Zechariah 6 8

Zechariah 6:8 kjv

Then cried he upon me, and spake unto me, saying, Behold, these that go toward the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country.

Zechariah 6:8 nkjv

And He called to me, and spoke to me, saying, "See, those who go toward the north country have given rest to My Spirit in the north country."

Zechariah 6:8 niv

Then he called to me, "Look, those going toward the north country have given my Spirit rest in the land of the north."

Zechariah 6:8 esv

Then he cried to me, "Behold, those who go toward the north country have set my Spirit at rest in the north country."

Zechariah 6:8 nlt

Then the LORD summoned me and said, "Look, those who went north have vented the anger of my Spirit there in the land of the north."

Zechariah 6 verses

Zechariah 6 8 Meaning

Zechariah 6:8 is a pivotal statement in the eighth and final vision of Zechariah, following the appearance of four chariots representing divine judgments. The verse conveys God's satisfaction and contentment after His "spirit" – specifically, His righteous indignation or judgment – has been "pacified" or "brought to rest" in the "north country." This signifies the completion and efficacy of a specific phase of divine action, primarily the execution of God's just vengeance against those nations that were instruments of punishment but exceeded their bounds in harming God's people, particularly those representing historical adversaries from the north, like Babylon. The Lord declares His will accomplished and His just anger appeased through the mission of these heavenly agents.

Zechariah 6 8 Context

Zechariah 6:8 concludes the prophet Zechariah's final night vision, specifically the eighth vision of the four chariots (Zech 6:1-8). These visions, delivered to Zechariah shortly after the return of the exiles from Babylon (c. 520 BC), serve to reassure and encourage the rebuilding of the temple and the nation. The chariots, described with various colored horses, are identified as the "four spirits/winds of heaven" (Zech 6:5) sent to "patrol the earth" (Zech 6:7).

In the vision, black horses are prominently sent toward the "north country." This "north country" (Hebrew: eretz tzafon) historically represents Mesopotamia (Assyria, Babylon) from which the Babylonian exile originated and which was the source of much historical oppression for Israel. It also carries eschatological significance as a direction from which ultimate foes would come (e.g., Gog and Magog). The context suggests that the chariots, especially those directed northward, are instruments of divine judgment against the nations that had afflicted Israel, specifically those that oppressed Judah beyond God's ordained measure for their sin (Zech 1:15). God's declaration in verse 8 signifies the fulfillment and satisfaction of His justice and wrath upon these oppressive powers, indicating that their work of judgment is complete and God's "spirit" is now "at rest."

Zechariah 6 8 Word analysis

• Then he cried out (וַיִּקְרָא֙ אֵלַ֔י, wayyiqrā’ ’ēlāy):

  • וַיִּקְרָא֙ (wayyiqrā’): From the root qārā’ (קָרָא), meaning "to call," "cry out," "proclaim." The imperfect tense with conversive vav indicates a sudden, emphatic action. This is a powerful, authoritative proclamation, likely from the angel interpreting the vision, underscoring the importance and finality of the statement.
  • אֵלַ֔י (’ēlāy): "To me," indicating the message is directly addressed to Zechariah.

• Behold (הִנֵּה, hinneh):

  • An interjection used to draw immediate attention to what follows. It emphasizes the significance and certainty of the ensuing declaration, akin to "Look!" or "Indeed!"

• those who are going (הַיֹּצְאִים, hayyotz'im):

  • From the root yatsa’ (יָצָא), meaning "to go out," "depart." It is a participle, indicating ongoing action. Refers specifically to the horses and chariots from the preceding verses (Zech 6:6-7) that were dispatched by God for a mission. They are the agents of divine will.

• toward the north country (אֶל־אֶ֥רֶץ צָפ֖וֹן, ’el-’eretz tsaphôn):

  • אֶל־ (’el-): "Toward," "into."
  • אֶ֥רֶץ (’eretz): "Land," "country," "earth."
  • צָפ֖וֹן (tsaphôn): "North."
  • "The north country" is a recurring motif in the Old Testament, frequently symbolizing the direction from which judgment and hostile powers originate (e.g., Jer 1:14-15; Joel 2:20). Here, it signifies the region where God's justice is specifically carried out, particularly against historical oppressors of Israel like Babylon.

