Zechariah 1:9
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Then said I, O my lord, what are these? And the angel that talked with me said unto me, I will shew thee what these be. | “What are these, my lord?” I asked. And the angel who was speaking with me replied, “I will show you what they are.” | 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. |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedIn the first of his night visions, Zechariah sees a rider on a red horse among myrtle trees, with red, speckled and white horses behind him. He asks what they are, and the angel who talks with him promises to show him. The answer follows at once: they are sent by the LORD to walk through the earth (1:10). Zechariah 1:8Zechariah 1:9Zechariah 1:10
SpeakingZechariah speaks first, calling his guide "my lord." Then "the angel that talked with me" answers him. Zechariah 1:9Zechariah overview
ToZechariah's question goes to the angel, and the angel's reply goes to Zechariah. The book was given to the people of Judah who had come back from exile in Babylon. Zechariah 1:9Zechariah overview
Also involvedThe horses and the rider among the myrtle trees are the subject of the question. They turn out to be those the LORD has sent to walk to and fro through the earth. Zechariah 1:8Zechariah 1:10
The prophet does not guess what the vision means. He asks, and God's messenger undertakes to explain it. The same pattern of question and answer runs through the later visions (1:19; 4:4-5). Zechariah 1:9Zechariah 1:19Zechariah 4:4Zechariah 4:5
In the vision the rider stands among myrtle trees "in the bottom." Zechariah was among the returned exiles in Jerusalem. Zechariah 1:8Zechariah overview
The eventsThe vision came by night on the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, Sebat, in the second year of Darius, about 520 BC. Zechariah 1:7Zechariah 1:8Zechariah overview
WrittenTraditional: Zechariah wrote it, with dated messages from about 520 to 518 BC. Scholarly: most agree that chapters 1-8, including this verse, come from Zechariah in 520-518 BC, while many assign chapters 9-14 to a later writer. Zechariah overview
HereThe question opens the way for the vision's meaning. The report that the earth sits at rest leads to God's promise that he has returned to Jerusalem with mercies and that his house will be built there. Zechariah 1:10Zechariah 1:11Zechariah 1:16Zechariah 1:17
In the whole of ScriptureThroughout Zechariah's visions, an interpreting angel explains what the prophet sees (1:19; 4:4-5; 5:5). Daniel also sought the meaning of a vision, and Gabriel was sent to make him understand it (Daniel 8:15-16). In Revelation 17:1 an angel likewise says, "I will shew unto thee." Zechariah 1:19Zechariah 4:5Zechariah 5:5Daniel 8:15Daniel 8:16Revelation 17:1
For readersThe meaning of the vision is not left to the reader's imagination. The text itself supplies it in the verses that follow. Readers should take the explanation from there. Zechariah 1:9Zechariah 1:10Zechariah 1:14
- angelמַלְאָךְ
The word means a messenger or representative, and it can mean an angel. This figure's role is to carry and explain God's message. In 1:13-14 he receives the LORD's words and passes them on to the prophet. Strong's H4397HZechariah 1:13Zechariah 1:14
- talkedדָבַר
The word means to speak, declare or converse. "The angel that talked with me" becomes this guide's recurring title in Zechariah's visions. Strong's H1696GZechariah 1:19Zechariah 2:3Zechariah 4:4Zechariah 5:5
- shewרָאָה
The verb here means "to cause to see, show." The angel promises to make the prophet see what the vision means, not only to look at it. Strong's H7200GZechariah 1:9
- lordאָדוֹן
This word for lord or master is used of men such as kings, prophets and masters, and also of God. Here it is the prophet's respectful address to his guide. The same address appears in Zechariah 4:4-5. Strong's H0113Zechariah 4:4Zechariah 4:5
Takeaway
When Zechariah did not understand what he saw, he asked, and God gave the meaning through his messenger. That meaning was comfort: the LORD is jealous for Jerusalem and will return to her with mercy. Zechariah 1:9Zechariah 1:14Zechariah 1:16
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-28.
The world around the text
Behind this verse
- Riders on patrol
- The Persian kings kept mounted messengers stationed along their roads. Herodotus says nothing mortal travels faster. Zechariah sees horsemen sent "to walk to and fro through the earth." Zechariah 1:8-11Zechariah 6:7Herodotus, Histories 8.98
About 520-518 BC. King of Persia: Darius I (522-486 BC). Where Zechariah prophesied. A small, poor community was rebuilding the temple among the ruins of the city Babylon had burned.
Who ruled
- King of PersiaDarius I522-486 BC
Zechariah dates his messages by the years of Darius. Darius confirmed Cyrus's decree and ordered the temple work to go on at royal expense. Zechariah 1:1Zechariah 7:1Ezra 6:1-12Haggai 1:1Behistun Inscription
- Governor of JudahZerubbabelc. 520 BC
A descendant of David who led the rebuilding. "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it." Zechariah 4:6-10Haggai 1:1Ezra 3:8
- High priestJoshua the high priestc. 520 BC
Called Jeshua in Ezra. He stands in Zechariah's vision clothed in filthy garments, which are taken away, and later receives crowns as a sign. Zechariah 3:1-10Zechariah 6:11Haggai 1:1Ezra 3:2
- Persian governor "on this side the river"Tattenaic. 520 BC
The governor of the province west of the Euphrates. He asked who had allowed the building, wrote to Darius, and was told to let the work go on. Ezra 5:3-6Ezra 6:6-13
What was happening, 539 BC to 332 BC
- 539 BCWarBabylon falls to Cyrus
Cyrus king of Persia took Babylon, ending the empire that had destroyed Jerusalem. Daniel 5:30-31Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)Cyrus Cylinder
- 538 BCGod's peopleThe first return
Cyrus let the exiles go home to build the LORD's house. About fifty thousand returned with Zerubbabel and Jeshua. Ezra 1:1-4Ezra 2:1-2Ezra 2:64-65
- c. 536 BCGod's peopleThe foundation is laid, then the work stops
The returned exiles laid the temple's foundation with shouting and weeping. Opposition from their neighbors stopped the work until the second year of Darius. Ezra 3:10-13Ezra 4:4-5Ezra 4:24
- 525 BCWarPersia conquers Egypt
Cyrus's son Cambyses invaded and took Egypt, bringing the whole region from the Nile to the Indus under one king. Herodotus, Histories 3.1-16
- 522-521 BCWarDarius crushes the revolts
When Darius took the throne, provinces across the empire rebelled, Babylon twice. By 520 he had put them all down. Compare the riders' report in Zechariah's first vision: "all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest." Behistun InscriptionHerodotus, Histories 3.150-159Zechariah 1:11
- 520 BCGod's peopleHaggai and Zechariah stir the people to build
In Darius's second year the two prophets urged the people to take up the temple work again, and Zerubbabel and Jeshua began to build. Ezra 5:1-2Haggai 1:1-15Zechariah 1:1
- c. 520-519 BCRulersDarius confirms Cyrus's decree
Tattenai questioned the building. A search found Cyrus's decree at Achmetha, and Darius ordered the work to continue and be paid for from royal taxes. Ezra 5:3-6:12
- 515 BCBuildingThe second temple is finished
The temple was finished on the third day of Adar in Darius's sixth year and dedicated with joy. Ezra 6:14-18Zechariah 4:9
- 490-479 BCWarPersia's wars with Greece
Persia invaded Greece twice and was turned back at Marathon (490), Salamis (480) and Plataea (479). Greece, which Zechariah names in 9:13, was becoming Persia's great rival. Herodotus, Histories 6.102-117Herodotus, Histories 8.40-96Herodotus, Histories 9.1-89Zechariah 9:13
- 445 BCBuildingNehemiah rebuilds Jerusalem's walls
Under the Persian king Artaxerxes, Nehemiah came from Shushan and rebuilt the walls in fifty-two days. Nehemiah 2:1-8Nehemiah 6:15
- 332 BCWarAlexander takes Tyre and Gaza
Alexander the Great besieged island Tyre for seven months and then Gaza for two, on his way to Egypt. Zechariah 9 speaks of Tyre's "strong hold" and of Gaza, Ashkelon, Ekron and Ashdod. Arrian, Anabasis of Alexander 2.15-27Zechariah 9:3-7
The full picture: places, culture and daily life. Scripture first, then ancient records (the Behistun Inscription, the Cyrus Cylinder, the Babylonian Chronicles) and ancient writers (Herodotus, Arrian, Josephus). Drafted by Claude and not yet reviewed by a person.
