And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;

REVELATION 6:12KJV
Know the Bible

Revelation 6:12 (KJV)

What does Revelation 6:12 mean?

Revelation 6:12 describes a dramatic moment when the sixth seal is opened, causing a massive earthquake, the sun turning black like rough cloth made from hair, and the moon appearing red like blood. This verse uses vivid, unsettling imagery to signal a moment of great upheaval and cosmic disturbance.

In the book of Revelation, John is describing a vision given to him while exiled on the island of Patmos. He is writing to early Christian communities, sharing what he sees as God’s unfolding plan for the world. The opening of the sixth seal marks a turning point in his vision, with natural and cosmic signs that would have been understood as signals of judgment or major change.

The Greek behind Revelation 6:12

  • σεισμός (seismos, transliterated as "seismos") means "earthquake." The Greek here emphasizes not just a physical shaking, but a great upheaval—often used for both literal and figurative turmoil.
  • σάκκος (sakkos, transliterated as "sackcloth") refers to a coarse, dark fabric made from goat hair, traditionally worn in times of mourning or distress. The sun becoming "black as sackcloth" paints a picture of deep sorrow or calamity.
  • αἷμα (haima, transliterated as "haima") means "blood." The moon becoming "as blood" uses the color and symbolism of blood to suggest something ominous, alarming, or life-altering.

Why Revelation 6:12 matters

  • Revelation 6:12 clears up that the signs are not just symbolic but are described as real, observable events in John’s vision, meant to grab attention and signal a crisis point.
  • The verse connects to Old Testament prophetic language, where cosmic disturbances often signaled God's intervention or judgment, helping readers see the continuity in biblical imagery.
  • Understanding the specific images—earthquake, blackened sun, blood-red moon—helps modern readers grasp the intensity and seriousness of the moment John is describing, rather than brushing them off as mere poetic exaggeration.

Where else these words appear

“black” Greek G3189 · used in 3 verses

  • Matthew 5:36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
  • Revelation 6:5 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.

“sackcloth” Greek G4526 · used in 4 verses

  • Matthew 11:21 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
  • Luke 10:13 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
  • Revelation 11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

“moon” Greek G4582 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
  • Luke 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
  • Revelation 8:12 And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.

“earthquake” Greek G4578 · used in 12 verses

  • Matthew 8:24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.
  • Matthew 28:2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
  • Revelation 8:5 And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.