Zechariah 6:4

KJV

Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with me, What [are] these, my lord?

KJV (with Strong's)

Then I answered {H6030} and said {H559} unto the angel {H4397} that talked {H1696} with me, What are these, my lord {H113}?

Complete Jewish Bible

I asked the angel speaking with me, "What are these, my Lord?"

Berean Standard Bible

So I inquired of the angel who was speaking with me, “What are these, my lord?”

American Standard Version

Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with me, What are these, my lord?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Zechariah 6:4 captures the prophet's immediate and essential inquiry to the interpreting angel, following the vision of the four chariots emerging from between two mountains of bronze. This verse highlights Zechariah's active role as an interlocutor in receiving divine revelation, demonstrating his persistent desire to comprehend the profound symbolic imagery presented to him by God, thereby setting the stage for the crucial explanation that follows.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the eighth and final night vision granted to Zechariah, as recorded in [Zechariah 6:1-8](/zechariah/6-1-8 "The Vision of the Four Chariots"). The preceding verses ([Zechariah 6:1-3](/zechariah/6-1-3 "Zechariah's Vision of the Four Chariots")) describe the appearance of four chariots, each drawn by horses of distinct colors, emerging from between two prominent mountains. This dramatic and enigmatic imagery naturally prompts Zechariah's question in verse 4. Throughout the book, Zechariah frequently engages in dialogue with the interpreting angel, a pattern that underscores the need for divine illumination to grasp God's often complex prophetic messages. His question here is not one of doubt, but of earnest desire for understanding, a typical feature of apocalyptic literature where a heavenly guide explains visions to the prophet.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Zechariah prophesied during the post-exilic period, roughly 520-518 BC, alongside Haggai. The Jewish people had returned from Babylonian exile and were engaged in the challenging task of rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem, a project that faced significant opposition and discouragement (as seen in [Ezra 4](/ezra/4 "Opposition to Rebuilding the Temple")). The visions in Zechariah served to encourage and assure the struggling community of God's continued presence, sovereignty, and future plans for their restoration and the coming Messiah. The imagery of chariots and horses would have been familiar in the ancient Near East as symbols of military power and divine judgment, often associated with the movement of deities or heavenly armies. Mountains, particularly "mountains of bronze," could symbolize strength, permanence, or even divine judgment, providing a formidable backdrop for the emergence of God's agents of judgment and control.
* **Key Themes:** Zechariah 6:4 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book. Firstly, it emphasizes **Divine Revelation and Interpretation**, showcasing that God's messages, especially prophetic visions, often require supernatural explanation, which the interpreting angel provides (e.g., [Zechariah 1:9](/zechariah/1-9 "The Angel's Explanation of the Horses")). Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Prophetic Inquiry and Understanding**, as Zechariah's persistent questioning (e.g., [Zechariah 1:19](/zechariah/1-19 "Zechariah's Question about the Horns"); [Zechariah 4:4](/zechariah/4-4 "Zechariah Asks about the Lampstand")) models an active pursuit of divine truth, rather than passive reception. Thirdly, the verse subtly points to **God's Sovereignty and Control**, as the very act of Zechariah seeking to understand these divinely dispatched agents foreshadows the angel's explanation that they are "the four spirits of heaven, going forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth" ([Zechariah 6:5](/zechariah/6-5 "The Angel Explains the Chariots")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **answered (Hebrew, _ʻânâh'_):** H6030. This primitive root properly means "to eye" or "to heed," implying attention, and by extension, "to respond" or "to begin to speak." In this context, it signifies Zechariah's immediate and deliberate vocal response to the vision, indicating an active engagement with the divine revelation rather than passive observation. It's an intentional act of seeking clarification.
* **angel (Hebrew, _mălʼâk'_):** H4397. Derived from an unused root meaning "to despatch as a deputy," this term refers to a messenger. Specifically, in the context of God, it denotes an angel. This "angel" is the interpreting angel who consistently guides Zechariah through his visions, serving as God's appointed intermediary to convey and explain divine truths to the prophet.
* **my lord (Hebrew, _ʼâdôwn'_):** H113. This term, from a root meaning "to rule," signifies a sovereign, controller, lord, master, or owner. It is a respectful form of address used for a superior or authority figure. Zechariah's use of "my lord" towards the interpreting angel indicates his recognition of the angel's authority and divine commission, underscoring the reverence and submission with which he approaches divine revelation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with me":** This opening clause establishes the immediate dialogue between Zechariah and his divine guide. The prophet's "answering and saying" indicates a proactive and verbal response to the preceding vision of the four chariots. It highlights the interactive nature of prophetic revelation, where the prophet is not merely a passive recipient but an active participant in the process of understanding and conveying God's message. The phrase "the angel that talked with me" specifically identifies the interpreting angel who has been Zechariah's consistent companion and explainer throughout the night visions.
* **"What [are] these":** This is the core of Zechariah's inquiry. It is a direct, concise question expressing his desire for comprehension regarding the mysterious and powerful imagery of the chariots and horses. The use of "these" points directly to the four chariots and their distinct teams of horses, which have just emerged from between the mountains. It signifies Zechariah's recognition that these are not ordinary objects but symbolic representations requiring divine interpretation.
* **"my lord?":** This respectful address to the angel underscores Zechariah's posture of humility and deference before divine authority. It acknowledges the angel's superior knowledge and role as God's messenger and interpreter. This respectful tone is consistent with Zechariah's interactions with the angel throughout the book, reinforcing the idea that understanding divine mysteries comes through humble inquiry and submission to God's appointed channels of revelation.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Zechariah 6:4 is **Dialogue**, which is central to the entire book of Zechariah. The verse presents a direct exchange between Zechariah and the interpreting angel, highlighting the interactive nature of prophetic revelation. This dialogue functions as a narrative mechanism to advance the plot and to provide the necessary framework for the angel's subsequent explanation of the vision. Furthermore, the verse employs **Prophetic Inquiry**, where the prophet actively seeks understanding of the symbolic visions he receives. Zechariah's question, "What [are] these, my lord?", is a classic example of this device, underscoring the human need for divine interpretation when confronted with profound spiritual truths. This inquiry also serves to build **Anticipation** for the angel's crucial explanation in the following verses.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Zechariah 6:4 profoundly illustrates the human need for divine illumination to comprehend God's often mysterious ways and messages. Just as Zechariah, a prophet chosen by God, required an angelic interpreter to grasp the meaning of the visions, so too do believers today rely on the Holy Spirit and the revealed Word to understand spiritual truths. This verse underscores that God desires to communicate with humanity, and He provides the means for understanding, whether through direct angelic revelation in biblical times or through the inspired Scriptures and the Spirit's guidance now. It teaches us to approach God's Word with a spirit of inquiry and humility, recognizing that true wisdom comes from Him.

* [Psalm 119:105](/psalm/119-105 "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.")
* [James 1:5](/james/1-5 "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.")
* [1 Corinthians 2:10](/1_corinthians/2-10 "These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Zechariah 6:4 serves as a powerful model for our own spiritual journey. In a world filled with complex challenges and profound questions, we are often confronted with circumstances or biblical passages that seem enigmatic. Zechariah's immediate and humble inquiry, "What [are] these, my lord?", teaches us the vital importance of seeking clarity and understanding from God. We are not meant to passively accept or ignore what we do not comprehend, but rather to actively engage with divine truth, bringing our questions before the Lord. This active pursuit of knowledge, coupled with a respectful posture towards God's revelation, opens the door for Him to provide insight, whether through diligent study of His Word, prayerful meditation, or the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Just as the angel was God's appointed interpreter for Zechariah, God has provided His written Word and the indwelling Spirit to illuminate our paths today. Our willingness to ask, to seek, and to knock is foundational to growing in wisdom and faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What mysterious or challenging aspects of God's Word or your current circumstances are you wrestling with?**
* **How does Zechariah's example encourage you to be more proactive in seeking understanding from God?**
* **In what ways do you currently seek divine interpretation for spiritual truths (e.g., prayer, study, community)?**
* **How can cultivating a humble and inquiring spirit, like Zechariah's, deepen your relationship with God?**

### FAQ
**Why is Zechariah's question "What [are] these?" so important in this vision?**

Answer: Zechariah's question is crucial because it transforms the vision from a mere spectacle into a divinely interpreted message. Without his inquiry, the symbolic meaning of the four chariots and horses would remain ambiguous. His role as an active interlocutor, consistently asking for clarification (as seen throughout [Zechariah 1-6](/zechariah/1-6 "Zechariah's Night Visions")), ensures that the divine revelation is not only received but also properly understood and conveyed to the people. It underscores the principle that God often provides understanding when we humbly seek it, setting the stage for the angel's vital explanation in [Zechariah 6:5-8](/zechariah/6-5-8 "The Angel Explains the Chariots' Purpose").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Zechariah 6:4 describes the prophet's inquiry to an interpreting angel, it subtly points forward to Christ as the ultimate revealer of God's mysteries and the supreme "Lord." The angel, as a "messenger" (H4397, _mălʼâk_), serves as God's deputy, a role that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the very Word of God made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "The Word Became Flesh")), the perfect messenger and revelation of the Father. Zechariah's respectful address of "my lord" (H113, _ʼâdôwn_) to the angel foreshadows the universal recognition of Jesus as the true Lord, to whom "every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under earth" ([Philippians 2:10](/philippians/2-10 "Every Knee Shall Bow to Christ")). Just as Zechariah sought understanding from the angelic messenger, humanity finds ultimate understanding and truth in Christ, who declares, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). He is the one who fully unveils the Father's will and purpose ([John 1:18](/john/1-18 "No One Has Seen God, Except the Son")).

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 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].

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 5:6

And I said, What [is] it? And he said, This [is] an ephah that goeth forth. He said moreover, This [is] their resemblance through all the earth.

Zechariah 5:10

Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the ephah?

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 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.