Introduction to Chapter 6
In Chapter 6, we conclude the visions, which began in chapter 1, the eighth vision concludes in the first half of chapter 6. In a scene similar to Revelation chapter 6, four chariots appear, drawn by red, black, white and spotted horses. These chariots are sent by the Lord of Hosts to go throughout the earth. This concluding vision also brings the reader back to the first vision, which also included horses red and white, led by the Angel of the Lord, the pre-incarnate Jesus Christ.
The angel explains the meaning to Zechariah who does not understand what is taking place. This leads to the next section the crowning of Joshua the High Priest. Joshua stands as a type or picture of the coming Messiah, who is also named Joshua (Jesus). Joshua pictures the dual office of Messiah who will be both king and priest.
Though the first and second part of chapter 6 do not seem to logically connect. If we view the first part in an eschatological context, understanding the vision of the chariots as a reference to the tribulation period the second part of chapter 6 logically follows. The tribulation is followed by the establishment of the Messianic kingdom, where Joshua (Jesus) the High Priest will reign over the earth as both king and priest.
The Four Chariots
ZEC 6:1 Then I turned and raised my eyes and looked, and behold, four chariots were coming from between two mountains, and the mountains were mountains of bronze.
ZEC 6:2 With the first chariot were red horses, with the second chariot black horses,
ZEC 6:3 with the third chariot white horses, and with the fourth chariot dappled horses-strong steeds.
ZEC 6:4 Then I answered and said to the angel who talked with me, "What are these, my lord?" Zechariah 6:1-4
ZEC 6:2 With the first chariot were red horses, with the second chariot black horses,
ZEC 6:3 with the third chariot white horses, and with the fourth chariot dappled horses-strong steeds.
ZEC 6:4 Then I answered and said to the angel who talked with me, "What are these, my lord?" Zechariah 6:1-4
(1) Then I turned: Zechariah is still in the vision, from the first chapter. He just seen the two women with wings like storks carry off the women, called wickedness to the land of Shinar(Babylon) (Zechariah 5). As the ephah is taken away, Zechariah turns to see four chariots coming from between two bronze mountains.
Four chariots: The word for chariot ishbkrmMerkabah, this same word is by Israel for its brand of tanks. The chariot was a vehicle of war, often have a couple occupants and drawn by a number of horses. A typical chariot might have three people, one to steer, one with a bow and one with a shield.
Between two mountains: Zechariah sees the chariots emerge from between two mountains. Mountains signify kingdoms and powers in scripture, including the kingdom of God. (Daniel 2:45). The nations are referenced as mountains in Isaiah 41:15, Jeremiah refers to Babylon as a destroying mountain. Persia is alluded to as the mountain standing in the way of Zerubbabel in completing the 2nd Temple.
"Behold, I am against you, O destroying mountain, Who destroys all the earth," says the Lord."And I will stretch out My hand against you, Roll you down from the rocks, And make you a burnt mountain. Jeremiah 51:25
Mountains of bronze: The mountains are described as tXxnN’chosheth, meaning copper. From these two mountains of copper, emerge four chariots from before the Lord of Hosts (vs. 5). Some commentators view these two mountains as the Mount of Olives and Mount Moriah, standing near the Temple of the Lord, God’s throne on earth. Jameison Faussett Brown comments on the meaning of these two mountains.
The Lead Container with the Evil Fire Offering
http://www.moellerhaus.com/JFBrown/JFB38.htm
Summary of the Book of Zechariah
This summary of the book of Zechariah provides information about the title, author(s), date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the Book of Zechariah.
Background
Zechariah's prophetic ministry took place in the postexilic period, the time of the Jewish restoration from Babylonian captivity. For historical details see Introduction to Haggai: Background.
Author and Unity
Like Jeremiah (1:1) and Ezekiel (1:3), Zechariah was not only a prophet (1:1) but also a member of a priestly family. He was born in Babylonia and was among those who returned to Judah in 538/537 b.c. under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua (his grandfather Iddo is named among the returnees in Ne 12:4). At a later time, when Joiakim was high priest (see note on Ne 12:12-21), Zechariah apparently succeeded Iddo (1:1,7) as head of that priestly family (Ne 12:10-16). Since the grandson succeeded the grandfather, it has been suggested that the father (Berekiah, 1:1,7) died at an early age.
