Zechariah 6
New English Translation
Vision Eight: The Chariots
6 Once more I looked, and this time I saw four chariots emerging from between two mountains of bronze.[a] 2 Harnessed to the first chariot were red horses, to the second black horses, 3 to the third white horses, and to the fourth spotted horses, all of them strong.[b] 4 Then I asked the angelic messenger[c] who was speaking with me, “What are these, sir?” 5 The messenger replied, “These are the four spirits[d] of heaven going out after presenting themselves before the Lord of all the earth. 6 The chariot with the black horses is going to the north country, and the white ones are going after them, but the spotted ones are going to the south country. 7 All these strong ones[e] are scattering; they have sought permission to go and walk about over the earth.” The Lord had said, “Go! Walk about over the earth!” So they are doing so. 8 Then he cried out to me, “Look! The ones going to the northland have brought me[f] peace about the northland.”[g]
A Concluding Oracle
9 The Lord’s message came to me as follows: 10 “Choose some people[h] from among the exiles, namely, Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah, all who have come from Babylon, and when you have done so go to the house of Josiah son of Zephaniah.[i] 11 Then take some silver and gold to make a crown[j] and set it on the head of Joshua the high priest, the son of Jehozadak. 12 Then say to him, ‘The Lord of Heaven’s Armies says, “Look—here is the man whose name is Branch,[k] who will sprout up from his place and build the temple of the Lord. 13 Indeed, he will build the temple of the Lord, and he will be clothed in splendor, sitting as king on his throne. Moreover, there will be a priest[l] with him on his throne and they will see eye to eye on everything. 14 The crown will then be turned over to Helem,[m] Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Hen[n] son of Zephaniah as a memorial in the temple of the Lord. 15 Then those who are far away[o] will come and build the temple of the Lord so that you may know that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has sent me to you. This will all come to pass if you completely obey the voice of the Lord your God.”’”
Footnotes
- Zechariah 6:1 tn Heb “two mountains, and the mountains [were] mountains of bronze.” This has been simplified in the translation for stylistic reasons.sn Bronze, a hard, almost impenetrable metal, is an apt figure to speak of the obstacles standing in the way of the accomplishment of God’s purposes for the postexilic Jewish community (cf. 4:7). The cleft between the two from which the chariots emerge might be related to the eschatological triumph of the Lord who will return to the Mount of Olives and divide it into two mountains, one on the north and the other on the south (cf. Zech 14:1-8; Ezek 47:1-12).
- Zechariah 6:3 tc For the MT reading אֲמֻצִּים (ʾamutsim, “strong”) Aquila and Syriac presuppose אֲדֻמִּים (ʾadummim, “red”), thus giving the red horse an assignment and eliminating the problem of a fifth, “spotted” horse. The fourth would be a mottled red horse according to this view. There is, however, no manuscript support for this interpretation.
- Zechariah 6:4 tn See the note on the expression “angelic messenger” in 1:9.
- Zechariah 6:5 tn The Hebrew term translated “spirit” here may also be translated “wind” or “breath” depending on the context (cf. ASV, NRSV, CEV “the four winds of heaven”; NAB similar).
- Zechariah 6:7 tn The present translation takes אֲמֻצִּים (ʾamutsim, “strong”) to be a descriptive of all the horses—white, black, red, and spotted (cf. NAB, NIV, NLT).
- Zechariah 6:8 tn Heb “my spirit.” The subject appears to be the Lord who exclaims here that the horsemen have accomplished their task of bringing peace.
- Zechariah 6:8 sn The immediate referent of peace about the northland is to the peace brought by Persia’s conquest of Babylonia, a peace that allowed the restoration of the Jewish people (cf. 2 Chr 36:22-23; Isa 44:28; 45:1-2). However, there is also an eschatological dimension, referring to a time when there will be perfect and universal peace.
- Zechariah 6:10 tn The words “some people” are supplied in the translation. The Hebrew verb translated “choose” (alternatively “take” [NAB, NIV]; “collect” [NRSV, CEV]) has no direct object specified in the text. Some translations supply “silver and gold” (NIV, NRSV) or “an offering” (NASB).
- Zechariah 6:10 sn Except for Joshua (v. 11) none of these individuals is otherwise mentioned and therefore they cannot be further identified.
- Zechariah 6:11 tn Heb “crowns” (so KJV, ASV; also in v. 14). The Hebrew word for “crown” here is עֲטֶרֶת (ʿateret), a term never used in the OT for the priestly crown or mitre. Thus, the scene here describes the investing of the priest with royal authority.
