Zechariah 1 summary meaning ai explained commentary

Zechariah 1 meaning explained in AI Summary

Theme: A call to repentance and a promise of restoration.

Setting: Eight months after the first group of exiles returned to Jerusalem from Babylon (520 BC).

Key Characters:

Zechariah: The prophet receiving visions and delivering God's message.
The Angel of the Lord: A messenger and interpreter of God's will.
The People of Judah: The returned exiles who have strayed from God.

Summary:

1. Call to Repentance (1:1-6): Zechariah begins by reminding the people of their ancestors' disobedience and the consequences they faced. He urges them to turn back to God, emphasizing that God is full of compassion and ready to forgive.

2. Vision of the Horsemen (1:7-17): Zechariah sees horsemen patrolling the earth, reporting back to the Angel of the Lord. They report that the world is at peace, but the Angel expresses concern for Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, which remain in ruins. This signifies God's awareness of their plight and his continued love for them.

3. Promise of Restoration (1:18-21): The Angel of the Lord assures Zechariah that God is jealous for Jerusalem and will show mercy. He promises to rebuild the city and bring prosperity. The four horns (representing the nations that scattered Judah) will be punished, symbolizing the end of their oppression.

Overall Message:

Chapter 1 of Zechariah serves as a powerful reminder that God is just but also merciful. He punishes sin but longs for his people to return to him. The chapter offers hope for the future, promising restoration and blessing for those who repent and follow him. It sets the stage for the rest of the book, which will further detail God's plans for his people and the coming Messiah.

Zechariah 1 bible study ai commentary

Zechariah chapter 1 is a powerful call to repentance, immediately followed by visions that assure the post-exilic Jewish community of God's sovereign control, His passionate love for them, and His firm intention to restore Jerusalem. The chapter masterfully blends historical reality with divine revelation, urging the people to return to God so they can witness His promised return to them, characterized by comfort, rebuilding, and judgment on their oppressors.

Zechariah 1 context

The prophet Zechariah ministered around 520 B.C., concurrently with Haggai. The historical setting is crucial: a remnant of Jews had returned to Jerusalem from Babylonian exile following the decree of Cyrus the Great (538 B.C.). However, the initial enthusiasm had waned. The project to rebuild the temple, started years earlier, had been halted due to local opposition and the community's own discouragement and misplaced priorities (Ezra 4:24-5:2). Zechariah’s message, alongside Haggai's, was a divine impetus to restart the work, reminding the people of God's covenant promises and His active presence among them, despite their circumstances. The dominant power is the Persian Empire under King Darius I.

Zechariah 1:1

In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berechiah, son of Iddo.

In-depth-analysis

Dating: The specific date (Oct/Nov 520 B.C.) firmly grounds the prophecy in verifiable history. It places Zechariah's ministry just two months after Haggai began his (Hag 1:1).
Genealogy: "Zechariah" (Zekaryah) means "Yahweh remembers." This is a central theme of the book. His father "Berechiah" means "Yahweh blesses," and his grandfather "Iddo" means "at the appointed time." Together, they form a theological statement: "Yahweh remembers to bless at the appointed time."
Prophetic Authority: The phrase "the word of the Lord came to..." establishes that the message is not Zechariah's own opinion but a direct divine revelation.

Bible references

Ezra 5:1: "Now the prophets, Haggai and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem..." (Historical correlation and validation).
Hag 1:1: "In the second year of King Darius, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet..." (Shows the concurrent ministries of the prophets).

Cross references

Jer 1:2 (prophetic call formula); Luk 1:67-68 (Zacharias' prophecy about remembering covenant); Neh 12:16 (Iddo listed as a priestly family).

Zechariah 1:2-3

“The Lord was very angry with your fathers. Therefore say to them, Thus says the Lord of hosts: Return to me, says the Lord of hosts, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts.”

