Sakkos (Attic σακος — sakos), Latin saccus, English sack, originally a bag for holding things (Genesis 42:25, Genesis 42:35), then coarse garment of hair Here the hair is that of the black goat (Isaiah 50:3). Cf. Joel 2:10; Ezekiel 32:7.; Isaiah 13:10; Mark 13:24. See Ecclesiastes 12:2 for eclipses treated as symbols of old age. Apocalyptic pictures all have celestial phenomena following earthquakes.As blood (ως αιμα — hōs haima). In Acts 2:20 we find Peter interpreting the apocalyptic eschatological language of Joel 2:31 about the sun being turned into darkness and the moon into blood as pointing to the events of the day of Pentecost as also “the great day of the Lord.” Peter‘s interpretation of Joel should make us cautious about too literal an exegesis of these grand symbols. [source]
As blood [ως αιμα]
In Acts 2:20 we find Peter interpreting the apocalyptic eschatological language of Joel 2:31 about the sun being turned into darkness and the moon into blood as pointing to the events of the day of Pentecost as also “the great day of the Lord.” Peter‘s interpretation of Joel should make us cautious about too literal an exegesis of these grand symbols. [source]
The sixth seal []
“The Apocalypse is molded by the great discourse of our Lord upon 'the last things' which has been preserved for us in the first three Gospels (Matthew 24:4; 25.; Luke 21:8-36; compare 17:20-37). The parallelism between the two is, to a certain extent, acknowledged by all inquirers, and is indeed, in many respects, so obvious, that it can hardly escape the notice of even the ordinary reader. Let any one compare, for example, the account of the opening of the sixth seal with the description of the end (Matthew href="/desk/?q=mt+24:29&sr=1">Matthew 24:29, Matthew 24:30), and he will see that the one is almost a transcript of the other. It is remarkable that we find no account of this discourse in the Gospel of St. John; nor does it seem as sufficient explanation of the omission that the later Evangelist was satisfied with the records of the discourse already given by his predecessors” (Milligan). [source]
Earthquake [σεισμὸς]
Lit., shaking. Used also of a tempest. See on Matthew 8:24, and compare Matthew 24:7. The word here is not necessarily confined to shaking the earth. In Matthew 24:29, it is predicted that the powers of the heavens shall be shaken ( σαλευθήσονται , see on Luke 21:26). Here also the heaven is removed (Revelation 6:14). Compare Hebrews 12:26, where the verb σείω toshake (kindred with σεισμὸς ) is used. [source]
Black as sackcloth of hair [μέλας ὡς σάκκος]
Compare Matthew 24:29; Isaiah 50:3; Isaiah 13:10; Jeremiah 4:23; Ezekiel 32:7, Ezekiel 32:8; Joel 2:31; Joel 3:15; Amos 8:9, Amos 8:10; Micah 3:6. For sackcloth, see on Luke 10:13. [source]
The moon [ἡ σελήνη]
Add ὅλη wholeRev., the whole moon. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Revelation 6:12

Luke 10:13 Sackcloth [σάκκῳ]
From the Hebrew sakwhat is knotted together; net-shaped; coarsely woven. It was made of goats' or camels' hair (Revelation 6:12), and was a material similar to that upon which Paul wrought in tent-making. The same word in Hebrew is used to describe a grain-sack, and this coarse material of which it is made (Genesis 42:25; Joshua 9:4). So the Greek σαγή means a pack or baggage. The same root, according to some etymologists, appears in σαγήνη , a drag-net (see Matthew 13:47), and σάγος , Latin sagum, a coarse, soldier's cloak. It was employed for the rough garments for mourners (Esther 4:1; 1 Kings 21:27), in which latter passage the sackcloth is put next the flesh in token of extreme sorrow. Compare 2 Kings 6:30; Job 16:15.Ashes ( σποδῷ )As a sign of mourning. Defiling one's self with dead things, as ashes or dirt, as a sign of