About Zechariah

Zechariah encouraged the temple rebuilders with apocalyptic visions and messianic prophecies of the coming King.

Author: ZechariahWritten: c. 520-518 BCReading time: ~3 minVerses: 21
MessiahRestorationVisionsKingdomSpiritReturn

King James Version

Zechariah 1

21 verses with commentary

A Call to Return to the Lord

In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,

View commentary (3 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

The precise dating—'eighth month, second year of Darius'—grounds this post-exilic prophecy in historical reality. This corresponds to October/November 520 BC, during temple rebuilding under Zerubbabel. Zechariah ('Yahweh remembers') and his genealogy establish prophetic credentials. His contemporary Haggai had already stirred temple work (Haggai 1:1). The detailed introduction emphasizes that bibl...
Read full commentary →

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission. Bible Hub

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**3. prayer ... supplications--**literally, "intercessions ... entreaties for mercy." Praying for blessings, and deprecating evils.

The LORD hath been sore displeased with your fathers. sore: Heb. with displeasure

View commentary (2 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

God's message begins bluntly: 'The LORD hath been sore displeased with your fathers.' The emphatic 'sore displeased' (Hebrew: qatsaph qatsaph, intense anger) recalls the exile's cause—covenant unfaithfulness. This isn't beginning with encouragement but with sobering historical reality. God's anger at sin is real and consequential. The reference to 'fathers' creates continuity—the exile generation'...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**4. my confession--**according to God's promises in Le 26:39-42, that if Israel in exile for sin should repent and confess, God would remember for them His covenant with Abraham (compare De 30:1-5; Jr 29:12-14; Jas 4:10). God's promise was absolute, but prayer also was ordained as about to precede its fulfilment, this too being the work of God in His people, as much as the external restoration wh...
Read full commentary →

Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts.

View commentary (2 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

This verse contains one of Scripture's most gracious invitations, rooted in covenant faithfulness. "Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts" establishes prophetic authority—this is God's direct word, not human opinion. "Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts" uses the imperative shuvu elay ("return to me"), the prophetic call to repentance. The verb shuv means to turn back, re...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

5. Compare Nehemiah's confession (Ne 9:1-38). **sinned ... committed iniquity ... done wickedly ... rebelled--**a climax. Erred in ignorance ... sinned by infirmity ... habitually and wilfully done wickedness ... as open and obstinate rebels set ourselves against God.

Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the LORD.

View commentary (2 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

God's call through former prophets: 'Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings.' The command to differ from fathers emphasizes the need for generational repentance—each generation must personally turn from sin. 'Evil ways' (lifestyle patterns) and 'evil doings' (specific acts...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**6. prophets ... spake ... to our kings ... to all the people--**They fearlessly warned all without respect of persons.

Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever?

View commentary (2 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever?</strong> These two rhetorical questions form the climax of the Angel of the LORD's response to the questioning patrol in Zechariah's first vision. The questions are devastatingly simple yet profound. The "fathers" (<em>avotekem</em>, אֲבוֹתֵיכֶם) refers to the generation that experienced exile—those who ignored the prop...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**7. confusion of faces, as at this day--**Shame at our guilt, betrayed in our countenance, is what belongs to us; as our punishment "at this day" attests. **near, and ... far off--**the chastisement, however varied, some Jews not being cast off so far from Jerusalem as others, all alike were sharers in the guilt.

But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us. take: or, overtake

View commentary

KJV Study Commentary

God's rhetorical question: 'But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers?' The answer is obviously yes—God's words 'took hold,' meaning judgment caught up with them. The phrase suggests inescapable consequences; divine words accomplish their purpose (Isaiah 55:11). The fathers' return and acknowledgment demonstrates judgment's eff...
Read full commentary →

The Vision of the Horses

Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Sebat, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,

View commentary (2 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

The vision's introduction: 'Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Sebat, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah.' This occurs three months after the initial message (v. 1), marking February 519 BC. The precise dating emphasizes God's timing—during temple rebuilding, God provides encouraging visions. The formula 'came the word of t...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**9. mercies--**The plural intensifies the force; mercy manifold and exhibited in countless ways. As it is humbling to recollect "righteousness belongeth unto God," so it is comforting, that "mercies belong to the Lord OUR God." **though we have rebelled--**rather, "since," &amp;c. [Vulgate], (Psa 25:11). Our punishment is not inconsistent with His "mercies," since we have rebelled against Him.

