Bible Commentaries
Zechariah 6

Verses 1-8

Zec 6:1-8

Zechariah’s Eight Vision (Zechariah 6:1-8)

“And again I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there came four chariots out from between two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of brass. In the first chariot were red horses; and in the second chariot black horses; and in the third chariot white horses; and in the forth chariot grizzled strong horses. Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with me, What are these, my lord?” (Zechariah 6:1-4).

Zechariah is shown the last of eight visions. Four chariots have appeared from between two mountains of brass (or copper). The colors of the horses are given; i.e., red, black, white, and grizzled. Zechariah has no idea as to the meaning of this vision and so he asks the angel as he did with the previous visions.

“And the angel answered and said unto me, These are the four winds of heaven, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth. The chariot wherein are the black horses goes forth toward the north country; and the white went forth after them; and the grizzled went forth toward the south country. And the strong went forth, and ought 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. Then cried he to me, and spake unto me, saying, Behold, they that go toward the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country” (Zechariah 6:5-8).

The angel explains to Zechariah that the four chariots are four winds that accomplish Jehovah’s purpose in all the earth. At this point in time, all the nations of the earth “sits still and are at rest” (cf. Zechariah 1:12). This was not something that pleased God. Zechariah, in his first vision, records the words of God saying, “I am very sore displeased with the nations that are at ease...” (Zechariah 1:15). The wicked nations surrounding Palestine were destined to be shaken by Jehovah for their wickedness (cf. Haggai 2:7).

Zechariah is thereby given a vision, the eighth, wherein God’s purpose for the heathen nations shall be accomplished. Each horse that traverses to the north and south is fulfilling God’s judgments against the nations. At the conclusion of God’s judgments being poured out upon the nations the irritated and sore displeased mind or Spirit of God will be “quieted.”

Verses 9-15

Zec 6:9-15

Joshua the high priest crowned as king and responsible

for building the house of God as Christ the Church

(Zechariah 6:9-15):

“And the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying, Take of them of the captivity, even of Heldai, of Tobijah, and of Jedaiah; and come thou the same day, and go into the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah, whither they are come from Babylon; yea, take of them silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh Jehovah 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 Jehovah; even he shall build the temple of Jehovah; 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” (Zechariah 6:9-13).

Apparently three men; i.e., Heldai, Tobiajah, and of Jedaiah who were staying at the house of Zephaniah, were to be asked of their silver and gold offerings they brought from Babylon to construct a crown. The crown was to be placed upon the head of Joshua the high priest and to signify his place as prophet and king of Palestine. Once the crown was placed upon Joshua’s head Zechariah was to speak to him and say that a man named “Branch” would likewise rule as priest and king over God’s kingdom. We had earlier examined this man named “Branch” at Zechariah 3:8 and determined that the scriptures clearly reveal him to be the Christ (see notes at 3:8). As sure as Joshua would see to it that God’s house be built in Jerusalem even so Christ would build His spiritual house in spiritual Zion. Jesus would build his kingdom upon the fact that he was the Christ come to save men from their sins (cf. Matthew 16:16 ff.).

There are five attributes of the Branch given here.

(1) At Zechariah 6:12 we note that the Branch would “grow out of his place” (i.e., through the seed of David / cf. Jeremiah 33:15).

(2) Secondly, the Branch would build the spiritual temple of Jehovah; i.e., His church (cf. Matthew 16:16 ff).

(3) The Branch would bear the glory in that he shall rule as king of God’s spiritual kingdom (cf. Colossians 1:13).

(4) The Branch would be priest of his kingdom (cf. Hebrews 7:1-3).

(5) Lastly, the Branch’s council would be that of peace (cf. Isaiah 9:6-7).

“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 Jehovah. And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of Jehovah; and ye shall know that Jehovah of hosts hath sent me unto you. And this shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of Jehovah your God” (Zechariah 6:14-15).

The physical crown designed and made for Joshua the high priest would serve as a memorial to the three men who brought the precious gifts from Babylon and voluntarily gave them up for the Lord’s purpose. Finally, Zechariah is given revelation wherein it is revealed that the spiritual temple of Jehovah’s would be built by not only Jews but peoples of all nations. When this multi-nationality kingdom is established then all would know that God’s words were spoken through the prophet Zechariah. Salvation through the temple built by the Branch would come to pass for each person “if ye will diligently obey the voice of Jehovah your God.”