• have pacified (הֵנִיח֛וּ, heniykhu):

  • From the Hiphil stem of the root nuakh (נוּחַ), meaning "to rest," "settle," "lie down," "be quiet." In the Hiphil, it means "to cause to rest," "to bring to rest," "to pacify," "to satisfy," or "to set down."
  • Here, it conveys the idea of bringing something turbulent or agitated to a state of peace or quietude. It signifies that the divine agents' action has fully satisfied the demand for justice, thereby bringing God's righteous anger or indignation to a complete stop or rest.

• My spirit (רוּחִי, rukḥi):

  • רוּחִי (rukḥi): "My spirit" or "My breath." The term ruakh (רוּחַ) is rich in meaning, encompassing wind, breath, and spirit (both human and divine).
  • In this context, "My spirit" refers to God's inner disposition, specifically His just indignation, wrath, or zealous demand for righteous judgment against the wicked nations. It's not merely an emotion, but the active expression of God's character in governance, leading to the execution of His divine will and punitive action against evil. When it is "pacified," it means the divine purpose for which it was stirred has been fulfilled.

• in the north country (בְּאֶ֥רֶץ צָפֽוֹן, bə’eretz tsaphôn):

  • בְּ (bə): "In," "at," "by."
  • Reinforces the location where God's wrath has been fully spent and His demands for justice have been met. It implies that the mission, directed to and carried out in the region historically known for its opposition, has successfully completed its purpose.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Then he cried out to me, 'Behold...'": This emphasizes the revelatory nature of the communication, signalling an urgent and significant pronouncement from the divine messenger, highlighting a crucial piece of understanding within the visions.
• "those who are going toward the north country have pacified My spirit": This phrase directly links the specific mission of the divine agents (the chariots/horses) to the appeasement of God's divine will or wrath. The "going toward" implies a mission, and "pacified My spirit" declares the success and fulfillment of that mission in dealing with the forces represented by the "north country." It reveals the mechanism by which divine justice is enacted and brought to a state of completion.

Zechariah 6 8 Bonus section

The satisfaction of God's spirit as seen in Zechariah 6:8 carries a dual significance for the exiles: it not only affirms divine judgment against their former oppressors (like Babylon, whose fall facilitated their return), but also implies that the divine wrath, which disciplined Israel in the past, has now been spent concerning that particular period of historical suffering. This declaration transitions from a period of judgment (vis-à-vis the nations) to a future focused on restoration and peace for Israel, where God’s presence can be more fully manifested without His ongoing indignation against a primary foe. It sets a stage where divine peace and favor can flow towards His people.

Zechariah 6 8 Commentary

Zechariah 6:8 provides a crucial interpretative key to the preceding vision of the four chariots. It announces that the divine purpose, specifically concerning the "north country," has been definitively achieved. The chariots, agents of divine providence and judgment, were dispatched to execute God's righteous anger. The repeated mention of "north country" emphasizes the primary target of this divine wrath, likely symbolic of Babylon and other oppressive empires from that direction which had overstepped their role as God's instruments of discipline and become excessively cruel.

"Pacified My spirit" means God's righteous indignation or fury has been completely satisfied through the judgment meted out. It is a declaration of divine rest and contentment, signifying that the period of intense divine retribution against the post-exilic world's dominant powers, especially those who afflicted Israel, has reached its conclusion. This is not the end of all judgment, but the completion of a specific phase relevant to the contemporary context of the returning exiles. This divine satisfaction allows for a shift towards the positive prophecies of temple rebuilding and future blessings, demonstrating that once God's justice is met, His benevolent plans can proceed without hindrance from His unsettled wrath against previous iniquities of the nations. It underscores God's sovereignty over world affairs and His faithfulness to His covenant people, assuring them that His justice would indeed prevail against their oppressors.