Tyndale Open Study NotesZechariah 6

These eight visions helped the Judeans overcome their fears and trust in God's promises. The visions happened two months after Haggai's last two messages (Haggai 2:10–19, 20–23). They suggest that Haggai's prophecies were coming true.

In Zechariah’s first and last visions, God sends horses to patrol the earth. These visions demonstrate God's control and care for all nations. This is an important part of Zechariah’s message of comfort and encouragement to the people of Judah after their exile in Babylon.

• Chariots represent the quick and decisive power of God's intervention in human affairs.

• The two bronze mountains are enhanced images of the two bronze pillars that once stood at the entrance to Solomon's temple (1 Kings 7:13–22). Bronze symbolizes the unbreakable strength of God's dwelling.

red … black … white … dappled horses: Zechariah does not give special meaning to the horse colors in his vision (compare Revelation 6:1–8).

The four spirits (or the four winds) are members of a divine council. They report to God after their missions to the four directions of the earth (see Zechariah 2:6). God rules over the entire world. The teams of chariot horses carry out God's judgment.

The teams of horses appear strong and eager to do the Lord's work (Zechariah 6:5). They move only when the Lord commands.

• the LORD summoned me: The series of visions ends with a direct message from the Lord to Zechariah. By bypassing the interpreting angel, God stresses the certain and effective fulfillment of his word to Israel.

• have given rest to My Spirit: Spirit can mean “anger,” as it does here (see Judges 8:3; Isaiah 33:11).

This important message comes with Zechariah’s eighth vision (Zechariah 6:1–8). Jeshua’s symbolic crowning as both king and priest was not a real political setup for Judah. It likely represents the coming of the Messiah, God's chosen king.

In Zechariah, the Branch is a title for this coming Messiah. The image describes new growth from what seemed dead, like a shoot growing from a cut-down tree. This shows that, even after exile and failure, God will raise up a new ruler from David’s line. The Branch will build the temple of the Lord and unite kingship and priesthood in one person (Zechariah 6:12; compare 3:8).

Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah were messengers chosen by Jews in Babylon to deliver donations for the temple building fund.

This crown likely consisted of two metal bands, one gold and one silver. Each band symbolized one of Jeshua's roles as king and priest.

• The Branch is a title for the Messiah (see Zechariah 3:8), whom Jeshua represents.

• build the temple of the LORD: Jeshua the high priest helped build the temple in Jerusalem (Ezra 3:1–2, 8–9; 5:2). Similarly, Jesus the Messiah would build the eternal heavenly temple through his death, burial, and resurrection (John 2:19–22; 4:23–24; Ephesians 2:19–22; Hebrews 8:1–2).

• The Messiah would rule as king, a role linked to David and the tribe of Judah (2 Samuel 7:12–16).

• He will be a priest on His throne: The Messiah’s priestly role is linked to Aaron and the tribe of Levi (Exodus 29:44).

• Jeshua’s crown represents his two roles. Melchizedek also had the dual roles of priest and king (Genesis 14:17–20), as does the Messiah (Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 7:1–3, 15–17).

• The symbolic crown, which united kingship and priesthood, was placed in the temple as a memorial to the gold and silver donors. It also served as a permanent reminder of Jeshua’s coronation as priest-king and helped priests teach about this new development.

• Josiah received honor for arranging the meeting between Zechariah and the three former exiles.

Jews exiled in Babylon and other distant lands helped rebuild the temple. Because of this, all Israel could see the temple as belonging to them.