REV 6:8 Parallel Verse View

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Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT And I looked, and behold, a pale horse! And the one sitting on it was named Death, and Hades was following after him. And authority was given to them over one fourth of the earth, to kill with the sword and with famine and with death and by the wild animals of the earth.

UST I then saw something else remarkable: a horse that was pale because it was diseased and that had two riders. The name of the first rider was The One Who Causes People to Die. The name of the rider sitting behind him on the horse was The Place Where Dead People Go. God gave these riders the power to kill a quarter of all the people in the world. They could kill them by causing wars or famine or epidemics or by making wild animals come into populated areas and kill people.

BSB Then I looked and saw a pale green horse. Its rider ’s name [was] Death, and Hades followed close behind. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill by sword, by famine, by plague, and by the beasts of the earth.

MSB Then I saw a pale green horse. Its rider’s name [was] Death, and Hades followed close behind. And he was given[fn] authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill by sword, by famine, by plague, and by the beasts of the earth.

BLB And I looked, and behold, a pale horse, and the one sitting on it, the name of him was Death, and Hades was following with him; and authority was given to them over the fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, and with famine, and with plague, and by the beasts of the earth.

AICNT And [I saw,][fn] [and behold,][fn] a pale horse, and the name of the one seated on it was Death, and Hades followed [with][fn] him.
¶ And authority was given to {them}[fn] over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with death and by the beasts of the earth.

6:8, I saw: Absent from some manuscripts. BYZ

6:8, and behold: Absent from some manuscripts. 𝔓24

6:8, with: A(02) C(03) NA28 SBLGNT THGNT ‖ Absent from some manuscripts. ℵ(01) BYZ TR

6:8, them: Later manuscripts read “him.” BYZ

OEB And in my vision I saw a grey horse. His rider’s name was Death, and Hades rode behind him; and power was given them over the fourth part of the earth, so that they might destroy with sword and famine and death, and by means of the wild Beasts of the earth.

WEBBE And behold, a pale horse, and the name of he who sat on it was Death. Hades[fn] followed with him. Authority over one fourth of the earth, to kill with the sword, with famine, with death, and by the wild animals of the earth was given to him.

6:8 or, Hell

WMBB And behold, a pale horse, and the name of he who sat on it was Death. Sheol[fn] followed with him. Authority over one fourth of the earth, to kill with the sword, with famine, with death, and by the wild animals of the earth was given to him.

6:8 or, Hell

NET So I looked and here came a pale green horse! The name of the one who rode it was Death, and Hades followed right behind. They were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill its population with the sword, famine, and disease, and by the wild animals of the earth.

LSV And I saw, and behold, a pale horse, and he who is sitting on him—his name is Death, and Hades follows with him, and there was given to them authority to kill over the fourth part of the earth with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and by the beasts of the earth.

FBV I looked and saw a pale horse. The rider was called Death, and Hades followed him.[fn] They received authority over a quarter of the earth to kill people by the sword, by famine, by plague, and by wild beasts.

6:8 Hades—the Greek word for the grave, the place of the dead.

TCNT And behold, there was a pale green horse! The name of its rider was Death, and Hades followed him. [fn]He was given authority over a fourth of the earth to kill by the sword, by famine and pestilence, and by the wild beasts of the earth.

6:8 He was 𝔐^C,K [73.4%] ¦ They were CT TR 𝔐^A [26.1%]

T4T This time I saw a pale horse come out. The one who sat on it is named ‘The one who causes death [PRS]’, and the one that is named ‘The place where dead people go’ accompanied him. God gave them authority over one quarter of the people on earth to incite them to kill each other with weapons [SYN], and also authority to kill them ◄by causing them to starve, by their causing them to become sick from epidemics, and by their causing them to be attacked by wild animals.

LEB And I looked, and behold, a pale green horse, and the one seated on it _⌊was named_⌋[fn] Death, and Hades followed after him. And authority was granted to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill by the sword and by famine and by pestilence and by the wild beasts of the earth.

6:8 Literally “name to him”

BBE And I saw a grey horse, and the name of him who was seated on it was Death; and Hell came after him. And there was given to them authority over the fourth part of the earth, to put to destruction by the sword, and by taking away their food, and by death, and by the beasts of the earth.

Moff So I looked, and there was a livid horse; its rider's name was Death, and Hades followed him. They were given power over the fourth part of the earth, to kill men with sword and famine and plague and by the wild beasts of the earth.

