Revelation 6:12

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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;

Complete Jewish Bible:

Then I watched as he broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake, the sun turned black as sackcloth worn in mourning, and the full moon became blood-red.

Berean Standard Bible:

And when I saw the Lamb open the sixth seal, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black like sackcloth of goat hair, and the whole moon turned blood red,

American Standard Version:

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 with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G2532} I beheld^{G1492} when^{G3753} he had opened^{G455} the sixth^{G1623} seal^{G4973}, and^{G2532}, lo^{G2400}, there was^{G1096} a great^{G3173} earthquake^{G4578}; and^{G2532} the sun^{G2246} became^{G1096} black^{G3189} as^{G5613} sackcloth^{G4526} of hair^{G5155}, and^{G2532} the moon^{G4582} became^{G1096} as^{G5613} blood^{G129};

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for Revelation 6:12

Revelation 6:12 is part of the apocalyptic literature found in the New Testament, specifically within the Book of Revelation, which is attributed to John of Patmos. This verse is set within a series of visions that John experiences, which are symbolic and rich in imagery, foretelling the end times and the second coming of Christ.

In the verse, the opening of the sixth seal signifies a significant escalation in the apocalyptic events that have been unfolding. The great earthquake mentioned is a common motif in biblical prophecy, symbolizing divine judgment and the upheaval of the established order. The language used echoes Old Testament prophecies, such as those found in Joel 2:30-31 and Isaiah 13:10, where cosmic disturbances are associated with the day of the Lord, a time of reckoning and judgment.

The sun turning black as sackcloth and the moon appearing as blood are dramatic, supernatural occurrences that would have been understood by ancient audiences as omens of cataclysmic importance. Sackcloth, a rough and dark material, was traditionally worn during times of mourning and repentance, suggesting a period of sorrow and penitence. The moon turning to blood would have been seen as a portent of doom, with the blood-red color evoking images of death and sacrifice.

Historically, these images would resonate with readers familiar with the Jewish tradition, where such phenomena were associated with the end of the current world order and the inauguration of a new age. The verse reflects a time of great turmoil and anticipation, as the world awaits final redemption and the fulfillment of God's promises. The themes of judgment, cosmic upheaval, and the intervention of the divine are central to the eschatological message of the Book of Revelation.

In summary, Revelation 6:12 is a verse steeped in apocalyptic symbolism, pointing to a time of divine judgment and the ushering in of the end times. It draws on a rich tradition of prophetic imagery to convey the gravity and terror of these events, while also offering hope to believers that, despite the chaos, God's ultimate plan will be realized.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: G1492
   There are 626 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἴδω
   Transliteration: eídō
   Pronunciation: i'-do
   Description: a primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent ὀπτάνομαι and ὁράω; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know:--be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) know(-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wish, wot. Compare ὀπτάνομαι.
   
3. Strong's Number: G3753
   There are 105 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὅτε
   Transliteration: hóte
   Pronunciation: hot'-eh
   Description: from ὅς and τέ; at which (thing) too, i.e. when:--after (that), as soon as, that, when, while.
   
4. Strong's Number: G455
   There are 100 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀνοίγω
   Transliteration: anoígō
   Pronunciation: an-oy'-go
   Description: from ἀνά and (to open); to open up (literally or figuratively, in various applications):--open.
   
5. Strong's Number: G1623
   There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἕκτος
   Transliteration: héktos
   Pronunciation: hek'-tos
   Description: ordinal from ἕξ; sixth:--sixth.
   
6. Strong's Number: G4973
   There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: σφραγίς
   Transliteration: sphragís
   Pronunciation: sfrag-ece'
   Description: probably strengthened from φράσσω; a signet (as fencing in or protecting from misappropriation); by implication, the stamp impressed (as a mark of privacy, or genuineness), literally or figuratively:--seal.
   
7. Strong's Number: G2400
   There are 204 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἰδού
   Transliteration: idoú
   Pronunciation: id-oo'
   Description: second person singular imperative middle voice of εἴδω; used as imperative lo!; --behold, lo, see.
   
8. Strong's Number: G1096
   There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: γίνομαι
   Transliteration: gínomai
   Pronunciation: ghin'-om-ahee
   Description: a prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.):--arise, be assembled, be(-come, -fall, -have self), be brought (to pass), (be) come (to pass), continue, be divided, draw, be ended, fall, be finished, follow, be found, be fulfilled, + God forbid, grow, happen, have, be kept, be made, be married, be ordained to be, partake, pass, be performed, be published, require, seem, be showed, X soon as it was, sound, be taken, be turned, use, wax, will, would, be wrought.
   
9. Strong's Number: G3173
   There are 185 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μέγας
   Transliteration: mégas
   Pronunciation: meg'-as
   Description: (including the prolonged forms, feminine , plural , etc.; compare also μέγιστος, μείζων); big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application):--(+ fear) exceedingly, great(-est), high, large, loud, mighty, + (be) sore (afraid), strong, X to years.
   
10. Strong's Number: G4578
    There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: σεισμός
    Transliteration: seismós
    Pronunciation: sice-mos'
    Description: from σείω; a commotion, i.e. (of the air) a gale, (of the ground) an earthquake:--earthquake, tempest.
    
11. Strong's Number: G2246
    There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἥλιος
    Transliteration: hḗlios
    Pronunciation: hay'-lee-os
    Description: from (a ray; perhaps akin to the alternate of αἱρέομαι); the sun; by implication, light:--+ east, sun.
    
12. Strong's Number: G3189
    There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: μέλας
    Transliteration: mélas
    Pronunciation: mel'-as
    Description: apparently a primary word; black:--black.
    
13. Strong's Number: G5613
    There are 433 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὡς
    Transliteration: hōs
    Pronunciation: hoce
    Description: probably adverb of comparative from ὅς; which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows):--about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, X with all speed.
    
14. Strong's Number: G4526
    There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: σάκκος
    Transliteration: sákkos
    Pronunciation: sak'-kos
    Description: of Hebrew origin (שַׂק); "sack"-cloth, i.e. mohair (the material or garments made of it, worn as a sign of grief):-- sackcloth.
    
15. Strong's Number: G5155
    There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: τρίχινος
    Transliteration: tríchinos
    Pronunciation: trikh'-ee-nos
    Description: from θρίξ; hairy, i.e. made of hair (mohair):--of hair.
    
16. Strong's Number: G4582
    There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: σελήνη
    Transliteration: selḗnē
    Pronunciation: sel-ay'-nay
    Description: from (brilliancy; probably akin to the alternate of αἱρέομαι, through the idea of attractiveness); the moon:--moon.
    
17. Strong's Number: G129
    There are 141 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: αἷμα
    Transliteration: haîma
    Pronunciation: hah'-ee-mah
    Description: of uncertain derivation; blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of Christ); by implication, bloodshed, also kindred:--blood.