Zechariah 6:5
New International Version
The angel answered me, “These are the four spirits of heaven, going out from standing in the presence of the Lord of the whole world.

New Living Translation
The angel replied, “These are the four spirits of heaven who stand before the Lord of all the earth. They are going out to do his work.

English Standard Version
And the angel answered and said to me, “These are going out to the four winds of heaven, after presenting themselves before the Lord of all the earth.

Berean Standard Bible
And the angel told me, “These are the four spirits of heaven, going forth from their station before the Lord of all the earth.

King James Bible
And the angel answered and said unto me, These are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth.

New King James Version
And the angel answered and said to me, “These are four spirits of heaven, who go out from their station before the Lord of all the earth.

New American Standard Bible
The angel replied to me, “These are the four spirits of heaven, going out after taking their stand before the Lord of all the earth,

NASB 1995
The angel replied to me, “These are the four spirits of heaven, going forth after standing before the Lord of all the earth,

NASB 1977
And the angel answered and said to me, “These are the four spirits of heaven, going forth after standing before the Lord of all the earth,

Legacy Standard Bible
And the angel answered and said to me, “These are the four spirits of heaven, going forth after standing before the Lord of all the earth,

Amplified Bible
The angel answered me, “These are the four spirits of the heavens, which go out after presenting themselves before the Lord of all the earth,

Christian Standard Bible
The angel told me, “These are the four spirits of heaven going out after presenting themselves to the Lord of the whole earth.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The angel told me, “These are the four spirits of heaven going out after presenting themselves to the Lord of the whole earth.

American Standard Version
And the angel answered and said unto me, These are the four winds of heaven, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth.

Contemporary English Version
Then he explained, "These are the four winds of heaven, and now they are going out, after presenting themselves to the Lord of all the earth.

English Revised Version
And the angel answered and said unto me, These are the four winds of heaven, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The angel answered, "They are the four spirits of heaven. They are going out after standing in the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.

Good News Translation
He answered, "These are the four winds; they have just come from the presence of the Lord of all the earth."

International Standard Version
The angel told me, "These are four heavenly spirits that are going out on patrol after having presented themselves to the Lord of the whole earth.

Majority Standard Bible
And the angel told me, “These are the four spirits of heaven, going forth from their station before the Lord of all the earth.

NET Bible
The messenger replied, "These are the four spirits of heaven that have been presenting themselves before the Lord of all the earth.

New Heart English Bible
The angel answered me, "These are the four winds of the sky, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the angel answered and said to me, These are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth.

World English Bible
The angel answered me, “These are the four winds of the sky, which go out from standing before the Lord of all the earth.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the messenger answers and says to me, “These [are] four spirits of the heavens coming forth from presenting themselves before the Lord of the whole earth.

Young's Literal Translation
And the messenger answereth and saith unto me, 'These are four spirits of the heavens coming forth from presenting themselves before the Lord of the whole earth.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the messenger will answer and say to me, These the four spirits of the heavens going forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the angel answered, and said to me: These are the four winds of the heaven, which go forth to stand before the Lord of all the earth.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the angel answered and said to me, “These are the four winds of heaven, which go forth to stand in the presence of the Sovereign of all the earth.”

New American Bible
The angel answered me, “These are the four winds of the heavens, which are coming forth after presenting themselves before the LORD of all the earth.

New Revised Standard Version
The angel answered me, “These are the four winds of heaven going out, after presenting themselves before the Lord of all the earth.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the angel answered and said to me, These are the four spirits of the heavens, who stand in the presence of the LORD of all the earth.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The Angel answered and he said to me: “These are the four Spirits of Heaven that were standing before THE LORD of all the Earth
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the angel answered and said unto me: 'These chariots go forth to the four winds of heaven, after presenting themselves before the Lord of all the earth.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the angel that talked with me answered and said, These are the four winds of heaven, and they are going forth to stand before the Lord of all the earth.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Vision of the Four Chariots
4So I inquired of the angel who was speaking with me, “What are these, my lord?” 5And the angel told me, “These are the four spirits of heaven, going forth from their station before the Lord of all the earth. 6The one with the black horses is going toward the land of the north, the one with the white horses toward the west, and the one with the dappled horses toward the south.”…

Cross References
Revelation 7:1
After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back its four winds so that no wind would blow on land or sea or on any tree.

Revelation 6:1-8
Then I watched as the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, “Come!” / So I looked and saw a white horse, and its rider held a bow. And he was given a crown, and he rode out to overcome and conquer. / And when the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!” ...

Ezekiel 1:4-28
I looked and saw a whirlwind coming from the north, a great cloud with fire flashing back and forth and brilliant light all around it. In the center of the fire was a gleam like amber, / and within it was the form of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: They had a human form, / but each had four faces and four wings. ...

Daniel 7:2
Daniel declared: “In my vision in the night I looked, and suddenly the four winds of heaven were churning up the great sea.

Revelation 4:5
From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder. Before the throne burned seven torches of fire. These are the seven spirits of God.

Ezekiel 10:9-14
Then I looked and saw four wheels beside the cherubim, one wheel beside each cherub. And the wheels gleamed like a beryl stone. / As for their appearance, all four had the same form, like a wheel within a wheel. / When they moved, they would go in any of the four directions, without turning as they moved. For wherever the head faced, the cherubim would go in that direction, without turning as they moved. ...

Revelation 5:6
Then I saw a Lamb who appeared to have been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

Jeremiah 49:36
I will bring the four winds against Elam from the four corners of the heavens, and I will scatter them to all these winds. There will not be a nation to which Elam’s exiles will not go.

Isaiah 66:15
For behold, the LORD will come with fire—His chariots are like a whirlwind—to execute His anger with fury and His rebuke with flames of fire.

Revelation 19:11-14
Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war. / He has eyes like blazing fire, and many royal crowns on His head. He has a name written on Him that only He Himself knows. / He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is The Word of God. ...

Ezekiel 37:9
Then He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and tell the breath that this is what the Lord GOD says: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe into these slain, so that they may live!”

Revelation 8:2
And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and they were given seven trumpets.

Isaiah 11:12
He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; He will collect the scattered of Judah from the four corners of the earth.

Revelation 14:6
Then I saw another angel flying overhead, with the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation and tribe and tongue and people.

Daniel 10:13
However, the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia.


Treasury of Scripture

And the angel answered and said to me, These are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the LORD of all the earth.

These.

Zechariah 1:10,11
And the man that stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, These are they whom the LORD hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth…

Psalm 68:17
The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.

Psalm 104:3,4
Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind: …

spirits.

1 Kings 19:11
And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:

Psalm 148:8
Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:

Daniel 7:2
Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.

go.

Zechariah 4:10
For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.

1 Kings 22:19
And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left.

2 Chronicles 18:18,19
Again he said, Therefore hear the word of the LORD; I saw the LORD sitting upon his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left…

the Lord.

Zechariah 4:14
Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.

Isaiah 54:5
For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.

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Zechariah 6
1. The vision of the four chariots.
9. By the crowns of Joshua are shown the temple and kingdom of Christ the Branch.














And the angel told me
This phrase introduces the divine messenger, an angel, who serves as a conduit for God's revelation to Zechariah. In Hebrew, the word for angel is "mal'ak," which means "messenger." Angels are often depicted in Scripture as God's servants who deliver His messages to humans. This highlights the importance of divine communication and the role of angels in God's plan. The presence of an angel signifies the gravity and divine origin of the message being conveyed.

These are the four spirits of heaven
The "four spirits" can be understood as divine agents or forces sent by God to execute His will on earth. The Hebrew word for "spirits" is "ruach," which can also mean "wind" or "breath," indicating a powerful, unseen force. The number four often symbolizes universality or completeness in the Bible, suggesting that these spirits have a global or comprehensive mission. This phrase emphasizes God's sovereignty over all creation, as He commands these spirits to fulfill His purposes.

going out from their station
The phrase "going out" implies movement and action, indicating that these spirits are on a mission. Their "station" suggests a place of readiness or a position of authority from which they are dispatched. This reflects the organized and purposeful nature of God's plans. The spirits are not acting independently but are sent forth by divine command, underscoring the order and intentionality in God's governance of the world.

before the Lord of all the earth
This phrase establishes the authority and dominion of God over the entire earth. The title "Lord of all the earth" is a powerful reminder of God's supreme power and control over all nations and creation. In Hebrew, "Lord" is "YHWH," the covenant name of God, which signifies His eternal and unchanging nature. This title reassures believers of God's omnipotence and His active involvement in the affairs of the world. It is a call to trust in God's ultimate plan and His righteous rule over all things.

Verse 5. - The four spirits of the heavens. Both the Septuagint and Vulgate render, "the four winds of heaven;" and this is doubtless correct. It was a familiar symbol to the Jews. The winds are often introduced in executing God's will on sinners (comp. Psalm 104:4; Psalm 148:8; Jeremiah 49:36; Daniel 7:2). Which go forth from standing before the Lord (comp. Job 1:6; Job 2:1). The winds are supposed to be God's servants, waiting his pleasure to be sent forth on his errands. The Septuagint and Vulgate translate, "which go forth to stand before the Lord." This denotes merely their usual obedience; but the text implies that the prophet sees them moving from their usual expectant attitude, and hastening forth to do God's commands.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And
וַיַּ֥עַן (way·ya·‘an)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6030: To answer, respond

the angel
הַמַּלְאָ֖ךְ (ham·mal·’āḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4397: A messenger, of God, an angel

told
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

me,
אֵלָ֑י (’ê·lāy)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

“These
אֵ֗לֶּה (’êl·leh)
Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

are the four
אַרְבַּע֙ (’ar·ba‘)
Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 702: Four

spirits
רֻח֣וֹת (ru·ḥō·wṯ)
Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 7307: Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit

of heaven,
הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם (haš·šā·ma·yim)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky

going out
יוֹצְא֕וֹת (yō·wṣ·’ō·wṯ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine plural
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

from [their] station
מֵֽהִתְיַצֵּ֖ב (mê·hiṯ·yaṣ·ṣêḇ)
Preposition-m | Verb - Hitpael - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3320: To set or station oneself, take one's stand

before
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the Lord
אֲד֥וֹן (’ă·ḏō·wn)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller

of all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the earth.
הָאָֽרֶץ׃ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land


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OT Prophets: Zechariah 6:5 The angel answered me These are (Zech. Zec Zc)
Zechariah 6:4
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