Zechariah6
New Living Translation
1Then I looked up again and saw four chariots coming from between two bronze mountains.
2The first chariot was pulled by red horses, the second by black horses,
3the third by white horses, and the fourth by powerful dappled-gray horses.
4“And what are these, my lord?” I asked the angel who was talking with me.
5The angel replied, “These are the four spirits of heaven who stand before the Lord of all the earth. They are going out to do his work.
6The chariot with black horses is going north, the chariot with white horses is going west, and the chariot with dappled-gray horses is going south.”
7The powerful horses were eager to set out to patrol the earth. And the Lord said, “Go and patrol the earth!” So they left at once on their patrol.
8Then the Lord summoned me and said, “Look, those who went north have vented the anger of my Spirit there in the land of the north.”
9Then I received another message from the Lord:
10“Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah will bring gifts of silver and gold from the Jews exiled in Babylon. As soon as they arrive, meet them at the home of Josiah son of Zephaniah.
11Accept their gifts, and make a crown from the silver and gold. Then put the crown on the head of Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest.
12Tell him, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Here is the man called the Branch. He will branch out from where he is and build the Temple of the Lord.
13Yes, he will build the Temple of the Lord. Then he will receive royal honor and will rule as king from his throne. He will also serve as priest from his throne, and there will be perfect harmony between his two roles.’
14“The crown will be a memorial in the Temple of the Lord to honor those who gave it—Heldai, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Josiah son of Zephaniah.”
15People will come from distant lands to rebuild the Temple of the Lord. And when this happens, you will know that my messages have been from the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. All this will happen if you carefully obey what the Lord your God says.
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