Book of Zechariah Chapter 1 Vs. 8

September 07, 2025

 A Vision of a Horseman

Zec. 1:8 I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in the bottom; and behind him were there red horses, speckled, and white.

I saw...

רָאָה

rā’āh, רֹאֶה

rō’eh: A verb meaning to see. Its basic denotation is to see with the eyes (Gen. 27:1). It can also have the following derived meanings, all of which require the individual to see physically outside of himself or herself: to see so that one can learn to know, whether it be another person (Deu. 33:9) or God (Deu. 1:31; 11:2); to experience (Jer. 5:12; 14:13; 20:18; 42:14); to perceive (Gen. 1:4, 1:10, 1:12, 1:18, 1:21, 1:25, 1:31; Exo. 3:4); to see by volition (Gen. 9:22-23; 42:9, 42:12); to look after or to visit (Gen. 37:14; 1Sam. 20:29); to watch (1Sam. 6:9); to find (1Sam. 16:17); to select (2Kgs. 10:3); to be concerned with (Gen. 39:23). It is also possible for this verb to require the individual to make a mental observation. As an imperative, it can function as an exclamation similar to hinnēh, which means to behold (Gen. 27:27; 31:50). Further, it can denote to give attention to (Jer. 2:31); to look into or inquire (1Sam. 24:15,16); to take heed (Exo. 10:10); to discern (Ecc. 1:16; 3:13); to distinguish (Mal. 3:18); to consider or reflect on (Ecc. 7:14). It can also connote a spiritual observation and comprehension by means of seeing visions (Gen. 41:22; Isa. 30:10).

by night,...

לַיְלָה

laylāh, לָיִלָ

lāyilā, לַיִל

layil: A masculine noun meaning night, midnight. This Hebrew word primarily describes the portion of day between sunset and sunrise (Gen. 1:5; cf. Psm. 136:9). Figuratively, it signifies the gloom or despair that sometimes engulfs the human heart from an absence of divine guidance (Mic. 3:6); calamity (Job. 36:20); or affliction (Job 30:17). Nevertheless, even in the dark night of the soul, the Lord gives His people a song of joy (Job. 35:10; Psm. 42:8,9).

and behold...

הִנֵּה

hinnēh: A interjection meaning behold, look, now; if. It is used often and expresses strong feelings, surprise, hope, expectation, certainty, thus giving vividness depending on its surrounding context. Its main meanings can only be summarized briefly here: It stresses a following word referring to persons or things (Gen. 12:19; 15:17; 18:9). It is used to answer, with the first person suffix attached, when one is called (Gen. 22:1, 22:7; 27:1; Exo. 3:4; 1Sam. 3:4). It is used of God's response (Isa. 52:6; 58:9; 65:1). It indicates a call to realize something God or others have done (Gen. 1:29; 17:20). It is followed with a particle of entreaty nā’ when a request is involved (Gen. 12:11; 16:2; 1Kigs. 20:31). It can call attention to something about to happen, a future reference (Exo. 32:34; 34:10). It is used to announce the Lord's sending of a child as a sign (Isa. 7:14). The word adds vividness and emotional involvement for the reader: "Behold, it was very good" (NASB) (Gen. 1:31; 6:12; 8:13; 18:2; 37:7; Amos 7:1; 8:1). Finally, it is used to introduce a formula of challenge (Jer. 21:13). In a few passages, it has the sense of if (Lev. 13:5-6, 13:8; Deu. 13:14, 15; 1Sam. 20:12).

a man...

אִישׁ

’iyš: A masculine noun meaning a man or an individual. It is also used to mean male or husband. This word does not indicate humankind but the male gender in particular. Its feminine counterpart is a woman or wife. In Hos. 2:16,18, this word describes God's special relationship to Israel. He will be their protective husband, not their master. Curiously, the word is also used of animals (Gen. 7:2), referring to a male and his mate.

riding...

רָכַב

rāḵaḇ: A verb meaning to ride a horse; to ride in a chariot. It refers to the activity of mounting and riding an animal: a camel (Gen. 24:61); donkey (Exo. 4:20); horse (Gen. 49:17; Exo. 15:1, 15:21); mule (1Kgs. 1:33). It refers to riding in general (Lev. 15:9). It includes riding in a chariot (2Kgs. 9:16; Jer_. 7:25). It is used figuratively of living, enjoying the best things on earth (Deu. 32:13). God Himself rides the heavens (Deu. 33:26) on a cherub (2Sam. 22:11; Psm. 18:10,11]). In its causative use, it can have the sense of making a person ride (Gen. 41:43; 2Kgs. 9:28; Psm. 66:12). Used of handling a bow, it means to draw the bow (2Kgs. 13:16). It describes harnessing, hooking up a heifer, in the context of Ephraim portrayed as a heifer (Hos. 10:11).

upon...

