Zechariah 6

Zechariah’s eighth and last night vision shows four chariots going out from God’s presence to patrol the earth, bringing his judgment and settling his Spirit in the north. Then the prophet is told to make a crown and set it on the high priest Joshua. This points to the coming Branch, who will build God’s temple and be both king and priest.

Zechariah 6:1

Zechariah looks up and sees four chariots coming out from between two bronze mountains. The picture is of war chariots sent from a place of strength and firmness. These are God’s agents, going out at his command to act in the world.

BSA: chariots (“vehicles of war, judgment, or divine providence”): The chariots are God’s instruments, carrying out his rule and judgment across the earth.

See also: Zechariah 1:8.

Zechariah 6:2-3

Each chariot is pulled by horses of a different color: red, black, white and dappled. All are strong. The colors probably mark different tasks, such as bloodshed, mourning, victory and mixed outcomes. The text does not explain each one, so we should hold the details loosely.

BSA: strong (“powerful, having great might”): No power on earth can resist these messengers once God sends them.

See also: Revelation 6:1-8.

Zechariah 6:4-5

Zechariah asks the angel what these are. The answer is that they are four spirits of heaven, sent out from standing before the Lord of all the earth. They serve the God who owns the whole world, not only Israel.

BSA: spirits (“winds, or breath of life”): The word can mean winds or spirits, so these are unseen forces moving at God’s word. station (“place of standing, or presence”): The messengers stand in God’s own presence before they go out, ready to serve.

See also: Psalm 104:4.

Zechariah 6:6

The black horses go north, the white follow them to the west, and the dappled go south. North was where Babylon’s armies came from, so the black horses go toward the old enemy. The red horses are not named here, and the text leaves that unexplained.

BSA: north (“Zaphon, the northern direction”): The north was the direction of Israel’s great oppressors, Assyria and Babylon.

Zechariah 6:7

The strong horses are eager to go. God himself gives the order, and they patrol the whole earth. Nothing happens outside his command. He watches over every nation, and his servants walk through them at his word.

BSA: patrol (“walk to and fro through, go up and down through”): They travel through the earth as God’s inspectors, seeing and acting for him.

Hebrew: הִתְהַלֵּךְ (hithhalek, H1980) — “walk about, go to and fro.” The word pictures steady walking back and forth through a territory. It is the same word used of Satan going to and fro in Job 1:7, but here the walkers are God’s own messengers.

See also: Job 1:7; Zechariah 1:10-11.

Zechariah 6:8

The Lord calls Zechariah and says that those going north have given rest to his Spirit there. His anger over the land that held his people captive has been settled. His judgment has fallen, and his people can be at peace.

BSA: rest (“quiet, peacefulness”): God’s wrath is calmed once his justice is done against the northern power.

Zechariah 6:9-10

A new word from the Lord now comes. Zechariah is to take gifts of silver and gold from three men newly come from Babylon. He is to go that very day to Josiah’s house. The exiles’ return and giving are part of God’s work.

BSA: exiles (“those in captivity, held in a foreign land”): These men had lived under captivity, yet their gifts now serve God’s house.

See also: Ezra 1:4.

Zechariah 6:11

From the silver and gold Zechariah is to make a fine crown and put it on Joshua the high priest. This is unusual, since kings were crowned and priests were not. The act is a sign of something greater to come.

BSA: crown (“royal honor”): The crown marks kingly honor, which makes this act on a priest a striking picture.

Hebrew: עֲטָרוֹת (ʿatarot, H5850) — “crowns, a crown of several parts.” The Hebrew word is plural in form. It may mean a crown made of several bands, which suits a double office of priest and king.

Zechariah 6:12

Joshua is told that a man called the Branch will spring up from his own place and build the Lord’s temple. The name means a shoot growing from a stump. The prophets use it for the promised king from David’s line. Christians see this fulfilled in Jesus.

BSA: Branch (“a sprout”): The name pictures new life growing out of what seemed cut down.

Hebrew: צֶמַח (tsemach, H6780) — “sprout, shoot, branch.” The word comes from the verb meaning to sprout. That fits the phrase about him branching out from his place.

See also: Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5; Zechariah 3:8.

Zechariah 6:13

The Branch will build the Lord’s house, wear splendor and rule from his throne. He will also be a priest on his throne. Peaceful counsel will stand between the two offices. Israel never had one person who was both king and priest. Here the two are joined in harmony.

BSA: splendor (“glory, majestic honor”): He wears the glory that belongs to a true king. counsel (“advice, guidance”): The two offices of king and priest are joined in perfect agreement.

See also: Psalm 110:1-4; Hebrews 8:1.

Zechariah 6:14

The crown is to be kept in the temple as a memorial to the men who gave. It serves as a lasting reminder of their gifts and of the promise of the Branch. God remembers what is given to him.

BSA: memorial (“reminder, commemoration”): The crown stays in God’s house as a lasting reminder, both of the givers and of the promise.

Zechariah 6:15

People from far away will come and help build the Lord’s temple. This points to the nations joining his people. Then Israel will know that the Lord sent his messenger. The promise depends on listening to God, so blessing is joined to obedience.

BSA: far away (“who are far off, distant”): The builders come from distant lands, which shows God’s plan reaches beyond Israel. obey (“listen to, heed”): The word means hearing and acting on what God says.

See also: Ephesians 2:13; Isaiah 60:10.