Zechariah 6:5

Authorized King James Version

And the angel answered and said unto me, These are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיַּ֥עַן

H6030

answered

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,

הַמַּלְאָ֖ךְ

H4397

And the angel

a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר

H559

and said

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלָ֑י

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֵ֗לֶּה

H428

these or those

אַרְבַּע֙

H702

unto me These are the four

four

רוּח֣וֹת

H7307

spirits

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם

H8064

of the heavens

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

יוֹצְא֕וֹת

H3318

which go forth

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

#10

מֵֽהִתְיַצֵּ֖ב

H3320

from standing

to place (any thing so as to stay); reflexively, to station, offer, continue

#11

עַל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

#12

אֲד֥וֹן

H113

before the Lord

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

#13

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#14

הָאָֽרֶץ׃

H776

of all the earth

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

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 sovereignty 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

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
How does this verse's literary context within Zechariah chapter 6 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?