Original Hebrew words
| English | Hebrew | Say it | Strong's | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| and I said | וָאֹמַ֖ר | va-'o-MAR | H0559 | to sayאָמַר (a.mar) 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560) |
| what? | מָה־ | mah- | H4100 | whatמָא (ma) 1) what, whatever 1a) what? 1b) whatever, what, whatsoever 1c) how?, why?, wherefore? (with prefixes) |
| [are] these | אֵ֣לֶּה | 'E-leh | H0428 | theseאֵ֫לֶּה (el.leh) 1) these 1a) used before antecedent 1b) used following antecedent Aramaic equivalent: el.leh (אֵלֶּה "these" H0429) |
| O lord my | אֲדֹנִ֑י | 'a-do-NI | H0113 | lordאָדוֹן (a.don) 1) firm, strong, lord, master 1a) lord, master 1a1) reference to men 1a1a) superintendent of household, of affairs 1a1b) master 1a1c) king 1a2) reference to God 1a2a) the Lord God 1a2b) Lord of the whole earth 1b) lords, kings 1b1) reference to men 1b1a) proprietor of hill of Samaria 1b1b) master 1b1c) husband 1b1d) prophet 1b1e) governor 1b1f) prince 1b1g) king 1b2) reference to God 1b2a) Lord of lords (probably = "thy husband, Yahweh") 1c) my lord, my master 1c1) reference to men 1c1a) master 1c1b) husband 1c1c) prophet 1c1d) prince 1c1e) king 1c1f) father 1c1g) Moses 1c1h) priest … |
| and he said | וַיֹּ֣אמֶר | vai-YO-mer | H0559 | to sayאָמַר (a.mar) 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560) |
| to me | אֵלַ֗י | 'e-LAI | H0413 | to(wards)אֶל (el) 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to) |
| the angel | הַמַּלְאָךְ֙ | ha-mal-'oKh | H4397H | messengerמַלְאָךְ (ma.le.akh) : messenger 1) messenger, representative 1a) messenger 1b) angel 1c) the theophanic angel |
| who was speaking | הַדֹּבֵ֣ר | ha-do-VER | H1696G | to speak: speakדָבַר (da.var) : speak/tell/command 1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing 1a) (Qal) to speak 1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to speak 1c2) to promise 1d) (Pual) to be spoken 1e) (Hithpael) to speak 1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight |
| I | אֲנִ֥י | 'a-NI | H0589 | meאֲנָא (a.na) I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis) Aramaic of a.ni (אֲנִי, אָֽנֹכִ֫י "I" H0589) |
| I will show you | אַרְאֶ֖ךָּ | 'ar-'E-ka | H7200G | to see: seeרָאָה (ra.ah) : see/show 1) to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to see 1a2) to see, perceive 1a3) to see, have vision 1a4) to look at, see, regard, look after, see after, learn about, observe, watch, look upon, look out, find out 1a5) to see, observe, consider, look at, give attention to, discern, distinguish 1a6) to look at, gaze at 1a7) to provide, choose 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to appear, present oneself 1b2) to be seen 1b3) to be visible 1c) (Pual) to be seen 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to see, show 1d2) to cause to look intently at, behold, cause to gaze at 1e) (Hophal) … |
| what? | מָה־ | mah- | H4100 | whatמָא (ma) 1) what, whatever 1a) what? 1b) whatever, what, whatsoever 1c) how?, why?, wherefore? (with prefixes) |
| they | הֵ֥מָּה | HE-mah | H1992 | theyאִנּוּן (in.nun) these, those, they Aramaic of hem.mah (הֵ֫מָּה "they(masc.)" H1992) |
| [are] these | אֵֽלֶּה׃ | 'E-leh | H0428 | theseאֵ֫לֶּה (el.leh) 1) these 1a) used before antecedent 1b) used following antecedent Aramaic equivalent: el.leh (אֵלֶּה "these" H0429) |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.