Home

Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE PROPHET ZECHARIAH

CHAPTER SIX:
VISION OF FOUR CHARIOTS AND THE CROWNING OF THE OF PRIEST

Summary

Zechariah’s 8^th vision is that of four chariots going in directions of the compass. One set of horses roams the earth, while those going to the north cause God’s Spirit to settle there. What follows is the crowning of Joshua the High Priest as “Sprout.” All of this will be realized IF Israel listens with obedience to their God.

Zechariah 6:1-8 – Eighth Vision of Four Chariots

ZC6:1 Then I looked up again and saw – behold! – four chariots approaching between two mountains – mountains of copper. 134

134

Four chariots approaching between two mountains of copper: Or, JPS: And again I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there came four chariots out from between the two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of brass; LXX: four chariots coming out from between two mountains; and the mountains were brazen [ORE] mountains. Compare Deuteronomy 8:9. Some cross-reference these horses with Revelation 6:2-8, however they are of difference colors and different contexts. It is not viewed as an allusion. Various versions use different words to describe the colors of the horses. The first occurrence of the chariot is at Genesis 41:43. The chariot is poetically associated with speed and war. [Psalm 20:7; 68:17; 76:6; 77:18; 104:3; Daniel 11:40; Joel 2:5; Nahum 2:3, 13; 3:2; Revelation 9:9. Compare Zechariah 9:10.

ZC6:2 The first chariot had red horses, and the second chariot had black horses. ZC6:3 The third chariot had white horses, and the fourth chariot speckled horses. ZC6:4 Now in response I asked the angel: “Sir, what are these?” ZC6:5 The angel answered and said: “These are the four winds of the sky, 135 [Matthew 24:31; Revelation 7:1] and they are approaching after having made their appearance before the Absolute Lord of the whole earth. 136

135

The four winds of the sky: Or, four winds of the heavens. The phrase is used by Christ at Matthew 24:31 and repeated in Revelation 7:1. It means, the four directions of the compass. [Daniel 7:2; 8:8; 11:4] See also “four winds of the hearth.” The Hebrew uses RUWACH so some versions footnote “spirits.” [Ezekiel 37:9] The LXX uses “winds.”

136

They are approaching after having made their appearance before the Absolute Lord of the whole earth: Or, ASV: which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth; JPS: after presenting themselves; LXX: to stand before. On such angels compare 2 Chronicles 18:18; Job 1:6; Daniel 7:10; Luke 1:19; Hebrews 1:14.

ZC6:6 The chariot with the black horses goes to northern lands. 137 The white go to the west toward the Mediterranean Sea. 138 The speckled go to southern lands. 139

137	Northern lands: That is, north. [Isaiah 14:31; 43:6; Jeremiah 1:14; 25:9] Likely, those northern lands that abused Israel.

138	The white go to the west toward the Mediterranean Sea: Or, ASV: and the white went forth after them; BAS: the white go to the west; TAN: to what is west of them. Perhaps Philistia. In the Hebrew Scriptures the designation “the Sea” generally means the Mediterranean. [Psalm 72:8]

139	Southern lands: That is, south. Likely, including Egypt. [Daniel 11:5]

ZC6:7 The red leave and search out where to go, roaming the earth.” 140 And they did begin roaming the earth.

140

The red leave and search out where to go, roaming the earth: Or, ASV: the strong went forth, and sought to go that they might walk to and fro through the earth; BAS: they made request that they might go up and down through the earth; JPS: they sought to go that they might walk to and fro through the earth; LXX: he ash-coloured went out, and looked to go and compass the earth; NJB: patrol the world. Compare Job 1:7; 2:2.

ZC6:8 Then the angel shouted to me and said: “Watch, those going to northern lands are those causing the Spirit of Y^eH^oW^aH to settle in northern lands.” 141

141

Those going to northern lands are those causing the Spirit of YeHoWaH to settle in northern lands: Or, ASV: Behold, they that go toward the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country; BAS: have given rest to the spirit of the Lord in the north country; JPS: have eased My spirit in the north country; LXX: and they have quieted mine anger in the land of the north; RHM: have settled my spirit; NJB: brought my spirit to rest on; TAN: have done my pleasure. Possibly the phrase means God has accomplished His purpose in northern lands, such as Assyria and Babylon by the release of His people. [Jeremiah 51:58] The LXX does not use PNEUMA, while the Hebrew uses RUWACH. It is possible the LXX translated RUWACH as “anger” because it was understood that RUWACH may be an attribute of mind.

Zechariah 6:9-15 – “Sprout” as King and Priest

ZC6:9 Now the utterance of Y^eH^oW^aH continued, saying: ZC6:10 “[Take gold and silver] from those of the Exile 142 – from Heldai, Tobijah, and from Jedaiah 143 – and your must enter the house of Josiah son of Zephaniah together with those who came out of Babylon.

