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Zechariah 1:9

Old Testament Minor Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Zechariah 1:9 say?

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

The verse

Then 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.
Zechariah 1:9 — American Standard Version

Context — Zechariah 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
6But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not overtake your fathers? and they turned and said, Like as Jehovah of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.
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?
← Zechariah 1:8Zechariah 1:10 →
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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
“Then said I, O my Lord, etc.] These are the words of the Prophet Zechariah to the angel that showed him this vision: what are these? what is the meaning of this vision? particularly who are meant by the horses, red, speckled, and white, and those upon them? And the angel that talked with me; who seems to be different from the Angel of the Lord, the man among the myrtle trees, (<380108>Zechariah 1:8,10,11) he was one of the ministering spirits; (see <661701>Revelation 17:1 21:9): said unto me, I will show thee what these [be]; that is, give an interpretation of the vision, and point out the persons intended by the horses.”
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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 angel that talked with me--not the "man upon the red horse," as is evident from Zac 1:10, where he (the Divine Angel) is distinguished from the "angel that talked with me" (the phrase used of him, Zac 1:13-14; Zac 2:3; Zac 4:1, Zac 4:4-5; Zac 5:5, Zac 5:10; Zac 6:4), that is, the interpreting angel. The Hebrew for "with me," or, "in me" (Num 12:8), implies internal, intimate communication [JEROME]. show thee--reveal to thy mental vision.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“What are these? - He asks, not who, but what they import. The angel that talked with me - Literally, “spake in me.” The very rare expression seems meant to convey the thought of an inward speaking, whereby the words should be borne directly into the soul, without the intervention of the ordinary outward organs. God says to Moses, “If there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, will make Myself known unto him in a vision, I will speak (literally) in him in a dream. My servant Moses is not so - In him will I speak mouth to mouth Numbers 12:6-9;” and Habakkuk says of the like inward teaching, “I will watch to see, what He will speak in me” . It is the characteristic title of one attendant-angel,…”
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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
“O my Lord - This was Christ, the Lord of hosts. What are these - What is the meaning of these appearances. The angel - Christ, the angel of the covenant. Zechariah 1:10”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“what: Zac 1:19, Zac 4:4, Zac 4:11, Zac 6:4; Dan 7:16, Dan 8:15; Rev 7:13, Rev 7:14 the angel: Zac 2:3, Zac 4:5, Zac 5:5, Zac 6:4, Zac 6:5; Gen 31:11; Dan 8:16, Dan 9:22, Dan 9:23, Dan 10:11-14; Rev 17:1-7, Rev 19:9, Rev 19:10, Rev 22:8-16 Zechariah 1:10”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification