Zechariah 6:1-6

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.

Zechariah 6:1-6 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 9

  • 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
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