Zechariah 1:8
6 But did not My words and My statutes, which I commanded My servants the prophets, overtake your fathers? They repented and said, ‘Just as the LORD of Hosts purposed to do to us according to our ways and deeds, so He has done to us.’”
7 On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, the month of Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo.
I looked out into the night and saw a man riding on a red horse. He was standing among the myrtle trees in the hollow, and behind him were red, sorrel, and white horses.
9 “What are these, my lord?” I asked. And the angel who was speaking with me replied, “I will show you what they are.”
10 Then the man standing among the myrtle trees explained, “They are the ones the LORD has sent to patrol the earth.”
This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- I looked out into the night and saw a man riding on a red horse. He was standing among the myrtle trees in the hollow, and behind him were red, sorrel, and white horses.
- KJV
- 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.
- WEB
- “I had a vision in the night, and behold, 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.
- ASV
- I saw in the 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 there were horses, red, sorrel, and white.
- DARBY
- I saw by night, and behold, a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle-trees that were in the low valley; and behind him were red, bay, and white horses.
- BLB
- I saw [in] the night, and behold, a man was riding on a red horse, and it was standing among the myrtle trees that [were] in the hollow; and behind him [were] red, sorrel, and white horses.
- ÅB
- Jeg hadde et syn om natten: Jeg så en mann som red på en rød hest, og han holdt stille blant myrtetrærne i dalbunnen; og bak ham var det røde, blakke og hvite hester.
- OTB
- Jeg så om natten, og se, en mann som red på en rød hest, sto blant myrtetrærne i dalen, med røde, brunflekkete og hvite hester bak seg.
- B1930
- Jeg hadde et syn om natten: Jeg så en mann som red på en rød hest, og han holdt stille blandt myrtetrærne i dalbunnen; og bak ham var det røde, blakke og hvite hester.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Revelation 6:4
Then another horse went forth. It was bright red, and its rider was granted permission to take away peace from the earth and to make men slay one another. And he was given a great sword.
Read in contextIsaiah 55:13
Instead of the thornbush, a cypress will grow, and instead of the brier, a myrtle will spring up; they will make a name for the LORD, an everlasting sign, never to be destroyed.”
Read in contextRevelation 2:1
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of Him who holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands.
Read in contextIsaiah 41:19
I will plant cedars in the wilderness, acacias, myrtles, and olive trees. I will set cypresses in the desert, elms and boxwood together,
Read in contextZechariah 13:7
Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, against the man who is My Companion, declares the LORD of Hosts. Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn My hand against the little ones.
Read in contextZechariah 6:2–7
The first chariot had red horses, the second black horses,
Read in contextDaniel 7:13
In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence.
Read in contextIsaiah 63:1–4
Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah with crimson-stained garments? Who is this robed in splendor, marching in the greatness of His strength? “It is I, proclaiming vindication, mighty to save.”
Read in context