1And then I looked up again, and saw four chariots coming out from between two mountains - mountains of bronze. 2The first chariot was drawn by red horses; and the second chariot drawn by black horses; 3The third was drawn by white horses; and the fourth drawn by dappled and bay horses – all of them powerful.4Then I asked the angel, “What are these, my lord?” 5And the angel answered, “These are the four spirits of heaven, which go forth from before the LORD of all the earth. 6The one with black horses is going toward the north country; the one with white are going toward the west; and the one with dappled gray toward the south.” 7And when those powerful horses went out, they strained and were eager to go out (to patrol) throughout the earth; and He said, “Go throughout the earth.” So, they went throughout the earth. Note that while verse 1 speaks of seeing four chariots, and verse 2 mentions two of those chariots (the first drawn by red horses; the second by black horses); and verse 3 speaks of two more chariots (a third drawn by white horses; and a fourth by dappled horses); verses 6 and 7 speak of chariots that do not quite correlate with those described in verses 1-3. Readers might expect these four chariots to be going in the four directions: north, south, east and west. However, none are said to go to the east; and only 8 of the 29 English translations consulted speak of the white horse chariot going west, the other 21 speak of them “going after” the black horse chariot. Verse 6 speaks of the second, chariot, drawn by black horses, going north; and the fourth, going south, drawn by variously described horses, depending upon the translation, are: 14 dappled, 8 grizzled, 3 spotted, 1 spotted & gray, 1 piebald, and 1 piebald & ash). Of the third chariot, 8 of 29 translations say that third, drawn by white horses, go west; the other 21 say they go after the black horse chariot (presumably north also). The fourth, drawn by dappled horses, going south. Verses 6 and 7 do not mention the first chariot, drawn by the red horses, nor are any of the four chariots said to be going to the east. Given that the Dead Sea lies to the east, and the vast expanse of the Mediterranean Sea lies to the west, the fewer chariots going in those directions is understandable. The Amplified Bible adds that the chariot with the white horses follows them (the black horse chariot) because there are two northern powers to be overcome. 9And the word of the LORD came to me: 10“Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaia are arriving from the captivity of Babylon. As soon as they arrive, go to the house of Josiah, son of Zephaniah. 11Then take the silver and gold (that the 3 exiles brought), and make an ornate crown, and set it on the head of Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; 12And tell him, ‘This is what the LORD Almighty says: “Here is the Man Whose name is ‘The BRANCH’; and He shall grow up (branch) out of His place, and He shall build the Temple of the LORD. 13It is He Who shall build the Temple of the LORD; and He shall be clothed in glory, and shall sit upon His throne and rule; and He shall be The Priest on His throne; and there shall be perfect harmony between His two roles: (Priest of the world, and King of men). 14And the crown shall be kept in the Temple of the LORD for a memorial to Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Hen, son of Zephaniah. 15And those that are far off shall come and help in building the Temple of the LORD; and you shall know that the LORD Almighty has sent Me to you. And this shall come to pass, if you will diligently obey the voice of the LORD, your God.”’” Verse 13 - The roles or offices of priest and king were zealously and jealously kept apart. When one king, Uzziah, sought to unite both kingly and priestly functions in himself, leprosy arose on his forehead, and he was a leper until the day he died. Reader-Friendly Bible: Purple Letter Edition © 2024 by Jim Musser. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved. Bible Hub |
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