Zechariah 6:1-8

The Four Chariots

1 Now I lifted up my eyes again and looked, and behold, 1four chariots were coming forth from between the two mountains; and the mountains were bronze mountains.
2 With the first chariot were 2red horses, with the second chariot 3black horses,
3 with the third chariot 4white horses, and with the fourth chariot strong 5dappled horses.
4 Then I spoke and said to the angel who was speaking with me, "6What are these, my lord?"
5 The angel replied to me, "These are the 7four spirits of heaven, going forth after standing before the Lord of all the earth,
6 with one of which the black horses are going forth to the 8north country; and the white ones go forth after * them, while the dappled ones go forth to the 9south country.
7 "When the strong ones went out, they were eager to go to 10patrol the earth." And He said, "Go, patrol the earth." So they patrolled the earth.
8 Then He cried out to me and spoke to me saying, "See, those who are going to the land of the north have 11appeased My wrath in the land of the north."

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.

Cross References 11

  • 1. Daniel 7:3; Daniel 8:22; Zechariah 1:18; Zechariah 6:5
  • 2. Zechariah 1:8; Revelation 6:4
  • 3. Revelation 6:5
  • 4. Revelation 6:2
  • 5. Revelation 6:8
  • 6. Zechariah 1:9
  • 7. Jeremiah 49:36; Ezekiel 37:9; Daniel 7:2; Daniel 11:4; Matthew 24:31; Revelation 7:1
  • 8. Jeremiah 1:14, 15; Jeremiah 4:6; Jeremiah 6:1; Jeremiah 25:9; 4Jeremiah 6:10; Ezekiel 1:4
  • 9. Isaiah 43:6; Daniel 11:5
  • 10. Zechariah 1:10
  • 11. Ezekiel 5:13; Ezekiel 24:13; Zechariah 1:15

Footnotes 5

  • [a]. Lit "sought to go"
  • [b]. Lit "walk about through"
  • [c]. Lit "walk about through"
  • [d]. Lit "walked about through"
  • [e]. Lit "caused My spirit to rest in"
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