Book of Zechariah Chapter 6 Vs. 1

 

A Vision of Four Chariots

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

And I turned...

שׁוּב

šûḇ: A verb meaning to turn, to return, to go back, to do again, to change, to withdraw, to bring back, to reestablish, to be returned, to bring back, to take, to restore, to recompense, to answer, to hinder. The verb is used over one thousand times and has various shades of meaning in its four stems. In the simple stem, it is used to describe divine and human reactions, attitudes, and feelings. The verb describes the possibility that Israel might change (turn) their minds and return to Egypt (Exo. 13:17). Josiah the king turned back to the Lord with all his heart, soul, and strength (2Kgs. 23:25; Jer. 34:15). Nevertheless, the Lord did not turn from the anger He held toward Judah (2Kgs. 23:26; Jer. 4:28). Job pleaded with his miserable comforters to relent (i.e., turn away) from him (Job 6:29). God's people will return (repent) and seek Him in the last days (Deu. 30:2; Isa. 59:20; Hos. 3:5) instead of turning away from Him as they are now; to return to Egypt (Isa. 6:10; Hos. 11:5). God's call was persistently for His people to return to Him (1Kgs. 8:33; Jer. 4:1). Any nation can repent and turn to God for forgiveness (Jer. 18:8).

The word is used metaphorically to describe things returning: God's Word will not be revoked (returned) once it has been uttered (Isa. 45:23; 55:11); Jacob stayed with Laban until Esau's anger cooled off (turned back) (Gen. 27:44-45); blood guilt could return on one's own head (1Kgs. 2:33; Psm. 7:16,17). This word also describes the sword of Saul that did not return without success from the battlefield (2Sam. 1:22).

The verb also indicates to returning to or to change into. For example, human beings return to the dust of the earth (Gen. 3:19; Ecc. 12:7); but a person cannot naturally return to life (2Sam. 12:23); unless God's Spirit brings it about (1Kgs. 13:6). A land of great natural fertility can be reduced (turned into) to a farmer's cropland (Isa. 29:17).

In its simplest sense, the word means to return, to restore, to go back. Abraham's descendants in their fourth generation would return to Canaan (Gen. 15:16); God returned to visit His people (Gen. 8:9; 18:10). It is also used to describe turning chariots about when needed (1Kgs. 22:33; Mic. 2:8).

This verb is used with other verbs of motion, all in their infinitive or participial forms, to describe a back and forth motion; the ravens Noah sent out went back and forth (Gen. 8:7). Used with another verb in general, šûḇis either not translated or means to do again whatever action is indicated by the other verb, such as when Isaac dug again the wells his father had previously dug (Gen. 26:18). A similar meaning is to take back or recapture when this verb is used with the Hebrew verb lāqaḥ, meaning to take or to receive (2Kgs. 13:25; Mic. 7:19). Finally, if this verb is used with a following infinitive of another verb, it means to do over and over or more and more; Israel angered the Lord more and more than they had already angered Him by performing pagan rituals (Ezk. 8:17).

and lifted up...

נָשָׂא

nāśā’: A verb meaning to lift, to carry, to take away. This verb is used almost six hundred times in the Hebrew Bible and covers three distinct semantic ranges. The first range is to lift, which occurs in both literal (Gen. 7:17; 29:1; Ezk. 10:16) and figurative statements: to lift the hand in taking an oath (Deu. 32:40); in combat (2Sam. 18:28); as a sign (Isa. 49:22); in retribution (Psm. 10:12). Other figurative statements include the lifting of: the head (Gen. 40:13); the face (2Sam. 2:22); the eyes (Gen. 13:10); the voice (1Sam. 30:4). It is also important to note that a person can take up or induce iniquity by a number of actions (Exo. 28:43; Lev. 19:17; 22:9; Num. 18:32). The second semantic category is to bear or to carry and is used especially in reference to the bearing of guilt or punishment of sin (Gen. 4:13; Lev. 5:1). This flows easily then into the concept of the representative or substitutionary bearing of one person's guilt by another (Lev. 10:17; 16:22). The final category is to take away. It can be used in the simple sense of taking something (Gen. 27:3); to take a wife or to get married (Ruth 1:4); to take away guilt or to forgive (Gen. 50:17); to take away or to destroy (Job 32:22).

mine eyes,...

