Zechariah 1:9

KJV

Then said I, O my lord, what [are] these? And the angel that talked with me said unto me, I will shew thee what these [be].

KJV (with Strong's)

Then said {H559} I, O my lord {H113}, what are these? And the angel {H4397} that talked {H1696} with me said {H559} unto me, I will shew {H7200} thee what these be.

Complete Jewish Bible

I asked, "What are these, my Lord?" The angel speaking with me said to me, "I will show you what these are."

Berean Standard Bible

“What are these, my lord?” I asked. And the angel who was speaking with me replied, “I will show you what they are.”

American Standard Version

Then said I, O my lord, what are these? And the angel that talked with me said unto me, I will show thee what these are.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Zechariah 1:9 captures the prophet's initial, humble inquiry into the meaning of the perplexing vision he has just witnessed, immediately followed by the interpreting angel's gracious promise to reveal its significance. This brief exchange establishes the pattern of divine revelation and human receptivity that characterizes Zechariah's prophetic book, underscoring God's willingness to communicate His purposes to His people through His chosen messengers.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Zechariah 1:9 is situated at the very beginning of Zechariah's series of eight night visions, which commence in [Zechariah 1:7](/zechariah/1-7 "Zechariah's First Vision"). Following a call to repentance and a reminder of God's unchanging character in [Zechariah 1:1-6](/zechariah/1-1-6 "Zechariah's Call to Repentance"), the narrative shifts abruptly to a vivid, symbolic dreamscape. Verse 8 introduces the first vision: a man riding a red horse, accompanied by other horses, among myrtle trees in a valley. Zechariah's question in verse 9, "O my lord, what [are] these?", is a natural and immediate response to the enigmatic imagery, signaling his role as a recipient of revelation who requires divine interpretation. The angel's subsequent promise to explain sets the stage for the unfolding of the vision's meaning in the verses that follow, specifically [Zechariah 1:10-11](/zechariah/1-10-11 "The Riders as Divine Messengers").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Zechariah was written during the crucial post-exilic period, approximately 520 BC, a mere 16 years after the first wave of Jewish exiles returned to Judah from Babylon. This was a time of immense challenge and spiritual apathy. The returned exiles, though having laid the foundation for the Second Temple, had ceased its construction due to opposition and their own discouragement, as chronicled in [Ezra 4](/ezra/4 "Opposition to Rebuilding the Temple"). Zechariah, alongside the prophet Haggai, was raised up by God to stir the people to resume the work, rebuild their faith, and prepare for God's future blessings. The visions serve as divine encouragement and assurance, reminding the people that despite their current struggles, God was still sovereign over history and committed to His covenant promises for Jerusalem and His people. The use of an interpreting angel was a common literary device in apocalyptic and prophetic literature, seen also in [Daniel's visions](/daniel/7 "Daniel's Vision of Four Beasts").

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes prevalent throughout Zechariah's prophecies. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Revelation and Interpretation**. God does not leave His people in ignorance but actively communicates His will and future plans, often through complex symbolic visions that require angelic explanation, as seen throughout [Zechariah's visions](/zechariah/1-7-6 "Zechariah's Eight Night Visions"). Secondly, it underscores **Human Humility and Dependence on God**. Zechariah's immediate question demonstrates a humble recognition of his need for divine insight, mirroring the people's need to seek God's understanding in their difficult circumstances. Thirdly, the presence of the "angel that talked with me" introduces the theme of **Angelic Mediation**, a recurring motif in Zechariah, where heavenly beings play a crucial role in executing God's will and conveying His messages to humanity, linking to the broader biblical understanding of angels as God's messengers, as described in [Hebrews 1:14](/hebrews/1-14 "Angels as Ministering Spirits").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **lord (Hebrew, _ʼâdôwn'_):** This term, used by Zechariah to address the interpreting angel, signifies a sovereign, controller, master, or owner. While it can refer to human authority, in this context, it denotes a respectful acknowledgment of the angel's authority and divine commission as a messenger of God. It highlights the prophet's posture of humility and submission to the heavenly realm.
* **angel (Hebrew, _mălʼâk'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to despatch as a deputy," this word refers to a messenger. Specifically, when referring to God's messenger, it denotes an angel. In Zechariah's visions, this figure is crucial, serving as the primary conduit through which God's complex symbolic messages are conveyed and explained to the prophet, ensuring divine communication is understood.
* **shew (Hebrew, _râʼâh'_):** This primitive root means "to see," but can extend to "to cause to see," "to show," "to appear," or "to discern." Here, in the causative sense, it signifies the angel's promise to reveal or make clear the meaning of the vision to Zechariah. It emphasizes God's active desire to enlighten and provide understanding to those who seek it.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then said I, O my lord, what [are] these?":** This clause captures Zechariah's immediate and humble reaction to the perplexing vision presented in the preceding verse. The prophet, confronted with an unfamiliar and symbolic scene, does not presume to understand but rather seeks clarification from the angelic figure. His address, "O my lord," indicates respect for the angel's authority and role as a divine messenger, reflecting a posture of receptivity essential for receiving revelation.
* **"And the angel that talked with me said unto me,":** This phrase identifies the specific angelic figure involved in the dialogue – the interpreting angel, who is a recurrent character throughout Zechariah's night visions. This angel is not merely a passive observer but an active participant, designated by God to communicate and explain the divine messages. The repetition of "said unto me" emphasizes the direct, personal nature of the communication between the heavenly messenger and the prophet.
* **"I will shew thee what these [be].":** This is the angel's direct and affirmative response, a promise to unveil the meaning of the vision. It signifies God's gracious willingness to provide understanding and clarity to His prophet. This promise sets the expectation for the subsequent verses, where the angel proceeds to explain the significance of the horses and their riders, assuring Zechariah (and by extension, the disheartened post-exilic community) that God's plans are not hidden but will be revealed.

