### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek adjective τρίχινος (tríchinos), Strong's number `{{G5155}}`, is derived directly from the noun θρίξ (thrix), meaning "hair" (`{{G2359}}`). As an adjective, τρίχινος denotes something that is "hairy" or, more specifically, "made of hair." This typically refers to fabric woven from animal hair, such as goat hair, which was commonly used for rough clothing, tents, or sackcloth in the ancient world. The word carries a semantic range that emphasizes the material's coarseness and often, by extension, implies humility, asceticism, or a state of mourning and distress.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term τρίχινος (tríchinos) appears only once in the New Testament, making its singular usage highly impactful:
* **[[Revelation 6:12]]**: "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."
* In this apocalyptic vision, τρίχινος describes the "sackcloth" (σάκκος, `{{G4526}}`) to which the sun's darkened appearance is compared. The imagery is part of a series of cosmic disturbances accompanying the opening of the sixth seal, signifying a profound disruption of the natural order and an outpouring of divine judgment. Sackcloth made of hair was a well-established biblical symbol of deep mourning, lament, repentance, or extreme distress. The sun's transformation into such a dark, coarse object conveys a sense of foreboding and the cessation of light, indicative of God's wrath and impending doom upon the earth. This vivid metaphor underscores the severity and terror of the eschatological events.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **θρίξ (thrix)**: `{{G2359}}`, the root noun meaning "hair," from which τρίχινος is formed. Understanding the base word illuminates the material nature implied by τρίχινος.
* **σάκκος (sakkos)**: `{{G4526}}`, "sackcloth." This noun is directly modified by τρίχινος in [[Revelation 6:12]]. Sackcloth, often woven from coarse animal hair, is a pervasive biblical symbol of mourning, humiliation, repentance, and prophetic lament (e.g., [[Genesis 37:34]], [[Jonah 3:5-6]], [[Matthew 11:21]]).
* **Cosmic Signs of Judgment**: The darkening of the sun and moon is a recurring prophetic motif in the Old Testament, frequently associated with the "Day of the Lord" and divine judgment (e.g., [[Isaiah 13:10]], [[Joel 2:31]], [[Amos 8:9]]). The specific detail of the sun becoming "black as sackcloth of hair" in Revelation ties this cosmic sign directly to the established symbolism of lament and judgment.
* **Prophetic Garb**: While τρίχινος is not used to describe it, the material "hair" is associated with prophetic figures, such as Elijah (implied by [[2 Kings 1:8]]) and John the Baptist, who wore "clothing of camel's hair" ([[Matthew 3:4]]). This connection highlights the austerity and prophetic warning often associated with such attire.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of τρίχινος (tríchinos) in [[Revelation 6:12]] is profound and multifaceted:
* **Symbol of Divine Judgment and Wrath**: The primary theological import is its association with God's eschatological judgment. The sun turning "black as sackcloth of hair" is a powerful image of cosmic disruption, signaling the breaking of the established order and the direct intervention of God in judgment. It signifies a profound reversal of creation's intended purpose, as the source of light becomes an emblem of darkness and despair.
* **Call to Repentance and Lament**: Drawing on the established symbolism of sackcloth, the image implicitly calls humanity to a state of deep lament and repentance in the face of overwhelming divine power and impending judgment. The cosmic signs are not merely natural phenomena but divine signals demanding a spiritual response.
* **Fulfillment of Prophecy**: The imagery echoes numerous Old Testament prophecies concerning the "Day of the Lord" (e.g., [[Joel 2:31]], [[Isaiah 13:10]]). The use of "haircloth" grounds the apocalyptic vision in familiar prophetic language, emphasizing the continuity of God's redemptive and judgmental plan throughout salvation history. It underscores the certainty and inevitability of divine reckoning.
* **Revelation of God's Sovereignty**: The radical transformation of the sun into such a dark, coarse object highlights the absolute sovereignty of God over His creation. He is capable of altering the very fabric of the cosmos to fulfill His purposes, demonstrating His ultimate control and the terrifying majesty of His power when expressed in judgment.
### Summary
The Greek adjective τρίχινος (tríchinos), Strong's number `{{G5155}}`, meaning "made of hair," appears exclusively in [[Revelation 6:12]]. There, it describes the sun becoming "black as sackcloth of hair" during the opening of the sixth seal. This singular, powerful image draws upon the ancient biblical symbolism of haircloth, which consistently denoted mourning, repentance, and profound distress. In its apocalyptic context, τρίχινος serves as a vivid metaphor for the cosmic disruption and terrifying nature of divine judgment. It underscores the severity and inevitability of God's eschatological wrath, echoing Old Testament prophecies concerning the Day of the Lord and revealing the Creator's awesome power to alter creation itself as a sign of His sovereign control and righteous judgment.
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