Zechariah 1 20

Zechariah 1:20 kjv

And the LORD shewed me four carpenters.

Zechariah 1:20 nkjv

Then the LORD showed me four craftsmen.

Zechariah 1:20 niv

Then the LORD showed me four craftsmen.

Zechariah 1:20 esv

Then the LORD showed me four craftsmen.

Zechariah 1:20 nlt

Then the LORD showed me four blacksmiths.

Zechariah 1 verses

Zechariah 1 20 Meaning

Zechariah 1:20 reveals God’s direct response to the oppressive forces that had scattered Judah and Jerusalem, symbolized by the "four horns" in the preceding vision. God shows Zechariah four "blacksmiths" or "carpenters"—skilled craftsmen—who are purposed by the Lord to confront, terrify, and cast down these very horns. This vision assures the returned exiles that God is actively involved in their circumstances and has raised up agents specifically equipped to dismantle the power of their adversaries and to reestablish His people.

Zechariah 1 20 Context

Zechariah 1:20 is part of a series of eight night visions given to the prophet Zechariah during the second year of Darius's reign (520 BC). This period followed the return of the first wave of Jewish exiles from Babylon to Judah. The people faced immense challenges: discouragement due to unfinished temple rebuilding, opposition from surrounding peoples, and the stark reality of their small, vulnerable nation contrasting with their grand prophetic hopes.

Specifically, this verse immediately follows the vision of the "four horns" (Zech 1:18-19). These horns represented the gentile powers (Babylon, Media-Persia, Greece, and possibly Rome or generally, the succession of powers) that had historically scattered and oppressed God's people, Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem. The exiles knew this oppression firsthand. Zechariah 1:20 introduces God's divinely appointed counter-agents. The purpose of these visions was to offer reassurance, encouragement, and a renewed call to rebuild the temple, highlighting God's ultimate control over history and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people, assuring them that despite appearances, God was in charge and would vindicate them against their oppressors.

Zechariah 1 20 Word analysis

• And (וַיַּרְאֵ֣נִי - va'yareni): The conjunctive "and" seamlessly connects this vision to the preceding one, highlighting it as a direct consequence or divine response to the issue presented by the four horns. It underscores a continuous unfolding of God's revelation.
• the LORD (יְהוָ֣ה - YHVH / Yahweh): The sacred covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal, relational, and sovereign authority. It is He who initiates this revelation and subsequent action. It confirms divine authority and certainty of action.
• showed me (וַיַּרְאֵ֣נִי - va'yareni): A Hiphil imperfect form of the verb רָאָה (ra'ah), meaning "He caused me to see." This denotes a divinely initiated act of revelation. The vision is not stumbled upon; it is granted by God, underscoring His control and intentionality in revealing His plans.
• four (אַרְבַּע - 'arba'): A direct numerical correlation to the "four horns." The repetition of "four" highlights a comprehensive and complete response. Just as the oppression was universal in scope (from four directions), so is God's counter-action. It signifies a balanced, precise, and universal application of justice.
• blacksmiths / carpenters (חָרָשִׁים - charashim): The plural of חָרָשׁ (charash). This versatile Hebrew term refers to a "craftsman," "artisan," "engraver," or "worker."
  • Literal Meaning & Range: It can denote a worker in wood (a carpenter), stone (a stonemason), or metal (a blacksmith, often with destructive capabilities). Translations like "blacksmiths" (NIV) emphasize their skill with metal, particularly relevant to "horns" (which can be metallic symbols of power) and suggests their role in breaking or shaping, especially in a destructive capacity. Translations like "carpenters" (KJV, ESV) highlight skill in building or dismantling structures, reinforcing precision and deliberate action.
  • Significance: These are not random individuals but skilled, competent agents chosen by God. Their expertise implies that they can expertly handle the "horns"—dismantling, terrifying, or casting them down with purpose and efficiency. The choice of craftsmen implies that the divine counter-action is purposeful and strategic, not merely chaotic destruction. They are capable of both demolition and reconstruction.

Zechariah 1 20 Bonus section

The specific identity of the charashim (blacksmiths/carpenters) has been a subject of interpretation among scholars. Some view them as angelic beings, while others interpret them as the human nations or empires that God uses as instruments to overthrow oppressive powers (for example, the Persians who conquered the Babylonians). There is a significant theological point that these craftsmen "come to terrify" and "cast out" the horns, implying God's chosen agents are mighty enough to utterly subdue and remove the very threat the "horns" represented. This vision vividly portrays divine retribution and the precise nature of God's justice, showing that He equips His agents exactly for the task at hand. The symmetry of four horns and four charashim speaks to the divine balance of judgment and restoration, ensuring that every oppressive force meets a divinely appointed end.

Zechariah 1 20 Commentary

Zechariah 1:20 is a profound visual assurance that God does not abandon His people in their suffering but actively raises up instruments of judgment against their oppressors. Following the vision of the "four horns"—symbolizing all global powers that scattered Judah—God immediately introduces "four blacksmiths" or "carpenters." The identical number highlights that for every force of destruction against His people, God has a prepared and equivalent, or even superior, counter-force.

The term charashim emphasizes competence and deliberate action. These are not merely brutish destroyers, but skilled artisans capable of precise work. As "blacksmiths," they can shatter metallic horns; as "carpenters," they can dismantle the structures of power built by the oppressor. This dual capacity implies that God's agents are adept at both executing judgment (terrifying and casting down the horns) and preparing the ground for rebuilding. Their identity (angels, nations, or other agents) is less important than the assurance they represent: God's unfailing commitment to defend and restore His people. This vision served to encourage the discouraged post-exilic community that despite their present vulnerability, God's comprehensive power was at work to ensure their ultimate triumph and the rebuilding of His sanctuary in Jerusalem. It underscores God's sovereign control over world history, using even seemingly mundane human skills for divine purposes.