Zechariah 6

Four chariots

And I turned and raised my eyes, looked and saw four chariots coming out from between two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of bronze.

6:1 This last vision concerns the accomplishment of God’s purpose in the whole earth. As we know from other portions in Zechariah this purpose involves judgment on the nations that afflict God’s people (Zech 1:14-15, 21; 12:2-4; 14:2-3). Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and other prophets wrote of the same thing.⚜

2 The first chariot had red horses, and the second chariot black horses, 3 and the third chariot white horses, and the fourth chariot strong dappled horses.

6:2-3 Compare Zech 1:8. The different colours may indicate different judgments.⚜

4 Then I responded and said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?”

5 And the angel answered and said to me, “These are the four spirits of the heavens, going out from standing before the Lord of all the earth.

6:5 The four “chariots” are four “spirits” (or “winds” – Hebrew uses the same word for both). Here they seem to represent angelic forces or other heavenly powers. Compare Rev 7:1.⚜

6 The one with the black horses goes out into the north country, and the white ones go out after them; and the dappled ones go out toward the south country”.

6:6 It is not said that the one with the red horses went anywhere. Perhaps it stayed in Jerusalem and indicates the great judgment that will take place there at the end of this age – Zech 14:2; Joel 3:9-16.⚜

7 And the strong horses went out with eagerness to range throughout the earth. And he said, “Go and range throughout the earth”. So they ranged throughout the earth.

8 Then he cried out to me, speaking to me and saying, “See, those that go toward the north country have given rest to my Spirit in the north country”.

6:8 Invasions of the land of Israel often came from the north. In the end time it seems that there will be a final great invasion from there (Ezek 38:1-9, 15; 39:2). This verse may mean this: God’s judgment on those northern armies will release His anger and bring rest to His Spirit which had been provoked.⚜

A crown for the high priest, Christ’s coming

9 And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 10 “Take an offering from those of the captivity, from Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah, who have come from Babylon, and come the same day and enter the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah. 11 Then take silver and gold and make crowns, and set them on the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, 12 and speak to him, saying, ‘The LORD of hosts has spoken, saying, See the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he will branch out from his place, and he will build the temple of the LORD. 13 He is the one who will build the temple of the LORD, and he will bear the majesty, and will sit and rule on his throne. And he will be a priest on his throne; and there will be the counsel of peace between these two offices. 14 And the crowns will belong to Helem, and to Tobijah, and to Jedaiah, and to Hen the son of Zephaniah, as a memorial in the temple of the LORD. 15 And those who are far away will come and build the temple of the LORD, and you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. And this will take place, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God”.