The term "choenix" refers to an ancient Greek unit of dry measure, approximately equivalent to one quart or about 1.1 liters. This measure is mentioned in the context of the New Testament, specifically in the Book of Revelation, where it is used to describe a time of scarcity and economic distress.

Biblical Reference:

The choenix is mentioned in Revelation 6:6 : "And I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, 'A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and wine.'" This passage is part of the vision of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, where the third horseman, riding a black horse, symbolizes famine and economic hardship.

Historical and Cultural Context:

In the ancient world, the choenix was a common measure for grains and other dry goods. It was considered the daily ration of grain for one person, sufficient to sustain an individual for a day. The use of the choenix in Revelation highlights the severity of the famine, as a denarius was a day's wage for a laborer. Thus, the passage suggests that during this time of tribulation, a full day's work would only provide enough food for one person, indicating extreme scarcity and inflation.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, the mention of the choenix in Revelation serves as a symbol of divine judgment and the trials that will precede the end times. The scarcity of basic necessities like wheat and barley, contrasted with the preservation of luxury items like oil and wine, underscores the imbalance and injustice that will characterize this period. It reflects the broader biblical theme of God's sovereignty over history and the ultimate fulfillment of His purposes, even through times of hardship.

Interpretation:

In interpreting the passage, conservative Christian scholars often view the choenix as a literal and symbolic representation of the trials that believers may face. It serves as a reminder of the need for spiritual preparedness and reliance on God's provision. The economic imbalance depicted in the passage also calls attention to the moral and ethical dimensions of wealth and poverty, urging believers to live justly and compassionately in anticipation of Christ's return.

The choenix, therefore, is not merely a historical measure but a profound symbol within the apocalyptic literature of the Bible, pointing to the realities of human suffering and the hope of divine intervention.CHOENIX

ke'-niks (choinix): A Greek dry measure, almost equal to one quart. Mentioned in the New Testament only in Revelation 6:6, where the Revised Version, margin would read "choenix" instead of the indefinite translation "measure." The verse is then obviously a threat of famine.

5518. choinix -- a choenix (a dry measure of less than a quart)
... a choenix (a dry measure of less than a quart). Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: choinix Phonetic Spelling: (khoy'-nix) Short Definition: a Greek ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5518.htm - 6k

Of the Third Seal.
... For it does not appear, as that interpretation requires, that the balance can be
aptly compared with the choenix, since the libra or scale is used in weighing ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/of the third seal.htm

The First vision "On Earth"
... who was sitting upon it having a pair of balances in his hand.6. And I heard as
[164] it were a voice in the midst of the four Zoa, saying, "A choenix of wheat ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the first vision on earth.htm

Revelation of John.
... Then the ear of corn shall produce a half choenix, [2561] and the bend of the branch
shall produce a thousand clusters, and the cluster shall produce a half ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/revelation of john/revelation of john.htm

Choenix (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia CHOENIX. ke'-niks (choinix): A Greek dry measure,
almost equal to one quart. ... Multi-Version Concordance Choenix (1 Occurrence). ...
/c/choenix.htm - 7k

Denarius (8 Occurrences)
... Revelation 6:6 I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying,
"A choenix of wheat for a denarius, and three choenix of barley for a denarius ...
/d/denarius.htm - 9k

Barley (35 Occurrences)
... Revelation 6:6 I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying,
"A choenix of wheat for a denarius, and three choenix of barley for a denarius ...
/b/barley.htm - 23k

Choenixes (1 Occurrence)
... Revelation 6:6 And I heard as a voice in the midst of the four living creatures
saying, A choenix of wheat for a denarius, and three choenixes of barley for a ...
/c/choenixes.htm - 6k

Creatures (83 Occurrences)
... Revelation 6:6 I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying,
"A choenix of wheat for a denarius, and three choenix of barley for a denarius ...
/c/creatures.htm - 31k

Center (30 Occurrences)
... Revelation 6:6 I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying,
"A choenix of wheat for a denarius, and three choenix of barley for a denarius ...
/c/center.htm - 17k

Damage (57 Occurrences)
... Revelation 6:6 I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying,
"A choenix of wheat for a denarius, and three choenix of barley for a denarius ...
/d/damage.htm - 26k

Day's (19 Occurrences)
... Revelation 6:6 I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying,
"A choenix of wheat for a denarius, and three choenix of barley for a denarius ...
/d/day's.htm - 17k

Wheat (56 Occurrences)
... Revelation 6:6 I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying,
"A choenix of wheat for a denarius, and three choenix of barley for a denarius ...
/w/wheat.htm - 28k

Wages (52 Occurrences)
... Revelation 6:6 I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying,
"A choenix of wheat for a denarius, and three choenix of barley for a denarius ...
/w/wages.htm - 28k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus