Paragraph 6:12–14

6:12a

sixth: This refers to the next item after five other things. If counted, this item would be counted as number six.

6:12b–14b

All of these events occurred when the sixth seal was opened. Probably 6:15–17 and all of chapter 7 also occur after the sixth seal was opened.

6:12b

(New Revised Standard Version) and: In Greek, 6:12b begins with the conjunction usually translated “and.” Here, the conjunction implies that opening the seal caused the earthquake and other events to occur. The Berean Standard Bible omits the conjunction and allows the context to imply its meaning.

there was a great earthquake:
The Greek clause is literally “a great earthquake occurred.” Another way to translate this clause is:

The earth shook greatly/terribly

earthquake: The word earthquake refers to the ground shaking.

6:12c

sackcloth of goat hair: The Greek phrase is literally “a hair sackcloth.” Sackcloth is a rough cloth. The threads of the cloth are thick and made of hair. So the simile probably refers to the rough texture and dark color of such a cloth. Use the word or phrase for a coarse cloth of this kind. For example:

coarse sackcloth (New Jerusalem Bible)

6:12d

the whole moon turned blood red: The Greek clause is literally “the whole moon became as blood.” This clause probably indicates that the moon turned the deep red color of blood. For example:

the whole moon became red like blood (New Century Version)

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