What does Zechariah 6:7 mean?
"And the bay went forth, and sought to go that they might walk to and fro through the earth: and he said, Get you hence, walk to and fro through the earth. So they walked to and fro through the earth." - Zechariah 6:7
Zechariah 6:7 (KJV) says, "And the bay went forth, and sought to go that they might walk to and fro through the earth: and he said, Get you hence, walk to and fro through the earth. So they walked to and fro through the earth."
This verse is part of a vision that the prophet Zechariah had, in which he saw four chariots coming out from between two mountains of bronze (Zechariah 6:1). In this vision, the chariots, led by different-colored horses, were sent out by the Lord to patrol the earth. The verse in question specifically refers to the "bay" horse, which went forth and sought to walk to and fro through the earth, as instructed by the Lord.
The overall theme of this verse and the larger passage is the sovereignty and control of God over the nations of the world. Each of the four chariots represents different forces or spirits sent out by God to keep watch over the earth. The fact that these chariots are led by horses of different colors symbolizes the diversity of God's power and the various ways in which He works in the world.
The bay horse in particular is significant in this passage. The color bay can represent strength, vitality, and endurance. In the context of this verse, the bay horse represents the strength and determination with which God's decrees are carried out. The fact that it "sought to go" and "walked to and fro through the earth" suggests a sense of purpose and agency in its actions, indicating that it was obedient to the Lord's command.
This verse also ties into the broader context of the book of Zechariah, which was written to encourage and exhort the people of Judah who had returned from exile in Babylon to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. The vision of the chariots and horses serves as a reminder to the people that despite the political upheaval and uncertainty they faced, God was still in control and was actively working to accomplish His purposes in the world.
Furthermore, the motif of "walking to and fro through the earth" has symbolic significance in the Bible. In the book of Job, Satan is described as "going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it" (Job 1:7). In this context, it represents a kind of restless searching and seeking for opportunities to wreak havoc and sow discord. In contrast, the bay horse in Zechariah's vision is sent out by God to walk to and fro through the earth in service to His divine will. This represents a righteous and purposeful activity, with the chariots serving as instruments of God's righteous judgment and justice.
Overall, Zechariah 6:7, within the larger context of the vision of the chariots and horses, underscores the idea of God's sovereignty, control, and purpose in the world. It conveys the message that God is actively working through various means to accomplish His will, and that His purposes will ultimately be fulfilled. The strength and determination of the bay horse highlight the power and agency with which God's decrees are carried out, and serves as a reassurance to the people that God is actively watching over the world and working for their good.
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Zechariah 6:7 - "And the bay went forth, and sought to go that they might walk to and fro through the earth: and he said, Get you hence, walk to and fro through the earth. So they walked to and fro through the earth."
"And the bay went forth, and sought to go that they might walk to and fro through the earth: and he said, Get you hence, walk to and fro through the earth. So they walked to and fro through the earth." - Zechariah 6:7
Zechariah 7:6 - "And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves?"
Zechariah 7:8 - "¶ And the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah, saying,"
Zechariah 13:7
"¶ And the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah, saying," - Zechariah 7:8
Zechariah 1:1-6
Zechariah 4:6 (NLT)
Zechariah 7:1 - "And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius, that the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah in the fourth day of the ninth month, even in Chisleu;"
Zechariah 3:6 - "And the angel of the LORD protested unto Joshua, saying,"
"And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves?" - Zechariah 7:6
Zechariah 6:9 - "¶ And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"
Zechariah 6:14 - "And the crowns shall be to Helem, and to Tobijah, and to Jedaiah, and to Hen the son of Zephaniah, for a memorial in the temple of the LORD."
Zechariah 7:4 - "¶ Then came the word of the LORD of hosts unto me, saying,"
Zechariah 2:7 - "Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon."
Zechariah 1:7 - "¶ Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Sebat, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,"
Zechariah 7:4-6 - "Then the word of the LORD Almighty came to me: "Ask all the people of the land and the priests, 'When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for the past seventy years, was it really for me that you fasted? And when you were eating and drinking, were you not just feasting for yourselves?"
Zechariah 6:2 - "In the first chariot were red horses; and in the second chariot black horses;"
Zechariah 14:6 - "And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark:"
Zechariah 6:3 - "And in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grisled and bay horses."
Zechariah 9:6 - "And a bastard shall dwell in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines."
Zechariah 7:11 - "But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear."
Zechariah 5:7 - "And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah."
Zechariah 6:4 - "Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with me, What are these, my lord?"
Zechariah 3: 6 Then the Angel of the LORD admonished Joshua, saying,
Zechariah 3: 6 Then the Angel of the LORD admonished Joshua, saying,
Zechariah 6:6 - "The black horses which are therein go forth into the north country; and the white go forth after them; and the grisled go forth toward the south country."
1 Chronicles 5:7 - "And his brethren by their families, when the genealogy of their generations was reckoned, were the chief, Jeiel, and Zechariah,"
Zechariah 7:8-10 - "And the word of the Lord came again to Zechariah: “This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.’"
Zechariah 5:7 (Brenton) 7 And behold a talent of lead lifted up: and behold a woman sat in the midst of the measure.