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Zechariah 1:11

Old Testament Minor Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Zechariah 1:11 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And 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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And 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.
Zechariah 1:11 — American Standard Version

Context — Zechariah 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
14So the angel that talked with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith Jehovah of hosts: I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy.
← Zechariah 1:10Zechariah 1:12 →
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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 they answered the Angel of the Lord, that stood among the myrtle trees, and said, etc.] That is, the ministering angels, signified by the red horses, speckled, and white, replied to what the Angel of the Lord had said concerning them; or rather agreed to and confirmed his account of them; or else gave up the account of their tour through the earth, with their observations upon the state of it: We have walked to and fro through the earth; according to their mission and commission: and, behold, all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest; was free from wars, as it was in the reign of Darius; though the people of the Jews were infested with enemies, who gave them trouble, and hindered all…”
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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
“The attendant angels report to the Lord of angels, "the earth . . . is at rest." The flourishing state of the heathen "earth," while Judah was desolate and its temple not yet restored, is the powerful plea in the Divine Angel's intercession with God the Father in Zac 1:12. When Judah was depressed to the lowest point, and the heathen elated to the highest, it was time for Jehovah to work for His people. sitteth still--dwells surely.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Sitteth still and is at rest - At rest, as the word seems to express, from its accustomed state of tumult and war. Wars, although soon to break out again, were in the second year of Darius for the time suspended. The rest, in which the world was, suggests the contrast of the yet continuing unrest allotted to the people of God. Such rest had been promised to Israel, on its return from the captivity, but had not yet been fulfilled. Through the hostility of the Samaritans the building of the temple had been hindered and was just recommenced; the wall of Jerusalem was yet broken down Nehemiah 1:3; its fire-burned gates not restored; itself was a waste Nehemiah 2:3; its houses unbuilt Nehemiah…”
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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
“Is at rest - All men sit still to take their ease. All is peaceable. This was the state of the empire which at that time ruled all. Zechariah 1:12”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“1:11 The man sitting on a red horse among the myrtle trees (1:8) is called the angel of the Lord (cp. Gen 16:7-13; Exod 23:23; 32:34; Judg 13:21-22).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“they answered: Zac 1:8, Zac 1:10; Psa 68:17, Psa 103:20, Psa 103:21; Mat 13:41, Mat 13:49, Mat 24:30, Mat 24:31, Mat 25:31; Th2 1:7; Rev 1:1 We: Zac 6:7; Dan 10:20 is: Zac 1:15; Th1 5:3 Zechariah 1:12”
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Related study paths

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

Sources and verification