Zechariah 6

This chapter contains the last of the eight night visions that begin in Zechariah 1:7, followed by a symbolic act. The preceding chapter, Zechariah 5, ends with the vision of the woman in the ephah being carried to the land of Shinar. The chariot vision in this chapter concludes the series of visions, and a new section begins with Zechariah 7.

Outline

• Verses 1–3: Four chariots come out from between two mountains of brass. The chariots are drawn, in order, by red horses, black horses, white horses, and grisled and bay horses.
• Verses 4–5: The angel explains that these are "the four spirits of the heavens" (or "winds"), which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth.
• Verses 6–8: The black horses go forth into the north country, the white horses follow after them, and the grisled horses go forth toward the south country, while the bay horses walk to and fro through the earth. The vision ends with the declaration that those who go toward the north country "have quieted my spirit."
• Verses 9–11: The word of the LORD comes, directing that silver and gold be taken from Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah, who had returned from Babylon, and made into crowns to be set upon the head of Joshua the high priest.
• Verses 12–13: It is proclaimed that a man whose name is "the BRANCH" will grow up, build the temple of the LORD, and rule, and that the counsel of peace will be between him and the priest.
• Verses 14–15: The crowns are to be placed in the temple of the LORD as a memorial, and the promise is given that those who are far off will come and build in the temple of the LORD.

Key Verses

• Zechariah 6:12: "Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; … he shall build the temple of the LORD." This messianic title connects with "my servant the BRANCH" in Zechariah 3.
• Zechariah 6:13: "The counsel of peace shall be between them both." The verse illustrates the relationship between the royal office and the priestly office.
• Zechariah 6:15: "And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the LORD." This anticipates the rebuilding of the temple extending to a wider circle of people.

People and Places

• Joshua the high priest: The son of Josedech and high priest during the rebuilding of the temple after the return from exile. He is not the same person as Joshua, the successor of Moses.
• Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah: Men who had returned from Babylon. In verse 14 Heldai is called "Helem."
• Josiah: The son of Zephaniah, in whose house the materials for the crowns are received. Many interpreters identify "Hen" in verse 14 with Josiah.
• Mountains of brass: The two mountains from between which the chariots come out.

Points for Reflection

• Who is "the BRANCH"? Historically oriented interpretation identifies him as Zerubbabel, the governor descended from David. Some scholars who hold this view suggest that the crowns were originally intended for Zerubbabel. Christian tradition reads the passage together with the prophecies of the Branch raised up for David in Jeremiah 23 and Jeremiah 33 and understands it as a messianic prophecy of Jesus Christ.
• Translation differences in verse 13: Translations and interpretations differ over whether the king and the priest are two persons or whether one person holds both offices. Christian interpretation sometimes links this verse with Hebrews 7, which presents Christ as both king and priest after the order of Melchizedek.
• Colored horses: Colored horses also appear in the vision of Zechariah 1 and among the four horsemen of Revelation 6, although their details and roles differ.