Wymth I looked and a pale-colored horse appeared. Its rider's name was Death, and Hades came close behind him; and authority was given to them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with the sword or with famine or pestilence or by means of the wild beasts of the earth.

ASV And I saw, and behold, a pale horse: and he that sat upon him, his name was Death; and Hades followed with him. And there was given unto them authority over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with famine, and with death, and by the wild beasts of the earth.

DRA And behold a pale horse, and he that sat upon him, his name was Death, and hell followed him. And power was given to him over the four parts of the earth, to kill with sword, with famine, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

YLT and I saw, and lo, a pale horse, and he who is sitting upon him — his name is Death, and Hades doth follow with him, and there was given to them authority to kill, (over the fourth part of the land,) with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and by the beasts of the land.

Drby And I saw: and behold, a pale horse, and he that sat upon it, his name [was] Death, and hades followed with him; and authority was given to him over the fourth of the earth to slay with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and by the beasts of the earth.

RV And I saw, and behold, a pale horse: and he that sat upon him, his name was Death; and Hades followed with him. And there was given unto them authority over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with famine, and with death, and by the wild beasts of the earth.
(And I saw, and behold, a pale horse: and he that sat upon him, his name was Death; and Hades followed with him. And there was given unto them authority over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with famine, and with death, and by the wild beasts/animals of the earth. )

SLT And I saw, and behold a pale horse: and he sitting above him the name to him Death, and Hades follows with him. And power was given to them to kill upon the fourth of the earth, with sword, and by famine, and by death, and by wild beasts of the earth.

Wbstr 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 to 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.

KJB-1769 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.
(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/animals of the earth. )

KJB-1611 And I looked, and behold, a pale horse, & his name that sate on him was Death, and hell followed with him: and power was giuen [fn]vnto them, ouer the fourth part of the earth to kill with sword, & with hunger, and with death, and with the beastes of the earth.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from capitalisation and punctuation and footnotes)

6:8 Or, to him.

Bshps And I loked, and behold a pale horse, & his name that sate on him was death, and hell folowed after hym, and power was geuen vnto them ouer the fourth part of the earth, to kyll with sworde, & with hunger, and with death, and with the beastes of the earth.
(And I looked, and behold a pale horse, and his name that sat on him was death, and hell followed after 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/animals of the earth.)

Gnva And I looked, and beholde, a pale horse, and his name that sate on him was Death, and Hell folowed after him, and power was giuen vnto them ouer the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sworde, and with hunger, and with death, and with beasts of the earth.
(And I looked, and behold, a pale horse, and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed after 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 beasts/animals of the earth. )

Cvdl And I loked, and beholde a pale horsse, and his name that sat on him was deeth, and hell folowed after him, & power was geue vnto them ouer the fourthe parte of the earth, to kyll with swearde, and wt honger, and with deeth, of the vermen of the earth.
(And I looked, and behold a pale horsse, and his name that sat on him was death, and hell followed after him, and power was give unto them over the forth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, of the vermen of the earth.)

TNT And I loked and beholde a grene horsse and his name that sat on him was deeth and hell folowed after him and power was geven vnto them over the fourthe parte of the erth to kyll with swearde and with honger and with deeth that cometh of vermen of the erth.
(And I looked and behold a green horsse and his name that sat on him was death and hell followed after him and power was given unto them over the forth part of the earth to kill with sword and with hunger and with death that cometh/comes of vermen of the earth. )

Wycl And lo! a pale hors; and the name was Deth to hym that sat on hym, and helle suede hym. And power was youun to hym on foure partis of the erthe, for to sle with swerd, and with hungur, and with deth, and with beestis of the erthe.
(And lo! a pale horse; and the name was Deth to him that sat on him, and hell followed him. And power was given to him on four parts of the earth, for to slay/kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with beasts/animals of the earth.)

Luth Und siehe, und ich sah ein fahl Pferd, und der daraufsaß, des Name hieß Tod, und die Hölle folgte ihm nach. Und ihnen ward Macht gegeben, zu töten das vierte Teil auf der Erde mit dem Schwert und Hunger und mit dem Tod und durch die Tiere auf Erden.
(And see/look, and I saw a fahl horse, and the/of_the on_itsaß, the Name was_called Tod, and the hell followed him after. And to_them what/which power(n) given, to/for kill the fourth part/portion on/in/to the/of_the earth/land/ground with to_him sword and hunger and with to_him Tod and through the animals on/in/to earth/land/ground.)

ClVg Et ecce equus pallidus: et qui sedebat super eum, nomen illi Mors, et infernus sequebatur eum, et data est illi potestas super quatuor partes terræ, interficere gladio, fame, et morte, et bestiis terræ.[fn]
(And behold equus pallidus: and who/which was_sitting over him, name them Mors, and hell followed him, and data it_is them power over four parts of_the_earth/land, to_kill with_a_sword, hunger, and death, and beasts/animals of_the_earth/land. )

6.8 Ecce equus pallidus. Videns diabolus nec per apertas tribulationes, nec per apertas hæreses posse proficere, præmittit falsos fratres: qui sub habitu religionis obtinent naturam rufi equi et nigri, pervertendo fidem. Nomen illi mors. Quia per eum mors accessit, vel ad litteram quia occidit quosdam in carne, quosdam in anima. Et infernus. Id est insatiabiles terrenis eum imitantur, et in inferno apponuntur. Super quatuor. Id est super omnes malos ubique morantes, vel super Judæos et gentiles, hæreticos et falsos Christianos.

6.8 Behold equus pallidus. Seeing the_devil but_not through opens tribulations, but_not through opens heires posse proficere, precedes falselys brothers: who/which under dress religion obtinent nature rufi equi and nigri, pervertendo faith. Name them death. Because through him death came, or to literally because killed some in/into/on flesh/meat, some in/into/on soul. And hell. That it_is insatiabiles earthly him imitantur, and in/into/on hell apponuntur. Above/Over four. That it_is over everyone I_prefers everywhere staying, or over Yudahos and Gentiles, heretics and falselys Christianos.

UGNT καὶ εἶδον, καὶ ἰδοὺ, ἵππος χλωρός, καὶ ὁ καθήμενος ἐπάνω αὐτοῦ, ὄνομα αὐτῷ ὁ Θάνατος, καὶ ὁ ᾍδης ἠκολούθει μετ’ αὐτοῦ; καὶ ἐδόθη αὐτοῖς ἐξουσία ἐπὶ τὸ τέταρτον τῆς γῆς, ἀποκτεῖναι ἐν ῥομφαίᾳ, καὶ ἐν λιμῷ, καὶ ἐν θανάτῳ, καὶ ὑπὸ τῶν θηρίων τῆς γῆς.
(kai eidon, kai idou, hippos ⱪlōros, kai ho kathaʸmenos epanō autou, onoma autōi ho Thanatos, kai ho Haidaʸs aʸkolouthei met’ autou; kai edothaʸ autois exousia epi to tetarton taʸs gaʸs, apokteinai en ɽomfaia, kai en limōi, kai en thanatōi, kai hupo tōn thaʸriōn taʸs gaʸs.)

SBL-GNT καὶ ⸂εἶδον, καὶ⸃ ἰδοὺ ἵππος χλωρός, καὶ ὁ καθήμενος ἐπάνω αὐτοῦ ὄνομα αὐτῷ ὁ Θάνατος, καὶ ὁ ᾅδης ἠκολούθει ⸂μετʼ αὐτοῦ⸃, καὶ ἐδόθη ⸀αὐτοῖς ἐξουσία ἐπὶ τὸ τέταρτον τῆς γῆς, ἀποκτεῖναι ἐν ῥομφαίᾳ καὶ ἐν λιμῷ καὶ ἐν θανάτῳ καὶ ὑπὸ τῶν θηρίων τῆς γῆς.
(kai ⸂eidon, kai⸃ idou hippos ⱪlōros, kai ho kathaʸmenos epanō autou onoma autōi ho Thanatos, kai ho hadaʸs aʸkolouthei ⸂metʼ autou⸃, kai edothaʸ ⸀autois exousia epi to tetarton taʸs gaʸs, apokteinai en ɽomfaia kai en limōi kai en thanatōi kai hupo tōn thaʸriōn taʸs gaʸs.)

RP-GNT Καὶ ἰδού, ἵππος χλωρός, καὶ ὁ καθήμενος ἐπάνω αὐτοῦ, ὄνομα αὐτῷ ὁ Θάνατος, καὶ ὁ ᾍδης ἠκολούθει αὐτῷ. Καὶ ἐδόθη αὐτῷ ἐξουσία ἐπὶ τὸ τέταρτον τῆς γῆς ἀποκτεῖναι ἐν ῥομφαίᾳ καὶ ἐν λιμῷ καὶ ἐν θανάτῳ, καὶ ὑπὸ τῶν θηρίων τῆς γῆς.
(Kai idou, hippos ⱪlōros, kai ho kathaʸmenos epanō autou, onoma autōi ho Thanatos, kai ho Haidaʸs aʸkolouthei autōi. Kai edothaʸ autōi exousia epi to tetarton taʸs gaʸs apokteinai en ɽomfaia kai en limōi kai en thanatōi, kai hupo tōn thaʸriōn taʸs gaʸs.)

TC-GNT Καὶ ἰδού, ἵππος χλωρός, καὶ ὁ καθήμενος ἐπάνω [fn]αὐτοῦ ὄνομα αὐτῷ [fn]ὁ Θάνατος, καὶ ὁ ᾍδης [fn]ἠκολούθει [fn]αὐτῷ. Καὶ ἐδόθη [fn]αὐτῷ ἐξουσία [fn]ἐπὶ τὸ τέταρτον τῆς γῆς ἀποκτεῖναι ἐν ῥομφαίᾳ καὶ ἐν λιμῷ καὶ ἐν θανάτῳ καὶ ὑπὸ τῶν θηρίων τῆς γῆς.
(Kai idou, hippos ⱪlōros, kai ho kathaʸmenos epanō autou onoma autōi ho Thanatos, kai ho Haidaʸs aʸkolouthei autōi. Kai edothaʸ autōi exousia epi to tetarton taʸs gaʸs apokteinai en ɽomfaia kai en limōi kai en thanatōi kai hupo tōn thaʸriōn taʸs gaʸs. )

6:8 αυτου 𝔐^A+,C,K [86.7%] ¦ — 𝔐^A− ECM^† [12.4%]

6:8 ο 𝔐^A,K [72.5%] ¦ — 𝔐^C PCK [27.1%]

6:8 ηκολουθει 𝔐^A−,K [71%] ¦ ακολουθει 𝔐^A+,C PCK TR [28.6%]

6:8 αυτω 𝔐^A−,K [63.8%] ¦ μετ αυτου 𝔐^A+,C ANT CT PCK TR [34.4%]

6:8 αυτω 𝔐^C,K [73.4%] ¦ αυτοις 𝔐^A CT TR [26.1%]

6:8 επι το τεταρτον της γης αποκτειναι 𝔐^A,C,K [89.4%] ¦ επι το τεταρτον μερος της γης αποκτειναι MSS [6%] ¦ αποκτειναι επι το τεταρτον της γης TR [1.8%]

Key for above GNTs: red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 6:1–17: The Lamb opened the first six seals

In this section, Jesus, the Lamb, opened six of the seven seals on the scroll. The opening of each of the first four seals revealed a rider and a horse who would cause a different kind of trouble for people on the earth. The opening of the fifth seal revealed all the people who had been killed because of their faith. The opening of the sixth seal caused the whole universe to be shaken and moved.

Other examples of headings for this section are:

The Lamb opened six of the seven seals

The Seals (NIV)

The first six seals are opened

6:8a

Then I looked and saw a pale green horse. Its rider’s name was Death,

I looked up/around, and indeed/hey I saw a pale green horse and a rider named Death.
Suddenly before my eyes there appeared a sickly pale horse and someone upon it named Dying.

Then I looked and saw: The Greek words are literally “I saw, and look,” as in 6:2. Translate these words in the same way.

a pale green horse. Its rider’s name was Death: The Greek words are literally “a pale horse and one sitting on it, the name for him (was) Death.” The words indicate that John saw both the horse and the rider at the same time but described the horse first. Translate these words similarly to “was a white horse! Its rider held a bow” in 6:2a. For example:

a pale horse and a rider with the name of Death

someone on a pale horse, and his name was Death

pale green: The Greek word the BSB translates as pale green refers to a pale yellowish or greenish gray color. Here the word probably represents the color of someone very sick and dying. Other ways to translate this color are:

pale (NIV)

sickly pale (REB)

sickly green (JBP)

Death: Here the word Death is used figuratively as the name of a being. In some languages it is more natural to translate Death with a verb or a phrase. For example:

Dying

The source of death

The one who causes people to die

6:8b

and Hades followed close behind.

Hades was following him/Death.
Someone named the Place of the Dead closely followed him/Dying.

Hades: The word Hades refers to the place where the spirits of dead people live before God judges everyone.

