Zechariah 6:8
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
Then cried he on me, and spoke to me, saying, Behold, these that go toward the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country.
American King James Version (AKJV)
Then cried he on me, and spoke to me, saying, Behold, these that go toward the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country.
American Standard Version (ASV)
Then cried he to me, and spake unto me, saying, Behold, they that go toward the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
Then crying out to me, he said, See, those who are going to the north country have given rest to the spirit of the Lord in the north country.
Webster's Revision
Then he cried upon me, and spoke to me, saying, Behold, these that go towards the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country.
World English Bible
Then he called to me, and spoke to me, saying, "Behold, those who go toward the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country."
English Revised Version (ERV)
Then cried he upon me, and spake unto me, saying, Behold, they that go toward the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country.
Clarke's Zechariah 6:8 Bible Commentary
Have quieted my spirit in the north country - They have fulfilled my judgments on Assyria and Chaldea. Nabopolassar and Cyrus first, against the Assyrians and Chaldeans; and Alexander next, against the Persians. On this vision Abp. Newcome remarks: -
The black horses seem to denote the Persian empire; which, by subduing the Chaldeans, and being about to inflict a second heavy chastisement on Babylon, quieted God's spirit with respect to Chaldea; a country always spoken of as lying to the north of the Jews.
The white horses seem to be the Macedonian empire; which, like the Persian, overcame Chaldea.
The spotted bay horses seem to be the Roman empire. This description suits it because it was governed by kings, consuls, dictators, and emperors. It penetrated southward to Egypt and Africa. The Roman empire is mentioned twice, Zechariah 6:6, Zechariah 6:7, under each epithet given it, Zechariah 6:3.
Barnes's Zechariah 6:8 Bible Commentary
Then God, or the Angel of the Lord - who speaks of what belonged to God alone, "called me" (probably "loudly" Judges 4:10, Judges 4:13; 2 Samuel 20:4-5), so as to command his attention to this which most immediately concerned his people.
These have quieted My spirit in the north country - Or rather, "have made My anger to rest" on, that is, have carried it thither and deposited it there, made it to rest upon them, as its abode, as John saith of the unbelieving, "The wrath of God abideth on him" John 3:36. Babylon had been the final antagonist and subduer of the people of God. It had at the outset destroyed the temple of God, and carried off its vessels to adorn idol-temples. Its empire closed on that night when it triumphed over God , using the vessels dedicated to Him, to the glorifying of their idols. "In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldaeans slain." This final execution of God's anger upon that their destroyer was the earnest of the rest to them; and in this the visions pause.
Wesley's Zechariah 6:8 Bible Commentary
6:8 Cried he - Christ spake aloud, and called to him. Quieted my spirit - By doing what I appointed them in revenge of my peoples injuries, and by bringing my people back into Canaan.
