κριθή (krithē)
krithē
barley
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun krithē refers to barley, a staple grain in the ancient Mediterranean world. It is the only occurrence of this specific word in the New Testament, appearing in Revelation 6:6 within the context of the third seal and the fourth horseman.
Barley was typically considered a coarser, less expensive grain than wheat, often associated with the food of the poor or soldiers. By including it in the apocalyptic vision, the text highlights severe economic hardship and famine conditions where even basic sustenance becomes scarce and costly.
This single usage underscores the severity of divine judgment depicted in Revelation. The presence of barley signals a time of scarcity, contrasting with the abundance expected in times of peace, and serves as a concrete image of the distress brought upon the earth.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Barley was the everyday bread of the ancient world, often eaten by those with limited means. When Revelation describes a measure of barley costing a day’s wages, it paints a stark picture of scarcity. This image reminds us that even basic needs can become burdensome during times of trouble.
In our own lives, we may face seasons where resources feel stretched thin or anxiety about provision grows loud. The text does not promise immediate relief but invites trust in God’s sovereignty over such hardships. We are reminded that while material security is fragile, spiritual sustenance remains constant.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of barley1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κριθῶν1×
Key Verses
-
Revelation of John 6:6
I 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!”
This verse uses barley to illustrate extreme inflation and famine, showing how a staple food becomes prohibitively expensive for the poor.