Minor Prophets · Chapter 6 of 14

Zechariah 6

In the eighth vision Zechariah sees four chariots with colored horses coming from between two bronze mountains, sent as the four spirits of heaven to patrol the earth. Then comes a symbolic act: crowns of silver and gold are set on Joshua the high priest, with a prophecy of the man called the Branch, who will build the temple, bear royal glory, and be a priest upon his throne, uniting the counsel of peace.

What happens in Zechariah 6

Zechariah sees four chariots emerging from between two mountains of bronze, drawn by red, black, white, and dappled horses. The angel identifies them as the four spirits of heaven going out from the Lord of all the earth to patrol it, and those going north give rest to God's Spirit. Then God directs a sign act. Zechariah is to take silver and gold from returned exiles, make crowns, and set them on the head of Joshua the high priest.

He is to declare the word of the LORD: behold the man whose name is the Branch, who will grow up from his place and build the temple of the LORD. This one will bear the glory, sit and rule on his throne, and be a priest upon his throne, so that the counsel of peace is between the two offices. The crowns will be kept in the temple as a memorial, and those far off will come and help build.

Zechariah 6 in context

The night visions close with cosmic chariots showing God's rule over the whole earth, then a symbolic crowning tied to the temple's rebuilding around 520 BC. Ordinarily kingship belonged to David's line and priesthood to Levi's, kept strictly separate.

Crowning the high priest Joshua and speaking of a priest upon his throne is startling, a deliberate sign pointing beyond Joshua to a coming figure who would rightfully hold both offices at once.

Main themes of Zechariah 6

Zechariah 6 (KJV)

1And I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came four chariots out from between two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of brass. 2In the first chariot were red horses; and in the second chariot black horses; 3And in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grisled and bay horses. 4Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with me, What are these, my lord? 5And the angel answered and said unto me, These are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the LORD of all the earth. 6The 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. 7And the bay went forth, and sought to go that they might walk to and fro through the earth: and he said, Get you hence, walk to and fro through the earth. So they walked to and fro through the earth. 8Then 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. 9And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 10Take of them of the captivity, even of Heldai, of Tobijah, and of Jedaiah, which are come from Babylon, and come thou the same day, and go into the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah; 11Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest; 12And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD: 13Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both. 14And the crowns shall be to Helem, and to Tobijah, and to Jedaiah, and to Hen the son of Zephaniah, for a memorial in the temple of the LORD. 15And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the LORD, and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. And this shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God.

Verses to carry from Zechariah 6

“And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:”Zechariah 6:12

“Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.”Zechariah 6:13

“And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the LORD, and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. And this shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God.”Zechariah 6:15

Reflection

We often want a savior who is only powerful or only tender, a king to fix things or a priest to forgive us. Zechariah's crowned priest refuses that split. In Christ, authority and mercy meet. Where do you need to trust that the same Lord who rules over all also intercedes for you?

A prayer from Zechariah 6