I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in the bottom; and behind him were there red horses, speckled, and white. speckled: or, bay

View commentary (2 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

The first vision begins: 'I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in the bottom; and behind him were there red horses, speckled, and white.' The night vision suggests divine revelation through dreams. The 'man' on the red horse likely represents the Angel of the LORD (pre-incarnate Christ, v. 11). Red may symbolize war/judgment; speck...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**10. set before us--**not ambiguously, but plainly, so that we were without excuse.

Then said I, O my lord, what are these? And the angel that talked with me said unto me, I will shew thee what these be.

View commentary (2 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

Zechariah's response: 'Then said I, O my lord, what are these? And the angel that talked with me said unto me, I will shew thee what these be.' The prophet's humble inquiry ('O my lord') shows proper reverence. His question demonstrates that visions require interpretation; symbolic revelation isn't self-evident but needs divine explanation. The interpreting angel functions as guide, showing that G...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**11. all--**(Psa 14:3; Ro 3:12). **the curse ... and ... oath ... in ... law--**the curse against Israel, if disobedient, which God ratified by oath (Le 26:14-39; De 27:15-26; 28:15-68; 29:1-29).

And the man that stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, These are they whom the LORD hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth.

View commentary (2 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

The man among the myrtle trees explains: 'These are they whom the LORD hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth.' The horses represent angelic agents sent on divine reconnaissance. 'Walk to and fro' suggests comprehensive surveillance—God monitors all earth through angelic ministry. This demonstrates divine omniscience and providence: nothing escapes God's notice. The world isn't deistic (Go...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**12. confirmed his words--**showed by the punishments we suffer, that His words were no idle threats. **under ... heaven hath not been done as ... upon Jerusalem--**(La 1:12).

And they answered the angel of the LORD that stood among the myrtle trees, and said, We have walked to and fro through the earth, and, behold, all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest.

View commentary (2 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

The angels' report: 'We have walked to and fro through the earth, and, behold, all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest.' This describes world conditions circa 520 BC—Persia had stabilized after Darius suppressed rebellions. Yet this 'rest' is problematic; Israel remains weak under foreign rule while their oppressors enjoy peace. The report sets up the question: when will God judge nations and ...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**13. yet made we not our prayer before--**literally, "soothed not the face of." Not even our chastisement has taught us penitence (Is 9:13; Jr 5:3; Ho 7:10). Diseased, we spurn the healing medicine. **that we might turn, &amp;c.--**Prayer can only be accepted when joined with the desire to turn from sin to God (Psa 66:18; Pr 28:9). **understand thy truth--**"attentively regard Thy faithfulnes...
Read full commentary →

Then the angel of the LORD answered and said, O LORD of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years?

View commentary (2 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

The Angel of the LORD's response to the report: 'O LORD of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years?' This identifies the Angel as distinct from Yahweh yet interceding with Him—supporting the Angel's identification as pre-incarnate Christ. The 'how long' expresses the proper concern over...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**14. watched upon the evil--**expressing ceaseless vigilance that His people's sins might not escape His judgment, as a watchman on guard night and day (Job 14:16; Jr 31:28; 44:27). God watching upon the Jews' punishment forms a striking contrast to the Jews' slumbering in their sins. **God is righteous--**True penitents "justify" God, "ascribing righteousness to Him," instead of complaining of...
Read full commentary →

And the LORD answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words.

View commentary (2 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And the LORD answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words.</strong> Following the Angel of the LORD's intercession (verse 12) questioning how long God would withhold mercy from Jerusalem and Judah after seventy years of indignation, God responds with <strong>"good words"</strong> (<em>devarim tovim</em>, דְּבָרִים טוֹבִים) and <strong>"comfortable words"</st...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**15. brought thy people ... out of ... Egypt--**a proof to all ages that the seed of Abraham is Thy covenant-people. That ancient benefit gives us hope that Thou wilt confer a like one on us now under similar circumstances (Psa 80:8-14; Jr 32:21; 23:7, 8). **as at this day--**is known.

So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy.

View commentary (2 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy</strong> (קַנֵּאתִי לִירוּשָׁלַ‍ִם וּלְצִיּוֹן קִנְאָה גְדוֹלָה, <em>qinneiti lirushalayim ul-tziyyon qin'ah gedolah</em>)—God's declaration reveals the intensity of His covenant love. The verb <em>qana</em> (קָנָא) means to be jealous, zealous, or intensely protective of what belongs to oneself. This is not petty envy but right...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**16. thy righteousness--**not stern justice in punishing, but Thy faithfulness to Thy promises of mercy to them who trust in Thee (Psa 31:1; 143:1). **thy city--**chosen as Thine in the election of grace, which changes not. **for ... iniquities of ... fathers--**(Ex 20:5). He does not impugn God's justice in this, as did the murmurers (Eze 18:2, 3; compare Jr 31:29). **thy people ... a repr...
Read full commentary →

And I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction.

View commentary (2 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

God declares 'I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction.' The Hebrew intensifies it: 'I am jealous with great jealousy' (qana'ti qin'ah gedolah) regarding Jerusalem, but 'with great wrath I am wrathful' (qetseph gadol ani qotsef) toward complacent nations. God's measured discipline of Israel through Babylo...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**17. cause thy face to shine--**metaphor from the sun, which gladdens all that it beams upon (Nu 6:25; Mal 4:2).

Therefore thus saith the LORD; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem.

View commentary (2 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Therefore thus saith the LORD; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem.</strong> This verse unpacks the "good and comfortable words" of verse 13. God declares <strong>"I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies"</strong> (<em>shavti li-Yerushalayim be-rachamim</em>, שַׁבְתִּי לִירוּשָׁל...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**18. present ... supplications--**literally, "cause to fall," &amp;c. (compare Note, see on Jr 36:7).

Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the LORD shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem. prosperity: Heb. good

View commentary (2 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the LORD shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem.</strong> The triple repetition of <strong>"yet"</strong> (<em>od</em>, עוֹד, "again" or "still") emphasizes certainty despite present circumstances. <strong>"My cities"</strong> indicates God's continued ownership and c...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

19. The short broken ejaculations and repetitions show the intense fervor of his supplications. **defer not--**He implies that the seventy years are now all but complete. **thine own sake--**often repeated, as being the strongest plea (Jr 14:21).

Then lifted I up mine eyes, and saw, and behold four horns.

View commentary (2 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Then lifted I up mine eyes, and saw, and behold four horns.</strong> Zechariah's second vision presents <strong>"four horns"</strong> (<em>arba qarnayim</em>, אַרְבַּע קְרָנָיִם). In ancient Near Eastern iconography and Scripture, <strong>"horns"</strong> symbolize power, strength, and dominion (Deuteronomy 33:17; 1 Kings 22:11; Daniel 7:7-8, 24; Revelation 13:1). The number four suggests ...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**20. whiles I was speaking--**repeated in Da 9:21; emphatically marking that the answer was given before the prayer was completed, as God promised (Is 30:19; 65:24; compare Psa 32:5).

And I said unto the angel that talked with me, What be these? And he answered me, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.

View commentary (2 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And I said unto the angel that talked with me, What be these? And he answered me, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.</strong> Zechariah's question <strong>"What be these?"</strong> models appropriate response to puzzling visions—ask for divine interpretation rather than relying solely on human speculation. The interpreting angel provides the answer: <str...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**21. I had seen in the vision at the beginning--**namely, in the former vision by the river Ulai (Da 8:1, 16). **fly swiftly--**literally, "with weariness," that is, move swiftly as one breathless and wearied out with quick running [Gesenius]. English Version is better (Is 6:2; Eze 1:6; Re 14:6). **time of ... evening oblation--**the ninth hour, three o'clock (compare 1Ki 18:36). As formerly,...
Read full commentary →

And the LORD shewed me four carpenters.

View commentary (2 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

In Zechariah's vision sequence, after seeing four horns representing nations that scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem (v. 19), 'the LORD showed me four craftsmen' (harashim). These craftsmen/artisans are agents of judgment against the oppressors—their purpose (v. 21) is to 'terrify and cast down the horns of the nations that lifted up their horn against Judah to scatter it.' The symbolism revea...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**22. to give thee ... understanding--**Da 8:16; Da 8:26 shows that the symbolical vision had not been understood. God therefore now gives "information" directly, instead of by symbol, which required interpretation.

Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but these are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it.

View commentary (2 sources)

KJV Study Commentary

The angel explains the craftsmen's purpose: 'These are the horns which have scattered Judah... and these are come to terrify them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it.' The Hebrew 'le-harid' (to terrify) indicates causing trembling/panic—those who scattered God's people will themselves experience terror. 'Cast out/down' (le-yado'ah...
Read full commentary →

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**23. At the beginning of thy supplications, &amp;c.--**The promulgation of the divine decree was made in heaven to the angels as soon as Daniel began to pray. **came forth--**from the divine throne; so Da 9:22. **thou art greatly beloved--**literally, "a man of desires" (compare Eze 23:6, 12); the object of God's delight. As the apocalyptic prophet of the New Testament was "the disciple whom ...
Read full commentary →

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study