Zechariah Chapter 6

From The Open Bible Project

6:1 Again I lifted up my eyes, and saw, and behold, four chariots came out from between two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of brass.

• (a) By chariots here, as by horses before, he means the swift messengers of God to execute and declare his will.
• (b) By the mountains he means the external counsel and providence of God, by which he has from before all eternity declared what will come to pass, and that which neither Satan nor all the world can alter.

6:2 In the first chariot were red horses; in the second chariot black horses;

• (c) Which signifies the great cruelty and persecution that the Church had endured under different enemies.
• (d) Signifying that they had endured great afflictions under the Babylonians.

6:3 in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot dappled horses, all of them powerful.

• (e) These represented their state under the Persians, who restored them to their liberty.
• (f) Which signified that God would sometimes give his Church rest, and pour his plagues upon their enemies, as he did in destroying Nineveh and Babylon, and other of their enemies.

6:4 Then I asked the angel who talked with me, "What are these, my lord?"

6:5 The angel answered me, "These are the four winds of the sky, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth.

• (g) Meaning, all the actions and motions of God’s Spirit, whom according to his unchangeable counsel he causes to appear through all the world.

6:6 The one with the black horses goes out toward the north country; and the white went out after them; and the dappled went forth toward the south country."

• (h) That is, towards Egypt, and other countries there about.

6:7 The strong went out, and sought to go that they might walk back and forth through the earth: and he said, "Go around and through the earth!" So they walked back and forth through the earth.

• (i) That is, those of different colours, which ask permission, to signify that Satan has no power to hurt or afflict, until God gives it to him; (Job 1:12).

6:8 Then he called to me, and spoke to me, saying, "Behold, those who go toward the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country."

• (k) By punishing the Chaldeans my anger ceased, and you were delivered.

6:9 The word of Yahweh came to me, saying,

6:10 "Take of them of the captivity, even of Heldai, of Tobijah, and of Jedaiah; and come the same day, and go into the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah, where they have come from Babylon.

• (l) To receive from him and the other three, money to make the two crowns: who were men of great authority among the Jews, and doubted of the restitution of the kingdom, and of the priesthood, and hurt others by their example.

6:11 Yes, take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them on the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest;

• (m) Because this could not be attributed to any one according to the Law, therefore it follows that Joshua must represent the Messiah, who was both Priest and King.

6:12 and speak to him, saying, 'Thus says Yahweh of Armies, "Behold, the man whose name is the Branch: and he shall grow up out of his place; and he shall build the temple of Yahweh;

• (n) Meaning Christ, of whom Joshua was the figure: for in Greek they were both called Jesus.
• (o) That is, of himself without the help of man.
• (p) Which declares that no one could build this temple of which Haggai speaks, but only Christ: and therefore it was spiritual, and not material; ( 2:9).

6:13 even he shall build the temple of Yahweh; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule on his throne; and he shall be a priest on his throne; and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.

• (q) Of which Joshua had but a shadow.
• (r) The two offices of the kingdom and priesthood, will be joined together in such a way, that they will no longer be separated.

6:14 The crowns shall be to Helem, and to Tobijah, and to Jedaiah, and to Hen the son of Zephaniah, for a memorial in the temple of Yahweh.

• (s) Who was also called Heldai.
• (t) He was also called Joshias.
• (u) That they may acknowledge their infirmity, who thought that all things would be restored immediately: and of this their infidelity these two crowns will remain as tokens; (Acts 1:6).

6:15 Those who are far off shall come and build in the temple of Yahweh; and you shall know that Yahweh of Armies has sent me to you. This will happen, if you will diligently obey the voice of Yahweh your [5] God [See Zechariah Footnotes 5]."'"

• (x) That is, the Gentiles by the preaching of the Gospel, will help toward the building of the spiritual temple.
• (y) If you will believe and remain in the obedience of faith.