Zechariah 6:8

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Then he called out to me and said, "Look! The ones going to the land in the north have given my Spirit rest in the north country."

Berean Standard Bible:

Then the LORD summoned me and said, “Behold, those going to the land of the north have given rest to My Spirit in the land of the north.”

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Then cried^{H2199} he upon^{H853} me, and spake^{H1696} unto me, saying^{H559}, Behold^{H7200}, these that go^{H3318} toward the north^{H6828} country^{H776} have quieted^{H5117} my spirit^{H7307} in the north^{H6828} country^{H776}.

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Commentary for Zechariah 6:8

Zechariah 6:8 is a part of the prophetic book of Zechariah, which is situated within the Post-Exilic period of Jewish history, around the late 6th century BCE. The Jewish people had returned from Babylonian exile and were struggling to rebuild their nation and the Temple in Jerusalem. The book of Zechariah contains a series of visions and oracles aimed at encouraging the people and providing divine guidance for their endeavors.

In the verse itself, the prophet Zechariah is addressed by an angelic figure who conveys a message from the Lord. The verse speaks of a group of individuals, possibly a delegation of Jews or perhaps a reference to the four craftsmen mentioned earlier in Zechariah 1:20-21, who are traveling to the "north country." This destination is significant as it often symbolizes Babylon in biblical prophecy, the very place from which the Jews had been exiled.

The phrase "have quieted my spirit in the north country" suggests that these individuals have accomplished something that has brought satisfaction or appeasement to God's wrath or concern regarding the situation in the north. This could imply a successful diplomatic mission, the establishment of peace, or the fulfillment of a task that was pleasing to God, which in turn has brought a sense of divine reassurance and calm.

The broader context of this verse may relate to the restoration of true worship and the establishment of God's kingdom on earth, themes that are central to the book of Zechariah. The verse reflects the idea that the actions of the faithful can have a tangible impact on the divine plan and can contribute to the realization of God's purposes, even in the face of challenges and in distant lands.

In summary, Zechariah 6:8 is a prophetic utterance that acknowledges the positive spiritual impact of certain unnamed individuals' actions in the north country, which is symbolic of Babylon. It emphasizes the importance of obedience and faithfulness to God's will, even in the context of international relations or in seemingly foreign contexts, and it reassures the returned exiles that their righteous deeds are noticed and valued by God as they work to reestablish their community and worship in the aftermath of exile.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H2199
   There are 73 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: זָעַק
   Transliteration: zâʻaq
   Pronunciation: zaw-ak'
   Description: a primitive root; to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene publicly; assemble, call (together), (make a) cry (out), come with such a company, gather (together), cause to be proclaimed.
   
2. Strong's Number: H853
   There are 87 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֵת
   Transliteration: ʼêth
   Pronunciation: ayth
   Description: apparent contracted from אוֹת in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely); (as such unrepresented in English).
   
3. Strong's Number: H1696
   There are 1050 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָבַר
   Transliteration: dâbar
   Pronunciation: daw-bar'
   Description: a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue; answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work.
   
4. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
5. Strong's Number: H7200
   There are 1212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רָאָה
   Transliteration: râʼâh
   Pronunciation: raw-aw'
   Description: a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative); advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions.
   
6. Strong's Number: H3318
   There are 992 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָצָא
   Transliteration: yâtsâʼ
   Pronunciation: yaw-tsaw'
   Description: a primitive root; to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.; [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter.
   
7. Strong's Number: H6828
   There are 141 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: צָפוֹן
   Transliteration: tsâphôwn
   Pronunciation: tsaw-fone'
   Description: or צָפֹן; from צָפַן; properly, hidden, i.e. dark; used only of the north as aquarter (gloomy and unknown); north(-ern, side, -ward, wind).
   
8. Strong's Number: H776
   There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֶרֶץ
   Transliteration: ʼerets
   Pronunciation: eh'-rets
   Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world.
   
9. Strong's Number: H5117
   There are 64 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נוּחַ
   Transliteration: nûwach
   Pronunciation: noo'-akh
   Description: a primitive root; to rest, i.e. settle down; used in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, intransitive, transitive and causative (to dwell, stay, let fall, place, let alone, withdraw, give comfort, etc.); cease, be confederate, lay, let down, (be) quiet, remain, (cause to, be at, give, have, make to) rest, set down. Compare יָנִים.
   
10. Strong's Number: H7307
    There are 348 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: רוּחַ
    Transliteration: rûwach
    Pronunciation: roo'-akh
    Description: from רוּחַ; wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including its expression and functions); air, anger, blast, breath, [idiom] cool, courage, mind, [idiom] quarter, [idiom] side, spirit(-ual), tempest, [idiom] vain, (whirl-) wind(-y).