Zechariah was a contemporary of Haggai (Ezr 5:1; 6:14) but continued his ministry long after him (compare 1:1 and 7:1 with Hag 1:1; see also Ne 12:1-16). His young age (see 2:4 and note) in the early period of his ministry makes it possible that he ministered even into the reign of Artaxerxes I (465-424 b.c.).
Most likely Zechariah wrote the entire book that bears his name. Some have questioned his authorship of chs. 9 - 14, citing differences in style and other compositional features, and giving historical and chronological references that allegedly require a different date and author from those of chs. 1 - 8. All these objections, however, can be explained in other satisfactory ways, so there is no compelling reason to question the unity of the book.
Dates
The dates of Zechariah's recorded messages are best correlated with those of Haggai and with other historical events as follows:
| 1. | Haggai's first message (Hag 1:1-11; Ezr 5:1) | Aug. 29, 520 b.c. |
| 2. | Resumption of the building of the temple (Hag 1:12-15; Ezr 5:2) (The rebuilding seems to have been hindered from 536 to c. 530 [Ezr 4:1-5], and the work ceased altogether from c. 530 to 520 [Ezr 4:24].) | Sept. 21, 520 |
| 3. | Haggai's second message (Hag 2:1-9) | Oct. 17, 520 |
| 4. | Beginning of Zechariah's preaching (1:1-6) | Oct./Nov., 520 |
| 5. | Haggai's third message (Hag 2:10-19) | Dec. 18, 520 |
| 6. | Haggai's fourth message (Hag 2:20-23) | Dec. 18, 520 |
| 7. | Tattenai's letter to Darius concerning the rebuilding of the temple (Ezr 5:3 -- 6:14) (There must have been a lapse of time between the resumption of the building and Tattenai's appearance.) | 519-518 |
| 8. | Zechariah's eight night visions (1:7 -- 6:8) | Feb. 15, 519 |
| 9. | Joshua crowned (6:9-15) | Feb. 16 (?), 519 |
| 10. | Repentance urged, blessings promised (chs. 7 - 8) | Dec. 7, 518 |
| 11. | Dedication of the temple (Ezr 6:15-18) | Mar. 12, 516 |
| 12. | Zechariah's final prophecies (chs. 9 - 14) | After 480 (?) |
Occasion and Purpose
The occasion is the same as that of the book of Haggai (see Background; Dates). The chief purpose of Zechariah (and Haggai) was to rebuke the people of Judah and to encourage and motivate them to complete the rebuilding of the temple (Zec 4:8-10; Hag 1-2), though both prophets were clearly interested in spiritual renewal as well. In addition, the purpose of the eight night visions (1:7 -- 6:8) is explained in 1:3,5-6: The Lord said that if Judah would return to him, he would return to them. Furthermore, his word would continue to be fulfilled.
Theological Teaching
The theology of Zechariah's prophecy matches his name, which means "The Lord (Yahweh) remembers." "The Lord" is the personal, covenant name of God and is a perpetual testimony to his faithfulness to his promises (see notes on Ge 2:4; Ex 3:14-15; 6:6; Dt 28:58). He "remembers" his covenant promises and takes action to fulfill them. In the book of Zechariah God's promised deliverance from Babylonian exile, including a restored kingdom community and a functioning temple (the earthly throne of the divine King; see Introduction to Psalms: Theology), leads into even grander pictures of the salvation and restoration to come through the Messiah (see notes on3:8-9; 4:3,14; 6:9-15; 9:9-10; 10:2,4; 11:4-14; 12:10 -- 13:1; 13:7; 14:4-9).
The book as a whole also teaches the sovereignty of God in history, over people and nations -- past, present and future (see, e.g., 1:10-11; 2:13; 4:10,14 and note; 6:5,7; 8:20-23; 9:10,13-14;10:11; 12:1-5; 14:9,16-19). See also Literary Forms and Themes below.
Literary Forms and Themes
The book is primarily a mixture of exhortation (call to repentance, 1:2-6), prophetic visions (1:7 --6:8), a prophetic oracle of instruction or exhortation involving a symbolic coronation scene (6:9-15), hortatory messages (mainly of rebuke and hope) prompted by a question about fasting (chs.7 - 8) and judgment and salvation oracles (chs. 9 - 14). The prophetic visions of 1:7 -- 6:8 are called apocalyptic (revelatory) literature, which is essentially a literature of encouragement to God's people. When the apocalyptic section is read along with the salvation (or deliverance) oracles in chs. 9 - 14, it becomes obvious that the dominant emphasis of the book is encouragement because of the glorious future that awaits the people of God.