sorrow, was common among the Orientals and Greeks. Thus Homer describes Achilles on hearing of the death of Patroclus:“Grasping in both handsThe ashes of the hearth, he showered them o'er His head, and soiled with them his noble face.”Iliad, xviii., 28.And Priam, mourning for Hector:“In the midst the aged manSat with a cloak wrapped round him, and much dust Strewn on his head and neck, which, when he rolled Upon the earth, he gathered with his hands.”Iliad, xxiv., 162-5.See 1 Samuel 4:12; 2 Samuel 1:2; 2 Samuel 13:19; Job 2:12; Revelation 18:19. In Judith 4:14,15, in the mourning over the ravages of the Assyrians, the priests minister at the altar, girded with sackcloth, and with ashes on their mitres. Sir Gardner Wilkinson, describing a funeral at Thebes, says: “Men, women, and children, with the body exposed above the waist, throw dust on their heads, or cover their faces with mud” (“Modern Egypt and Thebes”). Stifling with ashes was a Persian mode of punishment. Compare Apocrypha, 2 Maccabees 13:5-7. Herodotus relates that Nitocris, an Egyptian queen, after having drowned the murderers of her brother, threw herself into an apartment full of ashes, in order to escape the vengeance of their friends. [source]
2 John 1:12 With paper and ink [δια χαρτου και μελανος]
The χαρτης — chartēs was a leaf of papyrus prepared for writing by cutting the pith into strips and pasting together, old word, here only in N.T. Μελας — Melas is old adjective for black (Matthew 5:36; Revelation 6:5, Revelation 6:12), and for black ink here, 3 John 1:13; 2 Corinthians 3:3. Apparently John wrote this little letter with his own hand.To come (γενεσται — genesthai). Second aorist middle infinitive of γινομαι — ginomai after ελπιζω — elpizō I hope.Face to face “Mouth to mouth.” So in 3 John 1:14; Numbers 12:8. “Face to face” Or “our” (ημων — hēmōn). Both true.That may be fulfilled Purpose clause with ινα — hina and the periphrastic perfect passive subjunctive of πληροω — plēroō as in 1 John 1:4, which see. [source]
Revelation 11:13 Earthquake []
See on Revelation 6:12. [source]
Revelation 11:3 Unto my two witnesses [τοις δυσιν μαρτυσιν μου]
Dative case after δωσω — dōsō The article seems to point to two well-known characters, like Elijah, Elisha, but there is no possible way to determine who they are. All sorts of identifications have been attempted.Clothed (περιβλημενους — periblēmenous). Perfect passive participle of περιβαλλω — periballō as often before (Revelation 7:9, Revelation 7:13; Revelation 10:1, etc.). But Aleph A P Q here read the accusative plural in ους — ̇ous while C has the nominative in οι — ̇oi Charles suggests a mere slip for the nominative, but Hort suggests a primitive error in early MSS. for the dative περιβεβλεμενοις — peribeblemenois agreeing with μαρτυσιν — martusin sackcloth (σακκους — sakkous). Accusative retained with this passive verb as in Revelation 7:9, Revelation 7:13. See Revelation 6:12 for σακκος — sakkos and also Matthew 3:4. The dress suited the message (Matthew 11:21). [source]
Revelation 11:3 Clothed [περιβλημενους]
Perfect passive participle of περιβαλλω — periballō as often before (Revelation 7:9, Revelation 7:13; Revelation 10:1, etc.). But Aleph A P Q here read the accusative plural in ους — ̇ous while C has the nominative in οι — ̇oi Charles suggests a mere slip for the nominative, but Hort suggests a primitive error in early MSS. for the dative περιβεβλεμενοις — peribeblemenois agreeing with μαρτυσιν — martusin sackcloth Accusative retained with this passive verb as in Revelation 7:9, Revelation 7:13. See Revelation 6:12 for σακκος — sakkos and also Matthew 3:4. The dress suited the message (Matthew 11:21). [source]
Revelation 11:13 There was [εγενετο]