142	[Take gold and silver] from those of the Exile: Or, ASV: Take of them of the captivity; BAS: Take the offerings of those who went away as prisoners; LXX: Take the things of the captivity from the chief men. [Ezra 1:11; 7:16; 8:30] The Jewish captives left Babylon with valuables.

143	Heldai, Tobijah, and from Jedaiah: Evidently important and wealthy men of the Exile.

ZC6:11 Take the gold and silver and make a majestic crown 144 and place it upon the head of Joshua 145 son of Jehozadak, the high priest.

144	Make a majestic crown: Or, ASV: make crowns; BAS: make a crown. The Hebrew is plural and literally means “crowns” though some feel this is the plural of majesty. [Exodus 28:36]

145	Joshua: Return to Zechariah 3:1.

ZC6:12 You must tell him: Y^eH^oW^aH of [celestial] armies says this, Here is the man named Sprout. 146 He will sprout out of his own place. 147 For a surety he will build the Temple of Y^eH^oW^aH.

146

Here is the man named Sprout: Or, ASV: Behold, the man whose name is the Branch; JPS: Behold, a man whose name is the Shoot [TSEMACH]; LXX: Behold the man whose name is The Branch [ANATOLE]. Return to Zechariah 3:8. [Isaiah 11:1] The high priest Joshua is something of a Messiah-type and may also include the Church.

147	He will sprout out of his own place: Or, ASV: he shall grow up out of his place; BAS: under whom there will be fertile growth; JPS: and who shall shoot up out of his place; LXX: and he shall spring up from his stem. That is, he will be productive in his own homeland.

ZC6:13 He will build the Temple of Y^eH^oW^aH, and he will also shoulder the dignity. 148 He will sit and rule upon his throne. He will become a priest upon his throne. 149 The counsel of peaceful harmony will exist between them both. 150

148	He will build the Temple of YeHoWaH, and he will also shoulder the dignity: Or, ASV: he shall build the temple of Jehovah; and he shall bear the glory; BAS: the glory will be his; LXX: build the house [OIKON] of the Lord. Compare Zechariah 8:9.

149

He will sit and rule upon his throne. He will become a priest upon his throne: Or, ASV: and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne; BAS: he will take his place as ruler on the seat of power; and Joshua will be a priest at his right hand; JPS: and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and there shall be a priest before his throne; LXX: he shall receive power, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and there shall be a priest on his right hand; RHM: and will become a priest upon his throne. The phrases are viewed differently, suggesting Zerubbabel is included. Note the word “them” in the following phrase. If Joshua is solely meant the office of both king and priest fits the Messianic-type. See notes on Hebrews 3:1; 4:14; 6:20; 8:1. The Church is also a government composed of both kings and priests. See notes on Revelation 1:6; 5:10; 20:4.

150	The counsel of peaceful harmony will exist between them both: Or, ASV: the counsel of peace shall be between them both; BAS: between them there will be a design of peace; LXX: a peaceable [EIRENIKE] counsel shall be between them both. Possibly referring to Joshua and Zerubbabel.

ZC6:14 The majestic crown will belong to Heldai – and also to Tobiah, Jedaiah, and Hen son of Zephaniah – as a memorial in the Temple of Y^eH^oW^aH. 151

151

As a memorial in the Temple of YeHoWaH: Or, BAS: to keep their memory living; LXX: the crown [STEPHANOS] shall be to them that wait patiently, and to the useful men of the captivity, and to them that have known it, and for the favour of the son of Sophonias, and for a psalm [PSALMON] in the house [OIKO] of the Lord. We would like to believe that it was more than mere wealth that caused these men to be memorialized. [Exodus 28:12; Joshua 4:7]

ZC6:15 Then those who live far away will come and build the Temple of Y^eH^oW^aH. 152 Then all of you will realize that Y^eH^oW^aH of [celestial] armies has sent me to you. 153 It will all be realized if all of you continue to listen to the voice of Y^eH^oW^aH your God. 154

152

Then those who live far away will come and build the Temple of YeHoWaH: Or, ASV: they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of Jehovah; BAS: those who are far away will come and be builders; LXX: they that are far [MACRAN] from them shall come and build in the house [OIKO]. [Isaiah 56:6; 60:10] It is hard to read this and not think of Ephesians 2:13, 17, 21.

153	Has sent me to you: Return to Zechariah 4:9.

154

It will all be realized if all of you continue to listen to the voice of YeHoWaH your God: Or, ASV: And this shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of Jehovah your God; JPS: t shall come to pass, if ye will diligently hearken. God’s blessings are conditioned on obedience. [Deuteronomy 28:1; Jeremiah 7:23] Compare the Mosaic blessings and curses in Deuteronomy chapter 28.