Bible Commentaries
Zechariah 6

Verse 1

and looked. Thus is the eighth vision

two mountains . Compare Zechariah 1:8 and Zechariah 4:7 .

brass = copper or bronze. Compare Deuteronomy 8:9

Verse 2

red. The colours are not explained by the angel as having any significance. They are not explained in Zechariah 6:5 , probably because then already gone forth.

Verse 3

grisled = speckled, or dappled: i.e. like hail. Compare Genesis 31:10 , Genesis 31:12 . Grisled (now spelled grizzled) is from the French gris = iron-grey.

bay = strong. Hebrew ' amuzzim . Occurs only here, and Zechariah 6:7 . The feminine noun "strength" only in Zechariah 12:5 .

Verse 4

angel. See note of Zechariah 1:9 .

my lord. Hebrew. 'adon. App-4 .

Verse 5

These are, &c. This is the angel's interpretation, and needs no further explanation. It is for our faith; not for our reason,

the four spirits : or, the four angels. Compare Revelation 7:1-3 , Revelation 9:14 , Revelation 9:15 . They thus have to do with the time of the end. Their ministry is earthward, and has to do with judgment.

spirits . Hebrew. ruach. App-9 . The world rulers Referred to in Daniel 10:13 , Daniel 10:20 , Daniel 10:21 , &c.

from standing , &c. Some codices, with Septuagint and Vulgate, read "[each] to take their stand before", &c.,

the Lord of all the earth . See note on Zechariah 4:14 .

Verse 6

after then : or, to the west of thorn.

Verse 7

he . A. special various reading called Sevir ( App-34 ), reads "they".

Verse 8

cried. upon . Are almost obsolete idiom. To "cry upon" meant to call to, or appeal to, and is still used in this sense in Scotland. It comes to us through the Genevan Bible (1560), from the Great Bible (1539), and Coverdale (1534). It is the sense of the Hebrew z ' ak here. See Judges 4:10 , 3 John 1:3; 3 John 1:3 :7 , &c.

quieted = caused [mine anger] to rest upon. This is the force of the Hebrew Hiphil.

spirit. Hebrew. ruach App-9 . Put by Fig, Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for the manifestation of it in feeling: here, anger, wrath, Compare Judges 8:3 ,

Verse 9

the LORD . Hebrew. Jehovah . App-4 .

Verse 10

captivity: or exile, being a deputation. Hebrew. golah. The special word for the Jews captive in Babylonia (2 Kings 24:15 , 2 Kings 24:16 . Ezra 1:11 ; Ezra 2:1 , &c. Nehemiah 7:6 . Esther 2:6 . Jeremiah 28:6 . Ezekiel 1:1 , &c.) Put here by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for the returned exiles themselves.

go. Supply the Ellipsis ( App-6 ), thus: "come [with them)".

Verse 11

Then take, &c. This is another verse, noted in the Massorah ( App-30 ) as being one of twenty-six verses each of which contains all the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Compare Zephaniah 3:8 ,

crowns. Hebrew pl, referring to the several circlets forming one composite crown. Compare Zechariah 6:14 where it is used with a verb in the singular.

Joshua. Josedech. See note on Haggai 1:1 .

Verse 12

saying . Some codices, with the Septuagint and Syriac, omit this verb but in that case the Ellipsis ( App-6 ), must be supplied in italics. See note on Psalms 109:5 .

the Lord of hosts. See note on Zechariah 1:3 .

Man . . . BRANCH. Hebrew. ish . App-14 . See the Structure and note on the four Gospels as a whole, p. 1304.

grow up = sprout forth. Note the Figure of speech Paronomasia ( App-6 ). Hebrew. zemach. . . zemach = a branch shall branch forth.

Verse 13

Even = Yea. Omitted in some codices; in which case, note the Figure of speech Anadiplosis ( App-6 ). Note the emphatic pronouns (= He, even He, and none other), pointing to the Messiah, and typical character of the whole proceeding, viz. exiles bringing their gifts to restore Jehovah's house. Their crowns were to be kept as a token of this future hope. Compare Zechariah 6:14 .

shall build. Compare verses: Zechariah 6:12 , Zechariah 6:13 ("T") with Zechariah 6:15 ("T"), above.

shall bear, &c.: i.e. the glory and majesty of royalty. Compare Matthew 16:27 ; Matthew 24:30 ; Matthew 25:31 .

be = become.

both: i.e. two offices, priest and king, will be combined in one person, Messiah.

Verse 14

for a memorial. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 12:14 , the same word). App-92 .

Verse 15

they. shall come: i.e. those future builders, of whom these were a type. Compare Isaiah 60:10 .

And this, &c. = And it shall come to pass: i.e. the promise and prophecy in the former part of this verse.

if ye will, &c. This condition was not fulfilled; for the command to "repent" (the one condition of national restoration), given by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:1 , Matthew 3:2 ); Messiah (Matthew 4:17 ); and Peter (Acts 2:38 ; Acts 3:19 ), was not obeyed: and this promise therefore remains for an obedience that is yet future. The verse therefore is not "left unfinished" as alleged.

God. Hebrew. Elohim . App-4 .