Zechariah6
New American Standard
1Now I raised my eyes again and looked, and behold, four chariots were going out from between the two mountains; and the mountains were bronze mountains.
2With the first chariot were red horses, with the second chariot black horses,
3with the third chariot white horses, and with the fourth chariot strong spotted horses.
4So I responded and said to the angel who was speaking with me, “What are these, my lord?”
5The angel replied to me, “These are the four spirits of heaven, going out after taking their stand before the Lord of all the earth,
6with one of which the black horses are going out to the north country; and the white ones are to go out after them, while the spotted ones are to go out to the south country.”
7When the strong ones went out, they were eager to go to patrol the earth. And He said, “Go, patrol the earth.” So they patrolled the earth.
8Then He called out to me and spoke to me, saying, “See, those who are going to the land of the north have appeased My wrath in the land of the north.”
9The word of the Lord also came to me, saying,
10“Take an offering from the exiles, from Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah; and you shall go the same day and enter the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah, where they have arrived from Babylon.
11Also take silver and gold, make an ornate crown, and set it on the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest.
12Then say to him, ‘The Lord of armies says this: “Behold, there is a Man whose name is Branch, for He will branch out from where He is; and He will build the temple of the Lord.
13Yes, it is He who will build the temple of the Lord, and He who will bear the majesty and sit and rule on His throne. So He will be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace will be between the two offices.”’
14Now the crown will become a reminder in the temple of the Lord to Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Hen the son of Zephaniah.
15Those who are far away will come and build the temple of the Lord.” Then you will know that the Lord of armies has sent me to you. And it will take place if you completely obey the Lord your God.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Zechariah 6.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The vision of the chariots. (1–8). Joshua, the high priest, crowned as a type of Christ. (9–15).
vv1-8
This vision may represent the ways of Providence in the government of this lower world. Whatever the providences of God about us are, as to public or private affairs, we should see them all as coming from between the mountains of brass, the immoveable counsels and decrees of God; and therefore reckon it as much our folly to quarrel with them, as it is our duty to submit to them. His providences move swiftly and strongly as chariots, but all are directed and governed by his infinite wisdom and sovereign will. The red horses signify war and bloodshed. The black, signify the dismal consequences of war, famines, pestilences, and desolations. The white, signify the return of comfort, peace, and prosperity. The mixed colour, signify events of different complexions, a day of prosperity and a day of adversity. The angels go forth as messengers of God's counsels, and ministers of his justice and mercy. And the secret motions and impulses upon the spirits of men, by which the designs of Providence are carried on, are these four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from God, and fulfil what the God of the spirits of all flesh appoints. All the events which take place in the world spring from the unchangeable counsels of the Lord, which are formed in unerring wisdom, perfect justice, truth, and goodness; and from history it is found that events happened about the period when this vision was sent to the prophet, which seem referred to therein.
vv9-15
Some Jews from Babylon brought an offering to the house of God. Those who cannot forward a good work by their persons, must, as they are able, forward it by their purses: if some find hands, let others fill them. Crowns are to be made, and put upon the head of Joshua. The sign was used, to make the promise more noticed, that God will, in the fulness of time, raise up a great High Priest, like Joshua, who is but the figure of one that is to come. Christ is not only the Foundation, but the Founder of this temple, by his Spirit and grace. Glory is a burden, but not too heavy for Him to bear who upholds all things. The cross was His glory, and he bore that; so is the crown an exceeding weight of glory, and he bears that. The counsel of peace should be between the priest and the throne, between the priestly and kingly offices of Jesus Christ. The peace and welfare of the gospel church, and of all believers, shall be wrought, though not by two several persons, yet by two several offices meeting in one; Christ, purchasing all peace by his priesthood, maintaining and defending it by his kingdom. The crowns used in this solemnity must be kept in the temple, as evidence of this promise of the Messiah. Let us not think of separating what God has joined in his counsel of peace. We cannot come to God by Christ as our Priest, if we refuse to have him rule over us as our King. We have no real ground to think our peace is made with God, unless we try to keep his commandments.
Key Words
שׁוּב: to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again
נָשָׂא: to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
עַיִן: an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
רָאָה: to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
הִנֵּה: lo!
אַרְבַּע: four
מֶרְכָּבָה: a chariot
יָצָא: to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.
בֵּין: between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
שְׁנַיִם: two; also (as ordinal) twofold
Cross References
Zechariah 6Direct parallel for the messianic title 'The BRANCH' used of Joshua's antitype.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Parallel description of those standing before the 'Lord of the whole earth' (v. 5).
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Classic messianic parallel of the Messiah ruling as a priest upon his throne.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Poole links 'mountains of brass' with God's righteousness being like the great mountains.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Echoes the symbolic colors of judgment horses (red, black, white) in John's vision.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallels Zechariah's first vision of the different colored horses.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Prophetic parallel of the righteous Branch who shall reign and prosper.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Connection to building the temple of the Lord under divine enablement.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Joshua's crowning prefigures Christ's unchangeable, royal priesthood.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Describes angels who stand in the presence of God before being sent.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Identifies the 'north country' as the direction of judgment and exile.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The Lord's horses walking 'to and fro' counterworking Satan's 'going to and fro'.
Supported by JFB
Illustrates 'the counsel of peace' reconciling Jews and Gentiles in Christ.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The overturning of earthly power until He comes who has the right to rule.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Melchizedek as the historical type of a king who is also a priest.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallel to those 'far off' coming to join the temple building.
Supported by JFB
Vision of the host of heaven standing on the right and left of God.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Poole links 'four spirits/winds of heavens' with Daniel's four winds of heaven.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallels the concept of God's anger being 'quieted' or satisfied after judgment.
Supported by JFB
The offering kept in the tabernacle as a 'memorial' for Israel.
Supported by Matthew Poole