Zechariah 6

King James Version

Full text for Zechariah Chapter 6

1¶ 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.

2In the first chariot [were] red horses; and in the second chariot black horses;

3And in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grisled and bay horses.

4Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with me, What [are] these, my lord?

5And 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.

6The 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.

7And 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.

8Then 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,

10Take 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;

11Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set [them] upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest;

12And 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:

13Even 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.

14And 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.

15And 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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Zechariah beholds a vision of four chariots emerging from between two mountains of brass, representing the four spirits of the heavens sent forth by the Lord to patrol the earth. Following this, the prophet is commanded to take silver and gold from exiles to make crowns for Joshua the high priest. This act symbolizes the coming of 'The BRANCH,' who will build the Lord's temple and rule as both king and priest, establishing peace.

Medium Summary

The chapter opens with Zechariah's vision of four chariots, each drawn by horses of different colors (red, black, white, grisled and bay), issuing forth from between two mountains of brass. An angel explains that these are the four spirits of the heavens, which stand before the Lord and are sent to patrol the earth. The black horses go to the north, the white follow, and the grisled go to the south, while the bay horses are sent to walk to and fro throughout the earth, having quieted the Lord's spirit in the north country. Subsequently, Zechariah receives a divine command to gather silver and gold from certain exiles who have returned from Babylon. With these materials, he is to fashion crowns and place them upon the head of Joshua, the high priest. This action is accompanied by a prophecy identifying Joshua as a type of 'The BRANCH,' who will build the temple of the Lord, bear glory, and uniquely sit and rule upon his throne as both a priest and a king, fostering a counsel of peace.

Long Summary

Zechariah's sixth chapter begins with a vivid vision where the prophet sees four chariots emerging from between two formidable mountains of brass. Each chariot is drawn by horses of distinct colors: the first by red, the second by black, the third by white, and the fourth by grisled and bay horses. Upon inquiry, an interpreting angel reveals that these chariots represent the four spirits of the heavens, which stand before the Lord of all the earth and are dispatched to patrol it. The black horses are specifically sent to the north country, followed by the white, while the grisled horses proceed toward the south country. The bay horses are commanded to go forth and traverse the earth, and it is noted that those sent to the north have quieted the Lord's spirit in that region. Following this prophetic vision, the word of the Lord comes to Zechariah with a specific instruction. He is to take silver and gold from Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah, who have returned from Babylonian captivity, and go to the house of Josiah. There, he is to fashion crowns from these precious metals and place them upon the head of Joshua, the son of Josedech, the high priest. This act is accompanied by a profound messianic prophecy, declaring that Joshua is a symbolic figure for 'The BRANCH.' This future individual will grow up out of his place, build the temple of the Lord, bear glory, and uniquely sit and rule upon his throne as both a king and a priest, ensuring a counsel of peace between these two offices. The crowns are then designated to serve as a memorial in the temple for those who provided the materials. The chapter concludes with a promise that people from far off lands shall come and assist in building the temple, and that this entire prophecy will come to pass if the people diligently obey the voice of the Lord their God.

Core Concepts

  • Four Chariots/Spirits of the HeavensZechariah's vision of four chariots with distinct horses, identified as the 'four spirits of the heavens,' signifies divine agents dispatched by the Lord to patrol and execute His will throughout the earth.
  • Mountains of BrassThe chariots emerge from between 'mountains of brass,' suggesting a foundation of divine strength, immutability, or a divinely appointed origin for the spirits' mission.
  • The BranchThis is a significant messianic title, prophetically referring to one who will build the Lord's temple, bear glory, and uniquely combine the roles of king and priest upon his throne, establishing peace.
  • Joshua the High PriestJoshua is commanded to wear the crowns, serving as a symbolic figure or type for the coming 'BRANCH,' through whom the prophecy of the future priest-king is conveyed.
  • Priest upon his ThroneThis concept highlights the unique dual role of 'The BRANCH,' who will not only rule as a king but also minister as a priest, signifying a unified and perfect authority.
  • Building the TempleA central task attributed to 'The BRANCH,' indicating a future rebuilding or spiritual establishment of the Lord's temple, distinct from the contemporary physical reconstruction.
  • Counsel of PeaceThe outcome of 'The BRANCH's' dual rule as priest and king, signifying a harmonious and peaceful administration established through his authority.