Zechariah 1 8

Zechariah 1:8 kjv

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.

Zechariah 1:8 nkjv

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.

Zechariah 1:8 niv

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.

Zechariah 1:8 esv

"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.

Zechariah 1:8 nlt

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.

Zechariah 1 verses

Zechariah 1 8 Meaning

Zechariah 1:8 presents the prophet's first visionary encounter, described as happening during the night. The central focus of this initial vision is a mysterious figure, described as "a man," riding upon a red horse. This figure is observed standing among a grove of myrtle trees located within a "hollow" or deep place. The vision further reveals that behind this prominent figure, there are other horses of various colors—red, sorrel (or dappled/speckled), and white—implying the presence of additional riders or divine agents ready for action. This initial scene sets the stage for Zechariah's subsequent prophetic visions, introducing the theme of divine observation and readiness to act concerning Jerusalem and the nations, hinting at God's active involvement in the world despite Israel's low and desolate state.

Zechariah 1 8 Context

Zechariah's prophetic ministry takes place during the post-exilic period, roughly 520-518 BC, concurrent with Haggai. The first wave of exiles had returned to Judah from Babylon, but the temple rebuilding effort, begun in 536 BC, had stalled for nearly two decades due to opposition and general discouragement. The people were more focused on their own houses than on God's house. Zechariah, alongside Haggai, was raised up by God to stir the people to resume building the temple and to provide them with visions of future hope and restoration.

Zechariah 1 serves as an introduction. It begins with a call to repentance (Zech 1:1-6), urging the people to learn from the mistakes of their ancestors who did not heed the former prophets. Verse 7 transitions to the first of eight nocturnal visions Zechariah received in one night, occurring on the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, in the second year of Darius' reign. Zechariah 1:8 is the commencement of this series of visions, introducing the symbolism of the horses and the divine oversight over the earth. This initial vision addresses the perceived lack of God's activity and assurance of His watchful care despite Israel's despondent circumstances.

Zechariah 1 8 Word analysis

• I saw (רָאִיתִי - ra'iti): The first-person singular verb emphasizes Zechariah's direct experience of the vision. It denotes a prophetic revelation, often received as a divine manifestation to the prophet's inner eye or mind, not just a physical seeing. This points to the divinely initiated nature of the communication.
• in the night (בַּלַּיְלָה - ba-laylah): This specific timing highlights that divine revelations often occurred when natural light and human distractions were absent, creating an atmosphere for heightened spiritual awareness. Night can symbolize a time of uncertainty or despondency for the people (like Israel's present state of discouragement), yet it's precisely when God reveals His active presence and plans.
• and behold (וְהִנֵּה - ve-hinneh): This interjection is an intensifier, drawing immediate attention to what follows. It introduces something surprising, significant, and deserving of close observation, indicating the critical nature of the vision's content.
• a man (אִישׁ - ish): This term refers to a male person. In a prophetic context, particularly when this "man" is seen interacting with angels or acting with divine authority, he is often interpreted as the Angel of the LORD, a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ, or a prominent divine messenger. His presence signifies God's personal involvement and direction.
• riding (רֹכֵב - rokhev): The active participle implies motion or readiness for action. The rider directs the horse, symbolizing authority and command over the forces or message the horse represents.
• on a red horse (עַל־סוּס אָדֹם - ‘al-sus adom): The "horse" (סוּס - sus) is a common biblical symbol of strength, power, war, speed, and divine activity. "Red" (אָדֹם - adom) suggests intense emotion, bloodshed, war, or divine judgment (compare Rev 6:4). Here, it introduces the idea of God's judgment or decisive action concerning the nations.
• and he stood (וְהוּא עֹמֵד - ve-hu omeḏ): While the initial description is of riding, "he stood" indicates a position of pause, observation, authority, or readiness. It signifies the central figure taking a fixed position to survey or execute a task.
• among the myrtle trees (בֵּין הַהֲדַסִּים - bein ha-hadassim): "Myrtle trees" (הֲדַס - hadas) are evergreen, fragrant trees associated with beauty, peace, prosperity, and God's blessings, particularly in contexts of restoration (Is 41:19, 55:13; Neh 8:15). Their presence among them in a hollow signifies God's active concern for His people, even in their lowly or seemingly stagnant state. It suggests an assurance of future restoration despite current conditions.
• which were in the hollow (אֲשֶׁר בַּמְּצֻלָּה - asher ba-metzullah): "Hollow" (מְצֻלָּה - metzullah) denotes a low, deep place, a shady valley. It could symbolize Israel's current humble, overshadowed, or distressed condition after the exile, or it could suggest a place of quiet, hidden counsel and divine oversight where events are unfolding beneath the surface, away from public view.
• and behind him (וְאַחֲרָיו - ve-acharayw): This preposition indicates accompaniment and sequence, implying a retinue or following group.
• were horses (סוּסִים - susim): Plural "horses" confirms the presence of multiple angelic or divine agents.
• red, sorrel, and white (אֲדֻמִּים שְׂרֻקִּים וּלְבָנִים - adumim, seruqim, ulevanim):
  • Red (אֲדֻמִּים - adumim): Consistent with the leading horse, signifies judgment, war, or zeal.
  • Sorrel (שְׂרֻקִּים - seruqim): This term is often debated; it can mean "fiery red," "dappled," "spotted," or "bay." It implies a mixture or unique characteristic, perhaps a blend of judgment and mercy, or varying degrees of intensity in divine action.
  • White (וּלְבָנִים - u-levanim): Symbolizes purity, victory, peace, righteousness, or good news. The combination of colors implies that divine activity concerning the nations will encompass different facets: judgment, nuanced action, and ultimately, a message of peace or restoration.

