TRV
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Zechariah 6:1–8.
The prophet is forward to receive this vision, and, as if he expected it, he turned and lifted up his eyes and looked. Though this was the seventh vision he had had, yet he did not think he had had enough; for the more we know of God and his will, if we know it aright, the more desirous we shall be to get a further acquaintance with God. Now observe here the sight that the prophet had offour chariots drawn by horses of divers colours, together with the explication of the sight, Zac 6:1-5. He did not look long before he discovered that which was worth seeing, and which would serve very much for the encouraging of himself and his friends in this dark day. We are very much in the dark concerning the meaning of this vision. Some by the four chariots understand the four monarchies; and then they read (Zac 6:5), These are the four winds of the heavens, and suppose that therein reference is had to Dan 7:2, where Daniel saw, in vision, the four winds of the heavens striving upon the great sea, representing the four monarchies. The Babylonian monarchy, they think, is here represented by the red horses, which are not afterwards mentioned, because that monarchy was now extinct. The second chariot with the black horses is the Persian monarchy, which went forth northward against the Babylonians, and quieted God's Spirit in the north country, by executing his judgments on Babylon and freeing the Jews from their captivity. The white, the Grecians, go forth after them in the north, for they overthrow the Persians. The grizzled, the Romans, who conquered the Grecian empire, are said to go forth towards the south country, because Egypt, which lay southward, was the last branch of the Grecian empire that was subdued by the Romans. The bay horses had been with the grizzled, but afterwards went forth by themselves; and by these they understand the Goths and Vandals, who with their victorious arms walked to and fro through the earth, or the Seleucidae and Lagidae, the two branches of the Grecian empire. Thus Grotius and others.
But I incline rather to understand this vision more generally, as designing to represent the administration of the kingdom of Providence in the government of this lower world. The angels are often called the chariots of God, as Psa 68:17; Psa 18:10. The various providences of God concerning nations and churches are represented by the different colours of horses, Rev 6:2, Rev 6:4, Rev 6:5, Rev 6:8. And so we may observe here, 1. That the counsels and decrees of God are the spring and original of all events, and they are immovable, as mountains of brass. The chariots came from between the two mountains; for God performs the thing that is appointed for us: his appointments are the originals, and his performances are but copies from them; he does all according to the counsel of his will. We could as soon grasp the mountains in our arms as comprehend the divine counsels in our finite understandings, and as soon remove mountains of brass as alter any of God's purposes; for he is in one mind, and who can turn him? Whatever the providences of God are concerning us, as to public or private affairs, we should see them all coming from between the mountains of brass, and therefore see it as much our folly to quarrel with them as it is our duty to acquiesce in them. Who may say to God, What doest thou, or why doest thou so? Act 2:23; Act 4:28. 2. That God executes his decrees in the works of Providence, which are as chariots, in which he rides as a prince in an open chariot, to show his glory to the world, in which, as in chariots of war, he rides forth conquering and to conquer, and triumphing over all the enemies of his glory and government. God is great and terrible in his doings (Psa 66:3), and in them we see the goings of our God, our King, Psa 68:24. His providences move swiftly and strongly as chariots, but all directed and governed by his infinite wisdom and sovereign will, as chariots by their drivers. 3. That the holy angels are the ministers of God's providence, and are employed by him, as the armies of heaven, for the executing of his counsels among the inhabitants of the earth; they are the chariots, or, which comes all to one, they are the horses that draw the chariots, great in power and might, and who, like the horse that God himself describes (Job 39:19, etc.), are clothed with thunder, are terrible, but cannot be terrified nor made afraid; they are chariots of fire, and horses of fire, to carry one prophet to heaven and guard another on earth. They are as observant of and obsequious to the will of God as well-managed horses are to their rider or driver. Not that God needs them or their services, but he is pleased to make use of them, that he may put honour upon them, and encourage our trust in his providence. 4. That the events of Providence have different aspects and the face of the times often changes. The horses in the first chariot were red, signifying war and bloodshed, blood to the horse-bridles, Rev 14:20. Those in the second chariot were black, signifying the dismal melancholy consequences of war; it puts all into mourning, lays all waste, introduces famines, and pestilences, and desolations, and makes whole lands to languish. Those in the third chariot were white, signifying the return of comfort, and peace, and prosperity, after these dark and dismal times: though God cause grief to the children of men, yet will he have compassion. Those in the fourth chariot were of a mixed colour, grizzled and bay; some speckled and spotted, and ash-coloured, signifying events of different complexions interwoven and counter-changed, a day of prosperity and a day of adversity set the one over-against the other. The cup of Providence in the hand of the Lord isfull of mixture, Psa 75:8. 5. That all the instruments of Providence, and all the events of it, come from God, and from him they receive their commissions and instructions (Zac 6:5): These are the four spirits of heaven, the four winds (so some), which seem to blow as they list, from the various points of the compass; but God has them in his fists and brings them out of his treasuries. Or, rather, These are the angels that go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth, to attend upon him and minister to him, to behold his glory in the upper world, which is their blessedness, and to serve his glory in their blessedness, and to serve his glory in this lower world, which is their business. They stand before him as the Lord of the whole earth, to receive orders from him and give up their accounts to him concerning their services on this earth, for it is all within his jurisdiction. But, when he appoints, they go forth as messengers of his counsels and ministers of his justice and mercy. Those secret motions and impulses upon the spirits of men by which the designs of Providence are carried on, some think, are these four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from God and fulfil what he appoints, who is the God of the spirits of all flesh. 6. That there is an admirable beauty in Providence, and one event serves for a balance to another (Zac 6:6): The black horses went forth, carrying with them very dark and melancholy events, such as made every person and every thing look black; but presently the white went forth after them, carrying joy to those that mourned, and, by a new turn given to affairs, making them to look pleasant again. Such are God's dealings with his church and people: if the black horses go forth, the white ones presently go after them; for as affliction abounds consolation much more abounds. 7. That the common general aspect of providence is mixed and compounded. The grizzled and bay horses were both in the fourth chariot (Zac 6:3), and though they went forth, at first, towards the south country, yet afterwards they sought to walk to and fro through the earth and were directed to do so, Zac 6:7. If we go to and fro through the earth, we shall find the events of Providence neither all black nor all white, but ash-coloured, or gray, mixed of black and white. Such is the world we live in; that before us is unmixed. Here we are singing, at the same time, of mercy and judgment, and we must sing unto God of both (Psa 101:1) and labour to accommodate ourselves to God's will and design in the mixtures of Providence, rejoicing in our comforts as though we rejoiced not, because they have their allays, and weeping for our afflictions as though we wept not, because there is so much mercy mixed with them. 8. That God is well-pleased with all the operations of his own providence (Zac 6:8): These have quieted my spirit, these black horses which denote extraordinary judgments, and the white ones which denote extraordinary deliverances, both which went towards the north country, while the common mixed providences went all the world over. These have quieted my spirit in the north-country, which had of late been the most remarkable scene of action with reference to the church; that is, by these uncommon appearances and actings of providence God's wrath is executed upon the enemies of the church, and his favours are conferred upon the church, both which had long been deferred, and in both God had fulfilled his will, accomplished his word, and so quieted his Spirit. The Lord is well-pleased for his righteousness' sake; and, as he speaks, Isa 1:24, made himself easy.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
One surviving comment on this verse from the historical church.
Four chariots: The four great empires of the Chaldeans, Persians, Grecians, and Romans. Or perhaps by the fourth chariot are represented the kings of Egypt and of Asia, the descendants of Ptolemeus and Seleucus.
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Summary
Zechariah 6:1 introduces the eighth and final vision granted to the prophet Zechariah, a vivid and symbolic scene that shifts the prophetic focus from the immediate restoration of Jerusalem and the Temple to the broader scope of God's universal sovereignty and impending judgment. In this vision, Zechariah observes four chariots emerging from between two formidable mountains of brass, signaling the dispatch of divine agents to execute God's will and enforce His righteous decrees across the entire earth. This powerful imagery serves to reassure the returned exiles of God's active control over world affairs and the unshakeable foundation of His purposes.
Context
Literary Context
Zechariah 6:1 marks the culmination of a series of eight night visions received by the prophet, which began in Zechariah 1:7-17. The preceding visions addressed themes vital to the post-exilic community: the restoration of Jerusalem, the cleansing and re-establishment of the priesthood under Joshua, the divine empowerment of Zerubbabel for Temple rebuilding, and the removal of national sin. This final vision, therefore, serves as a powerful capstone, broadening the scope from internal spiritual and physical restoration to the external, global assertion of God's sovereign authority. It transitions from the specific needs of the covenant community to the universal reach of God's dominion, setting the stage for the subsequent oracles concerning the "Branch" and the future Messianic kingdom.
Historical & Cultural Context
The visions of Zechariah were given around 520 BC, a critical period for the Jewish exiles who had returned from Babylon under the decree of Cyrus the Great. They faced daunting challenges: a ruined Temple, opposition from surrounding peoples, and a general sense of discouragement that stalled the rebuilding efforts. The "mountains" in the vision could metaphorically represent significant obstacles or even the very gates of Jerusalem, which was often depicted as being surrounded by hills. The imagery of chariots was common in ancient Near Eastern warfare and royal processions, symbolizing military might, speed, and governmental authority. For the exiles, who felt vulnerable and insignificant, this vision would have been a profound reassurance that the God of Israel was not limited by their circumstances but was actively dispatching His forces to control the nations and ensure the fulfillment of His promises.
Key Themes
This verse introduces several pivotal themes that resonate throughout Zechariah and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it emphasizes Divine Sovereignty and Omnipresence, illustrating that God is not confined to Jerusalem but actively governs all the earth, as seen in passages like Psalm 103:19. Secondly, it highlights Divine Judgment and Enforcement, as the chariots are clearly agents of God's will, dispatched to patrol and execute His decrees, foreshadowing the ultimate judgment described in Revelation 19:11-16. Thirdly, the "mountains of brass" introduce the theme of Immutability and Steadfastness of God's Decrees, signifying the unyielding and permanent nature of the divine council and the source from which God's powerful operations emanate. This provides a strong foundation for the promises of future glory and the coming Messianic age, offering hope to a struggling people.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This feminine noun refers to a chariot, often symbolizing military power, speed, and the conveyance of authority. In this vision, the chariots are not earthly but divine, representing God's swift and powerful agents dispatched to execute His will. Their appearance signifies active, purposeful movement and enforcement of divine decrees.
This word denotes a mountain or range of hills, often used figuratively for stability, permanence, or obstacles. In this context, the mountains serve as the origin point for the divine chariots, suggesting a fixed, unyielding, and perhaps even sacred source from which God's operations emerge. Their dual nature ("two mountains") may imply a gateway or a specific, divinely appointed point of egress.
This term refers to copper or bronze, and by extension, something made of that metal. Biblically, brass often symbolizes strength, hardness, durability, and sometimes judgment or divine immutability. Its presence here reinforces the unshakeable, unyielding, and enduring nature of the source from which God's agents are dispatched, emphasizing the absolute certainty and power of His plans.
Verse Breakdown
"And I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked,"
This opening phrase emphasizes Zechariah's active engagement and readiness to receive divine revelation. The repetition of verbs of perception ("turned," "lifted up," "looked") highlights the prophet's attentiveness and the immediate, striking nature of the vision that unfolds before him. It signals a new, distinct revelation following the previous seven night visions.
"and, behold, there came four chariots out from between two mountains;"
The exclamation "behold" draws immediate attention to the central, awe-inspiring image. The emergence of "four chariots" (whose specific colors and destinations are detailed in subsequent verses) signifies a comprehensive, universal mission. Their origin "from between two mountains" suggests a specific, perhaps divinely designated, point of egress, implying a controlled and purposeful release of these powerful agents.
"and the mountains [were] mountains of brass."
This concluding clause provides crucial symbolic detail. The "mountains of brass" are not ordinary geographical features but represent an unyielding, immutable, and divinely strong foundation. The material "brass" (or bronze) frequently denotes strength, durability, and unchangeable decrees in biblical symbolism, underscoring the absolute solidity and permanence of the source from which God's operations are launched. This signifies that the divine will being executed is firmly established and cannot be thwarted.
Literary Devices
Zechariah 6:1 is rich in Symbolism and Imagery. The "four chariots" are symbolic representations of divine agents or angelic forces, dispatched by God to patrol and execute His will across the earth. Their number, "four," often signifies universality or the four cardinal directions, implying a global scope for their mission. The "two mountains" symbolize a fixed, perhaps sacred, point of origin, emphasizing the divine source of these operations. Most significantly, the "mountains of brass" employ Metaphor and Symbolism to convey the unyielding, immutable strength and durability of God's decrees and the divine council from which these agents emerge. Brass itself, known for its hardness and resistance to corrosion, effectively communicates the unshakeable and eternal nature of God's plans and His unwavering determination to bring them to fruition. The entire scene functions as a powerful Visionary Narrative, designed to convey profound theological truths through vivid, memorable pictures rather than direct propositional statements.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Zechariah 6:1 provides a profound theological statement about God's active involvement in world affairs. It asserts His absolute sovereignty, demonstrating that He is not a distant, passive observer but an engaged and powerful ruler who dispatches His agents to enforce His will across the entire globe. This vision reassures believers of God's unwavering control, even amidst seemingly chaotic or opposing forces, and confirms that His purposes, both redemptive and judicial, will be accomplished with unshakeable certainty. The imagery of the chariots and the mountains of brass underscores the formidable and unchangeable nature of divine decrees, offering both comfort to the faithful and a solemn warning to those who oppose God's righteous rule.
Reflection and Application
Zechariah 6:1 offers a powerful anchor for faith in a world that often feels out of control. For the original audience, it was a message of profound encouragement, assuring them that despite their weakness and the opposition they faced in rebuilding, a sovereign God was actively governing the nations on their behalf. For us today, this vision reminds us that God's kingdom is not merely a future hope but a present reality, with divine forces at work to accomplish His eternal purposes. When we witness injustice, chaos, or feel overwhelmed by global events, Zechariah 6:1 calls us to remember that God's chariots are still on the move, dispatched from an unshakeable foundation of brass. This should instill in us a deep sense of peace and confidence, knowing that our God is sovereign over all, and His plans will ultimately prevail. It also calls us to align our lives with His will, trusting in His righteous governance and participating in His redemptive mission, knowing that our labor is not in vain in the Lord.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What do the "four chariots" symbolize in this vision?
The "four chariots" in Zechariah 6:1, further elaborated in Zechariah 6:2-7, symbolize God's divine agents or angelic forces. They are depicted as being dispatched to patrol and execute God's will across the entire earth, representing His comprehensive and universal authority. Their mission is to enforce divine judgment and maintain order, ensuring that God's purposes are carried out in all directions.
What is the significance of the "two mountains" and their being "mountains of brass"?
The "two mountains" likely represent a fixed, unyielding, and possibly sacred point of origin from which God's divine agents are dispatched. Their composition as "mountains of brass" (or bronze) is highly significant. In biblical symbolism, brass often denotes strength, hardness, durability, and sometimes judgment or divine immutability. Therefore, these mountains symbolize the unshakeable, immutable, and eternally strong foundation of God's decrees and the divine council from which His powerful operations emanate. It underscores the absolute certainty and permanence of God's plans and His unwavering determination to bring them to fruition.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
While Zechariah 6:1 describes divine agents executing God's will, its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment lies in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the supreme agent and embodiment of God's sovereign rule. The chariots represent God's active governance and judgment over the earth, but Christ is the one to whom "all authority in heaven and on earth has been given" (Matthew 28:18). He is the ultimate rider who goes forth "conquering and to conquer" (Revelation 6:2), and who will return as the righteous judge, leading the armies of heaven (Revelation 19:11-16). The "mountains of brass" signify the unshakeable foundation of God's decrees; this foundation is ultimately realized in Christ, who is the cornerstone upon which God's eternal kingdom is built (Ephesians 2:20). The very purpose of these divine dispatches is to prepare the way for and establish the Messianic kingdom, which finds its full and glorious expression in the reign of Jesus, the "Branch" (Zechariah 3:8 and Zechariah 6:12) who will build the Temple of the Lord and rule on His throne. Thus, the divine activity seen in Zechariah 6:1 points forward to the comprehensive and ultimate authority of Christ, who perfectly executes the will of the Father and brings about the consummation of God's redemptive plan.