In fact, encouragement is the book's central theme -- primarily encouragement to complete the rebuilding of the temple. Various means are used to accomplish this end, and these function as subthemes. For example, great stress is laid on the coming of the Messiah and the overthrow of all anti-kingdom forces by him so that God's rule can be finally and fully established on earth. The then-current local scene thus becomes the basis for contemplating the universal, eschatological picture.
Several interpreters have arranged the eight visions of 1:7 -- 6:8 in a chiastic (or concentric) pattern of a-b-b-c / c1-b1-b1-a1:
- a The Lord controls the events of history (1:7-17)
- a1 The Lord controls the events of history (6:1-8)
Outline
- Introduction (1:1-6)
- A Series of Eight Visions in One Night (1:7;6:8)
- The Horseman among the Myrtle Trees (1:7-17)
- The Four Horns and the Four Craftsmen (1:18-21)
- A Man with a Measuring Line (ch. 2)
- Clean Garments for the High Priest (ch. 3)
- The Gold Lampstand and the Two Olive Trees (ch. 4)
- The Flying Scroll (5:1-4)
- The Woman in a Basket (5:5-11)
- The Four Chariots (6:1-8)
- The Symbolic Crowning of Joshua the High Priest (6:9-15)
- The Problem of Fasting and the Promise of the Future (chs. 7-8)
- Two Prophetic Oracles: The Great Messianic Future and the Full Realization of God's Kingdom (chs. 9-14)
- The First Oracle: The Coming and Rejection of the Messiah (chs. 9-11)
- The Second Oracle: The Coming and Reception of the Messiah (chs. 12-14)
Zechariah 1
New International Version (NIV)
A Call to Return to the Lord
1 In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of theLord came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah, the son of Iddo:
2 “The Lord was very angry with your ancestors. 3 Therefore tell the people: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty.4 Do not be like your ancestors, to whom the earlier prophets proclaimed: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Turn from your evil ways and your evil practices.’ But they would not listen or pay attention to me, declares the Lord. 5 Where are your ancestors now? And the prophets, do they live forever? 6 But did not my words and my decrees, which I commanded my servants the prophets, overtake your ancestors?
“Then they repented and said, ‘The Lord Almighty has done to us what our ways and practices deserve, just as he determined to do.’”
The Man Among the Myrtle Trees
7 On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, the month of Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah, the son of Iddo.
8 During the night I had a vision, and there before me was a man mounted on a red horse. He was standing among the myrtle trees in a ravine. Behind him were red, brown and white horses.
9 I asked, “What are these, my lord?”
The angel who was talking with me answered, “I will show you what they are.”
10 Then the man standing among the myrtle trees explained, “They are the ones the Lord has sent to go throughout the earth.”
11 And they reported to the angel of the Lord who was standing among the myrtle trees, “We have gone throughout the earth and found the whole world at rest and in peace.”
12 Then the angel of the Lord said, “Lord Almighty, how long will you withhold mercy from Jerusalem and from the towns of Judah, which you have been angry with these seventy years?” 13 So the Lord spokekind and comforting words to the angel who talked with me.
14 Then the angel who was speaking to me said, “Proclaim this word: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘I am very jealous for Jerusalem and Zion, 15 and I am very angry with the nations that feel secure. I was only a little angry, but they went too far with the punishment.’
16 “Therefore this is what the Lord says: ‘I will return to Jerusalem with mercy, and there my house will be rebuilt. And the measuring line will be stretched out over Jerusalem,’ declares the Lord Almighty.
17 “Proclaim further: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘My towns will again overflow with prosperity, and the Lord will again comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem.’”
Four Horns and Four Craftsmen
18 Then I looked up, and there before me were four horns. 19 I asked the angel who was speaking to me, “What are these?”
He answered me, “These are the horns that scattered Judah, Israel and Jerusalem.”
20 Then the Lord showed me four craftsmen. 21 I asked, “What are these coming to do?”
He answered, “These are the horns that scattered Judah so that no one could raise their head, but the craftsmen have come to terrify them and throw down these horns of the nations who lifted up their horns against the land of Judah to scatter its people.”[a]
Zechariah 2
New International Version (NIV)
A Man With a Measuring Line
2 [a]Then I looked up, and there before me was a man with a measuring line in his hand. 2 I asked, “Where are you going?”
