Zechariah 1:9

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].

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.

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

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

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.

Context of Zechariah 1:9

Zechariah 1:9 is a pivotal verse within the prophet Zechariah's first major vision, which begins in Zechariah 1:7. The book of Zechariah was written during the post-exilic period, around 520 BC, when the Jewish people had returned to Jerusalem from their Babylonian captivity. They were tasked with rebuilding the Temple, but faced discouragement and apathy. God sent Zechariah, along with Haggai, to encourage the people and reveal His continuing plans for their future.

In the preceding verse (Zechariah 1:8), the prophet describes seeing a man riding a red horse, accompanied by other horses of various colors among myrtle trees in a valley. Zechariah's immediate question in verse 9 — "O my lord, what [are] these?" — reflects a natural human desire to comprehend the divine revelation he is witnessing. The "angel that talked with me" is the interpreting angel, a common figure in prophetic literature, whose role is to explain the meaning of complex visions to the prophet.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Seeking Divine Understanding: Zechariah's humble question highlights humanity's inherent need for divine revelation and interpretation of spiritual truths. He doesn't assume understanding but actively seeks it from God's messenger.
  • God's Willingness to Reveal: The angel's immediate response, "I will shew thee what these [be]," demonstrates God's gracious desire to communicate His plans and purposes to His people. God does not leave His prophets—or His people—in the dark concerning His will.
  • The Role of the Interpreting Angel: This verse introduces a crucial element of Zechariah's visions: the presence of an angelic guide who facilitates understanding. This interplay between vision and interpretation is common in prophetic books, similar to Daniel's experience with angelic interpreters.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrasing "what [are] these?" and "what these [be]" uses archaic forms of the verb "to be," but clearly conveys Zechariah's direct inquiry and the angel's promise of elucidation. The Hebrew word for "my lord" (אֲדֹנִ֗י, 'adonai, with a possessive suffix) is a respectful address to the angel, acknowledging his authority as a divine messenger. The simplicity of Zechariah's question underscores his role as a recipient of revelation, eager to grasp the profound meaning of the spiritual phenomena unfolding before him.

Practical Application

Zechariah 1:9 offers timeless encouragement for believers today. Just as Zechariah sought clarification, we are invited to humbly seek understanding from God regarding His will, His Word, and the circumstances of our lives. When faced with confusion or uncertainty, God is faithful to provide wisdom and insight, often through His Word, prayer, or the guidance of the Holy Spirit (see James 1:5). This verse reminds us that God desires for us to understand His truth and actively works to reveal it to those who ask with sincere hearts.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.
  • 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.

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