Revelation 6:12

Authorized King James Version

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;

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
καὶ
G2532
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#2
εἶδον
G1492
I beheld
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
#3
ὅτε
G3753
when
at which (thing) too, i.e., when
#4
ἤνοιξεν
G455
he had opened
to open up (literally or figuratively, in various applications)
#5
τὴν
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#6
σφραγῖδα
G4973
seal
a signet (as fencing in or protecting from misappropriation); by implication, the stamp impressed (as a mark of privacy, or genuineness), literally or
#7
τὴν
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#8
ἕκτην
G1623
the sixth
sixth
#9
καὶ
G2532
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#10
ἰδού,
G2400
lo
used as imperative lo!
#11
σεισμὸς
G4578
earthquake
a commotion, i.e., (of the air) a gale, (of the ground) an earthquake
#12
μέγας
G3173
a great
big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)
#13
ἐγένετο
G1096
became
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
#14
καὶ
G2532
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#15
ὁ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#16
ἥλιος
G2246
the sun
the sun; by implication, light
#17
ἐγένετο
G1096
became
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
#18
μέλας
G3189
black
black
#19
ὡς
G5613
as
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
#20
σάκκος
G4526
sackcloth
"sack"-cloth, i.e., mohair (the material or garments made of it, worn as a sign of grief)
#21
τρίχινος
G5155
of hair
hairy, i.e., made of hair (mohair)
#22
καὶ
G2532
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#23
ἡ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#24
σελήνη
G4582
the moon
the moon
#25
ἐγένετο
G1096
became
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
#26
ὡς
G5613
as
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
#27
αἷμα
G129
blood
blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of christ); by implication, bloodshed, also k

Analysis

The kingdom of God theme here intersects with the progressive revelation of God's rule from creation to consummation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of development from creation mandate through Davidic kingdom to eschatological fulfillment. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's reign from creation through the millennial kingdom.

Historical Context

The historical context of the Domitian persecution period (c. 95 CE) provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection