Read & explore together
The Third Seal: Famine
In this brief vision, the third seal brings a black horse and a rider with a balance. The words spoken in the scene focus attention on measured quantities, named prices, and a command about oil and wine.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
These verses are part of a vision in which the third seal is opened. The scene includes the third living creature, a black horse, a rider holding a balance, and a voice from the middle of the four living creatures announcing exact amounts of wheat and barley for a denarius, plus a command about oil and wine.
Revelation 6:5–6Main takeaway
This vision presents the third seal through measured images and exact words, inviting readers to notice weighing, quantities, prices, and limits within the scene.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01The third seal opensThe passage begins with the opening of the third seal. The third living creature says, “Come and see!”
Explanation
The passage begins with the opening of the third seal. The third living creature says, “Come and see!” That keeps the reader inside a vision scene where what is heard and seen matters. The verse presents the next image in order as the seal is opened.
02A black horse and a riderWhat appears is “a black horse”. The rider is not named in these verses. The text immediately notes one important detail about him: “he who sat on it had a balance in his hand.”
Explanation
What appears is “a black horse”. The rider is not named in these verses. The text immediately notes one important detail about him: “he who sat on it had a balance in his hand.” That detail prepares for the precise quantities and price named in the next verse.
03A balance and exact measuresA balance is used for weighing. In this vision, the balance fits with the exact wording that follows: “A choenix of wheat for a denarius, and three choenix of barley for a denarius”.
Explanation
A balance is used for weighing. In this vision, the balance fits with the exact wording that follows: “A choenix of wheat for a denarius, and three choenix of barley for a denarius”. The passage does not explain the prices, but it does present food as measured and counted very precisely.
04A voice announces prices and a limitA voice from the middle of the four living creatures speaks in the scene. It names wheat and barley with stated amounts for a denarius.
Explanation
A voice from the middle of the four living creatures speaks in the scene. It names wheat and barley with stated amounts for a denarius. Then it adds, “Don’t damage the oil and the wine!” So the vision joins exact pricing language with a command that sets a limit concerning oil and wine.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Which details in these verses make the scene feel carefully measured?
Notice the rider’s balance and the exact quantities and price named for wheat and barley.
02What is said by the third living creature, and what is said by the voice in the middle of the four living creatures?
Separate the short command in verse 5 from the pricing announcement and final command in verse 6.
03How are wheat and barley treated differently from oil and wine in this passage?
Wheat and barley are given measured amounts for a denarius, while oil and wine appear in the command not to damage them.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Revelation 6:5–6
5When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying, “Come and see!” And behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a balance in his hand.
6I heard a voice in the middle of the four living creatures saying, “A choenix of wheat for a denarius, and three choenix of barley for a denarius! Don’t damage the oil and the wine!”