Grain was commonly measured by quantity, not by weight (Luke 6:38); to measure grain by weight was a sign of shortage (see Leviticus 26:26; Ezekiel 4:10, Ezekiel 4:16). Through the activity of this horse and its rider, food shortage (famine) would prevail on the earth.
5 When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” And I looked, and behold, a black horse! And its rider had a pair of scales in his hand.