Keraia
Zechariah 1

Zechariah 1:8

The Vision of the Horses · Zechariah 1:7–17
Read Zechariah 1

Translations

Modern
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.
Traditional
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.
Literal
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.
Latin
Vidi per noctem, et ecce vir ascendens super equum rufum, et ipse stabat inter myrteta, quæ erant in profundo, et post eum equi rufi, varii, et albi.

Original

Hebrew
English
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.

Notes

Zechariah 1:8

  • The vision during the night follows a standard pattern:

    • an introductory statement,

    • a description of the vision,

    • the prophet’s request for an interpretation, and

    • an angelic explanation.

  • The myrtle trees were likely in the wooded Kidron Valley outside Jerusalem. The Lord had symbolically returned to the edge of the city. He had not yet entered Jerusalem because the temple was still being rebuilt.

  • The colors of the red, brown, and white horses are not important to this vision’s meaning. These angelic riders patrolled the earth (Zechariah 1:10), showing God’s ongoing concern for Jerusalem.

Zechariah 1:7–17

Zechariah's first vision shows God's concern for Jerusalem (Zechariah 1:7–15). This is followed by a response (Zechariah 1:16–17) that confirms God's plans to rebuild the temple and restore the city's prosperity.

Zechariah 1:7–6:15

These eight visions helped the Judeans overcome their fears and trust in God's promises. The visions happened two months after Haggai's last two messages (Haggai 2:10–19, 20–23). They suggest that Haggai's prophecies were coming true.

Theme notes and profiles

Angels

Events

Glossary

Apocalyptic Horse Red White Zechariah, Book of

Topics

Horse: Color of Horse: Symbolical Myrtle: General Scriptures Concerning Sorrel: A Color The Horse: Colours of, Mentioned: Red The Horse: Colours of, Mentioned: Speckled The Horse: Colours of, Mentioned: White Trees: Myrtle Vision of Zechariah of Horses Visions: To Zechariah