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Zechariah 1:10

Old Testament Minor Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Zechariah 1:10 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the man that stood among the myrtle-trees answered and said, These are they whom Jehovah hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the man that stood among the myrtle-trees answered and said, These are they whom Jehovah hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth.
Zechariah 1:10 — American Standard Version

Context — Zechariah 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
7Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Shebat, in the second year of Darius, came the word of Jehovah unto Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo, the prophet, saying,
8I saw in the 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 there were horses, red, sorrel, and white.
9Then said I, O my lord, what are these? And the angel that talked with me said unto me, I will show thee what these are.
10And the man that stood among the myrtle-trees answered and said, These are they whom Jehovah hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth.
11And they answered the angel of Jehovah that stood among the myrtle-trees, and said, We have walked to and fro through the earth, and, behold, all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest.
12Then the angel of Jehovah answered and said, O Jehovah of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years?
13And Jehovah answered the angel that talked with me with good words, [even] comfortable words.
← Zechariah 1:9Zechariah 1:11 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the man that stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, etc.] And so prevented the angel from giving the account he was about to give; and who was more capable of it, and which to do was great condescension in him, and was doing the prophet a singular honour: these [are they] whom the Lord hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth; which is a description of the angels, the ministering spirits sent forth by God to take their tour throughout the earth; not to do mischief, as Satan does; but to do good to kingdoms, nations, and men in general, and to the heirs of salvation in particular; for which they are commissioned and empowered of God; (see <580114>Hebrews 1:14).”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“answered--The "angel of the covenant" here gives the reply instead of the interpreting angel, to imply that all communications through the interpreting angel come from Him as their source. Lord hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth--If "Satan walks to and fro in the earth" (implying restless activity) on errands of mischief to God's people (Job 1:7), the Lord sends other angels to "walk to and fro" with unceasing activity everywhere to counterwork Satan's designs, and to defend His people (Psa 34:7; Psa 91:11; Psa 103:20-21; Heb 1:14).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And the man answered - To the question addressed to the attendant-angel. He himself took the word. These are they whom the Lord sent to walk up and down - Satan says of himself that he came “from going to and fro in the earth and from walking up and down in it” Job 2:2. As he for evil, so these for good. Their office was not a specific or passing duty, as when God sent His angels with some special commission, such as those recorded in Holy Scripture. It was a continuous conversation with the affairs of people, a minute course of visiting, inspecting our human deeds and ways, a part of the “wonderful order” , in which God has “ordained and constituted the services of angels and men.” Nor is…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“These - Horsemen, are angels, who are ministers of the Divine Providence in the government of the world. Zechariah 1:11”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“1:10 Patrol suggests the angelic riders’ ongoing scrutiny of the earth.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the man: Zac 1:8, Zac 1:11, Zac 13:7; Gen 32:24-31; Hos 12:3-5 These: Zac 1:11, Zac 4:10, Zac 6:5-8; Job 2:1, Job 2:2; Psa 103:20, Psa 103:21; Eze 1:5-14; Heb 1:14 Zechariah 1:11”
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Related study paths

Read Zechariah 1 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification