Revelation 6:8

Authorized King James Version

And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
καὶ
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#2
εἶδον
I looked
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
καὶ
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#4
ἰδού,
behold
used as imperative lo!
#5
ἵππος
horse
a horse
#6
χλωρός
a pale
greenish, i.e., verdant, dun-colored
#7
καὶ
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#8
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#9
καθήμενος
that sat
and ???? (to sit; akin to the base of g1476); to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside
#10
ἐπάνω
on
up above, i.e., over or on (of place, amount, rank, etc.)
#11
αὐτοῖς
him
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#12
ὄνομα
name
a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
#13
αὐτοῖς
him
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#15
θανάτῳ
death
(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)
#16
καὶ
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#18
ᾅδης
G86
Hell
properly, unseen, i.e., "hades" or the place (state) of departed souls
#19
ἀκολούθει
followed
properly, to be in the same way with, i.e., to accompany (specially, as a disciple)
#20
μετ'
with
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
#21
αὐτοῖς
him
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#22
καὶ
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#23
ἐδόθη
was given
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
#24
αὐτοῖς
him
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#25
ἐξουσία
power
privilege, i.e., (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token o
#26
ἀποκτεῖναι
to kill
to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy
#27
ἐπὶ
over
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
#28
τὸ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#29
τέταρτον
the fourth part
fourth
#30
τῆς
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#31
γῆς
of the earth
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
#32
ἐν
with
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#33
ῥομφαίᾳ
sword
a sabre, i.e., a long and broad cutlass (any weapon of the kind, literally or figuratively)
#34
καὶ
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#35
ἐν
with
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#36
λιμῷ
hunger
a scarcity of food
#37
καὶ
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#38
ἐν
with
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#39
θανάτῳ
death
(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)
#40
καὶ
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#41
ὑπὸ
with
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
#42
τῶν
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#43
θηρίων
the beasts
a dangerous animal
#44
τῆς
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#45
γῆς
of the earth
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)

Analysis

This verse develops the kingdom of God theme central to Revelation. The concept of divine revelation reflects the ultimate establishment of divine rule over creation. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to apocalyptic literature revealing God's ultimate victory, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within imperial persecution under Domitian's demand for emperor worship. The author writes to address persecuted Christians in Asia Minor facing pressure to compromise, making the emphasis on kingdom of God particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection