Zechariah Chapter 1 — Call to Repentance and Night Visions
The prophet Zechariah calls the people to return to God and recounts his visions of horses patrolling the earth and the coming restoration of Jerusalem.
1In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, the LORD’s*When rendered in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, “LORD” or “GOD” is the translation of God’s Proper Name (Hebrew “יהוה”, usually pronounced Yahweh). word came to the prophet Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo, saying,
2“The LORD was very displeased with your fathers.
3Therefore tell them, the LORD of Armies says: ‘Return to me,’ says the LORD of Armies, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the LORD of Armies.
4Don’t you be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets proclaimed, saying: The LORD of Armies says, ‘Return now from your evil ways and from your evil doings;’ but they didn’t hear nor listen to me, says the LORD.
5Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever?
6But my words and my decrees, which I commanded my servants the prophets, didn’t they overtake your fathers?
7On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the LORD’s word came to the prophet Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo, saying,
8“I had a vision in the night, and behold,†“Behold”, from “הִנֵּה”, means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection. a man riding on a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in a ravine; and behind him there were red, brown, and white horses.
9Then I asked, ‘My lord, what are these?’ ”
10The man who stood among the myrtle trees answered, “They are the ones the LORD has sent to go back and forth through the earth.”
11They reported to the LORD’s angel who stood among the myrtle trees, and said, “We have walked back and forth through the earth, and behold, all the earth is at rest and in peace.”
12Then the LORD’s angel replied, “O LORD of Armies, how long will you not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which you have had indignation these seventy years?”
13The LORD answered the angel who talked with me with kind and comforting words.
14So the angel who talked with me said to me, “Proclaim, saying, ‘The LORD of Armies says: “I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy.
15I am very angry with the nations that are at ease; for I was but a little displeased, but they added to the calamity.”
16Therefore the LORD says: “I have returned to Jerusalem with mercy. My house shall be built in it,” says the LORD of Armies, “and a line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem.” ’
17“Proclaim further, saying, ‘The LORD of Armies says: “My cities will again overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort Zion, and will again choose Jerusalem.” ’ ”
18I lifted up my eyes and saw, and behold, four horns.
19I asked the angel who talked with me, “What are these?”
20The LORD showed me four craftsmen.
21Then I asked, “What are these coming to do?”
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Zechariah 1:3
“Therefore tell them, the LORD of Armies says: ‘Return to me,’ says the LORD of Armies, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the LORD of Armies.”
This verse establishes the central theme of the chapter, emphasizing the reciprocal nature of the relationship between God and His people.
Zechariah 1:13
“The LORD answered the angel who talked with me with kind and comforting words.”
It highlights God's compassionate response to the intercession for Jerusalem's restoration.
Zechariah 1:17
“Proclaim further, saying, ‘The LORD of Armies says: “My cities will again overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort Zion, and will again choose Jerusalem.”’”
This verse contains the prophetic promise of future abundance and divine favor for the city of Jerusalem.
Chapter Summary
Zechariah 1 opens in the second year of King Darius with a solemn warning to the people of Judah not to follow the rebellious ways of their ancestors. God calls for a sincere return to Him, promising to return to those who repent. The chapter then shifts to a series of night visions experienced by the prophet. In the first vision, Zechariah sees a man on a red horse standing among myrtle trees in a ravine, accompanied by other horses. These riders report that they have patrolled the earth and found it at rest. An angel intercedes for Jerusalem, asking how long God's indignation will last. In response, the Lord offers kind and comforting words, promising to return to Jerusalem with mercy and to rebuild His house. The chapter concludes with a second vision involving four horns that scattered Judah and four craftsmen sent to cast them down, signifying the removal of those who oppressed the people.
Frequently Asked Questions
The main message is a call for the post-exilic community to return to God with their whole hearts. It serves as an encouragement that God has not abandoned Jerusalem and intends to restore the city and the temple.
The horsemen are messengers sent by the Lord to go back and forth through the earth. They report to the angel of the Lord that the world is currently at peace while the people of Judah were still awaiting full restoration.
The four horns represent the nations or powers that scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem. The four craftsmen represent the forces sent by God to terrify and cast down these powers to bring justice.
Study Note
The mention of the second year of Darius Hystaspes dates this prophecy to approximately 520 BC, a critical time for the returning exiles rebuilding the temple.
Related Chapters
Haggai Chapter 1
Both Zechariah and Haggai were contemporary prophets who encouraged the rebuilding of the temple during the same period.
Ezra Chapter 5
Ezra provides the historical account of Zechariah's prophetic ministry during the reign of Darius.
Revelation Chapter 6
The imagery of different colored horses patrolling the earth is also found in the New Testament visions of John.
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