What does Revelation 6:6 mean?

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And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine. Revelation 6:6

Explanation

Revelation 6:6 is a verse from the Christian New Testament, found within a book that is largely apocalyptic in nature, offering a vision of end times as revealed by Jesus to John, the apostle. The verse relayed is a part of the documentation of the opening of the third seal, one of seven that lead up to cataclysmic events signifying the end of times.

The voice heard “in the midst of the four beasts” is understood to be the voice of God or an angel, giving a decree about the scarcity of basic necessities. In this scenario, a “measure of wheat” or “three measures of barley” signifies a day’s worth of food for one person, and a “penny,” more accurately a denarius in the original Greek, roughly constitutes a day’s wages. This suggests a time of great economic hardship where an entire day’s labor is barely enough to buy food for one person, let alone a family.

The command to “hurt not the oil and the wine” is typically interpreted to mean that although there will be scarcity of basic staples like wheat and barley, luxury items like oil and wine will remain unharmed. This could point towards a situation of economic inequality where the luxuries of the rich are preserved while the poor struggle for essentials.

Historical Context

Revelation was written during a time when Christians were experiencing intense persecution under Roman rule, particularly under the Emperor Domitian, near the end of the first century AD. The literal audience of the book were seven Christian churches in Asia Minor, and the message was intended to offer hope and encouragement, affirming that despite present sufferings, God would ultimately triumph.

The imagery of scarcity in Revelation 6:6 could be related to economic conditions of the time or may reflect earlier periods of famine that readers would understand. Economic instability and disparity were not uncommon in the Roman Empire, with periodic food shortages and a wide gap between the wealthy elite and the lower classes.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, this verse is symbolic of divine judgment and the consequential tribulation on Earth during the end times, as understood in pre-millennial eschatological views. Some theologians interpret the verse as representative of God’s sovereignty, even over dire situations. Others see it as a warning against greed and a call for social justice, highlighting the disparity between the poor and the rich during times of trial.

Post-millennial and amillennial perspectives may interpret this verse symbolically, as representative of spiritual rather than physical famine, referring to a lack of spiritual sustenance or truth.

Practical Applications

This verse serves as a reminder of the transient nature of material wealth and the need for preparedness in times of hardship. Christians may see the call to “hurt not the oil and the wine” as encouragement to preserve what is valuable and sacred, while addressing the needs of the poor and maintaining an awareness of social inequities.

It also suggests the importance of economic justice in society, emphasizing the need to ensure that the basic needs of the community are met, in contrast to hoarding wealth or indulgence in luxury at the expense of others.

Cross-References

Revelation 6:5-6 – “And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.”
Ezekiel 4:16 – “Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, behold, I will break the staff of bread in Jerusalem: and they shall eat bread by weight, and with care; and they shall drink water by measure, and with astonishment.”
Matthew 20:2 – “And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.”

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the word for “measure” is “choinix,” a unit of measure that possibly equated to a quart or liter, roughly the amount of food one person would eat in a day. “A penny,” translated from the Greek “denarion,” was a common wage for a day’s work. This use magnifies the severity of the economic hardship described.

The phrase “hurt not” translates from “adikēsēs,” which can also mean “do not damage” or “do not act unjustly towards,” giving additional meaning to the idea of preserving or protecting.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In antiquity, many cultures had myths and prophecies concerning times of tribulation and divine judgment, often linked with images of famine, scarcity, or pestilence. Ancient Egyptian, Mesopotamian, and Greek cultures, for example, had tales of famine as a consequence of divine displeasure.

In the Jewish tradition, the prophetic books frequently discussed themes of divine retribution in the form of famine or scarcity as a punishment for societal sins, paralleling some Christian interpretations of Revelation 6:6.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientifically, one could examine the phenomenon of famine through the lens of agricultural production, climate change, and socio-economic factors. Modern sciences would analyze the factors that lead to scarcity of food, such as crop failures, natural disasters, or inflation, rather than see them as acts of divine will. Climate science can shed light on prolonged periods of drought or natural occurrences that could lead to famine, similar to the one described in Revelation 6:6.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians offer various interpretations of Revelation 6:6. Some, such as dispensationalists, take a literal approach, believing in an actual future period of famine prophesied by this verse. Others suggest that the passage should be read symbolically, as representative of spiritual famine or economic injustice.

Commentaries by scholars such as Matthew Henry and William Barclay provide historic and sociocultural insights into the passage, discussing the relevance of the Roman economy and early Christian experiences to the text. Still, others explore the literary structure and apocalyptic genre of Revelation, situating this verse within the broader narrative of judgment and redemption.