עַל

‛al: A preposition meaning upon, over, against, by, to, for. The various nuances of this preposition are wide-ranging, and the context determines its exact meaning and usage. Here are some basics: on, upon (Gen. 1:11, 1:26; Exo. 20:12; 2Sam. 4:7); in front of (Gen. 18:8; Exo. 27:21); to, unto plus mî, "to whom" (Jer. 6:10); with zô’ṯ or kēn following, it means because of, therefore with respect to, concerning (Gen. 20:3; Ruth 4:7); as or according to (Psm. 110:4); besides or over against (Exo. 20:3); to come on (one's) heart, means to come to mind, to think of (Jer. 3:16); to add to, in addition to (yāsap̱ ‛al) (Gen. 28:9; 31:50; Deu. 19:9); it has the sense of with, met with (Exo. 3:18). Other phrases include: k^e‛al-ḵōl, according to all (Isa. 63:7); from upon, upon, e.g., a camel (Gen. 2:5; 19:24; 24:64); ‛al-b^elî, that . . . not (Gen. 31:20); ‛al-’^ašer, because (Exo. 32:35). It is used to indicate God's provincial care, His hand on (‛al) someone (Neh. 2:8); and to indicate a burden on someone (Exo. 5:8; 21:22; Job 7:20; Psm. 42:6; Isa. 1:14). It indicates the thing one speaks about or is concerned with when used with verbs of speaking, hearing (Jdg. 9:3; Jer. 16:3). It has the sense of eminence or exaltation, above (Deu. 26:19; Psm. 57:5,6, 57:11,12). It indicates what one exercises authority over (Isa. 22:15). It is used in the idiom, to fall asleep, sleep falls on someone (Gen. 2:21; 15:12); and of the activity of the mind setting on (‛al) something (2Sam. 14:1; Jer. 22:17; Mal. 3:13). It is used of an army attacking against (‛al) a foe (Gen. 34:25; Deu. 19:11; Amos 7:9).

a red...

אָדֹם

’āḏōm: A masculine adjective meaning red, ruddy, the color of blood (red to reddish brown). The meaning of the word is best demonstrated in 2Kgs. 3:22, where the Moabites saw the sunrise reflecting off the water which the Lord had miraculously provided. The Moabites thought the water was "as red as blood." This word is also used to describe the color of lentil stew (Gen. 25:30); the health or attractiveness of a man (Song 5:10); the color of garments (Isa. 63:2); the color of animals, like a red heifer (Num. 19:2) or chestnut or bay-colored horses (Zec. 1:8; 6:2).

horse,...

סוּס

sûs, סֻס

sus: I. A masculine noun uniformly rendered as horse. It refers to any horse (Gen. 47:17; 49:17; Exo. 9:3). Horses were trained for special uses: chariotry and war (Exo. 14:9; 1Kgs. 20:1; Isa. 31:1; Ezk. 27:14). They were not to be multiplied by Israel's kings, but the kings were to trust the Lord for their might, not horses (Deu. 11:4; 17:16).

II. A masculine noun referring to a swallow, a crane, a swift. It is the name of a bird. It refers to a small, swift-flying type of bird, a swift or a swallow (Isa. 38:14; Jer. 8:7). Understanding the word to refer to a crane is difficult.

and he...

הִיא

hiy’, הוּא

hû’: A pronoun appearing in masculine and feminine forms, he, she, it. Its major uses are as follows: as the third person independent pronoun meaning he, she, it, they (Gen. 3:15, 3:20; 13:1; 37:2; Jdg. 11:1); as a demonstrative pronoun meaning that is, there is (Gen. 2:11-13; Lev. 10:3; Deu. 30:20); as an emphatic word to emphasize a subject (Gen. 2:14). Placed in front of a noun, it gives precision (Exo. 12:42); used with a pronoun, it indicates identity, ’^anî hû, it is I (Isa. 52:6). Used after a noun in agreement with the noun, it is a demonstrative adjective meaning that, e.g., that man (Job. 1:1). It serves to tie two things together as the verb is, are (Lam. 1:18). It is combined with other words to form names, such as ’^elîyhû(’), He is my God.

stood...

