CHARIOTS AND A CROWN (6:1-15)
Neal Pollard
For those who read or listen straight through the book, this eighth vision will seem similar to the first one with which Zechariah begins his prophecy. This is seen in the variegated horses going throughout the earth as well as the prominence of the number four (the number of creation, completion, and stability). Certainly, the scope of the vision is of all the earth rather than just the people of Judah or the city of Jerusalem. What are the elements of this final vision and the symbolic action that follows?
The Chariots (1-3). Chariots represent armies and war as well as judgment. Each chariot is accompanied by horses of different colors, heading in a different direction. They are going to patrol the earth, the “four corners,” though only north and south are mentioned. God is going throughout all the earth, so there is a picture of universal visitation.
The Horses (2-7). They are carrying the chariots, but each is a different color. Those colors have strong associations throughout Scripture. Red is the color of war and the shedding of blood (Rev. 6:4). Black pictures death (Rev. 6:5-6). White represents honor and victory (Rev. 6:2). The dapple color is associated with pestilence, the grave, and slaughter in Revelation 6:8. As James Smith remarks, “The various color horses, then, represent the various types of disasters with which God will destroy the nations which have opposed his people and his program in this world” (OT Survey Series, 555).
The Bronze Mountains (1). Whether or not the mountains are reminiscent of Jerusalem (Mt. Zion and Mt. Olivet), it is often–as here–seemingly symbolic of the home of God (figurative rather than literal). Bronze represents strength, and the chariots are coming from here. This seems to refer to God sending forth judgment upon the nations from heaven. His reign would spread over these nations who had had their time of earthly dominance (Dan. 2:44). The four spirits have gone to these oppressing nations, and God has spent His wrath and now has appeased it (8).
The Crown And Coronation (9-15). Zechariah is told to meet with returning exiles about whom we know nothing outside of this passage (Heldai, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Josiah the son of Zephaniah)(10). We know they have returned from Babylon, and that Zechariah takes an offering of silver and gold from them (cf. Ezra 7:14-16; 8:26-30) with which to make a crown. He takes that crown and puts it on the head of the High Priest (11), not a descendant of David. The symbolism here is that the coming King will also serve as High Priest. He will reign and represent, having authority and bringing atonement (11-13). Not only will this vision encourage the rebuilding of the temple, but more importantly it points ahead to the day in which all nations will flow into Christ’s kingdom (12,15; Isa. 60:10).
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