Zechariah 6:2
"In the first chariot were red horses; and in the second chariot black horses;"

Commentary

Matthew Henry Concise

📖

Summary

This vision may represent the ways of Providence in the government of this lower world. Whatever the providences of God about us are, as to public or private affairs, we

should see them all as coming from between the mountains of brass, the immoveable counsels and decrees of God; and therefore reckon it as much our folly to quarrel with them, as it is our duty to submit to them.

Reflection

And the secret motions and impulses upon the spirits of men, by which the designs of Providence are carried on, are these four spirits of the heavens, which go forth

from God, and fulfil what the God of the spirits of all flesh appoints. All the events which take place in the world spring from the unchangeable counsels of the Lord, which are formed in unerring wisdom, perfect justice, truth, and goodness; and from history it is found that events happened about the period when this vision was sent to the prophet, which seem referred to therein.

📚Read Complete Commentary

This vision may represent the ways of Providence in the government of this lower world. Whatever the providences of God about us are, as to public or private affairs, we should see them all as coming from between the mountains of brass, the immoveable counsels and decrees of God;

and therefore reckon it as much our folly to quarrel with them, as it is our duty to submit to them. His providences move swiftly and strongly as chariots, but all are directed and governed by his infinite wisdom and sovereign will. The red horses signify war and bloodshed. The black, signify the dismal consequences of war, famines, pestilences, and desolations. The white, signify the return of comfort, peace, and prosperity. The mixed colour, signify events of different complexions, a day of prosperity and a day of adversity. The angels go forth as messengers of God's counsels, and ministers of his justice and mercy. And the secret motions and impulses upon the spirits of men, by which the designs of Providence are carried on, are these four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from God, and fulfil what the God of the spirits of all flesh appoints. All the events which take place in the world spring from the unchangeable counsels of the Lord, which are formed in unerring wisdom, perfect justice, truth, and goodness; and from history it is found that events happened about the period when this vision was sent to the prophet, which seem referred to therein.

Source: Matthew Henry Concise (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (8 words)

H4818 מֶרְכָּבָה
Definition:

13+, constructמִרְכֶּ֫בֶתGenesis 41:43; suffixמֶרְבַּבְתּוֺGenesis 46:29+; pluralמַרְכָּבוֺתZechariah 6:1+; constructמַרְכְּבוֺת2 Kings 23:11+,בֹת-Exodus 15:4; suffixמַרְכְּבֹתֶיךָMicah 5:10;Habakkuk 13+, constructמִרְכֶּ֫בֶתGenesis 41:43; suffixמֶרְבַּבְתּוֺGenesis 46:29+; pluralמַרְכָּבוֺתZechariah 6:1+; constructמַרְכְּבוֺת2 Kings 23:11+,בֹת-Exodus 15:4; suffixמַרְכְּבֹתֶיךָMicah 5:10;Habakkuk

Possible Meanings:
  • chariot (semantic_range)
H7223 רִאשׁוֹן
Definition:

19+,שֹׁן- -Exodus 12:15+,רִישׁוֺןJob 8:8, constructרִאשׁוֺןJob 15:7Qr (Ktראישוןand so always Manuscript Sam. Pentateuch, see Köii. 1, 225 n); feminineרִאשֹׁנָהJudges 20:37+ (Joshua 21:10 Ktראישנהsee a 19+,שֹׁן- -Exodus 12:15+,רִישׁוֺןJob 8:8, constructרִאשׁוֺןJob 15:7Qr (Ktראישוןand so always Manuscript Sam. Pentateuch, see Köii. 1, 225 n); feminineרִאשֹׁנָהJudges 20:37+ (Joshua 21:10 Ktראישנהsee a

Possible Meanings:
  • former (semantic_range)
  • first (semantic_range)
  • chief (semantic_range)
H5483 סוּס
Definition:

Or cuc {soos}; from an unused root meaning to skip (properly, for joy); a horse (as leaping); also a swallow (from its rapid flight) -- crane, horse((-back, -hoof)). Compareparash.see HEBREWparashBrow Or cuc {soos}; from an unused root meaning to skip (properly, for joy); a horse (as leaping); also a swallow (from its rapid flight) -- crane, horse((-back, -hoof)). Compareparash.see HEBREWparashBrow

