Zechariah 6:8

Authorized King James Version

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Then cried he upon me, and spake unto me, saying, Behold, these that go toward the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country.

Original Language Analysis

וַיַּזְעֵ֣ק Then cried H2199
וַיַּזְעֵ֣ק Then cried
Strong's: H2199
Word #: 1 of 15
to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene publicly
אֹתִ֔י H854
אֹתִ֔י
Strong's: H854
Word #: 2 of 15
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר me and spake H1696
וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר me and spake
Strong's: H1696
Word #: 3 of 15
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
אֵלַ֖י H413
אֵלַ֖י
Strong's: H413
Word #: 4 of 15
near, with or among; often in general, to
לֵאמֹ֑ר unto me saying H559
לֵאמֹ֑ר unto me saying
Strong's: H559
Word #: 5 of 15
to say (used with great latitude)
רְאֵ֗ה Behold H7200
רְאֵ֗ה Behold
Strong's: H7200
Word #: 6 of 15
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
הַיּֽוֹצְאִים֙ these that go H3318
הַיּֽוֹצְאִים֙ these that go
Strong's: H3318
Word #: 7 of 15
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 8 of 15
near, with or among; often in general, to
בְּאֶ֥רֶץ country H776
בְּאֶ֥רֶץ country
Strong's: H776
Word #: 9 of 15
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
צָפֽוֹן׃ in the north H6828
צָפֽוֹן׃ in the north
Strong's: H6828
Word #: 10 of 15
properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)
הֵנִ֥יחוּ have quieted H5117
הֵנִ֥יחוּ have quieted
Strong's: H5117
Word #: 11 of 15
to rest, i.e., settle down; used in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, intransitive, transitive and causative (to dwell, stay, l
אֶת he upon H853
אֶת he upon
Strong's: H853
Word #: 12 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
רוּחִ֖י my spirit H7307
רוּחִ֖י my spirit
Strong's: H7307
Word #: 13 of 15
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
בְּאֶ֥רֶץ country H776
בְּאֶ֥רֶץ country
Strong's: H776
Word #: 14 of 15
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
צָפֽוֹן׃ in the north H6828
צָפֽוֹן׃ in the north
Strong's: H6828
Word #: 15 of 15
properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)

Analysis & Commentary

Then cried he upon me, and spake unto me, saying, Behold, these that go toward the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country—Following the seventh vision of four chariots (6:1-7), the angel declares the northern chariot's mission accomplished. The Hebrew hinnēh hayyōtsə'īm el-'eretz tsāphōn hēnīchū et-rūchī be'eretz tsāphōn (הִנֵּה הַיֹּצְאִים אֶל־אֶרֶץ צָפוֹן הֵנִיחוּ אֶת־רוּחִי בְּאֶרֶץ צָפוֹן, 'behold those going to the land of the north have caused my Spirit to rest in the land of the north'). The verb hēnīchū (הֵנִיחוּ, from nūach, נוּחַ) means 'to rest, settle, give rest, pacify.'

My spirit (rūchī, רוּחִי) could mean God's anger, His Spirit, or His purpose. Context suggests divine wrath has been satisfied—judgment executed on Babylon (the northern power that exiled Judah). The chariot fulfilled its mission of divine vengeance, 'quieting' God's righteous anger against Israel's oppressors. This previews the ultimate defeat of all anti-God powers. The north held special significance: invading armies (Assyria, Babylon) came from the north; eschatological enemies attack from the north (Ezekiel 38-39). God's Spirit being 'quieted' there means judgment accomplished, enemy subdued, threat neutralized. Christ's victory at the cross similarly 'quieted' God's wrath (Romans 3:25-26; 1 John 2:2).

Historical Context

Babylon lay geographically northeast of Judah, but armies approached via the northern route (Fertile Crescent). Babylon had destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC, but by 520 BC (Zechariah's prophecy), the Persian Empire had conquered Babylon (539 BC). The vision assures that God's ju judgment against Judah's oppressors is complete—His anger satisfied, His justice served. The remnant can rebuild without fear of northern invasion.

Questions for Reflection