Zechariah 6:5 The angel answered me, "These are the four spirits of heaven, going out from standing in the presence of the Lord of the whole world.

◄ Zechariah 6:5 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
The angel answered me, "These are the four spirits of heaven, going out from standing in the presence of the Lord of the whole world.

English Standard Version
And the angel answered and said to me, “These are going out to the four winds of heaven, after presenting themselves before the LORD of all the earth.

New American Standard Bible
The angel replied to me, "These are the four spirits of heaven, going forth after standing before the Lord of all the earth,

King James Bible
And the angel answered and said unto me, These are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The angel told me, "These are the four spirits of heaven going out after presenting themselves to the Lord of the whole earth.

International Standard Version
The angel told me, "These are four heavenly spirits that are going out on patrol after having presented themselves to the Lord of the whole earth.

American Standard Version
And the angel answered and said unto me, These are the four winds of heaven, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And the angel answered, and said to me: These are the four winds of the heaven, which go forth to stand before the Lord of all the earth.

Darby Bible Translation
And the angel answered and said unto me, These are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth.

Young's Literal Translation
And the messenger answereth and saith unto me, 'These are four spirits of the heavens coming forth from presenting themselves before the Lord of the whole earth.

Cross References

Matthew 24:31
And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Revelation 7:1
And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.

Joshua 3:11
Behold, the ark of the covenant of the LORD of all the earth passes over before you into Jordan.

Jeremiah 49:36
And on Elam will I bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven, and will scatter them toward all those winds; and there shall be no nation where the outcasts of Elam shall not come.

Ezekiel 37:9
Then said he to me, Prophesy to the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus said the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.

Daniel 7:2
Daniel spoke and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove on the great sea.

Daniel 11:4
And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those.

Zechariah 1:10
And the man that stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, These are they whom the LORD has sent to walk to and fro through the earth.

Zechariah 6:1
And I turned, and lifted up my eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came four chariots out from between two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of brass.

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Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

6:1-8 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.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

5. four spirits of the heavens—heavenly spirits who "stand before Jehovah" to receive God's commands (Zec 4:14; 1Ki 22:19; Job 2:1; Lu 1:19) in heaven (of which Zion is the counterpart on earth, see on [1177]Zec 6:1), and proceed with chariot speed (2Ki 6:17; Ps 68:17) to execute them on earth in its four various quarters (Ps 104:4; Heb 1:7, 14) [Pembellus]. Or, the secret impulses of God which emanate from His counsel and providence; the prophet implies that all the revolutions in the world are from the Spirit of God and are as it were, His messengers or spirits [Calvin].