“There came to pass” (second aorist middle indicative of γινομαι — ginomai). Earthquakes are often given as a symbol of great upheavals in social and spiritual order (Swete) as in Ezekiel 37:7; Ezekiel 38:19; Haggai 2:6; Mark 13:8; Hebrews 12:26.; Revelation 6:12; Revelation 16:18. [source]
Revelation 11:19 Was seen [ωπτη]
First aorist passive indicative of οραω — horaō ark of his covenant The sacred ark within the second veil of the tabernacle (Hebrews 9:4) and in the inner chamber of Solomon‘s temple (1 Kings 8:6) which probably perished when Nebuchadrezzar burnt the temple (2 Kings 25:9; Jeremiah 3:16). For the symbols of majesty and power in nature here see also Revelation 6:12; Revelation 8:5; Revelation 11:13; Revelation 16:18, Revelation 16:21. [source]
Revelation 16:18 And there were [και εγενοντο]
“And there came” (same verb σεισμος μεγας — ginomai). See Revelation 8:5; Revelation 11:19 for this list of terrible sounds and lightnings, and for the great earthquake (οιος ουκ εγενετο — seismos megas) see Revelation 6:12; Revelation 11:13 (cf. Luke 21:11). [source]
Revelation 5:1 With seven seals [σπραγισιν επτα]
Instrumental case of σπραγις — sphragis old word used in various senses, proof or authentication (1 Corinthians 9:2; Romans 4:11), signet-ring (Revelation 7:2), impression made by the seal (Revelation 9:4; 2 Timothy 2:19), the seal on books closing the book (Revelation 5:1, Revelation 5:2, Revelation 5:5, Revelation 5:9; Revelation 6:1, Revelation 6:3, Revelation 6:5, Revelation 6:7, Revelation 6:9, Revelation 6:12; Revelation 8:1). “A will in Roman law bore the seven seals of the seven witnesses” (Charles). But this sealed book of doom calls for no witnesses beyond God‘s own will. Alford sees in the number seven merely the completeness of God‘s purposes. [source]
Revelation 5:1 A book [βιβλιον]
Diminutive of βιβλος — biblos but no longer so used, βιβλαριδιον — biblaridion occurring instead (Revelation 10:2).Written (γεγραμμενον — gegrammenon). Perfect passive predicate participle of γραπω — graphō and on the back (εσωτεν και οπιστεν — esōthen kai opisthen). “Within and behind.” Description of a roll like that in Luke 4:17, not a codex as some scholars think. Usually these papyrus rolls were written only on the inside, but this one was so full of matter that it was written also on the back side (οπιστεν — opisthen), and so was an οπιστογραπον — opisthographon like that in Ezekiel 2:10. There are many allegorical interpretations of this fact which are all beside the point.Sealed Perfect passive predicate participle of κατασπραγιζω — katasphragizō old compound (perfective use of κατα — kata), to seal up (down), here only in N.T.With seven seals (σπραγισιν επτα — sphragisin hepta). Instrumental case of σπραγις — sphragis old word used in various senses, proof or authentication (1 Corinthians 9:2; Romans 4:11), signet-ring (Revelation 7:2), impression made by the seal (Revelation 9:4; 2 Timothy 2:19), the seal on books closing the book (Revelation 5:1, Revelation 5:2, Revelation 5:5, Revelation 5:9; Revelation 6:1, Revelation 6:3, Revelation 6:5, Revelation 6:7, Revelation 6:9, Revelation 6:12; Revelation 8:1). “A will in Roman law bore the seven seals of the seven witnesses” (Charles). But this sealed book of doom calls for no witnesses beyond God‘s own will. Alford sees in the number seven merely the completeness of God‘s purposes. [source]
Revelation 5:1 Sealed [κατεσπραγισμενον]
