


Zechariah 6:6
Bible Versions
The black horses which [are] therein go forth into the north country; and the white go forth after them; and the grisled go forth toward the south country.
The one with the black horses is going out toward the land in the north, the white [horses] have gone out after them, and the spotted have gone out toward the land in the south."
The one with the black horses is going toward the land of the north, the one with the white horses toward the west, and the one with the dappled horses toward the south.”
The chariot wherein are the black horses goeth forth toward the north country; and the white went forth after them; and the grizzled went forth toward the south country.
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Ezekiel 1:4
¶ And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness [was] about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire. -
Jeremiah 4:6
Set up the standard toward Zion: retire, stay not: for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction. -
Jeremiah 1:14
Then the LORD said unto me, Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land. -
Jeremiah 1:15
For, lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north, saith the LORD; and they shall come, and they shall set every one his throne at the entering of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all the walls thereof round about, and against all the cities of Judah. -
Jeremiah 51:48
Then the heaven and the earth, and all that [is] therein, shall sing for Babylon: for the spoilers shall come unto her from the north, saith the LORD. -
Jeremiah 6:1
¶ O ye children of Benjamin, gather yourselves to flee out of the midst of Jerusalem, and blow the trumpet in Tekoa, and set up a sign of fire in Bethhaccerem: for evil appeareth out of the north, and great destruction. -
Daniel 11:3
And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will.
Zechariah 6:6 is part of the fourth and final vision given to the prophet Zechariah, detailing four chariots pulled by horses of various colors that emerge from between two mountains of brass. This verse specifically describes the destinations of three sets of these horses, symbolizing divine agents dispatched throughout the earth.
Context of Zechariah 6:6
The book of Zechariah was written after the Babylonian exile, during a critical period when the Jewish people were rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem. The visions in chapters 1-6 are highly symbolic, designed to encourage the discouraged community and assure them of God's continued presence, power, and ultimate plan for restoration and judgment. The vision of the four chariots (Zechariah 6:1-8) immediately follows the vision of the flying scroll and the ephah, reinforcing the theme of God's active governance and judgment over the earth. These chariots are identified in Zechariah 6:5 as "the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth."
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew term for "grisled" is barad (בָּרָד). While it literally refers to 'hail' in some contexts, here it denotes a speckled or spotted appearance, like a mixture of colors. This nuance suggests that the mission of these horses is not singular but complex, perhaps encompassing various aspects of God's judgment or administration.
Practical Application
For believers today, Zechariah 6:6 offers profound reassurance: God is sovereign over all nations and events. Even amidst political turmoil, natural disasters, or personal challenges, God's divine agents are at work, executing His perfect will. This vision encourages trust in His overarching plan and reminds us that no power on earth operates outside of His ultimate control. It calls us to live in confident reliance on His justice and mercy, knowing that He oversees the entire world.