Zechariah 6

1 And again [once more, turning back] I lifted up my eyes [to look, to see spiritually] and saw [behold, perceived with clarity] four chariots [vehicles of war, judgment, or divine providence] coming out [emerging, proceeding] from between [in the midst of, surrounded by] two [a pair, duality] mountains [hills]—mountains [elevated places] of bronze [copper, a base metal]. word study 2 The first [primary, preceding all others] chariot [vehicle for transportation or warfare] had red [ruddy] horses [swallow], the second black [dark] horses [sus], word study 3 the third white [pure, clean] horses, and the fourth dappled [spotted, grisled] horses—all of them [each one, without exception] strong [powerful, having great might]. word study 4 So I [answered and] inquired of the angel [messenger, representative of God] who was speaking [talking, communicating] with me, “What [are these things, what do they mean] are these [specific things, these objects], my lord [master, ruler, sovereign]?” word study 5 And the angel [messenger of God] told me, “These [specific ones] are the four [a quantity of four] spirits [winds, or breath of life] of heaven [the sky, or the spiritual realm], going forth [coming out, or proceeding] from their station [place of standing, or presence] before the Lord [the supreme Master, or Ruler] of all [everything, or the whole] the earth [the land, or the world]. word study 6 The one with the black [dark, gloomy] horses is going toward the land [region, territory] of the north [Zaphon, the northern direction], the one with the white [pure, clean] horses toward the west [the direction of the setting sun], and the one with the dappled [spotted, marked] horses toward the south [the southern direction, Teman].” word study 7 As the strong [red, bay] horses went out, they were eager [sought to go] to go and patrol [walk to and fro through, pass through] the earth [land, world]; and the LORD said, “Go [walk, go hence] and patrol [walk to and fro through, go up and down through] the earth [land, world].” So they patrolled [walked to and fro through, went up and down through] the earth [land, world]. word study 8 Then the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God] summoned me and said, “Behold [see, look], those going [proceeding, traveling] to the land [territory, region] of the north [Zaphon, the direction of darkness] have given rest [quiet, peacefulness] to My Spirit [breath, divine essence] in the land [country, territory] of the north [Zaphon, the direction of darkness].” word study 9 The word [a message or declaration] of the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] also came [was given or communicated] to me, saying [to speak or command], word study 10 “Take an offering [a gift, a contribution] from the exiles [those in captivity, held in a foreign land]—from Heldai [a warrior, a returning exile], Tobijah [one who worships Jehovah], and Jedaiah [known by Jehovah], who have arrived [come, returned] from Babylon [a place of confusion, a city of exile]—and go [come, approach] that same day [at the same time, on the same occasion] to the house [the dwelling place, the home] of Josiah [whom Jehovah heals, a king of Judah] son of Zephaniah [one whom Jehovah has treasured, a prophet]. word study 11 Take [receive, acquire] silver [precious metal, wealth] and gold [valuable treasure, brilliance], make [construct, create] an ornate [beautifully designed, exquisite] crown [royal honor], and set [place, appoint] it on the head [the topmost part of the body] of the high [great, esteemed] priest [spiritual leader, mediator], Joshua [Yahweh is salvation, deliverer] son [descendant, offspring] of Jehozadak [Yahweh is righteous, just]. word study 12 And you are to tell him that this is what the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] of Hosts [armies, a large group of people or things] says: ‘Here is a man [a male person, an individual] whose name [identity, honor, and character] is the Branch [a sprout], and He will branch out [grow, spring up] from His place [position, location] and build [construct, establish] the temple [a large public building, a sacred place] of the LORD [the supreme God, the Creator]. word study 13 Yes, He will build [construct, establish] the temple [the sacred dwelling place] of the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God]; He will be clothed [wrapped, adorned] in splendor [glory, majestic honor] and will sit [dwell, reside] on His throne [the seat of authority] and rule [govern, have dominion]. And He will be a priest [a spiritual leader, mediator] on His throne [the seat of spiritual authority], and there will be [exist, come into being] peaceful [harmonious, complete] counsel [advice, guidance] between [in the midst of, shared by] the two [the dual roles of king and priest].’ word study 14 The crown will reside in the temple [large public building, sacred place] of the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] as a memorial [reminder, commemoration] to Helem [meaning strength, a leader], Tobijah [Jehovah is good], Jedaiah [Jehovah has known], and the gracious [having favor, kindness] son [descendant, offspring] of Zephaniah [God has treasured]. word study 15 Even those far [who are far off, distant] away will come and build [construct, establish] the temple [house of worship, sacred place] of the LORD [Yehovah, the Lord of hosts], and you will know [understand, recognize] that the LORD [Yehovah, the supreme God] of Hosts [armies, heavenly forces] has sent [appointed, commissioned] Me to you. This will happen [come to pass, be fulfilled] if you diligently [with careful attention, faithfully] obey [listen to, heed] the voice [sound, command] of the LORD [Yehovah, the Lord of hosts] your God [Elohim, the one supreme God].” word study