Zechariah – Chapter 6

Old Testament15 Verses

Chapter Summary

Zechariah 6 opens with the words: "And I turned, and lifted up my eyes, and saw: and behold four chariots came out from the midst of two mountains: and the mountains were…" The chapter centers on Tobias and Josiah. Across its 15 verses, two threads run through the text: God's kingdom and kingship and family and covenant relationships. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1And I turned, and lifted up my eyes, and saw: and behold four chariots came out from the midst of two mountains: and the mountains were mountains of brass.

2In the first chariot were red horses, and in the second chariot black horses.

3And in the third chariot white horses, and in the fourth chariot grisled horses, and strong ones.

4And I answered, and said to the angel that spoke in me: What are these, my lord?

5And the angel answered, and said to me: These are the four winds of the heaven, which go forth to stand before the Lord of all the earth.

6That in which were the black horses went forth into the land of the north, and the white went forth after them: and the grisled went forth to the land the south.

7And they that were most strong, went out, and sought to go, and to run to and fro through all the earth. And he said: Go, walk throughout the earth: and they walked throughout the earth.

8And he called me, and spoke to me, saying: Behold they that go forth into the land of the north, have quieted my spirit in the land of the north.

9And the word of the Lord came to me, saying:

10Take of them of the captivity, of Holdai, and of Tobias, and of Idaias; thou shalt come in that day, and shalt go into the house of Josias, the son of Sophonias, who came out of Babylon.

11And thou shalt take gold and silver: and shalt make crowns, and thou shalt set them on the head of Jesus the son of Josedec, the high priest.

12And thou shalt speak to him, saying: Thus saith the Lord of hosts, saying: BEHOLD A MAN, THE ORIENT IS HIS NAME: and under him shall he spring up, and shall build a temple to the Lord.

13Yea, he shall build a temple to the Lord: and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit, and rule upon his throne: and he shall be a priest upon his throne, and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.

14And the crowns shall be to Helem, and Tobias, and Idaias, and to Hem, the son of Sophonias, a memorial in the temple of the Lord.

15And they that are far off, shall come and shall build in the temple of the Lord: and you shall know that the Lord of hosts sent me to you. But this shall come to pass, if hearing you will hear the voice of the Lord your God.

Important Verses in Zechariah 6

And I turned, and lifted up my eyes, and saw: and behold four chariots came out from the midst of two mountains: and the mountains were mountains of brass.

Zechariah 6:1

And the angel answered, and said to me: These are the four winds of the heaven, which go forth to stand before the Lord of all the earth.

Zechariah 6:5

And the word of the Lord came to me, saying:

Zechariah 6:9

Yea, he shall build a temple to the Lord: and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit, and rule upon his throne: and he shall be a priest upon his throne, and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.

Zechariah 6:13

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Zechariah was written with the post-exilic community, and all who would recognize the Messiah's coming in view. Chapter 6 of 14 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a prophetic oracle addressed to Israel in a moment of covenant crisis or renewal with 15 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Tobias and Josiah appear at the center of the events recorded here. The passage starts with these words: "And I turned, and lifted up my eyes, and saw: and behold four chariots came out from the midst of two mountains: and…" The final verse reads: "And they that are far off, shall come and shall build in the temple of the Lord: and you shall know that the Lord of…" Read against its original backdrop, A contemporary of Haggai, Zechariah encouraged the Temple's rebuilding through eight night visions, then looked far beyond it: a king coming 'humble and riding on a donkey' (9:9), the shepherd sold for thirty pieces of… The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: Beginning in 520 BC; later chapters possibly added by his school.

Who Wrote It

The prophet Zechariah, son of Berechiah

When It Was Written

Beginning in 520 BC; later chapters possibly added by his school

Catholic Commentary

The prophetic discourse in this chapter speaks to a community facing the consequences of its choices before God. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And I turned, and lifted up my eyes, and saw: and behold four chariots came out from the midst of two mountains: and the mountains were mountains of brass." The passage repeatedly touches on God's kingdom and kingship.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 265). Here, Zechariah's prophecies are fulfilled in Christ's passion (CIC 557). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize God's kingdom and kingship as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.
  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • God's presence casts out fear; His command 'Be not afraid' echoes throughout salvation history.

People in This Chapter

Tobias2 mentionsJosiah1 mention

Reflection for Today

When the Church proclaims Zechariah Chapter 6 at Mass or in the Liturgy of the Hours, she treats this text as the living voice of God.

In the four senses of Scripture—literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical—the Church finds rich meaning in Zechariah Chapter 6. At the moral level, stewardship of creation challenges us to examine conscience and amend our lives (CIC 756).

As you continue through Zechariah, carry this chapter's lesson into your family, parish, and work. Catholic faith is always ecclesial—God speaks to us as members of Christ's Body, not as isolated individuals.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Zechariah Chapter 6 about?

Zechariah 6 contains 15 verses. It opens with "And I turned, and lifted up my eyes, and saw: and behold four chariots came out from the midst of two mountains: and…" and closes with "And they that are far off, shall come and shall build in the temple of the Lord: and you shall know that the Lord of…". The book as a whole is prophetic visions and messianic oracles.

What is a key verse in Zechariah 6?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And I turned, and lifted up my eyes, and saw: and behold four chariots came out from the midst of two mountains: and the mountains were mountains of brass." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Zechariah Chapter 6?

This chapter mentions Tobias, Josiah.

Who wrote Zechariah and when?

The prophet Zechariah, son of Berechiah. Beginning in 520 BC; later chapters possibly added by his school.

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