Zechariah 6:4

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

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

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

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

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

Commentary

Zechariah 6:4 captures a pivotal moment of prophetic inquiry within the prophet's final vision. After witnessing the mysterious emergence of four chariots with horses of distinct colors from between two mountains of brass (as described in Zechariah 6:1-3), Zechariah, true to his role as an interpreter of God's messages, poses a direct question to the interpreting angel.

Context

This verse is part of Zechariah's eighth and concluding night vision. Throughout the book, Zechariah frequently acts as an interlocutor, asking the angel for clarification on the symbolic imagery he is shown. This pattern of inquiry is vital for understanding the deeper meaning of the visions, ensuring that the divine message is properly conveyed. His question, "What [are] these, my lord?" is a natural and necessary response to the enigmatic scene, setting the stage for the angel's explanation of these powerful, divinely dispatched agents.

Key Themes

  • Prophetic Inquiry: Zechariah's question highlights the prophet's role not just as a recipient of revelation, but as an active participant seeking to understand and accurately convey God's message. This willingness to ask for clarification is a model for anyone seeking deeper understanding of spiritual truths.
  • Divine Revelation and Interpretation: The verse emphasizes the necessity of divine interpretation for understanding God's complex messages. The angel's role is crucial in unveiling the meaning behind the powerful symbols of the chariots and horses, which represent God's sovereign control over the earth.
  • Desire for Knowledge: Zechariah's immediate curiosity reflects a universal human desire to comprehend the unknown, especially when confronted with powerful or mysterious divine manifestations. This impulse to understand drives the narrative forward towards the angel's explanation in Zechariah 6:5.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "What [are] these?" is mah elleh, a simple and direct question. The term "my lord" (Hebrew: 'adoni) is a respectful form of address used for a superior or authority figure, in this case, the angel who serves as Zechariah's guide and interpreter throughout the visions. There are no hidden complexities in the KJV translation here; it accurately conveys the prophet's straightforward request for information.

Practical Application

Zechariah 6:4 offers a timeless lesson: it is good and right to seek understanding when confronted with profound spiritual or biblical truths. Just as Zechariah didn't passively observe but actively inquired, we are encouraged to delve into God's Word with a desire for clarity, asking questions, and seeking wisdom. This verse reminds us that God often provides the answers through careful study, prayer, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, or through those He has appointed to teach and explain His truth.

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

  • 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.
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