In-depth-analysis

Lord of hosts: The title Yahweh Tz'vaot (LORD of Armies/Hosts) is a signature of Zechariah, used over 50 times. It emphasizes God's supreme power and authority over all cosmic and earthly forces—a deeply comforting thought for a small, vulnerable community.
Divine Anger: The message begins by acknowledging the legitimate reason for the exile: God's justified anger (qatsaph, "to be wroth") against the sins of previous generations. History is not to be ignored.
Return to Me: The Hebrew verb shuv ("return" or "repent") is the core of the verse. It's a call to reorient their hearts, allegiance, and actions back to God.
Conditional Promise: The covenantal structure "You do X, and I will do Y" is clear. God’s return—His presence, blessing, and restoration—is contingent on their genuine repentance. The repetition of "says the Lord of hosts" provides triple emphasis on the authority behind the command and the promise.

Bible references

Mal 3:7: "...Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts..." (Almost an exact quote, showing the persistence of this call).
James 4:8: "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you..." (A New Testament echo of the same principle of relational reciprocity).
Isa 55:7: "let the wicked forsake his way... let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him..." (The essence of Old Testament repentance).

Cross references

2 Chr 7:14 (God's promise to heal the land upon repentance); Jer 3:12, 22 (call for Israel to return); Hos 14:1 (call to return to God).

Zechariah 1:4-6

“Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets cried out, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Return from your evil ways and from your evil deeds.”’ But they did not hear or pay attention to me, declares the Lord. Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever? But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not overtake your fathers? So they repented and said, ‘As the Lord of hosts purposed to deal with us for our ways and our deeds, so has he dealt with us.’”

In-depth-analysis

Negative Example: The generation being addressed is explicitly warned not to repeat the mistakes of the past—specifically, ignoring the prophetic message.
Rhetorical Questions: "Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever?" These questions highlight human mortality. People, both sinful and righteous, die.
Endurance of God's Word: The powerful contrast is made in verse 6. While people are transient, God's Word ("my words and my statutes") is permanent and effective. It "overtook" (nasaq) their fathers, meaning God's decreed judgments inevitably caught up with them, proving the prophets true.
Vindication & Confession: The exiles were forced to confess that God’s judgment was just and exactly as He had warned. This historical admission serves as the foundation for the current generation to take Zechariah's words seriously.

Bible references

Lam 2:17: "The Lord has done what he purposed; he has carried out his word, which he commanded long ago..." (The fulfillment of curses that the returned exiles would have acknowledged).
Dan 9:11-13: "All Israel has transgressed your law... a curse has been poured out on us... for we did not entreat the favor of the Lord our God by turning from our iniquities..." (A model prayer of confession acknowledging this truth).
Heb 4:12: "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword..." (The enduring power and effectiveness of God's Word).

Cross references

2 Kin 17:13-15 (summary of pre-exilic prophetic warnings); Jer 25:4-7 (failure to listen); 1 Cor 10:11 (past events as examples for us).

Zechariah 1:7-11

On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, which is the month of Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Zechariah... “I saw in the night, and behold, a man riding on a red horse! He was standing among the myrtle trees in the glen, and behind him were other horses, red, sorrel, and white. Then I said, ‘What are these, my lord?’ The angel who talked with me said to me, ‘I will show you what they are.’ So the man who was standing among the myrtle trees answered and said, ‘These are they whom the Lord has sent to patrol the earth.’ And they answered the angel of the Lord who was standing among the myrtle trees, and said, ‘We have patrolled the earth, and behold, all the earth is at rest and quiet.’”

In-depth-analysis

Second Date: This vision occurs about three months after the initial call to repentance. The temple work had now resumed (Ezra 5:2).
The Man on the Red Horse: This central figure is later identified as "the angel of the LORD" (v. 11), a mysterious being often understood as a theophany or Christophany (a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ).
Symbolism:
- Myrtle Trees: Evergreen shrubs, often symbolizing peace, life, and the enduring nature of God's people (Israel).
- The Glen/Ravine: Represents Israel’s humbled, low, and shadowed state.
- Horses: Represent divine agents of surveillance and swift action, patrolling the earth on God’s behalf. The colors might signify different aspects like judgment (red), bloodshed, or plague.
The Report: The scouts report that the Gentile nations ("all the earth") are "at rest and quiet." This is not good news. It highlights a troubling disparity: the oppressive nations are living in peace and prosperity while God’s city, Jerusalem, lies in ruins. This sets the stage for God's compassionate response.

