Revelation 6:5,6 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

When he had opened the third seal, &c.— The third seal or period is characterized by the strict execution of justice and judgment, and by the procuration of corn, oil, and wine; and was proclaimed by the third living creature, who was like a man, and had his station in the South. The measure of corn mentioned, Revelation 6:6 is, in the original, a choenix, which was a man's daily allowance as a penny was his daily wages; so that if his daily labour could earn no more than his daily bread, without other provision for himself or his family, corn must needs bear a very high price. But whatever may be the capacity of the choenix (which is difficult to be determined), yet such care, and such regulations, implyat least some scarcity; and scarcity obliges men to exactness in the price and measure of things. In short the intent of the prophesy is, that corn should be provided for the people; but it should be distributed in exact measure and proportion. This third period commences with Septimus Severus, who was an emperor from the South, being a native of Africa. He was an enacter of equal and just laws, and was very severe and implacable to offences; he never would grant a pardon even for petty larcenies, as neither would Alexander Severus in the same period. These two emperors were also no less celebrated for the procuring of corn, and oil, and other provisions, and for supplying the Romans with them after they had experienced a want of them. Of Septimus Severus it is said, that for the provision of corn, which he found very small, he so far consulted, that at his death he left a certain rate or allowance to the Roman people for seven years; and also of oil, as much as might supply, not only the uses of the city, but likewise of all Italy which might want it, for the space of five years. Of Alexander Severus it is also said, that he took such care in providing for the Roman people, that the corn which Heliogabalus had wasted, he replaced out of his own money; the oil also, which Septimus Severus had given to the people, and which Heliogabalus had lessened, he restored wholly as before. The colour of the black horse, Revelation 6:5, befits the severity of their nature and their name; the balances are the well-known emblem of justice, as well as an intimation of scarcity; and the proclamation for justice and judgment, and for the procuration of corn, oil and wine, Revelation 6:6, is fitly made by a creature like a man. This period continued during the reigns of the Septimian family, about forty-two years. See Lamentations 5:10.