H0122 אֱדֹם
Definition:

2;Zechariah 1:8+Genesis 25:30(twice in verse), see below;אָדוֺםSongs 5:10; feminineאֲדֻמָּהNumbers 19:2, pluralאֲדֻמִּים2 Kings 3:222t.; —ruddy, red, of manSongs 5:10; horseZechariah 1:8(twice in vers 2;Zechariah 1:8+Genesis 25:30(twice in verse), see below;אָדוֺםSongs 5:10; feminineאֲדֻמָּהNumbers 19:2, pluralאֲדֻמִּים2 Kings 3:222t.; —ruddy, red, of manSongs 5:10; horseZechariah 1:8(twice in vers

Possible Meanings:
  • carnelian (semantic_range)
  • redness (semantic_range)
H4818 מֶרְכָּבָה
Definition:

13+, constructמִרְכֶּ֫בֶתGenesis 41:43; suffixמֶרְבַּבְתּוֺGenesis 46:29+; pluralמַרְכָּבוֺתZechariah 6:1+; constructמַרְכְּבוֺת2 Kings 23:11+,בֹת-Exodus 15:4; suffixמַרְכְּבֹתֶיךָMicah 5:10;Habakkuk 13+, constructמִרְכֶּ֫בֶתGenesis 41:43; suffixמֶרְבַּבְתּוֺGenesis 46:29+; pluralמַרְכָּבוֺתZechariah 6:1+; constructמַרְכְּבוֺת2 Kings 23:11+,בֹת-Exodus 15:4; suffixמַרְכְּבֹתֶיךָMicah 5:10;Habakkuk

Possible Meanings:
  • chariot (semantic_range)
H8145 שֵׁנִי
Definition:

13+, etc. (שֵׁנִי82t. +Nehemiah 3:30, readשֵׁנִית; readוְהַשֵּׁנִיalso1 Chronicles 6:13forושני);בַּשָּׁנָההַשֵּׁנִיתGenesis 47:18+, etc. (שֵׁנִית72t. +Nehemiah 3:30see above),׳שִׁבְעַת יָמִים שׁLeviti 13+, etc. (שֵׁנִי82t. +Nehemiah 3:30, readשֵׁנִית; readוְהַשֵּׁנִיalso1 Chronicles 6:13forושני);בַּשָּׁנָההַשֵּׁנִיתGenesis 47:18+, etc. (שֵׁנִית72t. +Nehemiah 3:30see above),׳שִׁבְעַת יָמִים שׁLeviti

Possible Meanings:
  • second (semantic_range)
H5483 סוּס
Definition:

Or cuc {soos}; from an unused root meaning to skip (properly, for joy); a horse (as leaping); also a swallow (from its rapid flight) -- crane, horse((-back, -hoof)). Compareparash.see HEBREWparashBrow Or cuc {soos}; from an unused root meaning to skip (properly, for joy); a horse (as leaping); also a swallow (from its rapid flight) -- crane, horse((-back, -hoof)). Compareparash.see HEBREWparashBrow

H7838 שָׁחֹר
Definition:

31,37 (P), so feminine pluralשְׁחֹרוֺתSongs 5:11; of skin, feminine singularשְׁחוֺרָהSongs 1:5; of horses, masculine pluralשְׁחֹרִיםZechariah 6:2,6.Topical LexiconConcept and Imageryשָׁחֹר conveys the 31,37 (P), so feminine pluralשְׁחֹרוֺתSongs 5:11; of skin, feminine singularשְׁחוֺרָהSongs 1:5; of horses, masculine pluralשְׁחֹרִיםZechariah 6:2,6.Topical LexiconConcept and Imageryשָׁחֹר conveys the

Possible Meanings:
  • look early (semantic_range)
  • diligently for (semantic_range)
  • seeks him early (semantic_range)
  • discipline (semantic_range)

Interlinear data not available for this verse yet.

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