Revelation 6:8
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.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 45
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εἶδον
I looked
G1492
εἶδον
I looked
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
2 of 45
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
3 of 45
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 45
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 45
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καθήμενος
that sat
G2521
καθήμενος
that sat
Strong's:
G2521
Word #:
9 of 45
and ???? (to sit; akin to the base of g1476); to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside
αὐτοῖς
him
G846
αὐτοῖς
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 of 45
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
ὄνομα
name
G3686
ὄνομα
name
Strong's:
G3686
Word #:
12 of 45
a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
αὐτοῖς
him
G846
αὐτοῖς
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 45
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
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 45
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θανάτῳ
death
G2288
θανάτῳ
death
Strong's:
G2288
Word #:
15 of 45
(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 45
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 45
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ᾅδης
Hell
G86
ᾅδης
Hell
Strong's:
G86
Word #:
18 of 45
properly, unseen, i.e., "hades" or the place (state) of departed souls
ἀκολούθει
followed
G190
ἀκολούθει
followed
Strong's:
G190
Word #:
19 of 45
properly, to be in the same way with, i.e., to accompany (specially, as a disciple)
μετ'
with
G3326
μετ'
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
20 of 45
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
αὐτοῖς
him
G846
αὐτοῖς
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
21 of 45
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
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
22 of 45
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐδόθη
was given
G1325
ἐδόθη
was given
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
23 of 45
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
αὐτοῖς
him
G846
αὐτοῖς
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
24 of 45
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
ἐξουσία
power
G1849
ἐξουσία
power
Strong's:
G1849
Word #:
25 of 45
privilege, i.e., (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token o
ἐπὶ
over
G1909
ἐπὶ
over
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
27 of 45
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
28 of 45
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
30 of 45
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γῆς
of the earth
G1093
γῆς
of the earth
Strong's:
G1093
Word #:
31 of 45
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
ῥομφαίᾳ
sword
G4501
ῥομφαίᾳ
sword
Strong's:
G4501
Word #:
33 of 45
a sabre, i.e., a long and broad cutlass (any weapon of the kind, literally or figuratively)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
34 of 45
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
37 of 45
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
θανάτῳ
death
G2288
θανάτῳ
death
Strong's:
G2288
Word #:
39 of 45
(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
40 of 45
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὑπὸ
with
G5259
ὑπὸ
with
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
41 of 45
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 (
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
42 of 45
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Hosea 13:14I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.Zechariah 6:3And in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grisled and bay horses.Jeremiah 16:4They shall die of grievous deaths; they shall not be lamented; neither shall they be buried; but they shall be as dung upon the face of the earth: and they shall be consumed by the sword, and by famine; and their carcases shall be meat for the fowls of heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.Revelation 1:18I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.Revelation 9:18By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.Revelation 9:15And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.Ezekiel 5:12A third part of thee shall die with the pestilence, and with famine shall they be consumed in the midst of thee: and a third part shall fall by the sword round about thee; and I will scatter a third part into all the winds, and I will draw out a sword after them.Isaiah 25:8He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.
Historical Context
John received this revelation circa AD 95 during Domitian's persecution, exiled on Patmos for his testimony. The seven churches of Asia Minor faced increasing pressure to participate in emperor worship and pagan religious practices. Refusal meant economic hardship, social ostracism, and potential martyrdom. Understanding this context illuminates Revelation's encouragement to faithful endurance.
The apocalyptic genre was familiar to first-century Jewish and Christian readers. Rather than newspaper-style predictions, apocalyptic literature uses symbolic imagery to reveal spiritual realities behind earthly events, encourage the faithful, warn the unfaithful, and assert God's ultimate sovereignty over history. Parallels with Daniel, Ezekiel, and intertestamental apocalyptic writings would help original readers decode the symbols.
Rome's imperial cult demanded worship of Caesar as divine, placing Christians in impossible situations—compromise their faith or face persecution. Revelation identifies Rome as "Babylon" and assures believers that despite appearances, the Lamb conquered through His death and resurrection, and all earthly kingdoms will submit to His reign.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Revelation 6:8 reveal God's character, particularly His sovereignty, holiness, and justice?
- What specific encouragement or warning does this verse offer for maintaining faithful Christian witness amid cultural pressure?
- How does this passage point to Christ's victory and the hope of new creation, and how should that shape your present priorities?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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... This verse from Revelation's vision of seven seals - god's judgments on rebellious earth, cry of martyrs employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Greek text uses vivid apocalyptic language characteristic of Jewish prophetic literature, drawing heavily from Daniel, Ezekiel, Isaiah, and Zechariah.
The symbolism must be interpreted within its first-century context while recognizing timeless spiritual realities. The imagery would resonate powerfully with persecuted believers facing Roman imperial cult worship, providing hope that despite present suffering, Christ reigns sovereign and will consummate His kingdom. The apocalyptic genre uses symbolic numbers (seven, twelve, 144,000), colors, beasts, and cosmic imagery to convey theological truth rather than photographic descriptions.
Christologically, Revelation consistently exalts Jesus as the victorious Lamb, the faithful witness, the King of kings and Lord of lords. Every vision ultimately points to Christ's supremacy, His finished redemptive work, and His certain return to judge the living and dead and establish the new creation.