Bible references

Rev 6:2-8: "And I looked, and behold, a white horse... another horse, bright red... a black horse... a pale horse!" (Zechariah’s vision is a likely source for John's apocalyptic imagery, though the purpose and context differ significantly).
Job 1:7: "The Lord said to Satan, ‘From where have you come?’ Satan answered the Lord and said, ‘From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.’" (Depicts a similar theme of beings roaming the earth and reporting back to the heavenly court).
Gen 16:7: "The angel of the Lord found Hagar..." (The first appearance of the "Angel of the LORD," who speaks and acts as God).

Cross references

Jdg 6:11 (Angel of the Lord appears to Gideon); Psa 103:20-21 (angels doing God's bidding); 2 Sam 24:16 (Angel of the Lord as agent of judgment).

Polemics

The identity of the "man on the red horse" who is also the "angel of the LORD" is debated. Many Christian commentators see this figure as the pre-incarnate Christ due to his authority, role as intercessor (v. 12), and how he is addressed. He is distinct from "the angel who talked with me," who serves as an interpreter. This vision subverts pagan Mesopotamian ideas where lesser gods reported to a high god; here, angels report to Yahweh, establishing His singular, ultimate authority.

Zechariah 1:12-13

Then the angel of the Lord said, ‘O Lord of hosts, how long will you have no mercy on Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, with which you have been angry these seventy years?’ And the Lord answered the angel who talked with me with good and comforting words.

In-depth-analysis

High Priestly Intercession: The Angel of the LORD acts as a high priest, interceding on behalf of Judah. His question "How long?" echoes the psalms of lament (Ps 13:1) and reveals deep compassion.
Seventy Years: This references Jeremiah’s prophecy (Jer 25:11-12; 29:10). While the exile from 605 B.C. to 538 B.C. was about 70 years, the temple itself was destroyed in 586 B.C. The number represents a period of divinely-appointed judgment that, from the people's perspective, still felt ongoing.
God's Comforting Response: The LORD responds not with a direct answer of timing, but with "good and comforting words" (devarim tovim, devarim nichumim). The essence of the answer is assurance and compassion, not a simple timeline. This reveals the heart of God towards His people.

Bible references

Heb 7:25: "Consequently, he [Jesus] is able to save to the uttermost... since he always lives to make intercession for them." (Christ’s current ministry as intercessor is the ultimate fulfillment of this role).
Isa 40:1-2: "Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem..." (God’s characteristic heart of comfort after a period of judgment).
Rev 6:10: "They cried out with a loud voice, ‘O Sovereign Lord... how long before you will judge...?’" (Martyrs in heaven echoing the intercessory cry for justice and vindication).

Cross references

Psa 74:10 (How long, O God?); Dan 9:2 (Daniel understanding the seventy years); Rom 8:34 (Christ interceding for us).

Zechariah 1:14-17

So the angel who talked with me said to me, “Cry out, Thus says the Lord of hosts: I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy. And I am very angry with the nations that are at ease; for while I was angry but a little, they helped forward the affliction. Therefore, thus says the Lord, I have returned to Jerusalem with mercy; my house shall be built in it, declares the Lord of hosts, and a measuring line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem. Cry out again, Thus says the Lord of hosts: My cities shall again overflow with prosperity, and the Lord will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem.”

In-depth-analysis

Divine Jealousy: "Jealous" (qanah) here is not petty envy but fierce, protective, covenantal love. It’s the righteous passion a husband has for his wife. God’s passion for His people and city is the motivation for His actions.
Anger at the Nations: God is "very angry" at the complacent nations. Their sin was not in being God's instrument of judgment (like Babylon), but in going too far—acting with excessive cruelty and for their own aggrandizement ("helped forward the affliction").
Promise of Reversal: God promises five specific actions:
1. I have returned with mercy.
2. My house shall be built.
3. A measuring line shall be used (a surveyor's tool, symbolizing planned, orderly reconstruction, not destruction as in 2 Kings 21:13).
4. My cities will overflow with prosperity.
5. I will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem. This reaffirmation of choice was vital for a people feeling abandoned.

Bible references

Joel 2:18: "Then the Lord became jealous for his land and had pity on his people." (Divine jealousy leading to restoration).
Isa 47:6: "I was angry with my people... I gave them into your hand [Babylon]; you showed them no mercy..." (God’s charge against Babylon for their excessive cruelty).
Rev 21:2, 15: "...the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God... And the one who spoke with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city..." (An eschatological fulfillment of the promise to measure and rebuild Jerusalem).

Cross references

Nah 1:2 (God is jealous and avenging); Oba 1:10-15 (Edom judged for its role in Jerusalem's fall); Isa 14:1-2 (God’s mercy on Jacob).

Zechariah 1:18-21

And I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, four horns! And I said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these?” And he said to me, “These are the horns that have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.” Then the Lord showed me four craftsmen. And I said, “What are these coming to do?” He said, “These are the horns that scattered Judah, so that no man lifted his head; and these [craftsmen] have come to terrify them, to cast down the horns of the nations who lifted up their horn against the land of Judah to scatter it.”

In-depth-analysis

Second Vision: This vision answers the "how" of God's anger against the nations.
Four Horns: Horns are a common biblical symbol for power, kingdoms, and prideful military might. "Four" symbolizes totality, representing all the world powers from every direction (north, south, east, west) that have oppressed and scattered God’s people throughout their history (e.g., Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia).
Four Craftsmen: "Craftsmen" (charashim) can mean blacksmiths, carpenters, or engravers. They are agents of God's deconstruction. Just as a smith can break a horn, God raises up powers and agents to terrify and dismantle the very empires that seemed invincible. God has a counter for every threat.
Divine Sovereignty: The vision powerfully communicates that God is in control of history. The same powers that scattered Judah did so under God's sovereign hand, and they will be dismantled by agents also raised up by God.

Bible references

Dan 7:24: "As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise..." (Horns symbolizing kings/kingdoms).
Psa 75:10: "All the horns of the wicked I will also cut off, but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted." (God as the one who breaks the power of the wicked).
Isa 54:16-17: "Behold, I have created the smith who... brings out a weapon... no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed..." (God is the creator of both the weapon and the smith, demonstrating His ultimate sovereignty over all conflict).

Cross references

Dan 8:3-8 (ram and goat with horns); Jer 51:20-23 (Babylon as God's "war club," later to be broken); 1 Kin 22:11 (false prophet uses iron horns).

Zechariah chapter 1 analysis

The Angel of the LORD: This figure's interaction is a theological centerpiece. He is distinct from Yahweh (interceding to Him) yet is also addressed as divine and seems to speak for God in the first person. This complexity is often seen by Christian theology as a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ, functioning as messenger, representative, and intercessor for His people.
Visionary Language: Zechariah 1 introduces the book's apocalyptic style: symbolic visions, an interpreting angel, and concern with heavenly realities that directly impact earthly events. This style would heavily influence later works like Daniel and Revelation.
Repentance and Revelation: The chapter is structured to show that repentance is the gateway to divine revelation and comfort. The initial command (vv. 1-6) opens the door for the subsequent visions (vv. 7-21) that reveal God's heart and plan. The people's obedience in restarting the temple work is met with an outpouring of divine assurance.
Names as Prophecy: As mentioned for v. 1, the prophetic line's names—Zechariah (Yahweh Remembers), Berechiah (Yahweh Blesses), Iddo (At the Appointed Time)—create a narrative sentence central to the book's message: Yahweh remembers His people and will bless them at the appointed time.

Zechariah 1 summary

The chapter opens with a historical marker and a direct call for the post-exilic community to repent ("Return to me"), using the disobedience and subsequent punishment of their ancestors as a solemn warning. After this call, God provides two visions. The first (the Horseman Among the Myrtles) reveals that God is fully aware of the world's state and is passionately jealous for Jerusalem, promising to return with mercy and rebuild His city and temple. The second vision (the Four Horns and Four Craftsmen) assures the people that God will raise up forces to dismantle and judge the very world powers that have oppressed and scattered them. In essence, the chapter is a divine assurance that repentance will be met with restoration and divine justice.

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Zechariah chapter 1 kjv

¹ In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,
² The LORD hath been sore displeased with your fathers.
³ Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts.
⁴ Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the LORD.
⁵ Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever?
⁶ But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.
⁷ Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Sebat, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,
⁸ I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in the bottom; and behind him were there red horses, speckled, and white.
⁹ Then said I, O my lord, what are these? And the angel that talked with me said unto me, I will shew thee what these be.
¹⁰ And the man that stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, These are they whom the LORD hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth.
¹¹ And they answered the angel of the LORD that stood among the myrtle trees, and said, We have walked to and fro through the earth, and, behold, all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest.
¹² Then the angel of the LORD answered and said, O LORD of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years?
¹³ And the LORD answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words.
¹⁴ So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy.
¹⁵ And I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction.
¹⁶ Therefore thus saith the LORD; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem.
¹⁷ Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the LORD shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem.
¹⁸ Then lifted I up mine eyes, and saw, and behold four horns.
¹⁹ And I said unto the angel that talked with me, What be these? And he answered me, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.
²⁰ And the LORD shewed me four carpenters.
²¹ Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but these are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it.

Zechariah chapter 1 nkjv

¹ In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,
² "The LORD has been very angry with your fathers.
³ Therefore say to them, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts: "Return to Me," says the LORD of hosts, "and I will return to you," says the LORD of hosts.
⁴ "Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets preached, saying, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts: "Turn now from your evil ways and your evil deeds." ' But they did not hear nor heed Me," says the LORD.
⁵ "Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever?
⁶ Yet surely My words and My statutes, Which I commanded My servants the prophets, Did they not overtake your fathers? "So they returned and said: 'Just as the LORD of hosts determined to do to us, According to our ways and according to our deeds, So He has dealt with us.' " ' "
⁷ On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet:
⁸ I saw by night, and behold, a man riding on a red horse, and it stood among the myrtle trees in the hollow; and behind him were horses: red, sorrel, and white.
⁹ Then I said, "My lord, what are these?" So the angel who talked with me said to me, "I will show you what they are."
¹⁰ And the man who stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, "These are the ones whom the LORD has sent to walk to and fro throughout the earth."
¹¹ So they answered the Angel of the LORD, who stood among the myrtle trees, and said, "We have walked to and fro throughout the earth, and behold, all the earth is resting quietly."
¹² Then the Angel of the LORD answered and said, "O LORD of hosts, how long will You not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which You were angry these seventy years?"
¹³ And the LORD answered the angel who talked to me, with good and comforting words.
¹⁴ So the angel who spoke with me said to me, "Proclaim, saying, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts: "I am zealous for Jerusalem And for Zion with great zeal.
¹⁵ I am exceedingly angry with the nations at ease; For I was a little angry, And they helped?but with evil intent."
¹⁶ 'Therefore thus says the LORD: "I am returning to Jerusalem with mercy; My house shall be built in it," says the LORD of hosts, "And a surveyor's line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem." '
¹⁷ "Again proclaim, saying, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts: "My cities shall again spread out through prosperity; The LORD will again comfort Zion, And will again choose Jerusalem." ' "
¹⁸ Then I raised my eyes and looked, and there were four horns.
¹⁹ And I said to the angel who talked with me, "What are these?" So he answered me, "These are the horns that have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem."
²⁰ Then the LORD showed me four craftsmen.
²¹ And I said, "What are these coming to do?" So he said, "These are the horns that scattered Judah, so that no one could lift up his head; but the craftsmen are coming to terrify them, to cast out the horns of the nations that lifted up their horn against the land of Judah to scatter it."

Zechariah chapter 1 niv

¹ In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah, the son of Iddo:
² "The LORD was very angry with your ancestors.
³ Therefore tell the people: This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Return to me,' declares the LORD Almighty, 'and I will return to you,' says the LORD Almighty.
⁴ Do not be like your ancestors, to whom the earlier prophets proclaimed: This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Turn from your evil ways and your evil practices.' But they would not listen or pay attention to me, declares the LORD.
⁵ Where are your ancestors now? And the prophets, do they live forever?
⁶ But did not my words and my decrees, which I commanded my servants the prophets, overtake your ancestors? "Then they repented and said, 'The LORD Almighty has done to us what our ways and practices deserve, just as he determined to do.'?"
⁷ On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, the month of Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah, the son of Iddo.
⁸ During the night I had a vision, and there before me was a man mounted on a red horse. He was standing among the myrtle trees in a ravine. Behind him were red, brown and white horses.
⁹ I asked, "What are these, my lord?" The angel who was talking with me answered, "I will show you what they are."
¹⁰ Then the man standing among the myrtle trees explained, "They are the ones the LORD has sent to go throughout the earth."
¹¹ And they reported to the angel of the LORD who was standing among the myrtle trees, "We have gone throughout the earth and found the whole world at rest and in peace."
¹² Then the angel of the LORD said, "LORD Almighty, how long will you withhold mercy from Jerusalem and from the towns of Judah, which you have been angry with these seventy years?"
¹³ So the LORD spoke kind and comforting words to the angel who talked with me.
¹⁴ Then the angel who was speaking to me said, "Proclaim this word: This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'I am very jealous for Jerusalem and Zion,
¹⁵ and I am very angry with the nations that feel secure. I was only a little angry, but they went too far with the punishment.'
¹⁶ "Therefore this is what the LORD says: 'I will return to Jerusalem with mercy, and there my house will be rebuilt. And the measuring line will be stretched out over Jerusalem,' declares the LORD Almighty.
¹⁷ "Proclaim further: This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'My towns will again overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem.'?"
¹⁸ Then I looked up, and there before me were four horns.
¹⁹ I asked the angel who was speaking to me, "What are these?" He answered me, "These are the horns that scattered Judah, Israel and Jerusalem."
²⁰ Then the LORD showed me four craftsmen.
²¹ I asked, "What are these coming to do?" He answered, "These are the horns that scattered Judah so that no one could raise their head, but the craftsmen have come to terrify them and throw down these horns of the nations who lifted up their horns against the land of Judah to scatter its people."

Zechariah chapter 1 esv

¹ In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, son of Iddo, saying,
² "The LORD was very angry with your fathers.
³ Therefore say to them, Thus declares the LORD of hosts: Return to me, says the LORD of hosts, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts.
⁴ Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets cried out, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, Return from your evil ways and from your evil deeds.' But they did not hear or pay attention to me, declares the LORD.
⁵ Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever?
⁶ But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not overtake your fathers? So they repented and said, 'As the LORD of hosts purposed to deal with us for our ways and deeds, so has he dealt with us.'"
⁷ On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, which is the month of Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, son of Iddo, saying,
⁸ "I saw in the night, and behold, a man riding on a red horse! He was standing among the myrtle trees in the glen, and behind him were red, sorrel, and white horses.
⁹ Then I said, 'What are these, my lord?' The angel who talked with me said to me, 'I will show you what they are.'
¹⁰ So the man who was standing among the myrtle trees answered, 'These are they whom the LORD has sent to patrol the earth.'
¹¹ And they answered the angel of the LORD who was standing among the myrtle trees, and said, 'We have patrolled the earth, and behold, all the earth remains at rest.'
¹² Then the angel of the LORD said, 'O LORD of hosts, how long will you have no mercy on Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, against which you have been angry these seventy years?'
¹³ And the LORD answered gracious and comforting words to the angel who talked with me.
¹⁴ So the angel who talked with me said to me, 'Cry out, Thus says the LORD of hosts: I am exceedingly jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion.
¹⁵ And I am exceedingly angry with the nations that are at ease; for while I was angry but a little, they furthered the disaster.
¹⁶ Therefore, thus says the LORD, I have returned to Jerusalem with mercy; my house shall be built in it, declares the LORD of hosts, and the measuring line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem.
¹⁷ Cry out again, Thus says the LORD of hosts: My cities shall again overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem.'"
¹⁸ And I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, four horns!
¹⁹ And I said to the angel who talked with me, "What are these?" And he said to me, "These are the horns that have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem."
²⁰ Then the LORD showed me four craftsmen.
²¹ And I said, "What are these coming to do?" He said, "These are the horns that scattered Judah, so that no one raised his head. And these have come to terrify them, to cast down the horns of the nations who lifted up their horns against the land of Judah to scatter it."

Zechariah chapter 1 nlt

¹ In November of the second year of King Darius's reign, the LORD gave this message to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah and grandson of Iddo:
² "I, the LORD, was very angry with your ancestors.
³ Therefore, say to the people, 'This is what the LORD of Heaven's Armies says: Return to me, and I will return to you, says the LORD of Heaven's Armies.'
⁴ Don't be like your ancestors who would not listen or pay attention when the earlier prophets said to them, 'This is what the LORD of Heaven's Armies says: Turn from your evil ways, and stop all your evil practices.'
⁵ "Where are your ancestors now? They and the prophets are long dead.
⁶ But everything I said through my servants the prophets happened to your ancestors, just as I said. As a result, they repented and said, 'We have received what we deserved from the LORD of Heaven's Armies. He has done what he said he would do.'"
⁷ Three months later, on February 15, the LORD sent another message to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah and grandson of Iddo.
⁸ In a vision during the night, I saw a man sitting on a red horse that was standing among some myrtle trees in a small valley. Behind him were riders on red, brown, and white horses.
⁹ I asked the angel who was talking with me, "My lord, what do these horses mean?" "I will show you," the angel replied.
¹⁰ The rider standing among the myrtle trees then explained, "They are the ones the LORD has sent out to patrol the earth."
¹¹ Then the other riders reported to the angel of the LORD, who was standing among the myrtle trees, "We have been patrolling the earth, and the whole earth is at peace."
¹² Upon hearing this, the angel of the LORD prayed this prayer: "O LORD of Heaven's Armies, for seventy years now you have been angry with Jerusalem and the towns of Judah. How long until you again show mercy to them?"
¹³ And the LORD spoke kind and comforting words to the angel who talked with me.
¹⁴ Then the angel said to me, "Shout this message for all to hear: 'This is what the LORD of Heaven's Armies says: My love for Jerusalem and Mount Zion is passionate and strong.
¹⁵ But I am very angry with the other nations that are now enjoying peace and security. I was only a little angry with my people, but the nations inflicted harm on them far beyond my intentions.
¹⁶ "'Therefore, this is what the LORD says: I have returned to show mercy to Jerusalem. My Temple will be rebuilt, says the LORD of Heaven's Armies, and measurements will be taken for the reconstruction of Jerusalem. '
¹⁷ "Say this also: 'This is what the LORD of Heaven's Armies says: The towns of Israel will again overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem as his own.'"
¹⁸ Then I looked up and saw four animal horns.
¹⁹ "What are these?" I asked the angel who was talking with me. He replied, "These horns represent the nations that scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem."
²⁰ Then the LORD showed me four blacksmiths.
²¹ "What are these men coming to do?" I asked. The angel replied, "These four horns ? these nations ? scattered and humbled Judah. Now these blacksmiths have come to terrify those nations and throw them down and destroy them."