Perfect passive predicate participle of κατασπραγιζω — katasphragizō old compound (perfective use of κατα — kata), to seal up (down), here only in N.T.With seven seals (σπραγισιν επτα — sphragisin hepta). Instrumental case of σπραγις — sphragis old word used in various senses, proof or authentication (1 Corinthians 9:2; Romans 4:11), signet-ring (Revelation 7:2), impression made by the seal (Revelation 9:4; 2 Timothy 2:19), the seal on books closing the book (Revelation 5:1, Revelation 5:2, Revelation 5:5, Revelation 5:9; Revelation 6:1, Revelation 6:3, Revelation 6:5, Revelation 6:7, Revelation 6:9, Revelation 6:12; Revelation 8:1). “A will in Roman law bore the seven seals of the seven witnesses” (Charles). But this sealed book of doom calls for no witnesses beyond God‘s own will. Alford sees in the number seven merely the completeness of God‘s purposes. [source]
Revelation 6:1 When the Lamb opened [οτε ηνοιχεν το αρνιον]
First aorist active indicative of ανοιγω — anoigō This same phrase recurs in rhythmical order at the opening of each seal (Revelation 6:1, Revelation 6:3, Revelation 6:5, Revelation 6:7, Revelation 6:9, Revelation 6:12) till the last (Revelation 8:1), where we have οταν ηνοιχεν — hotan ēnoixen Probably used here as an ordinal (the first) as in Matthew 28:1. See Robertson, Grammar, p. 671f.Of This use of εκ — ek with the ablative in the partitive sense is common in the Apocalypse, as twice in this verse So ενος εκ των — henos ek tōn (one of the four living creatures) is “the first of,” etc.In a voice of thunder (εν πωνηι βροντης — en phōnēi brontēs). Old word used of John and James (Mark 3:17) and elsewhere in N.T. only John 12:29 and a dozen times in the Apocalypse.Come Present middle imperative of ερχομαι — erchomai but with exclamatory force (not strictly linear). The command is not addressed to the Lamb nor to John (the correct text omits και ιδε — kai ide “and see”) as in Revelation 17:1; Revelation 21:9, but to one of the four horsemen each time. Swete takes it as a call to Christ because ερχου — erchou is so used in Revelation 22:17, Revelation 22:20, but that is not conclusive. [source]

What do the individual words in Revelation 6:12 mean?

And I saw when He opened the seal - sixth an earthquake great there was the sun became black as sackcloth of hair the moon whole like blood
Καὶ εἶδον ὅτε ἤνοιξεν τὴν σφραγῖδα τὴν ἕκτην σεισμὸς μέγας ἐγένετο ἥλιος ἐγένετο μέλας ὡς σάκκος τρίχινος σελήνη ὅλη ὡς αἷμα

εἶδον  I  saw 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: εἶδον 
Sense: to see with the eyes.
ἤνοιξεν  He  opened 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἀνοίγω 
Sense: to open.
σφραγῖδα  seal 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: σφραγίς  
Sense: a seal.
τὴν  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἕκτην  sixth 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ἕκτος  
Sense: the sixth.
σεισμὸς  an  earthquake 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: σεισμός  
Sense: a shaking, a commotion.
μέγας  great 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: μέγας  
Sense: great.
ἐγένετο  there  was 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Middle, 3rd Person Singular
Root: γίνομαι  
Sense: to become, i.
ἥλιος  sun 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἥλιος  
Sense: the sun.
ἐγένετο  became 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Middle, 3rd Person Singular
Root: γίνομαι  
Sense: to become, i.
μέλας  black 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: μέλας  
Sense: black.
σάκκος  sackcloth 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: σάκκος  
Sense: a sack.
τρίχινος  of  hair 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: τρίχινος  
Sense: made of hair.
σελήνη  moon 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: σελήνη  
Sense: the moon.
ὅλη  whole 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: ὅλος  
Sense: all, whole, completely.
ὡς  like 
Parse: Adverb
Root: ὡς 
Sense: as, like, even as, etc.
αἷμα  blood 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: αἷμα  
Sense: blood.