Zechariah 6
Summary for Zech 6:1-8: 6:1-8 a In Zechariah’s first and last visions, God sends horses to patrol the earth. Both visions show God’s sovereignty and his concern for the nations, a vital component of Zechariah’s message of comfort and encouragement to postexilic Judah. 6:1 b Chariots symbolize the swift and decisive power of God’s intervention in human affairs.• The two bronze mountains are enhanced images of the two bronze pillars that once flanked the entrance to Solomon’s Temple (1 Kgs 7:13-22 c). Bronze symbolizes the impregnable strength of God’s dwelling.
Summary for Zech 6:2-3: 6:2-3 d red ... black ... white ... dappled-gray horses: Zechariah attaches no particular significance to the colors of the horses in his vision (cp. Rev 6:1-8 e).
6:5 f The four spirits (or the four winds) of heaven are divine council members who report to God on their reconnaissance missions to the four compass points (see 2:6 g). The whole world is under God’s dominion. The teams of chariot horses are agents of God’s judgment.
6:7 h The teams of horses are portrayed as powerful and eager to do the Lord’s work (6:5 i). They move only at the Lord’s command.
6:8 j the Lord summoned me: The series of visions closes with a direct word from the Lord to Zechariah. In bypassing the interpreting angel, God emphasizes the sure and effective implementation of his word to Israel.
• have vented the anger of my Spirit (literally have given my Spirit rest): “Spirit” can mean “anger,” as it does here (see Judg 8:3 k; Isa 33:11 l).
Summary for Zech 6:9-15: 6:9-15 m This authoritative message accompanies Zechariah’s eighth vision (6:1-8 n). Jeshua’s symbolic coronation as both king and priest was not an actual political arrangement for Judah; it probably symbolizes the coming of the Messiah, the Branch (6:12 o; cp. 3:8 p).
6:10 q Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah were apparently couriers designated by Jews in Babylon to carry donations to the Temple building fund.
6:11 r This crown was probably made of two bands of metal, one gold and one silver. Each band represented one of the offices (king and priest) to which Jeshua was appointed.
Summary for Zech 6:12-13: 6:12-13 s The Branch is a title for the Messiah (see 3:8 t), whom Jeshua represents.
• he will build the Temple of the Lord: Just as Jeshua the high priest helped to build the Temple in Jerusalem (Ezra 3:1-2 u, 8-9 v; 5:2 w), Jesus the Messiah would build the eternal heavenly Temple through his death, burial, and resurrection (John 2:19-22 x; 4:23-24 y; Eph 2:19-22 z; Heb 8:1-2 aa).
• The Messiah would rule as king, a role associated with David and the tribe of Judah (2 Sam 7:12-16 ab).
• He will also serve as priest from his throne: The Messiah’s priestly role is associated with Aaron and the tribe of Levi (Exod 29:44 ac).
• Jeshua’s crown represents his two roles. Melchizedek also fulfilled the double functions of priest and king (Gen 14:17-20 ad), as does the Messiah (Ps 110:4 ae; Heb 7:1-3 af, 15-17 ag).
6:14 ah The symbolic crown that united kingship and priesthood was placed in the Temple as a memorial to the donors of gold and silver. It was also a permanent reminder of Jeshua’s coronation as priest-king and a visual aid for priests in teaching this new development.
• Josiah was honored for his role as broker for the meeting between Zechariah and the three former exiles.
6:15 ai Exiled Jews in Babylon and other distant lands helped to rebuild the Temple; all Israel could identify with the structure.
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