CCChurch CommonsBible Reader

Translation

The Shared Word Translation · Study & Discuss

Zechariah 6

Eighth Vision: The Four Chariots

Again I lifted my eyes and looked, and there were four chariots coming out from between two mountains, and the mountains were mountains of bronze. The first chariot had red horses, the second chariot black horses, the third chariot white horses, and the fourth chariot strong dappled horses. Then I answered and said to the angel who was speaking with me, “What are these, my lord?” The angel answered and said to me, “These are the four winds of heaven going out after presenting themselves before the Lord of all the earth.

The chariot with the black horses is going toward the land of the north, the white ones are going out after them, and the dappled ones are going toward the land of the south. When the strong horses came out, they were eager to go and patrol the earth. And he said, “Go, patrol the earth.” So they patrolled the earth. Then he called out to me and spoke to me, saying, “Look, those going toward the land of the north have given my Spirit rest in the land of the north.”

A Crown for Joshua

Then the word of the LORD came to me: “Take from the exiles Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah, who have arrived from Babylon. On that same day go to the house of Josiah son of Zephaniah. Take silver and gold, make crowns, and set a crown upon the head of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest.

And say to him: Thus says the LORD of Hosts:

Look, a man whose name is Branch.
From his place he shall branch out,
and he shall build
the temple of the LORD. He shall build the temple of the LORD;
he shall bear majesty
and shall sit and rule on his throne.
There shall also be a priest by his throne,
and peaceful counsel
shall be between the two. And the crowns shall be in the temple of the LORD as a memorial to Heldai, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Hen son of Zephaniah. Those who are far away shall come and build the temple of the LORD, and you shall know that the LORD of Hosts has sent me to you. This shall happen if you diligently listen to the voice of the LORD your God.”

Translation guide

Two ways of attending to Scripture

TSW helps readers examine how the text is shaped. Fluent helps readers hear and absorb how the passage moves as a whole. They complement one another; neither is presented as the better or more faithful Bible.

TSW

Study & Discuss

Keeps more of the source text’s wording, patterns, structure, repetition, and interpretive questions visible. Use it to slow down, notice details, prepare to teach or preach, and explore Scripture with others.

Fluent

Read & Reflect

Expresses the passage in natural English for sustained reading, prayer, devotion, teaching, and growing biblical fluency. Use it to follow the movement of a passage and absorb Scripture as a whole.

Study help

Notes

Translation notes for Zechariah 6.

v01

“mountains of bronze” — The bronze mountains frame the departure of the chariots. The vision does not identify the mountains or explain the significance of the metal.

v05

“four winds of heaven” — The Hebrew term ruach can mean “winds” or “spirits.” The chariots are heavenly agents who have stood before the Lord of all the earth.

v06

“the white ones are going out after them” — The Hebrew says that the white horses go “after” the black horses. The translation preserves this wording rather than assigning them a compass direction not explicitly stated.

v08

“have given my Spirit rest” — The phrase can also be understood as bringing God’s spirit or wrath to rest. The wording marks completion or satisfaction of divine purpose in the north without explaining the precise mechanism.

v11

“make crowns … set a crown” — The Hebrew begins with a plural form, “crowns,” while the symbolic action centers upon Joshua. The plural is preserved where it appears rather than harmonized into a single crown throughout.

v12

“Branch” — The title continues the image introduced in Zechariah 3. The Hebrew tsemach means a sprout or branch and carries associations of renewed leadership and restoration.

v13

“There shall also be a priest by his throne” — The Hebrew describes royal and priestly roles standing in peaceful relationship. The verse has been interpreted in several ways; the translation preserves the distinction without resolving the identities beyond the wording of the text.

v14

The Hebrew names associated with the memorial crowns vary slightly across textual traditions. The main text follows the Masoretic forms.

v15

“Those who are far away” — Restoration of the temple widens beyond those already present in Jerusalem to people coming from a distance.

Study help

Vocabulary

Selected source-language vocabulary for Zechariah 6.

v01

מֶרְכָּבָה (merkavah)

“Chariot.” A wheeled vehicle, often associated with warfare or royal movement, here part of the heavenly vision.

v05

רוּחַ (ruach)

“Wind,” “spirit,” or “breath.” The plural here refers to heavenly agents moving outward over the earth.

v08

נוּחַ (nuach)

“To rest” or “settle.” To come to rest or cause something to rest.

v11

עֲטָרָה (atarah)

“Crown.” A royal or ceremonial headpiece used here in a prophetic sign-act.

v12

צֶמַח (tsemach)

“Branch,” “sprout,” or “shoot.” An image of new growth associated with future restoration and leadership.

v13

הוֹד (hod)

“Majesty,” “splendor,” or “honor.” Dignity associated with authority and rule.

v13

עֲצַת שָׁלוֹם (atsat shalom)

“Counsel of peace.” Deliberation or relationship characterized by peace between the two offices described.