Some ways to translate Hades are:

Use the name in your language for the place of the spirits of dead people.

Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

the place of the dead

the land/world of the dead

Use the Greek word and explain it in your translation. For example:
Hades the place of the dead

Here the word is used figuratively as the name of a being. This being named Hades follows a being named Death. Hades was not on a horse. In some languages referring to the place of the dead as a person is not natural. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

Explain the figurative use of the word in your translation. For example:
someone named Hades
Translate literally and explain its use in a footnote. An example footnote is:
The word “Hades” is used like the name of a being. The whole clause refers figuratively to many people dying and their spirits going immediately to the place of the dead.

See how you translated this word in 1:18.

6:8c

And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill

They were given authority to kill a fourth of the people on the earth
God gave them the authority to kill one of every four people on earth
They received the ability to kill a fourth of everyone on the earth

And they were given authority: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

And God gave to them power

And they received power from GodIn some languages “take” and “receive” is translated by the same verb. The English verb “receive” implies that someone gave the power, but the English verb “take” does not imply that. Your translation should imply or indicate that someone gave it.

authority: The word authority refers to the authority and ability to do something. Another way to translate this word is:

power (NIV)

over a fourth of the earth: This phrase refers to a quarter of the people living on earth at the time this prophecy occurs. In some languages it is more natural to refer to the people rather than the earth. For example:

over a fourth/quarter of the people on the earth

fourth: Here, this word means “one out of four.” For example, in a group of four thousand people, one thousand would die. Other ways to translate this word are:

one part in four parts

one of four

killing one part and leaving three parts alive

6:8d

by sword, by famine, by plague, and by the beasts of the earth.

by war machete, famine, disasters, and wild animals of the earth.
by wars, widespread severe food shortages, catastrophes, and wild animals.

by sword, by famine, by plague, and by the beasts of the earth: These words indicate there were four ways that the pale horse and its rider caused people to die.

sword: A sword is a hand-held weapon that cuts and stabs. Here the word sword represents any weapon which someone uses to kill someone else. It is probably a symbol for war here. For example:

power…to kill people using wars (GW)

See how you translated this word in 6:4.

famine: This word refers to an extreme shortage of food. During a famine, people die from hunger. Another way to translate this is:

by starvation (NCV)

plague: The Greek word that the BSB translates as plague is literally “death.” Here, the Greek word probably refers to diseases or other things that kill a lot of people in many places. Other ways to translate it are:

pestilence (RSV)

disease (NCV)

Some languages do not have a general word such as plague. If that is true in your language, you may need to use a descriptive phrase. For example:

things that cause much death

the beasts of the earth: Here the word beasts refers to animals that attack and kill people. In some languages the word beasts already implies the phrase of the earth. If that is true in your language, you may want to omit that phrase. For example:

wild animals (GNT)

General Comment on 6:8d

In the Greek, as in the BSB, the first three items (sword, famine, plague) are singular, but they refer generally to one or more occurrences of each one. In some languages it is more natural to translate each one as plural. For example:

wars, famines, plagues, and the wild animals on the earth (GW)

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: translate-transliterate

ὁ ᾍδης

the_‹one› ¬the Hades

See how you translated the term Hades in [1:18](../01/18.md).

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

ἐδόθη αὐτοῖς ἐξουσία

˓was˒_given ˱to˲_them authority

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [God gave authority to them]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

τὸ τέταρτον τῆς γῆς

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί εἶδον καί ἰδού ἵππος χλωρός καί ὁ καθήμενος ἐπάνω αὐτοῦ ὄνομα αὐτῷ Θάνατος καί ὁ ᾍδης ἠκολούθει μετʼ αὐτοῦ καί ἐδόθη αὐτοῖς ἐξουσία ἐπί τό τέταρτον τῆς γῆς ἀποκτεῖναι ἐν ῥομφαίᾳ καί ἐν λιμῷ καί ἐν θανάτῳ καί ὑπό τῶν θηρίων τῆς γῆς)

Here, the earth represents the people of the earth. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your language or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [one fourth of the people on the earth]

Note 4 topic: translate-fraction

τὸ τέταρτον τῆς γῆς

Here, one fourth means one part out of four equal parts. Alternate translation: [one out of every four people on the earth]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

ῥομφαίᾳ

sword

John is using the term sword to mean warfare by association with the way the people of his time used swords as weapons in warfare. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [warfare]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / synecdoche

θανάτῳ

death