- Zechariah 6:12 tn The epithet “Branch” (צֶמַח, tsemakh) derives from the verb used here (יִצְמָח, yitsmakh, “will sprout up”) to describe the rise of the Messiah, already referred to in this manner in Zech 3:8 (cf. Isa 11:1; 53:2; Jer 33:15). In the immediate context this refers to Zerubbabel, but the ultimate referent is Jesus (cf. John 19:5).
- Zechariah 6:13 sn The priest here in the immediate context is Joshua but the fuller and more distant allusion is to the Messiah, a ruling priest. The notion of the ruler as a priest-king was already apparent in David and his successors (Pss 2:2, 6-8; 110:2, 4), and it finds mature expression in David’s greater Son, Jesus Christ, who will combine both offices in his kingship (Heb 5:1-10; 7:1-25).
- Zechariah 6:14 tn “Helem” is probably the same individual as “Heldai” in v. 10. Since the MT and the major ancient versions leave the apparent conflict unresolved it is probably best to view “Helem” as interchangeable with “Heldai” (cf. “Heled” in 1 Chr 11:30 with “Heleb” [2 Sam 23:29] and “Heldai” [1 Chr 27:15]). A number of modern English versions use “Heldai” here (e.g., NAB, NIV, NRSV, TEV, NLT).
- Zechariah 6:14 tn Since the “son of Zephaniah” in v. 10 is Josiah, it might be best here to understand “Hen” in its meaning “grace” (חֵן, khen); that is, “Hen” is a nickname for Josiah—“the gracious one.” A number of modern English translations use “Josiah” here (e.g., NCV, NRSV, NLT).
- Zechariah 6:15 sn Those who are far away is probably a reference to later groups of returning exiles under Ezra, Nehemiah, and others.
Zechariah 6
International Standard Version
The Vision of the Four Chariots
6 Then I looked up and saw four chariots coming out from between two mountains! And the mountains were made of brass! 2 Attached to the first chariot were red horses. Attached to the second chariot were black horses. 3 Attached to the third chariot were white horses. Attached to the fourth chariot were speckled horses and gray[a] horses. 4 In response, I asked the angel who had been talking with me, “Sir, what are these?”
5 The angel told me, “These are four heavenly spirits that are going out on patrol after having presented themselves to the Lord of the whole earth. 6 The black horses are headed into the north country, and the white ones are headed out after them. The speckled horses are headed toward the south country.”
7 Then the gray horses went out. They were eager to go out on patrol throughout the earth, so the angel[b] said, “Go patrol the earth.” So they went out on patrol throughout the earth.
8 Then he called to me, “Look! The horses that went north have caused my spirit to rest in the north country.”
The Future Prosperity of the Branch
9 Then this message from the Lord came to me: 10 “Go take up an offering[c] from those who came out of[d] the Babylonian[e] exile, that is, from Heldai, from Tobijah, and from Jedaiah. Go along with them today into the house of Zephaniah’s son Josiah, who returned from Babylon. 11 Take silver and gold and fashion crowns to set upon the head of Joshua son of Johozadak, the High Priest. 12 Then tell him, ‘This is what the Lord of the Heavenly Armies says: “Here is the man whose name is The Branch.[f] He will branch out from where he is and will rebuild the Temple of the Lord. 13 Yes, he will indeed rebuild the Temple of the Lord, and he will exalt its majesty by sitting and ruling on his throne. He will serve as priest on his throne, and no contention[g] will exist between them. 14 The crowns will go to Helem, to Tobijah, to Jedaiah, and to Zephaniah’s son Hen, as a memorial in the Temple of the Lord. 15 Those who are now far away will come and do reconstruction work in the Temple of the Lord. Then you will know that the Lord of the Heavenly Armies has sent me to you. This will come about if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God.”’”
Footnotes
- Zechariah 6:3 Or strong
- Zechariah 6:7 Lit. he
- Zechariah 6:10 The Heb. lacks an offering
- Zechariah 6:10 The Heb. lacks those who came out of
- Zechariah 6:10 The Heb. lacks Babylonian
- Zechariah 6:12 i.e. Zerubbabel; cf. Zech 3:8
- Zechariah 6:13 Lit. and peaceful counsel
Zechariah 6
King James Version
6 And I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came four chariots out from between two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of brass.
2 In the first chariot were red horses; and in the second chariot black horses;
3 And in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grisled and bay horses.
4 Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with me, What are these, my lord?
5 And the angel answered and said unto me, These are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth.
6 The black horses which are therein go forth into the north country; and the white go forth after them; and the grisled go forth toward the south country.
7 And the bay went forth, and sought to go that they might walk to and fro through the earth: and he said, Get you hence, walk to and fro through the earth. So they walked to and fro through the earth.
8 Then cried he upon me, and spake unto me, saying, Behold, these that go toward the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country.