עָמַד

‛āmaḏ: A verb meaning to stand, to rise up; to take one's stand. The basic uses of the word can be noted here: to stand on one's feet, not sit (Gen. 18:22; 24:30; 41:1, 41:3); to remain motionless or stay behind (Gen. 19:17; 24:31). It has the sense of ceasing, to stop doing something, e.g., to stop bearing children (Gen. 29:35; 30:9). It has the sense of serving before someone, as Joseph served, stood before Pharaoh (Gen. 41:46). It can mean to delay, to hold back from doing something (Gen. 45:9). It has the sense of presenting, introducing someone to someone else (Gen. 47:7). It indicates living somewhere, standing, remaining there (Exo. 8:22,18). It is used of taking a position (physically, spatially) somewhere (Exo. 14:19). It is used of something enduring, lasting, being preserved (Jer. 32:14). Used with 'al following, it means to stand over, upon, to exercise authority over (Num. 7:2); with lip̱nê, it indicates standing before (1Kgs. 1:28). To stand over one's life (nep̱eš) is to defend, protect one's life (Est. 8:11). In its causative uses, it means to set up, station, appoint, restore, etc. It is used of causing persons to do something or putting them somewhere (Jdg. 16:25); of setting up, standing up someone (2Sam. 22:34; Psm. 18:33,34); to cause someone to endure, to continue (Exo. 9:16); to set up, to erect a structure, a temple (Ezra 2:68); to appoint, set up guards on duty (Neh. 7:3). It is used in a figurative sense of Moab standing, remaining undisturbed or unchanged (Jer. 48:11); and of a prophet standing in the presence of God, that is, receiving a message from God (Jer. 23:18, 23:22). In its few passive forms, it means to be presented (of a sacrifice) before the Lord (Lev. 16:10); to be set straight again or propped up (2Chr. 18:34).

among...

בַּיִן

bayin: A noun used as a preposition to mean between, among, in the midst. It means literally between two things (Gen. 15:17). It is repeated later in a sentence with the two words meaning (between . . . and, bayin . . . ûbayin; Gen. 1:4, 1:6; Isa. 59:2). It indicates that something is within a certain area (Pro. 26:13, in the open square, NASB). Preceded by ’el and followed by l^e, it gives location among (Ezk. 10:2), or with min on the front, it indicates from between (Gen. 49:10). In Neh. 5:18, it means interval, marking a period of ten days.

the Myrtle trees...

חֲדַס

h^adas: A masculine noun referring to a myrtle tree. God will place this tree in the desert as a part of His blessing on Israel (Isa. 41:19); it is contrasted with the nettle tree or bush (Isa. 55:13). Myrtle trees are pictured growing in a ravine (Zec. 1:8, 1:10-11). Its branches were used to construct booths for the Feast of Booths or Tabernacles (Neh. 8:15).

that...

אֲשֶׁר

’^ašer: This word functions as (a) a relative pronoun meaning which, who, that or (b) a conjunction meaning that, because, so that, as, so that. The use of the word is determined by its function in the sentence in which it is used. Its basic usage: (a) a relative pronoun (Gen. 21:2; Deu. 1:22; Isa. 5:28; Hos. 3:1); a relative pronoun with a preposition prefixed (Gen. 21:17; Exo. 5:11; 33:12); or with nouns placed before ’^ašer in the construct or "of" state, e.g., Gen. 39:20, "The place where the king's prisoners were confined."

were in the bottom;...

מְצֻלָה

m^eṣulāh: A feminine noun designating a ravine, bottom land; form of. It is used of a long, deep depression in the land, forming a hollow (Zec. 1:8).

and behind...

אַחַר

’aḥar: A preposition meaning behind, after, afterwards. The usage is quite uniform, varying slightly according to context. Used more ad verbally, it can mean such things as behind someone or something (Gen. 22:13); afterwards or after that (an event) (Gen. 18:5). Used more specifically as a preposition, it means behind (Gen. 37:17); after, such as to pursue something literally or figuratively (Job 39:8); after in a temporal sense, such as when clouds return after the rain (Ecc. 12:2); or after talking ceases (Job 42:7).

him were there red... see a red above.

horses,... see horse, above.

speckled,...

שָׂרֹק

śārōq: I. A masculine noun indicating sorrel or brown. It is the color of certain horses that Zechariah sees in a vision. Sorrel is a light reddish-brown color (Zec. 1:8).

II. A masculine noun indicating speckled. It is another color of certain horses seen in Zechariah's vision (Zec. 1:8). It is any color with various small specks of a different color scattered in it.

and white.

Book of Zechariah