עַיִן

‛ayin, עֵינַיִם

‛ēynayim: A feminine noun meaning an eye, a spring, a fountain. This Hebrew word is used to refer to either an aperture or a source. It is used to signify the physical organ of sight (Pro. 20:12); the providential oversight of the Lord (Psm. 33:18); and a water well (Gen. 16:7; Exo. 15:27). By extension, it refers to being in the presence of another (Jer. 32:12); the visible surface of the earth (Num. 22:5); the human face (1Kgs. 20:38; 2Kgs. 9:30); and the general appearance of something (1Sam. 16:7; Ezk. 1:4). In a figurative sense, the eye was seen as the avenue of temptation (Job 31:7); the scope of personal judgment or opinion (Jdg. 17:6); and the source of self-assessment (Pro. 26:5).

and looked,...

רָאָה

rā’āh, רֹאֶה

rō’eh: A verb meaning to see. Its basic denotation is to see with the eyes (Gen. 27:1). It can also have the following derived meanings, all of which require the individual to see physically outside of himself or herself: to see so that one can learn to know, whether it be another person (Deu. 33:9) or God (Deu. 1:31; 11:2); to experience (Jer. 5:12; 14:13; 20:18; 42:14); to perceive (Gen. 1:4, 1:10, 1:12, 1:18, 1:21, 1:25, 1:31; Exo. 3:4); to see by volition (Gen. 9:22-23; 42:9, 42:12); to look after or to visit (Gen. 37:14; 1Sam. 20:29); to watch (1Sam. 6:9); to find (1Sam. 16:17); to select (2Kgs. 10:3); to be concerned with (Gen. 39:23). It is also possible for this verb to require the individual to make a mental observation. As an imperative, it can function as an exclamation similar to hinnēh, which means to behold (Gen. 27:27; 31:50). Further, it can denote to give attention to (Jer. 2:31); to look into or inquire (1Sam. 24:15,16); to take heed (Exo. 10:10); to discern (Ecc. 1:16; 3:13); to distinguish (Mal. 3:18); to consider or reflect on (Ecc. 7:14). It can also connote a spiritual observation and comprehension by means of seeing visions (Gen. 41:22; Isa. 30:10).

and, behold,...

הִנֵּה

hinnēh: A interjection meaning behold, look, now; if. It is used often and expresses strong feelings, surprise, hope, expectation, certainty, thus giving vividness depending on its surrounding context. Its main meanings can only be summarized briefly here: It stresses a following word referring to persons or things (Gen. 12:19; 15:17; 18:9). It is used to answer, with the first person suffix attached, when one is called (Gen. 22:1, 22:7; 27:1; Exo. 3:4; 1Sam. 3:4). It is used of God's response (Isa. 52:6; 58:9; 65:1). It indicates a call to realize something God or others have done (Gen. 1:29; 17:20). It is followed with a particle of entreaty nā’ when a request is involved (Gen. 12:11; 16:2; 1Kgs. 20:31). It can call attention to something about to happen, a future reference (Exo. 32:34; 34:10). It is used to announce the Lord's sending of a child as a sign (Isa. 7:14). The word adds vividness and emotional involvement for the reader: "Behold, it was very good" (NASB) (Gen. 1:31; 6:12; 8:13; 18:2; 37:7; Amos 7:1; 8:1). Finally, it is used to introduce a formula of challenge (Jer. 21:13). In a few passages, it has the sense of if (Lev. 13:5-6, 13:8; Deu. 13:14, 15; 1Sam. 20:12).

there came four chariots out...

אַרְבַּע

’arba‛, אַרְבָּעָה

’arbā‛āh: A common noun meaning four. Used as an ordinal number, it means fourth. Put into its plural form, ’arbā‛îm, it means forty; put into its dual form, ’arbā‛ayîm, fourfold. With the preposition b^e added to it, followed by the month, it means fourth (Zec. 1:7).

מֶרְכָּבָה

merkāḇāh: A feminine noun meaning chariot. It refers to something ridden, for riding and is used of a two-wheeled vehicle, drawn by horses and normally used in war. Its uses include a war chariot (Exo. 14:25; 15:4); a chariot used by the state in its processions or for travel in general (Gen. 41:43; 46:29; Isa. 22:18). It was a symbol of military might and war (Isa. 2:7). It is used figuratively of the vehicles of war used by the Lord (Isa. 66:15; Hab. 3:8). Israel constructed some idolatrous "chariots of the sun" (2Kgs. 23:11).

יוֹצֵאת

yôṣē’ṯ, יָצָא

yāṣā’: I. A feminine noun meaning captivity. It is used of going forth from one's homeland into exile (Psm. 144:14). God's blessing on His people could prevent this from happening.

II. A verb meaning basically to go out or to come in. It is used in many settings and contexts and is nuanced by those settings. It is used of the rising or coming forth of the sun or stars (Gen. 19:23; Neh. 4:21,15); of the birth and coming out of a child (Gen. 25:26); of the springing up of plants (1Kgs. 4:33; 5:13). It indicates general motion or movement, stepping forth for various purposes (1Sam. 17:4; 2Sam. 16:5); to set out (Exo. 17:9); to set out in a military sense (Deu. 20:1; 1Sam. 8:20; 1Chr. 5:18; Pro. 30:27). Of birds it is used with šûḇ, to return, to mean to fly back and forth or here and there (Gen. 8:7).

It has many figurative uses: "to come out from" (yāṣā’+ min) means to be descended from (Gen. 10:14); to die is described as one's soul, life, going out, away (Gen. 35:18; Ezk. 26:18); to lack courage, to fail occurs when one's heart goes out (Gen. 42:28). The beginning of the year is described as the (old) year going out (Exo. 23:16); it is used of the effects of something wearing off (1Sam. 25:37). It is used of manna "coming out of one's nose," meaning becoming sick over excessive eating of a food (Num. 11:20). It describes the removal of dross from a metal (Pro. 25:4), purifying it.

It has several nuanced meanings in different settings: to escape free (1Sam. 14:41); to leave, to go away (Dan. 10:20). The removal of a scoffer causes a quarrel to cease, to go away (Pro. 22:10). It indicates the freeing of a slave (Lev. 25:25). The context in all its uses affects its meaning and translations. In its use as a causal stem verb, it takes on the idea of causing to go out, to go forth (Gen. 15:5; Jos. 2:3); to take away (Gen. 48:12); to lead an army (2Sam. 5:2). Or it indicates bringing forth, producing plants from the ground (Gen. 1:12); a weapon by an iron worker or smith (Isa. 54:16). Or it may, in the personal sphere, indicate bringing forth one's spirit or breath, indicating that a person makes his or her feelings known (Pro. 29:11), as is characteristic of a fool. It is used with the word justice to mean to bring forth or execute justice (Isa. 42:1, 42:3). In its passive uses, it indicates that someone or something is led forth (Gen. 38:25; Ezk. 14:22; cf. 38:22).

from between...

מִן

min, מִנִּי

minniy, מִנֵּי

minnēy: A preposition used to indicate from, out of, away from; more than: after, since; immediately; because of, since, so that; without; direction as southward, etc.). Its spelling varies according to its location and usage. Its basic meaning is from, away from, out of. Its basic meanings only can be noted here, but its exact meaning is easily discerned from its context: (1) With verbs, it expresses separation spatially or figuratively (Exo. 19:14; Deu. 22:8; Jos. 10:7). It can be used with a verb not indicating separation, e.g., to stay away from strife (Pro. 20:3; Isa. 14:19). (2) With the basic sense of out of, from (Gen. 3:22-24; 4:10; 34:26; Exo. 2:10; 8:9,5; Jdg. 15:7; Psm. 40:2,3), it often indicates what something is made of or formed from (Gen. 2:19; Hos. 13:2). With a pronominal suffix meaning from it, it means of one piece with it (Exo. 25:19, 25:31). It indicates a cause for something, on account of, because (Exo. 2:23; 6:9; 1Kgs. 14:4; Pro. 20:4; Isa. 53:5). (3) It is used to mean something is a part of something else, a part or share of it (Gen. 6:19; 7:8; 39:11; Num. 16:2). It indicates some of in an indefinite sense (Exo. 16:27; Lev. 25:49; Psm. 137:3). When repeated it means some . . . others or its equivalent expression (1Chr. 9:28-29). (4) It is used to mark time: from, since (Deu. 9:24), from a certain day or time (Lev. 22:27; Num. 15:23; 1Sam. 18:9). It is used in phrases to mean from ancient times, antiquity (Hab. 1:12); from of old (Isa. 42:14). It indicates right after a certain time (Gen. 38:24; Jos. 23:1; Ezk. 38:8). (5) Paired with ‛aḏ it usually means from . . . even to, as far as (Gen. 10:19; 15:18; Exo. 11:7; Jer. 51:62). In a figurative sense, this same construction can mean e.g., from young . . . to old, both inclusive (Gen. 19:4; 1Sam. 5:9; Jer. 6:13). (6) It may further indicate than, in comparisons (Lev. 21:10; Jdg. 14:18). (7) Prefixed to an infinitive, it is often translated as from (Gen. 16:2); a few times as on account of or because (Deu. 7:7-8); or temporally as since or after (Num. 24:23; Isa. 44:7). (8) It is often attached to other words in compounds and is sometimes used in front of infinitives of verbs: e.g., with ‛āḇaḏ meaning from serving (Exo. 14:5); with bāla‛ meaning from destroying (Lam. 2:8). (9) It is used in front of a verb form once as a conjunction indicating a negative purpose, "that . . . not" (Deu. 33:11). Other uses almost always fall under one of the above categories.