#### Literary Devices
Zechariah 1:9 primarily employs **Dialogue** to advance the narrative and establish the relationship between the prophet and the interpreting angel. Zechariah's question, "O my lord, what [are] these?", is a direct inquiry, demonstrating his role as a recipient of divine revelation who requires assistance in understanding. The angel's immediate and equally direct response, "I will shew thee what these [be]," serves as a promise of forthcoming **Elucidation**, setting the expectation for the interpretive sections that follow each vision. This exchange also highlights a subtle form of **Dramatic Irony**, as the audience (and Zechariah) are initially presented with an enigmatic scene, only to be assured that its meaning will be disclosed, building anticipation for the divine explanation. The use of an interpreting angel is a form of **Angelic Mediation**, a common literary and theological device in apocalyptic literature, where heavenly beings bridge the gap between the divine and human realms to convey complex truths.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Zechariah 1:9 powerfully illustrates God's commitment to revealing His purposes to humanity, particularly during times of confusion or spiritual apathy. It underscores that divine understanding is not something we grasp through our own intellect alone, but a gift graciously bestowed by God through His chosen means. Just as Zechariah humbly sought clarity, believers are invited to approach God with an eager and dependent heart, trusting that He desires to illuminate His Word and His will. This verse sets the stage for the unfolding of God's sovereign plan for Jerusalem and His people, demonstrating that even when circumstances seem bleak, God is actively working and communicating His steadfast love and ultimate triumph.

* [Daniel 7:16](/daniel/7-16 "Daniel's Angelic Interpreter")
* [James 1:5](/james/1-5 "Asking God for Wisdom")
* [Psalm 25:14](/psalm/25-14 "The Lord's Friendship with Those Who Fear Him")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Zechariah 1:9 offers a profound lesson in spiritual humility and the pursuit of divine wisdom. In a world often filled with ambiguity and complex challenges, it is natural to feel confused or overwhelmed, much like Zechariah witnessing an unfamiliar heavenly vision. This verse encourages us to adopt Zechariah's posture: not to pretend understanding, but to humbly and earnestly ask God for clarity. God, through His Word, His Spirit, and His community, is always willing to "shew" us what we need to know. This means diligently studying Scripture, praying for discernment, and seeking wise counsel. Our spiritual growth is often proportional to our willingness to admit our lack of understanding and our eagerness to be taught by God. This verse reminds us that God delights in revealing Himself to those who sincerely seek Him, transforming our confusion into comprehension and our uncertainty into confident trust in His unfolding plan.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **When faced with confusing circumstances or difficult biblical passages, what is your initial reaction? Do you tend to seek immediate answers or humble yourself before God?**
* **In what areas of your life are you currently seeking greater understanding or revelation from God? How are you actively pursuing that understanding?**
* **How does the angel's willingness to "shew" Zechariah encourage you about God's desire to communicate with you today?**

### FAQ

**Why does Zechariah ask "what are these?" if he's a prophet?**

Answer: Zechariah, like other prophets, was a human recipient of divine revelation. While prophets were chosen by God to receive messages, the visions themselves were often highly symbolic and enigmatic, not immediately self-explanatory. Zechariah's question in [Zechariah 1:9](/zechariah/1-9 "Zechariah's Question to the Angel") demonstrates his genuine human need for interpretation and confirms that even God's chosen messengers do not automatically comprehend every divine mystery without further explanation. This highlights the nature of prophecy as a dialogue between God and humanity, mediated by divine revelation and interpretation.

**Who is "my lord" that Zechariah addresses?**

Answer: In this context, "my lord" (Hebrew: *ʼâdôwn*) is Zechariah's respectful address to the interpreting angel, who is a prominent figure throughout Zechariah's night visions. This angel acts as God's direct messenger and guide, explaining the meaning of the complex symbolic imagery to the prophet. While the term "lord" can be used for human superiors, here it acknowledges the angel's authority and divine commission as a heavenly being sent by God to provide understanding, as seen in [Zechariah 1:13-14](/zechariah/1-13-14 "The Angel's Response to God").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Zechariah 1:9 directly concerns the prophet's interaction with an interpreting angel, its underlying theme of divine revelation and the promise of understanding finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, God spoke through prophets and angels, often in veiled or symbolic ways, requiring interpretation. However, in the New Testament, God "has spoken to us by his Son," who is the "radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being" ([Hebrews 1:1-3](/hebrews/1-1-3 "God Speaks Through His Son")). Jesus is not merely a messenger or an interpreter of visions; He is the very embodiment of God's revelation, the Word made flesh ([John 1:1-14](/john/1-1-14 "The Word Became Flesh")). He is the one who fully "shews" us the Father and the divine will, declaring, "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father" ([John 14:9](/john/14-9 "Jesus is the Way to the Father")). Therefore, Zechariah's longing for understanding, met by an angel's promise, points forward to Christ, who is the complete and final answer to humanity's deepest questions, the ultimate revelation of God's character and plan for salvation.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Zechariah 4:4

So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What [are] these, my lord?

Zechariah 4:5

Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.

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.

Zechariah 5:5

¶ Then the angel that talked with me went forth, and said unto me, Lift up now thine eyes, and see what [is] this that goeth forth.

Zechariah 2:3

And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him,

Daniel 8:15

¶ And it came to pass, when I, [even] I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man.

Daniel 8:16

And I heard a man's voice between [the banks of] Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this [man] to understand the vision.