μέλας (melas)
melas
black
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective melas simply means black, describing a color without inherent moral or spiritual judgment. In the New Testament it appears in only three verses, yet its usage spans vivid imagery and practical description. Jesus uses it metaphorically when instructing followers not to swear by their hair, noting that one strand cannot be made white or black (Matthew 5:36). Here, the word underscores human limitation against divine control.
John employs the term in Revelation to paint apocalyptic scenes, describing a black sun and sky darkened like sackcloth (Revelation 6:12), and linking it with a black horse that signifies famine (Revelation 6:5). These instances use melas to convey darkness, mourning, or judgment. The sources also note its appearance in the Septuagint, such as in Zechariah 6:2, where black horses appear in a vision, showing continuity with Hebrew thought.
While not used for ink in the New Testament according to these specific lexicon entries (though noted in broader classical usage), melas remains a straightforward descriptor of color. Its theological weight comes from context rather than definition, serving as a visual marker of cosmic events or human frailty in Scripture.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word melas simply means black. In Scripture, it describes a color without adding moral judgment. Jesus used this term in Matthew 5:36 to highlight human limitation. He noted that you cannot change the color of a single hair. This reminds us that our bodies and lives are not fully under our control.
In Revelation, melas appears in vivid apocalyptic imagery. A black horse signals famine, and a black sun marks cosmic disturbance. These images convey mourning or judgment. The word helps readers visualize serious events. It shows how physical descriptions carry spiritual weight.
Understanding this word grounds your faith in reality. You do not need to control every detail of life. God sees the darkness and the light alike. Trust Him with what you cannot change.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- black2×
- black.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- μέλας2×
- μέλαιναν.1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 5:36
Neither shall you swear by your head, for you can’t make one hair white or black.
Jesus uses melas here to illustrate human inability to control even minor physical details like hair color.
-
Revelation of John 6:5
When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying, “Come and see!” And behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a balance in his hand.
The black horse with a balance in hand signals famine, using the color to represent scarcity and judgment.
-
Revelation of John 6:12
I saw when he opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake. The sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became as blood.
The sun becoming black as sackcloth marks a moment of cosmic disturbance and divine judgment.