Zechariah 6:4
"Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with me, What are these, my lord?"

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)

H6030 עָנָה
Definition:

A primitive root; properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. Pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extens. To begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, announce -- give account, A primitive root; properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. Pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extens. To begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, announce -- give account,

Possible Meanings:
  • answer (semantic_range)
H0559 אָמַר
Definition:

1+, etc.;ImperfectיאֹמַרGenesis 31:8+;וַיּאֹ֫מֶרGenesis 1:3+;וַיּאֹמַ֑רGenesis 14:19+; in Job alwaysוַיּאֹ֑מַרJob 3:2+; 3 feminine singularתּאֹמַרGenesis 21:12+;תּאֹמֵר֑Proverbs 1:21; 1singularאֹמַרGe 1+, etc.;ImperfectיאֹמַרGenesis 31:8+;וַיּאֹ֫מֶרGenesis 1:3+;וַיּאֹמַ֑רGenesis 14:19+; in Job alwaysוַיּאֹ֑מַרJob 3:2+; 3 feminine singularתּאֹמַרGenesis 21:12+;תּאֹמֵר֑Proverbs 1:21; 1singularאֹמַרGe

Possible Meanings:
  • lamb (semantic_range)
H0413 אֶל
Definition:

22;1 Samuel 5:26;1 Samuel 15:22;1 Samuel 29:19), with suffixאֵלַי,אֵלֶיךָ,אֵלַיִךְ, etc.אֵלֵינוּ,אֲלֵיכֶם& (5 t.)אֲלֵכֶם,אֲלֵיהֶם&אֲלֵהֶם(both very often); onceאֵלֵימוֺPsalm 2:5,אֲלֵיהֶן, onceאֲלֵהֶןE 22;1 Samuel 5:26;1 Samuel 15:22;1 Samuel 29:19), with suffixאֵלַי,אֵלֶיךָ,אֵלַיִךְ, etc.אֵלֵינוּ,אֲלֵיכֶם& (5 t.)אֲלֵכֶם,אֲלֵיהֶם&אֲלֵהֶם(both very often); onceאֵלֵימוֺPsalm 2:5,אֲלֵיהֶן, onceאֲלֵהֶןE

Possible Meanings:
  • these (semantic_range)
H4397 מֲלְאָךְ
Definition:

2048t.; constructמַלְאַךְGenesis 16:769t.; suffixesמַלְאָכִיExodus 23:233t.;מַלְאָכוֺGenesis 24:7,40; pluralמַלְאָכִיםGenesis 32:463t. +מלאכים2 Samuel 11:1Kt ( Qrמלכים); constructמַלְאֲכֵיGenesis 28:1 2048t.; constructמַלְאַךְGenesis 16:769t.; suffixesמַלְאָכִיExodus 23:233t.;מַלְאָכוֺGenesis 24:7,40; pluralמַלְאָכִיםGenesis 32:463t. +מלאכים2 Samuel 11:1Kt ( Qrמלכים); constructמַלְאֲכֵיGenesis 28:1

Possible Meanings:
  • angel (semantic_range)
H1696 דָבַר
Definition:

— (1) Arabicdepart, perish, IV.retreat, figurativeretrograde, decline;passing away, death; Assyriandabâru, Pi`eldrive away, BezOrient. Diplom, Vocab.,Dibbara, pest-god, Hpt. in KAT2. 500,דֶּבֶרpestile — (1) Arabicdepart, perish, IV.retreat, figurativeretrograde, decline;passing away, death; Assyriandabâru, Pi`eldrive away, BezOrient. Diplom, Vocab.,Dibbara, pest-god, Hpt. in KAT2. 500,דֶּבֶרpestile

Possible Meanings:
  • speaking (semantic_range)
H4100 מָה
Definition:

43;Joshua 22:16;Judges 8:1),מַהֿ,מַהּ,מֶה,מַּ(Exodus 4:2;Isaiah 3:15;Malachi 1:13;1 Chronicles 15:13; 2Chronicles 30:3),מָ(only inמָהֵםEzekiel 8:6Kt., Qr.מָה הֵם) — on the distinction in the use of th 43;Joshua 22:16;Judges 8:1),מַהֿ,מַהּ,מֶה,מַּ(Exodus 4:2;Isaiah 3:15;Malachi 1:13;1 Chronicles 15:13; 2Chronicles 30:3),מָ(only inמָהֵםEzekiel 8:6Kt., Qr.מָה הֵם) — on the distinction in the use of th

Possible Meanings:
  • what? (semantic_range)
H0428 אֵלֶּה
Definition:

4& often: in apposition to a substantive with a pronominal suffix (alwayswithoutthe article)Exodus 9:14(read with Hi.אֵלֶּה בְּךָforאֶללִֿבְּךָ)Exodus 10:1אֹתֹתַי אֵלֶּהthesemy signs,Exodus 11:8;Deute 4& often: in apposition to a substantive with a pronominal suffix (alwayswithoutthe article)Exodus 9:14(read with Hi.אֵלֶּה בְּךָforאֶללִֿבְּךָ)Exodus 10:1אֹתֹתַי אֵלֶּהthesemy signs,Exodus 11:8;Deute

H0113 אָדוֹן
Definition:

1lord (Phoenicianאדן) —׳אPsalm 12:5#NAME?אֲדוֺןJoshua 3:11+; pluralאֲדֹנִיםIsaiah 26:13+; constructאֲדֹנֵיDeuteronomy 10:17+; suffixאֲדֹנֵינוּ1 Samuel 25:14+ etc.; (אֲדֹנִי,אֲדֹנַי,אֲדֹנָיare variatio 1lord (Phoenicianאדן) —׳אPsalm 12:5#NAME?אֲדוֺןJoshua 3:11+; pluralאֲדֹנִיםIsaiah 26:13+; constructאֲדֹנֵיDeuteronomy 10:17+; suffixאֲדֹנֵינוּ1 Samuel 25:14+ etc.; (אֲדֹנִי,אֲדֹנַי,אֲדֹנָיare variatio

Interlinear data not available for this verse yet.

---

Get the daily verse delivered free

Create Free Account

Automatic daily verse emails after signup

← Chapter 6 All Chapters