Zechariah 1:18

A Vision of Four Horns and Four Skilled Workers

18 Then I looked up and saw four animal horns.

Zechariah 1:18 Meaning and Commentary

Zechariah 1:18

Then I lifted up mine eyes
To behold another vision which follows: and saw, and behold four horns;
either iron ones, such as Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made to push the Syrians with, ( 1 Kings 22:11 ) or horns of beasts, as the horns of unicorns, to which the horns of Joseph are compared, ( Deuteronomy 33:17 ) and signify kingdoms or kings, and these very powerful and mighty; and so the Targum interprets them of "four kingdoms"; and which Kimchi and Abarbinel understand of the four monarchies, Babylonian, Persian, Grecian, and Roman; so ten horns, in ( Daniel 7:24 ) ( Revelation 17:12 ) design ten kings or kingdoms; unless rather, seeing these horns were such who had already distressed and scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem; and two of the above monarchies were not yet in being, the Grecian and Roman, when this vision was seen; and one of those that were, were friends to the Jews, as the Persians; they may in general signify all the enemies of the Jews that were round about them, on the four corners of them; as the Syrians, Assyrians, and Babylonians, on the north; the Ammonites and Moabites on the east; the Edomites and Egyptians on the south; and the Philistines on the west; as Junius thinks. Cocceius interprets them of four kings, Shalmaneser, Nebuchadnezzar, Xerxes, and Artaxerxes the first, called Longimanus; and may be applied to the antichristian states, Pagan and Papal, in the various parts of the world, called horns, ( Daniel 7:24 ) ( Revelation 12:3 ) ( 13:1 ) .

Zechariah 1:18 In-Context

16 " 'So the LORD says, "I will return to Jerusalem. I will show its people my tender love. My temple will be rebuilt there. Workers will use a measuring line when they rebuild Jerusalem," announces the Lord.

17 " 'He says, "My towns will be filled with good things once more. I will comfort Zion. And I will choose Jerusalem again." ' "

18 Then I looked up and saw four animal horns.

19 I spoke to the angel who was talking with me. "What are these horns?" I asked. He said, "They are the powerful nations that scattered Judah, Israel and Jerusalem."

20 Then the LORD showed me four skilled workers.