Zechariah 6:3
Zechariah 6:3 in Multiple Translations
the third white horses, and the fourth dappled horses—all of them strong.
And in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grisled and bay horses.
and in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grizzled strong horses.
And in the third, white horses; and in the fourth, horses of mixed colour.
the third by white horses, and the fourth by dappled grey horses—all of them strong horses.
And in the thirde charet white horses, and in the fourth charet, horses of diuers colours, and reddish.
and in the third chariot white horses, and in the fourth chariot strong grisled horses.
In the third chariot were white horses. In the fourth chariot were dappled horses, all of them powerful.
And in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grizzled and bay horses.
And in the third chariot white horses, and in the fourth chariot grisled horses, and strong ones.
the third chariot was pulled by white horses, and the fourth chariot was pulled by spotted gray horses. They were all very strong horses.
Berean Amplified Bible — Zechariah 6:3
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Zechariah 6:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וּ/בַ/מֶּרְכָּבָ֥ה
הַ/שְּׁלִשִׁ֖ית
סוּסִ֣ים
לְבָנִ֑ים
וּ/בַ/מֶּרְכָּבָה֙
הָ/רְבִעִ֔ית
סוּסִ֥ים
בְּרֻדִּ֖ים
אֲמֻצִּֽים
וּ/בַ/מֶּרְכָּבָ֥ה
merkâbâh
H4818
chariot
Conj | Prep | N-fs
הַ/שְּׁלִשִׁ֖ית
shᵉlîyshîy
H7992
third
Art | Adj
סוּסִ֣ים
çûwç
H5483
swallow
N-mp
לְבָנִ֑ים
lâbân
H3836
white
Adj
וּ/בַ/מֶּרְכָּבָה֙
merkâbâh
H4818
chariot
Conj | Prep | N-fs
הָ/רְבִעִ֔ית
rᵉbîyʻîy
H7243
fourth
Art | Adj
סוּסִ֥ים
çûwç
H5483
swallow
N-mp
בְּרֻדִּ֖ים
bârôd
H1261
spotted
Adj
אֲמֻצִּֽים
ʼâmôts
H554
strong
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Zechariah 6:3
וּ/בַ/מֶּרְכָּבָ֥ה
merkâbâh
H4818
"chariot"
Conj | Prep | N-fs
This word is also used for a chariot, a vehicle used for transportation or warfare in ancient times. It is similar to H4817 and appears in stories about the prophet Ezekiel's visions, like in Ezekiel 1:15. The word is usually translated as 'chariot' in English Bibles.
Definition: chariot
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: chariot. See also H1024 (בֵּית הַמַּרְכָּבוֹת). See also: Genesis 41:43; 1 Chronicles 28:18; Isaiah 2:7.
הַ/שְּׁלִשִׁ֖ית
shᵉlîyshîy
H7992
"third"
Art | Adj
This Hebrew word means third in a sequence, like a third day or year. It is used in the Bible to describe time, rank, or quantity, such as the third day of creation in Genesis.
Definition: 1) third, one third, third part, third time 1a) ordinal number
Usage: Occurs in 94 OT verses. KJV: third (part, rank, time), three (years old). See also: Genesis 1:13; 1 Kings 22:2; Isaiah 15:5.
סוּסִ֣ים
çûwç
H5483
"swallow"
N-mp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a horse, often referring to chariot horses. It also describes a swallow due to its swift flight, as seen in the book of Jeremiah. The word is used to describe strong and fast animals.
Definition: swallow, swift
Usage: Occurs in 130 OT verses. KJV: crane, horse (-back, -hoof). Compare H6571 (פָּרָשׁ). See also: Genesis 47:17; Psalms 76:7; Psalms 20:8.
לְבָנִ֑ים
lâbân
H3836
"white"
Adj
Means white in Hebrew, used to describe something pure or clean, like freshly fallen snow.
Definition: white
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: white. See also: Genesis 30:35; Leviticus 13:21; Zechariah 6:6.
וּ/בַ/מֶּרְכָּבָה֙
merkâbâh
H4818
"chariot"
Conj | Prep | N-fs
This word is also used for a chariot, a vehicle used for transportation or warfare in ancient times. It is similar to H4817 and appears in stories about the prophet Ezekiel's visions, like in Ezekiel 1:15. The word is usually translated as 'chariot' in English Bibles.
Definition: chariot
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: chariot. See also H1024 (בֵּית הַמַּרְכָּבוֹת). See also: Genesis 41:43; 1 Chronicles 28:18; Isaiah 2:7.
