Zechariah 1

1 In the eighth month of the second [two years into the reign] year of Darius [a title given to Persian kings], the word [a message or declaration] of the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] came to the prophet [one who speaks for God] Zechariah [Jehovah remembers] son of Berechiah [Jehovah blesses], the son of Iddo, saying [to speak or declare]: word study 2 “The LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] was very angry [sore displeased, full of wrath] with your fathers [ancestors, forefathers]. word study 3 So tell the people that this is what the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] of Hosts [armies, a large group of people or things] says: ‘Return [to turn back, to repent] to Me, declares the LORD [the supreme God] of Hosts, and I will return [to turn back, to restore] to you, says the LORD [the covenant God] of Hosts.’ word study 4 Do not [in no way, under no circumstances] be like your fathers [ancestors, forefathers], to whom the former [earlier, previous] prophets [messengers of God] proclaimed [cried out, declared] that this is what the LORD [Yehovah, the self-existent God] of Hosts [armies, heavenly forces] says: ‘Turn now [return, come back] from your evil [bad, wicked] ways [paths, lifestyles] and deeds [actions, practices].’ But they did not listen [hear, obey] or pay attention [hearken, give heed] to Me, declares [says, utters] the LORD [Yehovah, the sovereign God]. word study 5 Where [in what place or state] are your fathers [ancestors, forefathers] now? And the prophets [spokesmen for God, messengers], do they live [remain alive, have eternal life] forever [always, to the age, without end]? word study 6 But did not My words [commands, decrees] and My statutes [laws, ordinances], which I commanded [gave orders to, appointed] My servants [attendants, messengers] the prophets [spokesmen, seers], overtake [catch up to, reach] your fathers [ancestors, forefathers]? They repented [turned back, changed their minds] and said, ‘Just as the LORD [Yehovah, the supreme God] of Hosts [armies, heavenly forces] purposed [planned, intended] to do to us according to our ways [paths, lifestyles] and deeds [actions, works], so He has done [accomplished, fulfilled] to us.’” word study 7 On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, the month of Shebat [a Jewish month, corresponding to January or February], in the second year of Darius [a title given to Persian kings], the word [a matter, affair, or thing] of the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] came to the prophet [one who speaks for God] Zechariah [Jehovah remembers] son of Berechiah [Jehovah blesses], the son of Iddo [a common Israelite name]. word study 8 I looked out into the night [period of darkness, time of adversity] and saw a man [male person, individual] riding on a red [ruddy, crimson] horse. He was standing [upright, firmly established] among the myrtle trees in the hollow [low area, ravine], and behind him were red [deep red, scarlet], sorrel [bright red, reddish-brown], and white [pure, clean] horses. word study 9 “What [or how, expressing curiosity] are these, my [master, or ruler] lord?” I asked. And the angel [messenger, heavenly being] who was speaking [communicating, conversing] with me replied, “I will show [reveal, make known] you what [or how, expressing curiosity] they [these specific things, or those] are.” word study 10 Then the man standing [standing firmly, upright] among the myrtle trees explained, “They are the ones the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God] has sent [dispatched, commissioned] to patrol [walk to and fro, oversee] the earth [the land, the world].” word study 11 And the riders answered the angel [messenger, representative] of the LORD [Yehovah, the Lord God] who was standing [in a strong sense, firmly] among the myrtle [a type of tree, often used for perfume or ornament] trees, “We have patrolled [walked to and fro, traveled] the earth [the land, the world], and behold [look, see], all [everything, the whole] the earth is at rest [sitting still, dwelling in peace] and tranquil [quiet, still].” word study 12 Then the angel [messenger] of the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] said, “How long [when, for what duration], O LORD [Yehovah] of Hosts [army, large group], will You withhold [refuse, hold back] mercy [compassion, love] from Jerusalem [the city of peace] and the cities [towns, settlements] of Judah [the tribe descended from Judah], with which [against which] You have been angry [indignant, displeased] these seventy [a period of completion] years [a period of time]?” word study 13 So the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] spoke [responded, gave an answer] kind [good, pleasant] and comforting [comfortable, solace] words [messages, things] to the angel [messenger, representative] who was speaking [talking, communicating] with me. word study 14 Then the angel [messenger of God, heavenly representative] who was speaking with me said, “Proclaim [cry out, announce loudly] this word: This is what the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] of Hosts [armies, heavenly forces] says: ‘I am very jealous [zealous, deeply concerned] for Jerusalem [the city of peace, capital of Israel] and Zion [the mountain of God], word study 15 but I [extremely] am fiercely angry [with great wrath] with the nations [Gentiles, heathen] that are at ease [secure, carefree]. For I was a little [small] angry, but they have added [helped forward] to the calamity [affliction, evil].’ word study 16 Therefore this is what the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] says: ‘I will return [to turn back, to come again] to Jerusalem [the city of peace] with mercy [tender love, compassion], and there My house [the dwelling place, the temple] will be rebuilt [established, restored], declares the LORD of Hosts [the Lord of armies], and a measuring line [a cord, a rule] will be stretched out [extended, spread] over Jerusalem [the capital city of Palestine].’ word study 17 Proclaim further [cry out again, speak loudly] that this is what the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] of Hosts [armies, heavenly forces] says: ‘My cities [towns, communities] will again [still, once more] overflow [be spread abroad, flow with abundance] with prosperity [good things, welfare]; the LORD [The covenant Name of God] will again [still, once more] comfort [show pity, bring solace to] Zion [the mountain of God, the city of God’s people] and choose [select, elect] Jerusalem [the city of peace, the capital of God’s people].’” word study 18 Then I looked up [lifted up mine eyes] and saw [behold, looked] four horns [animal horns]. word study 19 So I asked the angel [messenger] who was speaking with me, “What are these?” And he told me, “These are the horns [powers, forces] that have scattered [sent in flight] Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.” word study 20 Then the LORD [Yehovah] showed me four craftsmen [artisans, metal-workers, carpenters]. word study 21 “What are these coming to do?” I asked. And He replied, “These are the horns [powers, nations] that scattered Judah [the people of Judah] so that no one could [was able to] raise his head; but the craftsmen [workers, artisans] have come to terrify them [fray them, trouble them] and throw down [cast down, put down] these horns of the nations [Gentiles] that have lifted up their horns [power, strength] against the land of Judah to scatter it.” word study