Apocalipsis 6:4

A red horse

(ιππος πυρρος). Old adjective from πυρ (fire), flame-coloured, blood-red (2 Reyes 3:22), in N.T. only here and Apocalipsis 12:3, like Zacarías 1:8; Zacarías 6:2 (roan horse).To take peace from the earth

(λαβειν την ειρηνην εκ της γης). Second aorist active infinitive of λαμβανω, and here the nominative case, the subject of εδοθη (see verse Apocalipsis 6:2), "to take peace out of the earth." Alas, how many red horses have been ridden through the ages.And that they should slay one another

(κα ινα αλληλους σφαξουσιν). Epexegetical explanatory purpose clause with ινα and the future active of σφαζω (Apocalipsis 5:6) instead of the more usual subjunctive (verse Apocalipsis 6:2). Cf.

Robertson, Grammar, p. 998f. This is what war does to perfection, makes cannon fodder (cf. Juan 14:27) of men.A great sword

(μαχαιρα μεγαλη). Μαχαιρα may be a knife carried in a sheath at the girdle (Juan 18:10) or a long sword in battle as here. Ρομφαια, also a large sword, is the only other word for sword in the N.T. (Apocalipsis 1:16; Apocalipsis 2:12; Apocalipsis 2:16; Apocalipsis 6:8; Apocalipsis 19:15; Apocalipsis 19:21).