הָ/רְבִעִ֔ית
rᵉbîyʻîy
H7243
"fourth"
Art | Adj
This Hebrew word means fourth, and is used to describe something that is four-sided or divided into four parts, like a square or a quarter.
Definition: 1) fourth 1a) fourth 1b) four square 1c) fourth part Aramaic equivalent: re.vi.ay (רְבִיעִי "fourth" H7244)
Usage: Occurs in 53 OT verses. KJV: foursquare, fourth (part). See also: Genesis 1:19; 1 Chronicles 8:2; Jeremiah 25:1.
סוּסִ֥ים
çûwç
H5483
"swallow"
N-mp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a horse, often referring to chariot horses. It also describes a swallow due to its swift flight, as seen in the book of Jeremiah. The word is used to describe strong and fast animals.
Definition: swallow, swift
Usage: Occurs in 130 OT verses. KJV: crane, horse (-back, -hoof). Compare H6571 (פָּרָשׁ). See also: Genesis 47:17; Psalms 76:7; Psalms 20:8.
בְּרֻדִּ֖ים
bârôd
H1261
"spotted"
Adj
This Hebrew word means spotted, like something hit by hail. It describes something with marks or patches, as seen in the KJV translation 'grisled'.
Definition: spotted, marked
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: grisled. See also: Genesis 31:10; Zechariah 6:3; Zechariah 6:6.
אֲמֻצִּֽים
ʼâmôts
H554
"strong"
Adj
In the Bible, this word describes something strong or having a strong color, often translated as 'red' or 'bay'. It can also refer to a specific color pattern, like a dappled or piebald horse.
Definition: 1) strong 2) bay, dappled, piebald (of colour)
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: bay. See also: Zechariah 6:3; Zechariah 6:7.
Study Notes — Zechariah 6:3
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Zechariah 6:3 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Zechariah 6:3
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Zechariah 6:3
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Zechariah 6:3
- Ellicott's Commentary on Zechariah 6:3
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Zechariah 6:3
- Cambridge Bible on Zechariah 6:3
- Whedon's Commentary on Zechariah 6:3
- Sermons on Zechariah 6:3
Context — The Vision of the Four Chariots
1And again I lifted up my eyes and saw four chariots coming out from between two mountains—mountains of bronze.
2The first chariot had red horses, the second black horses,
3the third white horses, and the fourth dappled horses—all of them strong.
4So I inquired of the angel who was speaking with me, “What are these, my lord?” 5And the angel told me, “These are the four spirits of heaven, going forth from their station before the Lord of all the earth.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Revelation 6:2 | So I looked and saw a white horse, and its rider held a bow. And he was given a crown, and he rode out to overcome and conquer. |
| 2 | Revelation 6:8 | Then I looked and saw a pale green horse. Its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed close behind. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill by sword, by famine, by plague, and by the beasts of the earth. |
| 3 | Zechariah 1:8 | I looked out into the night and saw a man riding on a red horse. He was standing among the myrtle trees in the hollow, and behind him were red, sorrel, and white horses. |
| 4 | Daniel 2:40–41 | Finally, there will be a fourth kingdom as strong as iron; for iron shatters and crushes all things, and like iron that crushes all things, it will shatter and crush all the others. And just as you saw that the feet and toes were made partly of fired clay and partly of iron, so this will be a divided kingdom, yet some of the strength of iron will be in it—just as you saw the iron mixed with clay. |
| 5 | Daniel 2:33 | its legs were iron, and its feet were part iron and part clay. |
| 6 | Revelation 20:11 | Then I saw a great white throne and the One seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from His presence, and no place was found for them. |
| 7 | Revelation 19:11 | Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war. |
| 8 | Zechariah 6:6–7 | 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.” As the strong horses went out, they were eager to go and patrol the earth; and the LORD said, “Go and patrol the earth.” So they patrolled the earth. |
Zechariah 6:3 Summary
The verse Zechariah 6:3 describes four groups of horses, each with a different color, and all of them are strong. This image represents God's power and ability to carry out His will in the world. Just as the horses are strong and ready to go, we can trust in God's strength and power to guide us and help us fulfill our mission, as seen in Isaiah 40:31, where those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength. By trusting in God's power, we can find the strength and courage we need to face life's challenges, just as the horses in Zechariah 6:3 are ready to carry out their mission.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do the different colored horses in Zechariah 6:3 represent?
The horses of different colors likely symbolize various aspects of God's judgment or intervention in the world, as seen in Revelation 6:1-8, where horses of similar colors appear in a vision of the end times.
Why are the horses described as 'all of them strong' in Zechariah 6:3?
The description of the horses as 'strong' emphasizes their power and ability to carry out God's will, much like the strong angels in Psalm 103:20 who do God's commandments.
How do the chariots and horses in Zechariah 6:3 relate to the rest of the Bible?
The image of chariots and horses in Zechariah 6:3 is reminiscent of God's chariots in Psalm 68:17 and 2 Kings 6:17, highlighting God's power and presence in the world.
What is the significance of the bronze mountains in Zechariah 6:1, mentioned just before the description of the horses in Zechariah 6:3?
The bronze mountains in Zechariah 6:1 may represent a place of strength, judgment, or purification, setting the stage for the powerful horses and chariots that emerge from them, much like the refining process described in Malachi 3:3.
Reflection Questions
- What does the image of strong horses evoke in my heart, and how can I apply the idea of God's strength to my own life?
- How do I see God's power and intervention at work in the world around me, and what can I learn from the symbolism of the horses in Zechariah 6:3?
- In what ways can I surrender to God's will, just as the horses are strong and ready to carry out their mission, and what role can I play in fulfilling God's plans?
- What are some areas in my life where I need to trust in God's strength and power, rather than my own, and how can I apply the lessons of Zechariah 6:3 to those situations?
Gill's Exposition on Zechariah 6:3
And in the third chariot white horses,.... Which, as referring to Gospel preachers, may denote the purity of their lives and doctrines, and their conquests and victories over the souls of men by the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Zechariah 6:3
And in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grisled and bay horses. And in the third chariot white horses - implying joy and victory (Calvin). In the fourth chariot grisled - piebald.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Zechariah 6:3
White horses; joyful and prosperous affairs: see . Grisled and bay; state of affairs mixed of good and bad: see .
Ellicott's Commentary on Zechariah 6:3
(3) For grisled and bay, read only the first word, grey, as in Zechariah 1:8. It is necessary (with the Syriac Version) to make this conjectural emendation, because (as the Hebrew text now stands), in this verse the “grisled and bay horses” are spoken of as identical, while in Zechariah 6:6-7 they are distinguished from one another; and, moreover, the “red horses” are not mentioned again. LXX., ποικίλοιψαροί.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Zechariah 6:3
Verse 3. The third chariot white horses] The empire of the Greeks, founded by Alexander the Great, which destroyed the empire of the Persians. The fourth chariot grisled and bay horses.] That is party-coloured horses; or with horses, some grisled and some bay. The empire of the Romans or of the Greeks. The Greeks divided after the death of Alexander; one part pointing out the Lagidae, who attacked and subdued Egypt; and the other, the Seleucidae, who subdued Syria under Seleucus.
Cambridge Bible on Zechariah 6:3
3. grisled and bay] Rather, spotted and active, or strong, as in margin of A. V. and R. V. They were spotted, perhaps with white spots on a dark ground, “sparsis pellibus albo dixit” (Virgil, Ec. ii. 41); comp. Genesis 31:10; Genesis 31:12. In addition to the mention of their distinguishing colour, they are said here to be active, and again in Zechariah 6:7, where the reason for this characteristic being mentioned appears in the request which they make.
Whedon's Commentary on Zechariah 6:3
2, 3. The chariots were drawn by horses of different colors. Red… black… white… grisled and bay — For the last R.V.
Sermons on Zechariah 6:3
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Revelation) the Last Dictator by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the significance of numbers in relation to biblical concepts. The sermon emphasizes the importance of unity and fellowship with God, represen |
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Conquering Warriors by Denny Kenaston | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the need for Christians to be conquering warriors in the spiritual war. He describes how many believers have become complacent and are simpl |
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(Demonology) When the Church Goes by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the worship of the dragon and the beast mentioned in verse 4. He emphasizes that the devil energizes men to carry out his tactics, just like |
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Church History - Session 7 (The Book of Revelation) by Edgar F. Parkyns | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the divine intervention on the human scene in judgment, specifically focusing on the seven angels with the seven trumpets. The first four tru |
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Day 244, Revelation 6 by David Servant | David Servant preaches on the Book of Revelation, highlighting the perilous days that precede Christ's return. The chapter reveals the antichrist, symbolized by the first horseman |
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How to Face the Last Days Without Fear - Part 3 by Derek Prince | This sermon by Derek Prince delves into the symbolism of the four horses in the book of Revelation, highlighting themes of judgment, ethnic conflict, shortage, and famine. It empha |
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The Incarnation and Birth of Christ by C.H. Spurgeon | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego being thrown into the fiery furnace by King Nebuchadnezzar. The preacher emphasizes how Nebucha |