Zechariah 6:8

Then cried he upon me, and spake unto me, saying, Behold, these that go toward the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country. BEHOLD, THESE THAT GO TOWARD THE NORTH ... QUIETED MY SPIRIT IN THE NORTH COUNTRY - i:e., have caused my anger to rest (margin, ; ; ; ). Babylon alone of the four great world-kingdoms had in Zechariah's time been finally punished; therefore, in its case alone does God now say His anger is satisfied; the others had as yet to expiate their sins; the fourth has still to do so. The Crowning of Joshua.-The double crown is placed on Joshua's head, symbolizing that the true priesthood and the kingdom...

From this verse we learn that the chief object of the vision was — that the Jews might know that the dreadful tumults in Chaldea, which had in part happened, and were yet to take place, were not excited without a design, but that all things were regulated by God’s hidden counsel, and also that God had so disturbed and embarrassed the state of that empire, that the end of it might be looked for. There is therefore no reason for any one too anxiously to labor to understand the import of every part of the prophecy, since its general meaning is evident. But why does the angel expressly speak of the land of the south rather than of the land of the north, or of the whole world? Even because the eyes of all were fixed on that quarter; for Chaldea, we know, had been as it were the grave of the Church, whence the remnant had emerged, that there might be some people by whom God might be worshipped...

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...

Verse Zechariah 6:8. _HAVE QUIETED MY SPIRIT IN THE NORTH COUNTRY._] They have fulfilled my judgments on _Assyria_ and _Chaldea_. Nabopolassar and Cyrus first, against the Assyrians and Chaldeans; and Alexander next, against the Persians. On this vision Abp. _Newcome_ remarks:- The _black horses_ seem to denote the _Persian_ empire; which, by subduing the _Chaldeans_, and being about to inflict a second heavy chastisement on _Babylon, quieted God's spirit_ with respect to _Chaldea_; a country always spoken of as lying to the _north_ of the Jews. The _white horses_ seem to be the Macedonian empire; which, like the Persian, overcame _Chaldea_. The _spotted bay horses_ seem to be the _Roman_ empire. This description suits it because it was governed by _kings, consuls,_

THEN GOD, OR THE ANGEL OF THE LORD - who speaks of what belonged to God alone, “called me” (probably “loudly” Judges 4:10, Judges 4:13; 2 Samuel 20:4), so as to command his attention to this which most immediately concerned his people. THESE HAVE QUIETED MY SPIRIT IN THE NORTH COUNTRY - Or rather, “have made My anger to rest” on, that is, have carried it thither and deposited it there, made it to rest upon them, as its abode, as John saith of the unbelieving, “The wrath of God abideth on him” John 3:36. Babylon had been the final antagonist and subduer of the people of God. It

EXPOSITION ZECHARIAH 6:1 § 10. _The eighth vision: the four chariots._ ZECHARIAH 6:1 I TURNED, AND LIFTED UP MINE EYES (see note on Zechariah 5:1). FOUR CHARIOTS. These are war chariots. The angel explains, in Zechariah 6:5, etc; what these chariots mean, how that they represent God's judgments on sinners in all the world. Though evil is removed from the Church, God's vengeance pursues it wherever it is located. If we compare this vision with the first ...

THEN CRIED HE UPON ME, AND SPAKE UNTO ME, SAYING,.... That is, the Lord of the whole earth spoke to the prophet with a loud voice, and uttered the following words: BEHOLD, THESE THAT GO TOWARD THE NORTH COUNTRY; meaning the Medes and Persians, which went towards Babylon: HAVE QUIETED MY SPIRIT IN THE NORTH COUNTRY; by executing the judgments of God upon the Chaldeans, and by helping, favouring, and delivering the people of the Jews; which were very agreeable to the will of God, and well pleasing in his sight, signified by the quieting or refreshing his Spirit....

CHAPTER 6 _ 1. The eighth vision (Zechariah 6:1) _ 2. The crowning of Joshua, the High-Priest (Zechariah 6:9) Zechariah 6:1. The last vision is the vision of the four chariots. We notice the similarity with the first night-vision. The visions opened with the hosts of heaven upon red, speckled, and white horses. It was a vision of judgment for the Gentiles and a vision of comfort to Israel. In this last vision the chariots of judgment are seen sweeping over the earth. It seems to denote judgment in its final accomplishment. The riders of the first vision may be termed the beginning of God's dealing with the nations, but the chariots put the divine judgment decrees into operation. The ri

A MORE DEFINITE VERSION OF THE ALLEGORY IN ZECHARIAH 1:8 FF. Here, however, the horsemen of the former allegory, who represent messengers, are replaced by chariots which symbolise warlike agencies. By mountains of brass (or rather bronze) we are not to understand the Lebanon with its copper mines (Cheyne), for in that case we should require the definite article (read RV text, not _mg._ in Zechariah 6:1; so LXX). Perhaps the two mountains (bronze indicates their irresistible strength) are, so to speak, gateposts on the road to the four quarters of the world from the abode of God. In Zechariah 6:3 omit strong (see _mg.)_ and substitute red for it in...

CRIED. UPON. Are almost obsolete idiom. To "cry upon" meant to call to, _or appeal_ to, and is still used in this sense in Scotland. It comes to us through the Genevan Bible (1560), from the Great Bible (1539), and Coverdale (1534). It is the sense of the Hebrew _z. ak_ here. See Judges 4:10; 3 John 1:3; 3 John 1:3 :7, &c. QUIETED. caused [mine anger] to rest upon. This is the force of the Hebrew _Hiphil._ SPIRIT. Hebrew. _ruach_ App-9. Put by Fig, _Metonymy_ (of Cause), App-6, for the manifestation of it in feeling: here, anger, wrath, Compare Judges 8:3,...