Zechariah 6

“And I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came four chariots out from between two…” The number four makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“In the first chariot were red horses; and in the second chariot black horses;” The line’s distinctive content terms include chariot, horses, black. Its relationship to verses 1 and 3 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grisled and bay horses.” The line’s distinctive content terms include chariot, horses, fourth. Its relationship to verses 2 and 4 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with me, What are these, my lord?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And the angel answered and said unto me, These are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing…” The number four makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“The black horses which are therein go forth into the north country; and the white go forth after them; and the grisled…” The line’s distinctive content terms include country, black, grisled. Its relationship to verses 5 and 7 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And the bay went forth, and sought to go that they might walk to and fro through the earth: and he said, Get you…” Naming Get keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then cried he upon me, and spake unto me, saying, Behold, these that go toward the north country have quieted my…” The line’s distinctive content terms include country, north, cried. Its relationship to verses 7 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,” The line’s distinctive content terms include LORD, word. Its relationship to verses 10 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Take of them of the captivity, even of Heldai, of Tobijah, and of Jedaiah, which are come from Babylon, and come thou…” Naming Babylon and Heldai keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest;” Naming Josedech and Joshua keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Even he shall build the temple of the LORD ; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And the crowns shall be to Helem, and to Tobijah, and to Jedaiah, and to Hen the son of Zephaniah, for a memorial in…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the LORD , and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.