Eighth Vision: Four Chariots

Then I looked up again and saw four chariots coming from between two mountains. The mountains were made of bronze. The first chariot had chestnut[a] horses,(A) the second chariot black horses,(B) the third chariot white horses,(C) and the fourth chariot dappled(D) horses—all strong horses. So I inquired of the angel who was speaking with me, “What are these, my lord?”

The angel told me, “These are the four spirits[b](E) of heaven going out after presenting themselves to the Lord of the whole earth. The one with the black horses is going to the land of the north, the white horses are going after them, but the dappled horses are going to the land of the south.” As the strong horses went out, they wanted to go patrol the earth, and the Lord said, “Go, patrol the earth.” So they patrolled the earth. Then he summoned me saying, “See, those going to the land of the north have pacified my Spirit in the northern land.”

Crowning of the Branch

The word of the Lord came to me:(F) 10 “Take an offering from the exiles, from Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah, who have arrived from Babylon, and go that same day to the house of Josiah son of Zephaniah. 11 Take silver and gold, make a crown,[c] and place it on the head of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. 12 You are to tell him: This is what the Lord of Armies says: Here is a man whose name is Branch;(G) he will branch out from his place and build the Lord’s temple. 13 Yes, he will build the Lord’s temple; he will bear royal splendor(H) and will sit on his throne and rule. There will be a priest on his throne, and there will be peaceful counsel between the two of them.(I) 14 The crown will reside in the Lord’s temple as a memorial to Heldai, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Hen[d] son of Zephaniah. 15 People who are far off will come and build the Lord’s temple, and you will know that the Lord of Armies has sent me to you. This will happen when you fully obey the Lord your God.”(J)

Footnotes

  1. 6:2 Lit red
  2. 6:5 Or winds
  3. 6:11 Lit crowns
  4. 6:14 Probably Josiah

Eighth Vision: Four Chariots

And again I looked up and saw four chariots coming out from between two mountains—mountains of bronze. The first chariot had red horses, the second chariot black horses,(A) the third chariot white horses, and the fourth chariot dappled gray[a] horses.(B) Then I said to the angel who spoke with me, “What are these, my lord?” The angel answered me, “These are the four winds[b] of heaven going out, after presenting themselves before the Lord of the whole earth.(C) The chariot with the black horses goes toward the north country, the white ones go toward the west country,[c] and the dappled ones go toward the south country.”(D) When the steeds came out, they were impatient to get off and patrol the earth. And he said, “Go, patrol the earth.” So they patrolled the earth. Then he cried out to me, “See, those who go toward the north country have set my spirit at rest in the north country.”(E)

The Coronation of the Branch

The word of the Lord came to me: 10 “Collect silver and gold[d] from the exiles—from Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah—who have arrived from Babylon, and go the same day to the house of Josiah son of Zephaniah.(F) 11 Take the silver and gold and make a crown[e] and set it on the head of the high priest Joshua son of Jehozadak;(G) 12 say to him: Thus says the Lord of hosts: Here is a man whose name is Branch, for he shall branch out in his place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord.(H) 13 It is he who shall build the temple of the Lord; he shall bear royal honor and shall sit upon his throne and rule. There shall be a priest by his throne, with peaceful understanding between the two of them.(I) 14 And the crown[f] shall be in the care of Heldai,[g] Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Josiah[h] son of Zephaniah, as a memorial in the temple of the Lord.

15 “Those who are far off shall come and help to build the temple of the Lord, and you shall know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you. This will happen if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God.”(J)

Footnotes

  1. 6.3 Meaning of Heb uncertain
  2. 6.5 Or spirits
  3. 6.6 Cn: Heb go after them
  4. 6.10 Heb lacks silver and gold
  5. 6.11 Gk mss Syr Tg: Heb crowns
  6. 6.14 Gk Syr: Heb crowns
  7. 6.14 Syr: Heb Helem
  8. 6.14 Syr: Heb Hen