Zechariah 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.
Original Language Analysis
רָאִ֣יתִי׀
I saw
H7200
רָאִ֣יתִי׀
I saw
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
1 of 19
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
הַלַּ֗יְלָה
by night
H3915
הַלַּ֗יְלָה
by night
Strong's:
H3915
Word #:
2 of 19
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
אִישׁ֙
and behold a man
H376
אִישׁ֙
and behold a man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
4 of 19
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)
רֹכֵב֙
riding
H7392
רֹכֵב֙
riding
Strong's:
H7392
Word #:
5 of 19
to ride (on an animal or in a vehicle); causatively, to place upon (for riding or generally), to despatch
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
6 of 19
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְה֣וּא
H1931
וְה֣וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
9 of 19
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
עֹמֵ֔ד
and he stood
H5975
עֹמֵ֔ד
and he stood
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
10 of 19
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
בֵּ֥ין
H996
בֵּ֥ין
Strong's:
H996
Word #:
11 of 19
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
13 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
וְאַחֲרָיו֙
and behind
H310
וְאַחֲרָיו֙
and behind
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
15 of 19
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
Cross References
Revelation 6:4And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.Revelation 2:1Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;Isaiah 41:19I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together:Isaiah 55:13Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.Zechariah 13:7Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.
Historical Context
Myrtle trees (Hebrew: hadas) grew in Palestine's valleys and produced fragrant leaves. They symbolized peace and divine favor (Isa. 41:19; 55:13). The bottom/valley setting suggests a secluded, protected place. Ancient Near Eastern kings sent reconnaissance scouts to assess conditions; this vision portrays heaven's similar intelligence gathering. The multiple horses suggest angelic agents reporting to the LORD's representative.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this vision of angelic reconnaissance assure us that God comprehensively knows world conditions?
- What does the man on the red horse (likely Christ) standing among myrtle trees teach us about His presence with His people?
Analysis & Commentary
The first vision begins: '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.' The night vision suggests divine revelation through dreams. The 'man' on the red horse likely represents the Angel of the LORD (pre-incarnate Christ, v. 11). Red may symbolize war/judgment; speckled (or brown/sorrel) and white suggest variety. Myrtle trees in the 'bottom' (valley) create the scene. This mysterious vision introduces angelic reconnaissance reporting world conditions to God.