Zechariah 1:21

Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These [are] the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but these are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up [their] horn over the land of Judah to scatter it.

Then said {H559} I, What come {H935} these to do {H6213}? And he spake {H559}, saying {H559}, These are the horns {H7161} which have scattered {H2219} Judah {H3063}, so that {H6310} no man {H376} did lift up {H5375} his head {H7218}: but these are come {H935} to fray {H2729} them, to cast out {H3034} the horns {H7161} of the Gentiles {H1471}, which lifted up {H5375} their horn {H7161} over the land {H776} of Judah {H3063} to scatter {H2219} it.

I asked, "What are these coming to do?" He said, "Those horns that scattered Y'hudah so completely that no one could even raise his head - well, these men have come to terrify them, to overthrow the nations that raised their horns against the land of Y'hudah to scatter it."

“What are these coming to do?” I asked. And He replied, “These are the horns that scattered Judah so that no one could raise his head; but the craftsmen have come to terrify them and throw down these horns of the nations that have lifted up their horns against the land of Judah to scatter it.”

Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These are the horns which scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head; but these are come to terrify them, to cast down the horns of the nations, which lifted up their horn against the land of Judah to scatter it.

Commentary

Zechariah 1:21 is part of a series of prophetic visions given to the prophet Zechariah during the post-exilic period, roughly 520 BC. This particular verse concludes the fourth vision, focusing on God's divine response to the oppression suffered by His people, Judah.

Context

In the preceding verses (Zechariah 1:18-20), Zechariah sees four horns and then four smiths (or carpenters). The prophet asks for clarification on the purpose of these smiths. Verse 21 provides the angelic interpretation. At this time, Judah had returned from Babylonian exile but was still under the influence and occasional oppression of various Gentile powers. The visions served to encourage the struggling community as they rebuilt the Temple and their nation, assuring them of God's continued care and ultimate triumph over their enemies.

Key Themes

  • Divine Justice and Retribution: The "horns" represent the powerful Gentile nations (like Assyria, Babylon, Persia, and others) that had oppressed and scattered Judah, preventing them from flourishing and even "lifting up their head." The "smiths" symbolize God's instruments of judgment against these oppressive powers. This highlights God's active involvement in the affairs of nations, holding them accountable for their actions against His people.
  • God's Protection and Deliverance: The primary message is one of comfort and assurance for Judah. Even though they had been scattered and humiliated, God was sending His agents to "fray" (terrify, break) and "cast out" their oppressors. This speaks to God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people and His promise to deliver them from their adversaries, leading to their eventual restoration and security.
  • Symbolism of Horns and Smiths:
    • Horns: In biblical prophecy, horns are a common symbol of strength, power, and dominion, often representing kingdoms or rulers. For instance, the book of Daniel frequently uses horn imagery to depict world empires (see Daniel 7:7 for similar imagery). Here, they specifically denote the Gentile powers that oppressed Israel.
    • Smiths/Carpenters: These figures are skilled artisans who work with metal or wood. In this context, they represent those who "work on" or "break down" the horns. They are God's chosen agents, whether angelic or human, who will dismantle the power of the oppressive nations.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "fray" (לְחָרֵד - lĕḥārēd) means "to terrify," "to break," or "to cut off." It suggests a decisive and destructive action against the oppressive powers, indicating that their dominion will be utterly shattered. The word "horns" (קְרָנוֹת - qĕrānōt) consistently carries the connotation of aggressive power throughout the Old Testament, making its destructive fate here particularly significant.

Practical Application

Zechariah 1:21 offers a powerful message for believers today. It reminds us that:

  • God is Sovereign Over Nations: Even when it seems that evil powers are dominating, God remains in control and will ultimately bring justice. He sees the oppression of His people and acts on their behalf.
  • Hope in Adversity: For those facing spiritual or physical oppression, this verse provides comfort. Just as God raised up smiths to deal with the horns of Judah's oppressors, He promises to fight for His people and bring deliverance. This echoes the sentiment found in Romans 8:31, "If God be for us, who can be against us?"
  • Divine Intervention: It assures us that God does not abandon His people. He actively intervenes in history to protect His covenant and execute His plans, ultimately leading to a time when the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 75:10

    All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; [but] the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.

  • Lamentations 2:17

    The LORD hath done [that] which he had devised; he hath fulfilled his word that he had commanded in the days of old: he hath thrown down, and hath not pitied: and he hath caused [thine] enemy to rejoice over thee, he hath set up the horn of thine adversaries.

  • Zechariah 1:19

    And I said unto the angel that talked with me, What [be] these? And he answered me, These [are] the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.

  • Psalms 75:4

    I said unto the fools, Deal not foolishly: and to the wicked, Lift not up the horn:

  • Psalms 75:5

    Lift not up your horn on high: speak [not with] a stiff neck.

  • Daniel 12:7

    And I heard the man clothed in linen, which [was] upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that [it shall be] for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these [things] shall be finished.
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