Zechariah 1:8

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
רָאִ֣יתִי׀
I saw
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#2
הַלַּ֗יְלָה
by night
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
#3
וְהִנֵּה
lo!
#4
אִישׁ֙
and behold a man
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)
#5
רֹכֵב֙
riding
to ride (on an animal or in a vehicle); causatively, to place upon (for riding or generally), to despatch
#6
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#7
סוּסִ֣ים
horse
a horse (as leaping)
#8
אֲדֻמִּ֔ים
him were there red
rosy
#9
וְה֣וּא
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
#10
עֹמֵ֔ד
and he stood
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
#11
בֵּ֥ין
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
#12
הַהֲדַסִּ֖ים
among the myrtle trees
the myrtle
#13
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#14
בַּמְּצֻלָ֑ה
that were in the bottom
shade
#15
וְאַחֲרָיו֙
and behind
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
#16
סוּסִ֣ים
horse
a horse (as leaping)
#17
אֲדֻמִּ֔ים
him were there red
rosy
#18
שְׂרֻקִּ֖ים
speckled
bright red (as piercing to the sight), i.e., bay
#19
וּלְבָנִֽים׃
and white
white

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection