Read & explore together
The Vision of the Horses
Zechariah 1:7–17 records a night vision and its explanation. The passage shows horses sent through the earth, a question about Jerusalem, and Yahweh’s answer with mercy, comfort and a future for the city.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
The passage begins with a dated word from Yahweh to Zechariah in the second year of Darius. What follows is presented as a vision in the night, with an interpreting angel, a report about the earth, and Yahweh’s own reply about Jerusalem, Judah and Zion.
Zechariah 1:7–17Main takeaway
This vision says that although the earth seemed quiet, Yahweh spoke with mercy, comfort and renewed purpose for Jerusalem and Zion.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A dated vision from YahwehThe passage starts by locating the message on a specific day and naming Zechariah as the prophet receiving Yahweh’s word.
Explanation
The passage starts by locating the message on a specific day and naming Zechariah as the prophet receiving Yahweh’s word. Zechariah then says he had a vision in the night. He sees a man on a red horse among myrtle trees in a ravine, with red, brown and white horses behind him.
02The horses are sent through the earthZechariah asks a direct question: “What are these?” The angel who talks with him promises an explanation.
Explanation
Zechariah asks a direct question: “What are these?” The angel who talks with him promises an explanation. The man among the myrtle trees says the horses are ones Yahweh has sent to go back and forth through the earth. Their role in the vision is explained rather than left as a mystery.
03A quiet earth and a plea for mercyThe horses report that they have gone through the earth and found it at rest and in peace.
Explanation
The horses report that they have gone through the earth and found it at rest and in peace. Then Yahweh’s angel asks, “How long” until mercy comes to Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, mentioning seventy years of indignation. The vision joins a calm earth with concern for Jerusalem’s condition.
04Kind words and Yahweh’s promiseYahweh answers with kind and comforting words. The message Zechariah must proclaim says Yahweh is jealous for Jerusalem and Zion, angry with nations that are at ease, and has returned to Jerusalem with mercy.
Explanation
Yahweh answers with kind and comforting words. The message Zechariah must proclaim says Yahweh is jealous for Jerusalem and Zion, angry with nations that are at ease, and has returned to Jerusalem with mercy. His house will be built there, a measuring line will be stretched out, and Zion will again be comforted and chosen.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What details show that this passage is a vision with an interpretation rather than a normal story scene?
Notice the words “I had a vision in the night”, Zechariah’s question, and the angel’s explanation of what the horses are.
02What report do the horses bring, and what concern does that lead to?
Compare the statement that the earth is at rest and in peace with the angel’s question about mercy for Jerusalem and Judah.
03Which words in Yahweh’s answer describe his attitude towards Jerusalem and Zion?
Look for the phrases about jealousy, mercy, comfort and choosing Jerusalem again.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Zechariah 1:7–17
7On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Shebat, in the second year of Darius, Yahweh’s word came to the prophet Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo, saying,
8“I had a vision in the night, and behold, a man riding on a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in a ravine; and behind him there were red, brown, and white horses.
9Then I asked, ‘My lord, what are these?’ ” The angel who talked with me said to me, “I will show you what these are.”
10The man who stood among the myrtle trees answered, “They are the ones Yahweh has sent to go back and forth through the earth.”
11They reported to Yahweh’s angel who stood among the myrtle trees, and said, “We have walked back and forth through the earth, and behold, all the earth is at rest and in peace.”
12Then Yahweh’s angel replied, “O Yahweh of Armies, how long will you not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which you have had indignation these seventy years?”
13Yahweh answered the angel who talked with me with kind and comforting words.
14So the angel who talked with me said to me, “Proclaim, saying, ‘Yahweh of Armies says: “I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy.
15I am very angry with the nations that are at ease; for I was but a little displeased, but they added to the calamity.”
16Therefore Yahweh says: “I have returned to Jerusalem with mercy. My house shall be built in it,” says Yahweh of Armies, “and a line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem.” ’
17“Proclaim further, saying, ‘Yahweh of Armies says: “My cities will again overflow with prosperity, and Yahweh will again comfort Zion, and will again choose Jerusalem.” ’ ”