The Greek word tríchinos, represented by G5155, is defined as hairy, or something made of hair (mohair). This specific adjective appears only 1 times across 1 unique verses in the Bible. Its singular use provides a stark and memorable image within the context of apocalyptic prophecy.
The sole biblical appearance of G5155 occurs in the description of the cataclysmic events following the opening of the sixth seal. John beheld G1492 a great G3173 earthquake, and as part of this divine judgment, "the sun G2246 became G1096 black G3189 as sackcloth G4526 of hair" Revelation 6:12. The term specifies the material of the sackcloth, emphasizing its coarse and dark nature to create a powerful visual of a lightless sun.
Several related words from its context help illuminate its meaning:
- G4526 sákkos (sackcloth): This is the noun that G5155 modifies. It refers to "sack"-cloth, a material or garment worn as a sign of grief, tying the cosmic event directly to mourning.
- G3189 mélas (black): This describes the color of the sun, which is compared to the sackcloth of hair. The word is also used to describe one of the horses of the apocalypse Revelation 6:5.
- G2246 hḗlios (the sun): This is the celestial body that undergoes the dramatic transformation, becoming dark and serving as a major sign in the prophecy.
- G4578 seismós (an earthquake): This term sets the scene of widespread commotion and judgment in which the darkening of the sun takes place Revelation 6:12.
The theological weight of G5155 is derived entirely from its role in the powerful imagery of Revelation.
- Sign of Judgment: Its use is embedded within the opening of the sixth G1623 seal G4973, a moment of profound cosmic upheaval signifying divine judgment upon the earth. The description of the sun turning black as hairy sackcloth is a terrifying portent.
- Symbol of Cosmic Mourning: Sackcloth itself is a symbol of grief and repentance Matthew 11:21. By specifying the material as of hair, the text intensifies this image, suggesting a deep, sorrowful, and coarse state for the very source of light.
- Visual Prophecy: The term is crucial for the vivid and sensory language of apocalyptic literature. It moves beyond a simple statement like "the sun turned dark" to an unsettling, specific comparison that would have been immediately understood by the original audience.
In summary, while tríchinos G5155 is a rare word, its single appearance is highly significant. It provides a key detail in the dramatic vision of the sixth seal, defining the texture and nature of the sackcloth to which the darkened sun is compared. This specificity enhances the themes of judgment and cosmic mourning, illustrating how a single descriptive word can lend immense power to prophetic imagery.
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