Zechariah 6
The Prophet’s Eighth Vision: Four Chariots, And The Crowning of The Branch
The last of Zechariah’s visions culminates in final judgment and the establishment of God’s unchallenged authority over His world.
Four Chariots
Vs. 1 - Then I looked up again and saw four chariots coming from between two mountains.
While there are many interpretive differences in the specifics of the vision, most commentators view these chariots as coming messengers of God who bring judgment on all of Israel’s enemies.
Having cleared the land of sin, God establishes the kingdom of the Messiah with its worldwide authority. This seems to be the meaning of the final vision, which begins with the appearance of four chariots coming out from the stronghold where God dwells. - Don Fleming
These four chariots and their horses seem to be hostile agents of God’s judgment, emissaries of His war against the earth. - David Guzik
Zechariah’s Eight Visions - Thomas Constable
A Horseman - Yahweh’s sovereignty over Israel’s restoration
Four Horns and Four Craftsmen - The triumph of Israel over her enemies
A Surveyor - Preparations for Israel’s future restoration
Joshua and The Branch - The renewal of Israel’s priestly ministry
A Lampstand and Olive Trees - Israel’s testimony under Messiah as priest and king
A Flying Scroll - Judgment on Israel for covenant disobedience
A Woman in a Basket - The return of evil to Babylon
Four Chariots - Judgment on Israel’s enemies
Crowning The Branch
The visions ended and Zechariah awoke from his dream-like state. What follows is a symbolic act that took place in Jerusalem at the Lord’s command. - Thomas Constable
The eight night visions have ended, but the coronation of Joshua is closely connected with these revelations which extend in scope from Zechariah’s day to the full establishment of Israel in blessing. The crowning of King-Priest Messiah is thus set forth symbolically by the coronation of Joshua, which is not a vision, but an actual historical act, which evidently took place the day following the night of visions. - Unger
Here we have the end and consummation of all the prophetic Scriptures: the crowning of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is only after the dark night of world judgment and punishment is passed, that the glorious light of Christ’s coronation day will follow. This is one of the sublimest passages in the Scriptures on the Person and work of the Messiah. - Feinberg
Crowning Joshua
Vs. 11 - make a crown and place it on the head of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest
Zechariah was instructed to make a crown from some of the precious metals set apart for the construction of the temple. The crown represented the royalty and authority bestowed upon a spiritual and political leader.
Don Fleming notes that Zerubbabel, not Joshua, was the actual Davidic descendent through whom the Messiah would eventually come but that Joshua may have been crowned as priest instead to prevent Persian suspicion of insurrection.
The Branch
Vs. 12 - You are to tell him: This is what the Lord of Armies says: Here is a man whose name is Branch;
Joshua’s role in this ceremony was to represent the coming Messiah, referenced here, for the second time by Zechariah, as the “Branch.”
This name signified that the coming Shoot would shoot up from His humble place of origin (Isaiah 53:2; Micah 5:2). "He will branch out from where He is" is a pun on the word "branch." It means, "The shoot will shoot up from beneath (where there is little promise of life)." - Thomas Constable
Isaiah 53:2 - He grew up before him like a young plant and like a root out of dry ground.
Jeremiah 33:15 - In those days and at that time I will cause a Righteous Branch to sprout up for David
The Temple
Vs. 12 - he will branch out from his place and build the Lord’s temple.
Vs. 15 - People who are far off will come and build the Lord’s temple
Many commentators see dual fulfillment in this prophecy:
Leader - Joshua and Zerubbabel led the remnant to return and rebuild, but the “Branch” would, as king and priest, lead His people both spiritually and politically.
People - Those coming from “far off” represented both the exiles who had not yet returned to Israel and the Gentiles who would be included in the kingdom of the Messiah.
Temple - The ceremony celebrated both the post-exilic reconstruction of the temple in Jerusalem and a future temple through/from which God will dwell with His people.
