Zechariah 6:1-8

Eighth Vision: Four Chariots

1 Then I looked up again and saw four chariots coming from between two mountains. And the mountains were made of bronze.
2 The first chariot had red horses, the second chariot black horses,
3 the third chariot white horses, and the fourth chariot dappled[a] horses-[all] strong horses.
4 So I inquired of the angel who was speaking with me, "What are these, my lord?"
5 The angel told me, "These are the four spirits[b][c]of heaven going out after presenting themselves to the Lord of the whole earth.
6 The one with the black horses is going to the land of the north, the white horses are going after them, but the dappled horses are going to the land of the south."
7 As the strong horses went out, they wanted to go patrol the earth, and the Lord said, "Go, patrol the earth." So they patrolled the earth.
8 Then He summoned me saying, "See, those going to the land of the north have pacified My Spirit in the northern land."

Zechariah 6:1-8 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ZECHARIAH 6

This chapter contains a vision of four chariots, and the explanation of it; and an order to make crowns of gold and silver for certain uses mentioned; and a famous prophecy concerning the Messiah as the builder of the temple, the church. The chariots are described by their number, four; by the place, the mountains, from whence they came out; and by the different colour of the horses in each of them, Zec 6:1-3 upon the prophets inquiry what these were, an explanation is given of them; and they are said to be the four spirits of the heavens; and are described by their situation, standing before the Lord of the whole earth; by their mission from him; by each of the places to which they were sent; and by their success, or by the good effects produced, at least by some of them, Zec 6:4-8 then follows the order to make the crowns; and it is declared what they should be made of, gold and silver; from whom they were to be had, and who were to be concerned herein; and what was to be done with them; they were to be put upon the head of Joshua the high priest, Zec 6:9-11 who, being an eminent type of Christ, a prophecy concerning him is ordered to be delivered to him; who is described by his name, the man, the Branch; by the place he should grow up from; by the work he should do, building the temple of the Lord; by the glory he should have on account of it; and by the offices of King, Priest, and Prophet, he should execute, Zec 6:12,13 and after this was done, then the crowns were to be laid up in the temple of the Lord for a memorial, by the four men above mentioned, Zec 6:14 and though the Messiah is the chief builder of the temple, the church, yet it is suggested that others, and even Gentiles, should come and build in it; and which when done, it would be evident that the prophet had his mission to the Jews of the Lord; and the chapter is closed with a promise of the accomplishment of all this, should they diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord, Zec 6:15.

Footnotes 3

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