Zechariah 1 8 Bonus section

The sequence of the horses in Zechariah 1 (red, sorrel/dappled, white) differs from the order presented in Zechariah 6 (red, black, white, dappled) and Revelation 6 (white, red, black, pale/greenish-yellow). This variation is significant: in Zechariah 1, the red horse leads, followed by the others, implying that divine judgment and zealous activity are initially prominent in the surveillance. In Zechariah 6, all four types are shown immediately, indicating the full spectrum of divine agencies ready for deployment. The "hollow" where the myrtle trees grow is also called "metzulah," which can mean a deep, dark place. This reinforces the idea of God's hidden operations and His concern for His people even when they are "in the depths" of distress or obscurity, hidden from the world's prominent view. The myrtle, often associated with Sukkot (the Feast of Booths), points to God's dwelling with His people and joy, strengthening the message of future blessedness for Israel. The "man" in this verse serves as an intermediary figure, a common theme in prophetic literature, bridging the divine and human realms to deliver crucial insights into God's plans.

Zechariah 1 8 Commentary

Zechariah 1:8 opens the first of Zechariah's night visions, immediately immersing the prophet—and the reader—into a realm of divine revelation. The "man riding on a red horse" is widely understood as the Angel of the LORD, often considered a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ due to the Angel's close identification with Yahweh throughout the Old Testament and His authoritative role in the subsequent verses. He stands among myrtle trees in a low hollow, a potent symbol. The myrtle, a tree of blessing and restoration, flourishing in a deep, humble place, beautifully pictures Judah in its post-exilic, seemingly desolate state, yet still under God's watchful eye and care. It assures the exiles that despite their lowly circumstances and the apparent silence from heaven, God is indeed present and planning their restoration. The surrounding horses—red, sorrel, and white—symbolize different aspects of God's active, dynamic control over world events. They are the reconnaissance team, agents dispatched to survey and ultimately execute God's sovereign plans concerning the nations that have oppressed Judah. The vision conveys that divine action, while perhaps hidden or seemingly slow, is ceaselessly at work, assuring Jerusalem's future vindication and prosperity. This profound imagery would have provided immense comfort and encouragement to a dispirited community, motivating them to resume the crucial work of rebuilding.

Practical applications:

• Even in periods of spiritual "night" or low discouragement, God is actively present and working.
• God observes all world events, and His messengers are dispatched to execute His plans, whether in judgment or blessing.
• Symbolic acts and imagery often carry deeper truths about God's unchanging nature and promises.