He answered me, “To measure Jerusalem, to find out how wide and how long it is.”
3 While the angel who was speaking to me was leaving, another angel came to meet him 4 and said to him: “Run, tell that young man, ‘Jerusalem will be a city without walls because of the great number of people and animals in it. 5 And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will be its glory within.’
6 “Come! Come! Flee from the land of the north,” declares the Lord, “for I have scattered you to the four winds of heaven,” declares the Lord.
7 “Come, Zion! Escape, you who live in Daughter Babylon!” 8 For this is what the Lord Almighty says: “After the Glorious One has sent me against the nations that have plundered you—for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye— 9 I will surely raise my hand against them so that their slaves will plunder them.[b] Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me.
10 “Shout and be glad, Daughter Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,” declares the Lord. 11 “Many nations will be joined with the Lord in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you. 12 The Lord will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land and will again choose Jerusalem. 13 Be still before the Lord, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.”
Zechariah 3
New International Version (NIV)
Clean Garments for the High Priest
3 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan[a] standing at his right side to accuse him.2 The Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?”
3 Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. 4 The angel said to those who were standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes.”Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you.”
5 Then I said, “Put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him, while the angel of the Lord stood by.
6 The angel of the Lord gave this charge to Joshua: 7 “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘If you will walk in obedience to me and keep my requirements, then you will govern my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you a place among these standing here.
8 “‘Listen, High Priest Joshua, you and your associates seated before you, who are men symbolic of things to come: I am going to bring my servant, the Branch. 9 See, the stone I have set in front of Joshua!There are seven eyes[b] on that one stone, and I will engrave an inscription on it,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will remove the sin of this land in a single day.
10 “‘In that day each of you will invite your neighbor to sit under your vine and fig tree,’ declares the Lord Almighty.”
Zechariah 4
New International Version (NIV)
The Gold Lampstand and the Two Olive Trees
4 Then the angel who talked with me returned and woke me up, like someone awakened from sleep. 2 He asked me, “What do you see?”
I answered, “I see a solid gold lampstand with a bowl at the top and seven lamps on it, with seven channels to the lamps. 3 Also there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.”4 I asked the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?”
5 He answered, “Do you not know what these are?”
“No, my lord,” I replied.
6 So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Notby might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.
7 “What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of ‘God bless it! God bless it!’”
8 Then the word of the Lord came to me: 9 “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it.Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you.
10 “Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the Lord that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone[a] in the hand of Zerubbabel?”
11 Then I asked the angel, “What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?”
12 Again I asked him, “What are these two olive branches beside the two gold pipes that pour out golden oil?”
13 He replied, “Do you not know what these are?”
“No, my lord,” I said.
14 So he said, “These are the two who are anointed to[b] serve the Lord of all the earth.”
Zechariah 5
New International Version (NIV)
The Flying Scroll
5 I looked again, and there before me was a flying scroll.2 He asked me, “What do you see?”I answered, “I see a flying scroll, twenty cubits long and ten cubits wide.[a]”3 And he said to me, “This is the curse that is going out over the whole land; for according to what it says on one side, every thief will be banished, and according to what it says on the other, everyone who swears falsely will be banished. 4 The Lord Almighty declares, ‘I will send it out, and it will enter the house of the thief and the house of anyone who swears falsely by my name. It will remain in that house and destroy it completely, both its timbers and its stones.’”The Woman in a Basket
5 Then the angel who was speaking to me came forward and said to me, “Look up and see what is appearing.”6 I asked, “What is it?”He replied, “It is a basket.” And he added, “This is the iniquity[b] of the people throughout the land.”7 Then the cover of lead was raised, and there in the basket sat a woman! 8 He said, “This is wickedness,” and he pushed her back into the basket and pushed its lead cover down on it.9 Then I looked up—and there before me were two women, with the wind in their wings! They had wings like those of a stork, and they lifted up the basket between heaven and earth.10 “Where are they taking the basket?” I asked the angel who was speaking to me.11 He replied, “To the country of Babylonia[c] to build a house for it. When the house is ready, the basket will be set there in its place.”Zechariah 6
New International Version (NIV)
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