τρίχινος (trichinos)
trichinos
of hair
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective trichinos describes something made of hair, specifically animal hair used as a raw material. In the New Testament, it appears only once in Revelation 6:12, where it modifies "sackcloth" (sakkos) to describe the coarse garments worn by those mourning or repenting during the opening of the sixth seal.
Its meaning is straightforward and literal, derived directly from the word for hair (thrīx). Unlike abstract theological terms, trichinos points to a tangible, physical texture. The sources note its use in the Septuagint as well, translating Hebrew words for hair or hairy garments, which establishes a consistent biblical pattern of using this material to signify humility, penitence, or mourning.
Translators typically render this as "of hair" or "hairy," preserving the specific material detail rather than generalizing it to "cloth." This precision matters because sackcloth was not merely old fabric; it was a rough, uncomfortable garment made from goat or camel hair, chosen specifically for its abrasive nature to express deep distress. The word anchors the vision in a concrete reality of discomfort and public mourning.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word trichinos describes something made of coarse animal hair. In Revelation 6:12, it modifies the word for sackcloth to describe a garment that was rough and uncomfortable against the skin. This material choice was not accidental. People in biblical times wore these hairy garments to show deep mourning or repentance because the texture itself signaled distress.
When you read about the sun becoming black as this kind of sackcloth, it paints a vivid picture of cosmic grief. It reminds us that our faith is grounded in real human experiences like sorrow and humility. God sees the physical expressions of our hearts just as clearly as He sees our thoughts.
This detail invites you to consider how your own life expresses genuine repentance or mourning. It is not about performing for others but about the honest posture of your heart before God. In seasons of difficulty, remember that God values sincerity over appearance.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of hair,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- τρίχινος,1×
Key Verses
-
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.
This is the only New Testament occurrence where trichinos describes the specific material of the sackcloth, emphasizing the physical discomfort associated with the mourning depicted in the sixth seal.