Zechariah 1:10
And the man that stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, These are they whom the LORD hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּ֗עַן
answered
H6030
וַיַּ֗עַן
answered
Strong's:
H6030
Word #:
1 of 12
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
הָאִ֛ישׁ
And the man
H376
הָאִ֛ישׁ
And the man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
2 of 12
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
הָעֹמֵ֥ד
that stood
H5975
הָעֹמֵ֥ד
that stood
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
3 of 12
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
בֵּין
H996
בֵּין
Strong's:
H996
Word #:
4 of 12
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
8 of 12
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
שָׁלַ֣ח
hath sent
H7971
שָׁלַ֣ח
hath sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
9 of 12
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
יְהוָ֔ה
These are they whom the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
These are they whom the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
10 of 12
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Zechariah 1:11And they answered the angel of the LORD that stood among the myrtle trees, and said, We have walked to and fro through the earth, and, behold, all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest.Hebrews 1:14Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?Job 1:7And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.Zechariah 1:8I 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.Zechariah 4:10For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.
Historical Context
Ancient empires maintained courier systems for intelligence gathering and communication. Persia's famous postal system inspired this imagery. God's heavenly administration parallels but surpasses human governance. The reconnaissance assures that despite appearances (Persia ruling, temple builders struggling), God remains sovereign and informed. His government operates continuously, monitoring conditions relevant to His purposes.
Questions for Reflection
- How does angelic reconnaissance assure us that God comprehensively knows our circumstances and world events affecting us?
- What does this organized heavenly administration teach us about God's ordered governance versus randomness or deism?
Analysis & Commentary
The man among the myrtle trees explains: 'These are they whom the LORD hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth.' The horses represent angelic agents sent on divine reconnaissance. 'Walk to and fro' suggests comprehensive surveillance—God monitors all earth through angelic ministry. This demonstrates divine omniscience and providence: nothing escapes God's notice. The world isn't deistic (God absent after creation) but theistic (God actively governing). This assured struggling temple-builders that God knew their situation and world conditions affecting them.