¹ Again I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, four chariots came out from between two mountains. And the mountains were mountains of bronze. ² The first chariot had red horses, the second black horses, ³ the third white horses, and the fourth chariot dappled horses—all of them strong.

⁴ Then I answered and said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?” ⁵ And the angel answered and said to me, “These are going out to the four winds of heaven, after presenting themselves before the Lord of all the earth. ⁶ The chariot with the black horses goes toward the north country, the white ones go after them, and the dappled ones go toward the south country.”

⁷ When the strong horses came out, they were impatient to go and patrol the earth. And he said, “Go, patrol the earth.” So they patrolled the earth. ⁸ Then he cried to me, “Behold, those who go toward the north country have set my Spirit at rest in the north country.”

Zechariah 6:1-8 (ESV)

Visions continue

Zechariah continues to receive visions. Yesterday was sin in a basket carried away to Babylon. Here is a vision of four chariots – each with a different set of horses pulling it. Their duty is to patrol the earth. This is similar to the other horses in Zechariah 1:7-11. 

A few explanations

• The two bronze mountains – Wesley and others believe these represent “immoveable decrees of God, his steady execution of his counsels and the insuperable restraints upon all empires and countries”.
• The four chariots – many believe they represent the same 4 world powers Zecharia referred to earlier as well as Daniel. But since they present themselves before God, they may be powerful angels.
• The colors (red, white, black and dappled) could represent carnage, sorrow, joy, and “mixed dispensation, partly prosperity, partly adversity” (JFB Commentary). Clarke’s commentary also has an interesting explanation. 
• They present themselves before the Lord

Spirit at rest

The North country at this time was probably Babylon since they traveled North then East to get to it.

So what does it mean that the spirit is at rest? We notice that the two sets of horses / chariots (black and white) are what brought the rest. Their purpose is to patrol the earth. It could be that their patrolling helped to control and put in place these kingdoms that had over-punished the Jews.

Suffice it to say: “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!” Romans 11:33 NASB