Zechariah 6 6

Zechariah 6:6 kjv

The black horses which are therein go forth into the north country; and the white go forth after them; and the grisled go forth toward the south country.

Zechariah 6:6 nkjv

The one with the black horses is going to the north country, the white are going after them, and the dappled are going toward the south country."

Zechariah 6:6 niv

The one with the black horses is going toward the north country, the one with the white horses toward the west, and the one with the dappled horses toward the south."

Zechariah 6:6 esv

The chariot with the black horses goes toward the north country, the white ones go after them, and the dappled ones go toward the south country."

Zechariah 6:6 nlt

The chariot with black horses is going north, the chariot with white horses is going west, and the chariot with dappled-gray horses is going south."

Zechariah 6 verses

Zechariah 6 6 Meaning

Zechariah 6:6 describes the specific destinations of two of the four chariots seen in Zechariah's eighth vision: the chariot with the black horses departing towards the land of the North, and the chariot with the white horses going out after them. It also notes that the dappled horses proceed towards the land of the South. This verse details the deployment of divine agents to different geographical regions, signifying the comprehensive execution of God's sovereign will and judgment across the earth.

Zechariah 6 6 Context

Zechariah 6:6 is part of the eighth and final vision in the series of eight "night visions" granted to the prophet Zechariah during the second year of Darius I's reign (circa 520 BC). This was a crucial period for the returned Jewish exiles in Jerusalem, who faced opposition and discouragement while rebuilding the temple and the city. The visions, therefore, aimed to offer encouragement, assurance of God's sovereignty, and a renewed call to faithfulness.

This specific vision (Zec 6:1-8) features four chariots emerging from between two bronze mountains. These chariots are identified by the angel as the "four spirits of heaven, going out from standing before the Lord of all the earth" (Zec 6:5). The overall context of Zechariah 6, particularly the capping of the vision with the chariots, signifies God's complete and universal control. The chariots act as divine emissaries, sent to patrol and execute God's judgments across the world, particularly targeting those nations that had oppressed Judah. This provided comfort that God had not forgotten their plight and would hold their enemies accountable. The mention of specific directions highlights the global reach of God's sovereign watchfulness and action.

Zechariah 6 6 Word Analysis

• The one with the black horses:

  • Hebrew: סוּסִים שְׁחֹרִים (sūsîm shəḥôrîm) - "horses black."
  • Black (שְׁחֹרִים): Often symbolizes distress, mourning, or severe judgment (e.g., in Rev 6:5 representing famine). Here, it suggests a somber, perhaps punitive, mission. Black can also imply darkness, representing the severity of God's coming judgment on the nations, particularly those who oppressed His people.
  • Going out to the land of the North:
    • North: In biblical geography, the North often signified the direction from which Israel's powerful enemies, like Assyria and Babylon (Iraq/Syria area today), originated and from which invasions came. This specific direction would have carried heavy historical baggage for the post-exilic Judahites. It represents judgment dispatched to Babylon and surrounding territories which inflicted exile and hardship upon God's people. This highlights God's ongoing activity against His enemies.

• And the one with the white horses:

  • Hebrew: סוּסִים לְבָנִים (sūsîm ləvānîm) - "horses white."
  • White (לְבָנִים): Commonly symbolizes purity, victory, righteousness, or good news (e.g., Rev 6:2 representing conquest, or divine purity). Its mission here is noted as being "after them" (after the black horses), possibly implying a follow-up action of reinforcement, consolidation, or purification following the severe judgment. Alternatively, white can represent the pure execution of God's will.
  • Going out after them: Implies following the black horses into the northern region, perhaps signifying a comprehensive operation, ensuring the completion of God's work of justice in that area. It suggests a thoroughness in God's judgment and restoration processes, moving to consolidate and secure.

• And the dappled horses:

  • Hebrew: הַבְּרֻדִּים (habbəruddîm) - "the dappled/grisled/spotted ones."
  • Dappled (בְּרֻדִּים): This term signifies a mixed color, spotted or mottled. It could imply a mission with mixed outcomes, or a swiftness that is diverse in its execution, covering various types of judgment or activity. Some associate it with the "pale" horse of Revelation 6:8, linked to death and plague. Here, it likely signifies varied, perhaps multifaceted or far-reaching, divine operations.
  • Going out toward the land of the South:
    • South: Refers to Egypt and the lands bordering Judah to the south. Historically, Egypt was also a powerful, often adversarial, nation that oppressed Israel. This direction emphasizes the global reach of God's dominion and the extent of His justice, not limiting it to specific, historical oppressors but encompassing all nations.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "The one with the black horses is going out to the land of the North, and the one with the white horses is going out after them": This specific pairing highlights the immediate and targeted divine action against the Northern powers, most notably Babylon. The sequence implies a primary, severe judgment (black horses) followed by an assured, perhaps consolidating, divine operation (white horses) in the same critical region, reinforcing the idea of a completed work of justice. It emphasizes the primary focus of God's immediate judgment on Judah's chief oppressor.
  • "And the dappled horses are going out toward the land of the South": This distinctly separate mention broadens the scope of God's actions. It signifies that God's judgment and sovereign oversight extend beyond the immediate concerns of Babylon to other historical antagonists like Egypt. The diverse nature implied by "dappled" suggests various forms of divine activity or judgment being applied universally, confirming that no nation is beyond God's reach or accountability.

Zechariah 6 6 Bonus Section

The "four spirits of heaven" (Zec 6:5), manifested as these chariots, emphasize God's command over all celestial forces and earthly events. The imagery resonates with the concept of God using angelic or spiritual beings as His agents to fulfill His will (Psa 104:4). The number four commonly symbolizes universality, encompassing the "four corners of the earth" or the four winds. Thus, the vision asserts God's total dominion, reaching every direction and sphere of influence. This global aspect provides a powerful message of comfort to a small, vulnerable, and recently returned community, knowing their God's reach and authority transcended local political realities and encompassed the entire world, bringing judgment to those who oppressed His people and ultimately establishing His righteous kingdom. The final vision culminating in this extensive global deployment confirms God's complete and final authority after a series of visions meant to reassure and guide the returning exiles.

Zechariah 6 6 Commentary

Zechariah 6:6 offers a critical piece of the eighth vision, illustrating the global deployment of God's "spirits of heaven" (v. 5) to patrol and execute divine judgment. Each chariot, with its distinct horse color and direction, represents a specific facet of God's comprehensive oversight and action throughout the world. The black horses going North indicate a severe and definitive judgment upon powers like Babylon, the former oppressor. The white horses following them symbolize a purified or victorious phase of that divine operation, ensuring the thoroughness of God's will in that region. The dappled horses going South extend this divine accountability to other nations like Egypt, demonstrating that God's rule is universal and impartial. This verse powerfully reassures the post-exilic community that God is not idle; He is actively watching over the entire earth, bringing justice to oppressors and establishing His complete sovereignty. The strategic deployment across the cardinal directions underscores the pervasive nature of God's presence and power, assuring His people of their ultimate security under His divine care and watchfulness. It conveys a strong message: every nation will be held accountable for its actions, reinforcing trust in God's perfect justice and providential governance.