Zechariah 6 3

Zechariah 6:3 kjv

And in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grisled and bay horses.

Zechariah 6:3 nkjv

with the third chariot white horses, and with the fourth chariot dappled horses?strong steeds.

Zechariah 6:3 niv

the third white, and the fourth dappled?all of them powerful.

Zechariah 6:3 esv

the third white horses, and the fourth chariot dappled horses ? all of them strong.

Zechariah 6:3 nlt

the third by white horses, and the fourth by powerful dappled-gray horses.

Zechariah 6 verses

Zechariah 6 3 Meaning

Zechariah 6:3 describes four distinct chariots, each drawn by horses of specific colors: red, black, white, and dappled. These chariots are revealed as the "four spirits of heaven" (Zech 6:5) sent forth by the Lord, signifying diverse yet unified manifestations of God's sovereign power and divine activity across the earth, likely embodying judgment, control, and fulfillment of His decrees upon the nations. The description of "all of them strong" underscores their effectiveness and the inherent power they possess for their divinely appointed missions.

Zechariah 6 3 Context

Zechariah 6:3 is part of Zechariah's eighth and final vision (Zech 6:1-8). This series of visions (beginning in Zech 1:7) collectively provided encouragement and guidance to the Jewish exiles who had returned to Judah after the Babylonian captivity and were engaged in rebuilding the temple under the leadership of Zerubbabel (governor) and Joshua (high priest). The visions assured them of God's watchful eye, His presence, and His future plans for Jerusalem and the nations. This final vision is climatic, bringing forth the four chariots identified as "the four spirits of heaven" (Zech 6:5), who emerge from between "two mountains of bronze." The context moves from general oversight of the earth (Zech 1) to specific divine action and judgment, culminating in the "north country" (Babylon), indicating God's secure future for His people by dealing with His enemies.

Zechariah 6 3 Word analysis

• The first chariot had red horses,

  • "The first chariot": Designates a specific, ordered manifestation. Each chariot represents a distinct yet related aspect of divine activity. The concept of "chariot" (merkavah) symbolizes strength, swiftness, and a vehicle of divine power or judgment.
  • "red horses" (Hebrew: אֲדֻמִּים adummim): "Red" often symbolizes war, bloodshed, wrath, or zealous judgment in biblical literature. This color can signify intense action. Its connection to Zech 1:8 suggests continuity but now with a sense of action rather than just patrolling.

• the second black horses,

  • "the second": Continues the sequence, showing distinctness between the chariots' missions.
  • "black horses" (Hebrew: שְׁחֹרִים sheḥōrim): "Black" frequently denotes famine, mourning, scarcity, or severe distress. It suggests a time of desolation or judgment that brings about deprivation.

• the third white horses,

  • "the third": Maintains the clear separation of the four agents.
  • "white horses" (Hebrew: לְבָנִים levanim): "White" typically signifies purity, victory, righteousness, or triumph. In apocalyptic contexts, it can represent conquering, as seen in Revelation. This suggests a phase of God's action that leads to success or vindication for His people.

• and the fourth dappled horses—

  • "and the fourth": Completes the fourfold set, emphasizing comprehensive scope.
  • "dappled horses" (Hebrew: בְּרֻדִּים beruddīm): This term means "spotted," "grizzled," or "streaked." It implies a mixed or variegated appearance, which often symbolizes a composite or diverse form of judgment – possibly pestilence, plague, or a combination of the previous judgments (war, famine) in various forms. In Zech 1:8, the s'ruqim (dappled) and baruddim (grizzled) are distinguished but related.

• all of them strong.

  • "all of them strong" (Hebrew: אֲמֻצִּים amutsim): This word emphasizes their robust, powerful, and effective nature. It conveys that these divine agents are fully capable and equipped to fulfill their respective missions, executing God's will with decisive authority and force. This quality highlights their divine origin and the irresistibility of their appointed tasks.

Zechariah 6 3 Bonus section

The "four spirits of heaven" mentioned in Zechariah 6:5, directly linking to these chariots, emphasizes their spiritual and divine nature, distinct from earthly powers. They are portrayed as standing "before the Lord of all the earth" (Zech 6:5), highlighting their subordination and immediate obedience to God's command. This scene provides an important precedent for later apocalyptic visions, particularly in the Book of Revelation (chapter 6), where similarly colored horses emerge to carry out God's judgments in the earth, albeit with distinct purposes relevant to their respective timeframes. While Zechariah's immediate context focuses on God's dealing with the 'north country' (often associated with Babylon), Revelation expands this pattern to a global scale. The mention of "strong" implies not only power but also readiness and vigor for immediate action when dispatched by the Lord.

Zechariah 6 3 Commentary

Zechariah 6:3 unveils a pivotal component of God's plan for the post-exilic world: the activation of His divine judgments and activities through powerful, designated agents. The four chariots, emerging from "between two mountains of bronze" (Zech 6:1)—possibly symbolizing a divinely fortified gate or the very throne of God—are explicitly identified as "the four spirits of heaven" (Zech 6:5). These are not mere symbols but active executors of God's decrees. Each color holds significant meaning drawn from consistent biblical typology: red for war and destruction, black for scarcity and mourning, white for triumph and divine justice, and dappled for diverse and comprehensive forms of judgment. Together, they illustrate the comprehensive nature of God's sovereign control over world events, dispensing both judgment upon His adversaries and securing blessing for His people. Their collective strength confirms their irresistible power, underscoring that every aspect of historical progression, be it calamity or victory, ultimately falls under the precise direction and authority of the Almighty. This vision reassured Judah that even in their vulnerability, Yahweh remained sovereign, ready to contend with the nations and establish His kingdom.