בַּיִן

bayin: A noun used as a preposition to mean between, among, in the midst. It means literally between two things (Gen. 15:17). It is repeated later in a sentence with the two words meaning (between . . . and, bayin . . . ûbayin; Gen. 1:4, 1:6; Isa. 59:2). It indicates that something is within a certain area (Pro. 26:13, in the open square, NASB). Preceded by ’el and followed by l^e, it gives location among (Ezk. 10:2), or with min on the front, it indicates from between (Gen. 49:10). In Neh. 5:18, it means interval, marking a period of ten days.

two...

שְׁנַיִם

š^enayim, שְׁתַּיִם

š^ettayim: An adjective, dual adjective meaning two, both, a pair. It refers to two of anything, e.g., two of us (Gen. 21:27; 31:37); two brothers (Gen. 9:22); two slices of bread (1Sam. 10:4). The phrase š^enayim š^enayim means two by two (Gen. 7:9). Its forms may precede ‛āśǎr to mean twelve (Gen. 14:4; Gen. 17:20). It combines to form larger numbers, e.g., two hundred thirty-two (1Kgs. 20:15).

mountains;...

הַר

har: A masculine noun indicating a hill, hill country, mountain, mountain range. With a following modifying word, it may mean a mountain range, such as the mountains or hill country of Gilead (Gen. 31:21; cf. Deu. 1:7; Jos. 17:15; Jdg. 12:15) or denote individual mountains or Mount Ebal (Deu. 11:29). It indicates a particular mountain from the context without naming it (Gen. 22:2). Combined with the word for God, ’^elohı̄ym, preceding, it points out the mountain of God (Exo. 4:27; 18:5; 24:13; Psm. 68:15,16) or mountain of the Lord used with yhwh (Num. 10:33). These mountains and hills were sacred places for the gods of the pagan peoples of Canaan (Deu. 12:2), also called gods of the mountains (1Kgs. 20:23). It refers to the har-mō’ēḏ or the mountain of assembly, a dwelling place of the gods (Isa. 14:13). The word is used in a figurative sense often: the Lord weighs the mountains in His hand (Isa. 40:12) and can lay them waste as a sign of His judgments (Isa. 42:15). God causes His people to thresh the mountains as a sign of their defeating their foes (Isa. 41:15). God calls the mountains as His witnesses (Mic. 6:2) and speaks to them (Ezk. 36:1, 36:4, 36:8). They are expected to praise the Lord (Psm. 148:9), and they leap in praise (Psm. 114:4, 114:6). The mountains symbolize strength (Isa. 2:14); great age, antiquity, and stability (Pro. 8:25), yet the Lord's love is even more enduring (Isa. 54:10).

and the mountains... see above.

were mountains... see above.

Of brass...

נְחשֶׁת

n^eḥōšeṯ: I. A common noun referring to copper, bronze wealth. Copper is a metal occurring naturally (Deu. 8:9); bronze is a metal alloy of copper and tin. The meaning of this word depends on its use in context. It is found listed among other materials of the ancient world (Gen. 4:22; 2Sam. 8:10). There were skilled craftsmen who worked in bronze (1Kgs. 7:14) as a medium of construction, art, and ornamentation. Bronze made possible a better grade of all kinds of implements and tools of labor or war: weapons, pillars, columns, bases, stands, the great bronze sea of Solomon (Num. 16:39;17:14; 1Sam. 17:5-6; 2Kgs. 25:13-14). The word describes chains of copper or bronze (Jdg. 16:21). It was considered a highly prized spoil of war (2Sam. 8:8; Jer. 52:17, 52:20). It is used figuratively to indicate God's refusal to respond to His people (Deu. 28:23); and in visions of bronze mountains (Zec. 6:1).

II. A common noun meaning lewdness, lust. It is used of female genitals or nakedness, shame (Ezk. 16:36) or some such obscene sense of the word.