Summary of Zechariah 1:7-21
Zechariah’s first vision was of a man mounted on a red horse. The man was leading other horses and their riders. These were the ones the Lord had sent to go throughout the earth.
Zechariah was told that the Lord said He would return to Jerusalem with mercy, and there His house would be rebuilt. The people will be prosperous.
Then Zechariah saw four horns, which were the ones that scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem. There were four craftsmen who have come to terrify those against Israel.
Zechariah receives two night visions. First, he sees a man among myrtle trees; scouts report the nations are at ease, ignoring Jerusalem’s plight. God responds with zeal, declaring anger at these nations and promising to rebuild His Temple and prosper His cities.
Second, Zechariah sees four horns representing the powers that scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem. God then reveals four craftsmen sent to terrify and cast down these horns. Together, these visions assure the people that God is ending the nations’ complacency and actively dismantling the forces that oppressed His people.
BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 18 Day 2: Zechariah 1:7-21
3) The myrtle trees in the ravine symbolize Israel’s life persisting in deep humiliation. Echoing Isaiah’s promise of myrtles replacing briars (Isa 55:13), God’s presence among them in the hollow proves He is with them in their lowliness, ready to replant Jerusalem and transform their barren state into fertile blessing.
4) Scripture defines “horns” as symbols of aggressive military power (Deut 33:17, Dan 8:5). By countering them with “craftsmen”—artisans who master material—God reveals these terrifying empires are subject to His design. He raises specific agents to “terrify and cast down” their strength, dismantling the nations that scattered His inheritance.
5a) These visions directly addressed their two biggest fears: abandonment and vulnerability.
Seeing God in the “ravine” proved He was with them in their humiliation, not absent. By revealing “craftsmen” sent to dismantle the hostile powers (“horns”) blocking them, God assured them He was actively clearing the political obstacles so they could safely resume building.
b) Psalm 121 says that God watches over us as we sleep. He helps us. Nothing will harm us. He will watch over our lives forever.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 18, Day 2: Zechariah 1:7-21
Be prepared for lots of symbols in our study of Zechariah. This may be hard to interpret, but I hope my notes help!
End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 18, Day 2: Zechariah 1:7-21
Bible scholars are divided on the meaning of the colors of the horses.
The myrtle tree is a laurel tree. It could be a symbol of the people of Israel.
The man is an angel of the Lord who is God Himself (Zechariah 1:11) or Jesus.
Most Bible scholars agree that this is Jesus because no one has ever seen God. (1 Timothy 6:16)
Jesus intercedes for Jerusalem and Judah.
God is angry because other nations are at peace but His people are suffering. God cares for His people and promises to restore them.
Most Bible scholars think that the four horns represent: Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome.
God will judge those nations that scatter His people.
END NOTES SUMMARIZED
Context
The prophet Zechariah is addressing the Jewish exiles who have returned to Jerusalem from Babylon. They are discouraged because the rebuilding of the Temple has stalled, the city is in ruins, and the promised glory of restoration has not yet appeared.
Part 1: The Man Among the Myrtle Trees (Verses 7–17)
The Scene: Zechariah sees a man riding a red horse standing in a ravine (or hollow) among myrtle trees, backed by other horses (red, sorrel, and white). These are distinct from earthly armies; they are divine sentries patrolling the earth.
The Report: The scouts report that the “whole earth is at rest and at peace.” While this sounds positive, for the oppressed Israelites, it is bad news. It means the Gentile empires (Babylon/Persia) are comfortable and secure, while God’s people remain low and broken. There is no shaking of the nations to liberate Israel.
The Interpretation:
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The Intercession: The Angel of the Lord asks God, “How long?” regarding His mercy for Jerusalem.
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The Promise: God responds with “gracious and comforting words.” He declares He is “jealous” for Zion (protective love) and “very angry” with the nations at ease. While God used those nations to discipline Israel, they took it too far (adding to the calamity).
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The Result: God promises that His house (the Temple) will be built and the “measuring line” (a symbol of construction and expansion) will be stretched out over Jerusalem.
In Zechariah 1:7-17, the prophet sees a vision involving four distinct types of figures. Here is a breakdown of who they are:
1. The Man Among the Myrtle Trees
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Identity: He is the central figure of the vision, described as riding a red horse and standing in a ravine (or deep place) among myrtle trees.
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Role: He acts as the leader or commander of the patrol. Most scholars identify him as the Angel of the Lord (see verse 11). In Christian theology, this is often viewed as a “Christophany”—a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus—because he speaks with divine authority yet also intercedes to the Father.
2. The Patrol (The Horsemen)
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Identity: Behind the leader are other horses (red, sorrel/brown, and white).
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Role: These are angelic scouts. They report that they have patrolled the earth and found it “at rest and at peace.” They are God’s eyes and ears, monitoring the political situation of the Persian Empire.
3. The Interpreting Angel
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Identity: An angel who stands beside Zechariah.
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Role: He is Zechariah’s guide and narrator. He explains the vision to the prophet. He is distinct from the Man on the red horse; he is the one Zechariah talks to directly to ask, “What are these?”
4. The Lord of Hosts (Yahweh)
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Identity: God the Father.
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Role: He is the one who receives the report and answers the Angel of the Lord’s prayer with “gracious and comforting words.” He declares His zealous love for Jerusalem and His anger at the nations who are at ease.
Summary
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The Leader (Angel of the Lord): Intercedes for the people.
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The Scouts (Horsemen): Report on the world’s status.
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The Guide (Interpreting Angel): Explains the meaning to Zechariah.
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The Lord (Yahweh): Pronounces the promise of restoration.
Part 2: The Four Horns and Four Craftsmen (Verses 18–21)
The Scene: Zechariah sees four horns, followed by four craftsmen (or blacksmiths/artisans).
The Interpretation:
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The Four Horns: In biblical imagery, a “horn” represents power, strength, and pride. These represent the nations/powers that scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.
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The Four Craftsmen: These represent God’s divine agents of judgment. Just as a blacksmith has mastery over metal, these agents are sent to terrify and cast down the horns.
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The Meaning: For every power that rises against God’s people, God has already appointed a “craftsman” to dismantle it. The powers that scattered Israel will themselves be scattered.
Conclusion
Zechariah 1:7–21 moves from observation to action.
The passage reassures the discouraged people of two things:
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God sees: He is not ignorant of the world’s status; He knows the enemy is comfortable and His people are suffering.
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God will act: He is not passive. He is moving to rebuild Jerusalem (Vision 1), and He has already appointed the specific means to destroy the enemies that oppressed them (Vision 2).
The takeaway is that God’s current silence does not equal His absence; He is preparing to overturn the status quo.
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