Zechariah 1 21

Zechariah 1:21 kjv

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 1:21 nkjv

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 1:21 niv

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 1:21 esv

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 1:21 nlt

"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."

Zechariah 1 verses

Zechariah 1 21 Meaning

Zechariah 1:21 is the climax of Zechariah's second prophetic vision (Zec 1:18-21, which in some Hebrew arrangements is Zec 2:1-4). In this verse, the prophet asks for clarification on the purpose of the four craftsmen seen in the preceding verse. The interpreting angel explains that these craftsmen are sent to terrify and cast down the "horns" which symbolize the mighty Gentile empires that have historically scattered and oppressed God's people: Judah (the southern kingdom), Israel (representing the entirety of the twelve tribes), and Jerusalem (the capital and spiritual center). This vision conveys divine assurance that God will justly repay and subdue the enemies who afflicted His chosen people.

Zechariah 1 21 Context

Zechariah 1:21 is part of the second of eight night visions given to the prophet Zechariah (Zec 1:7–6:8). These visions came in the second year of Darius (520 BC), about 16 years after the first wave of exiles returned from Babylon. The people of Judah had begun rebuilding the Temple but faced significant opposition and discouragement, causing delays and apathy. The immediate preceding verses (Zec 1:18-20) introduce the "four horns" (symbols of oppressive powers) and "four craftsmen" (agents of divine judgment). Zechariah, serving as a representative for his disheartened people, asks the angelic interpreter for clarity, revealing his concern about the continued threat from these "horns." The historical context involves the aftermath of the Babylonian exile, a time of vulnerability for the struggling remnant, who were surrounded by larger, often hostile, Gentile empires. The vision reassures them that these global powers, no matter how formidable, are under God's sovereign control and will ultimately face His judgment for their cruelty toward His people.

Zechariah 1 21 Word analysis

• Then said I: The "I" is Zechariah, indicating his active participation and profound curiosity within the vision. This human element underscores the divine intent for understanding and revelation for God's people.
• What are these coming to do?: Zechariah's question arises from his observation of the "four craftsmen" in Zec 1:20. This indicates his spiritual earnestness and highlights the need for divine interpretation for proper understanding of prophetic imagery.
• And he spoke, saying: The speaker is the interpreting angel, whose role throughout Zechariah's visions is to explain the meaning of the symbolic imagery, acting as God's messenger to the prophet.
• These are the horns (הַקְּרָנוֹת, haqqerānôt): "Horns" (singular qeren) in biblical symbology consistently represent strength, power, dominance, or kings and kingdoms, particularly when used in an oppressive or aggressive context. Their "fourfold" nature (from Zec 1:18) suggests a comprehensive representation of successive world powers that have oppressed Israel throughout its history. This aligns with similar imagery in Daniel, such as the various beasts and their horns (Dan 7, 8).
• that have scattered (זֵרוּ, zē·rû): From the root זָרָה (zarah), meaning "to scatter," "disperse," "winnow." This verb implies a forceful and destructive scattering, akin to grains being thrown to the wind for separation or dispersion. It accurately describes the traumatic experience of exile and dispersion suffered by the people of God at the hands of conquering empires.
• Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem: This tri-partite phrase emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the oppression and scattering.
  • Judah: Refers specifically to the Southern Kingdom, whose descendants formed the core of the post-exilic community Zechariah addressed.
  • Israel: Refers to the Northern Kingdom or, more broadly, to the entire twelve-tribe nation, indicating that the oppression had affected the whole covenant people. The Northern Kingdom was exiled by Assyria long before Judah was taken by Babylon, showing a long history of national suffering.
  • Jerusalem: Represents the capital city, the symbolic and physical center of the nation and of God's worship, which had been repeatedly conquered, plundered, and desecrated.
• Words-group analysis:
  • "These are the horns that have scattered...": This phrase explicitly identifies the agents of suffering for God's people and implicitly declares God's sovereignty over these powers. It highlights that God knows and names the oppressors of His people.
  • "scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem": This collective description paints a complete picture of the widespread and deep impact of Gentile oppression on every facet of the chosen nation—its political, religious, and social life across both historical kingdoms and its holy city. It reminds the remnant of their past trials but also implicitly sets the stage for future restoration.

Zechariah 1 21 Bonus section

The vision of the four horns and four craftsmen (Zec 1:18-21) directly precedes and conceptually connects with the famous vision of the measuring line and Jerusalem's future glory (Zec 2:1-5). By first assuring the returnees that God will dismantle their past and future oppressors, the subsequent vision of a boundless, undefended Jerusalem (protected by God Himself) becomes profoundly comforting and meaningful. This strategic ordering of visions underscores God's commitment to both judgment against His enemies and unparalleled blessing for His people. The "horns" could be understood not just as literal empires but also as any source of human pride or strength that opposes God's purposes, suggesting that human power, when exercised in opposition to God's will, will inevitably be brought low. The very nature of a horn (pointy, penetrating) depicts destructive penetration, and scattering represents dissolution. The divine response via the craftsmen (builders, artisans, symbolizing skill and intentional action) signifies a structured, effective counter-action to deconstruct these powers.

Zechariah 1 21 Commentary

Zechariah 1:21 is crucial because it provides the divine interpretation of the oppressive forces symbolized by the "four horns" and establishes the context for the action of the "four craftsmen." The "horns" represent all the powerful world empires (e.g., Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, and potentially others stretching into the future) that had scattered and afflicted God's people, regardless of their period or specific identity. Their action of "scattering" highlights the traumatic and destructive nature of their rule over Judah and Israel, culminating in the exiles and the subjugation of Jerusalem.

The angel's response affirms that God is acutely aware of the suffering inflicted upon His covenant people. More importantly, it foreshadows divine retribution. The "four craftsmen" (introduced in Zec 1:20 and about whom Zechariah inquires in this verse) are the agents God raises up to "terrify and cast down" these oppressive powers. This reassures the returning exiles that their struggles and past sufferings are seen by God, and that He is not passive. He will actively intervene in history to judge those who have harmed His chosen ones, effectively dismantling their power. The number "four" for both horns and craftsmen signifies comprehensiveness, implying that all global powers hostile to God's plan will ultimately be judged by His comprehensive power. The message is one of divine justice and hope for a vulnerable community: though empires rise and scatter, God's ultimate plan of restoration and vindication for His people will prevail, as He will subdue all oppressors.