9 And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,
10 Take of them of the captivity, even of Heldai, of Tobijah, and of Jedaiah, which are come from Babylon, and come thou the same day, and go into the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah;
11 Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest;
12 And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The Branch; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord:
13 Even he shall build the temple of the Lord; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.
14 And 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 the Lord.
15 And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the Lord, and ye shall know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto you. And this shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God.
Zechariah 6
New King James Version
Vision of the Four Chariots
6 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. 2 With the first chariot were (A)red horses, with the second chariot (B)black horses, 3 with the third chariot white horses, and with the fourth chariot dappled horses—strong steeds. 4 Then I answered (C)and said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?”
5 And the angel answered and said to me, (D)“These are four spirits of heaven, who go out from their (E)station before the Lord of all the earth. 6 [a]The one with the black horses is going to (F)the north country, the white are going after them, and the dappled are going toward the south country.” 7 Then the strong steeds went out, eager to go, that they might (G)walk to and fro throughout the earth. And He said, “Go, walk to and fro throughout the earth.” So they walked to and fro throughout the earth. 8 And He called to me, and spoke to me, saying, “See, those who go toward the north country have given rest to My (H)Spirit in the north country.”
The Command to Crown Joshua
9 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: 10 “Receive the gift from the captives—from Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah, who have come from Babylon—and go the same day and enter the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah. 11 Take the silver and gold, make (I)an[b] elaborate crown, and set it on the head of (J)Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest. 12 Then speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, saying:
“Behold, (K)the Man whose name is the (L)BRANCH!
From His place He shall [c]branch out,
(M)And He shall build the temple of the Lord;
13 Yes, He shall build the temple of the Lord.
He (N)shall bear the glory,
And shall sit and rule on His throne;
So (O)He shall be a priest on His throne,
And the counsel of peace shall be between [d]them both.” ’
14 “Now the [e]elaborate crown shall be (P)for a memorial in the temple of the Lord [f]for Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Hen the son of Zephaniah. 15 Even (Q)those from afar shall come and build the temple of the Lord. Then you shall know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me to you. And this shall come to pass if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God.”
Footnotes
- Zechariah 6:6 The chariot
- Zechariah 6:11 Lit. crowns
- Zechariah 6:12 Lit. sprout up
- Zechariah 6:13 Both offices
- Zechariah 6:14 Lit. crowns
- Zechariah 6:14 So with MT, Tg., Vg.; Syr. for Heldai (cf. v. 10); LXX for the patient ones
Zacarías 6
Nueva Versión Internacional (Castilian)
Los cuatro carros
6 Alcé de nuevo la vista, ¡y vi ante mí cuatro carros de guerra que salían de entre dos montañas, las cuales eran de bronce! 2 El primer carro era tirado por caballos alazanes; el segundo, por caballos negros; 3 el tercero, por caballos blancos; y el cuarto, por caballos pintos. Todos ellos eran caballos briosos. 4 Le pregunté al ángel que hablaba conmigo: «¿Qué significan estos carros, señor mío?»
5 El ángel me respondió: «Estos son los cuatro espíritus[a] del cielo, que salen después de haberse presentado ante el Señor de toda la tierra. 6 El carro de los caballos negros va hacia el país del norte; el de los caballos blancos, hacia el occidente;[b] y el de los caballos pintos, hacia el país del sur».
7 Esos briosos caballos estaban impacientes por recorrer toda la tierra. Y el ángel les dijo: «¡Id, recorred la tierra de un extremo al otro!» Y así lo hicieron.
8 Entonces el ángel me llamó y me dijo: «Mira, los que van hacia el país del norte van a calmar mi enojo en ese país».
La corona para Josué
9 La palabra del Señor vino a mí, y me dijo: 10 «Ve hoy mismo a la casa de Josías hijo de Sofonías, que es adonde han llegado de Babilonia los exiliados Jelday, Tobías y Jedaías. 11 Acepta la plata y el oro que traen consigo, y con ese oro y esa plata haz una corona, la cual pondrás en la cabeza del sumo sacerdote Josué hijo de Josadac. 12 Y le dirás a Josué de parte del Señor Todopoderoso:
»“Este es aquel cuyo nombre es Renuevo,
pues echará renuevos de sus raíces
y reconstruirá el templo del Señor.
13 Él reconstruirá el templo del Señor,
se revestirá de majestad
y se sentará a gobernar en su trono.
También un sacerdote se sentará en su propio trono,
y entre ambos habrá armonía”.
14 »La corona permanecerá en el templo del Señor como un recordatorio para Jelday,[c] Tobías, Jedaías y Hen[d] hijo de Sofonías. 15 Si os esmeráis en obedecer al Señor vuestro Dios, los que están lejos vendrán para ayudar en la reconstrucción del templo del Señor. Así sabréis que el Señor Todopoderoso me ha enviado a vosotros».
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