Zechariah 1:21
New International Version
I asked, “What are these coming to do?” He answered, “These are the horns that scattered Judah so that no one could raise their head, but the craftsmen have come to terrify them and throw down these horns of the nations who lifted up their horns against the land of Judah to scatter its people.”

New Living Translation
“What are these men coming to do?” I asked. The angel replied, “These four horns—these nations—scattered and humbled Judah. Now these blacksmiths have come to terrify those nations and throw them down and destroy them.”

English Standard Version
And I said, “What are these coming to do?” He said, “These are the horns that scattered Judah, so that no one raised his head. And these have come to terrify them, to cast down the horns of the nations who lifted up their horns against the land of Judah to scatter it.”

Berean Standard Bible
“What are these coming to do?” I asked. And He replied, “These are the horns that scattered Judah so that no one could raise his head; but the craftsmen have come to terrify them and throw down these horns of the nations that have lifted up their horns against the land of Judah to scatter it.”

King James Bible
Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but these are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it.

New King James Version
And I said, “What are these coming to do?” So he said, “These are the horns that scattered Judah, so that no one could lift up his head; but the craftsmen are coming to terrify them, to cast out the horns of the nations that lifted up their horn against the land of Judah to scatter it.”

New American Standard Bible
And I said, “What are these coming to do?” And he said, “These are the horns that have scattered Judah so that no one lifts up his head; but these craftsmen have come to frighten them, to throw down the horns of the nations who have lifted up their horns against the land of Judah in order to scatter it.”

NASB 1995
I said, “What are these coming to do?” And he said, “These are the horns which have scattered Judah so that no man lifts up his head; but these craftsmen have come to terrify them, to throw down the horns of the nations who have lifted up their horns against the land of Judah in order to scatter it.”

NASB 1977
And I said, “What are these coming to do?” And he said, “These are the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man lifts up his head; but these craftsmen have come to terrify them, to throw down the horns of the nations who have lifted up their horns against the land of Judah in order to scatter it.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And I said, “What are these coming to do?” And he said, “These are the horns which have scattered Judah so that no man lifts up his head; but these craftsmen have come to cause them to tremble, to throw down the horns of the nations who have lifted up their horns against the land of Judah in order to scatter it.”

Amplified Bible
I asked, “What are these [horns and craftsmen] coming to do?” And he said, “These are the horns (powers) that have scattered Judah so that no man raised up his head [because of the suffering inflicted by the Gentile nations]. But these craftsmen have come to terrify them and make them panic, and throw down the horns of the nations who have lifted up their horns against the land of Judah in order to scatter it.”

Christian Standard Bible
I asked, “What are they coming to do? ” He replied, “These are the horns that scattered Judah so no one could raise his head. These craftsmen have come to terrify them, to cut off the horns of the nations that raised a horn against the land of Judah to scatter it.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I asked, “What are they coming to do?” He replied, “These are the horns that scattered Judah so no one could raise his head. These craftsmen have come to terrify them, to cut off the horns of the nations that raised their horns against the land of Judah to scatter it.”

American Standard Version
Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These are the horns which scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head; but these are come to terrify them, to cast down the horns of the nations, which lifted up their horn against the land of Judah to scatter it.

English Revised Version
Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These are the horns which scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but these are come to fray them, to cast down the horns of the nations, which lifted up their horn against the land of Judah to scatter it.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I asked, "What are they going to do?" He answered, "Those horns scattered Judah so widely that no one could lift up his head. But the craftsmen have come to terrify them, to throw down the horns of the nations. The nations raised their horns to scatter the land of Judah."

Good News Translation
I asked, "What have they come to do?" He answered, "They have come to terrify and overthrow the nations that completely crushed the land of Judah and scattered its people."

International Standard Version
Then I asked, "What have they come to do?" He answered, "Those horns that dispersed Judah—so that no one could lift up his head—those artisans are coming to disrupt the power of nations, tearing them down now that they've come to power and dispersed the land of Judah."

Majority Standard Bible
?What are these coming to do?? I asked. And He replied, ?These are the horns that scattered Judah so that no one could raise his head; but the craftsmen have come to terrify them and throw down these horns of the nations that have lifted up their horns against the land of Judah to scatter it.?

NET Bible
I asked, "What are these going to do?" He answered, "These horns are the ones that have scattered Judah so that there is no one to be seen. But the blacksmiths have come to terrify Judah's enemies and cut off the horns of the nations that have thrust themselves against the land of Judah in order to scatter its people."

New Heart English Bible
Then I asked, "What are these coming to do?" He said, "These are the horns which scattered Judah, so that no man lifted up his head; but these have come to terrify them, to cast down the horns of the nations, which lifted up their horn against the land of Judah to scatter it."

Webster's Bible Translation
Then said I, What come these to do? And he spoke, saying, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man lifted up his head: but these are come to terrify them, to cast down the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it.

World English Bible
Then I asked, “What are these coming to do?” He said, “These are the horns which scattered Judah, so that no man lifted up his head; but these have come to terrify them, to cast down the horns of the nations that lifted up their horn against the land of Judah to scatter it.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And I say, “What [are] these coming to do?” And He speaks, saying, “These [are] the horns that have scattered Judah, so that no one has lifted up his head, and these come to trouble them, to cast down the horns of the nations who are lifting up a horn against the land of Judah—to scatter it.”

Young's Literal Translation
And I say, 'What are these coming in to do?' And He speaketh, saying: 'These are the horns that have scattered Judah, so that no one hath lifted up his head, and these come in to trouble them, to cast down the horns of the nations who are lifting up a horn against the land of Judah -- to scatter it.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And saying, What came these to do? And he will say, saying, These the horns which scattered Judah, so that a man lifted not up his head: and these will come to terrify them, to cast out the horns of the nations lifting up the horn to the land of Judah to scatter it.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And I said: What come these to do? and he spoke, saying: These are the horns which have scattered Juda every man apart, and none of them lifted up his head: and these are come to fray them, to cast down the horns of the nations, that have lifted up the horn upon the land of Juda to scatter it.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And I said, “What have these come to do?” He spoke, saying, “These are the horns that have winnowed Judah, through every single man, and none of them lifted up his head. And these have come to frighten them away, so as to cast down the horns of the Gentiles, which have lifted up a horn over the land of Judah, so as to scatter it.”

New American Bible
And I said, “What are these coming to do?” And the LORD said, “Those are the horns that scattered Judah, so that none could raise their heads any more; and these have come to terrify them—to cut down the horns of the nations that raised their horns to scatter the land of Judah.”

New Revised Standard Version
And I asked, “What are they coming to do?” He answered, “These are the horns that scattered Judah, so that no head could be raised; but these have come to terrify them, to strike down the horns of the nations that lifted up their horns against the land of Judah to scatter its people.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then I said, What are these coming to do? And he said to me, These are the horns which have scattered Judah so that no man did lift up his head; but these are come to frighten and to uproot the horns of the Gentiles who lifted up their horn against the land of Judah to scatter it.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And I said: ”What are these coming to do?” And he said to me: ”These are the horns that dispersed Yehuda like the mouth of a man that does not lift up his head, and they who shake them came, and they will uproot the horns of the Gentiles who were lifting up a horn against the land of Judea to scatter it
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then said I: 'What come these to do?' And he spoke, saying: 'These--the horns which scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head--these then are come to frighten them, to cast down the horns of the nations, which lifted up their horn against the land of Judah to scatter it.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And I said, What are these coming to do? And he said, These are the horns that scattered Juda, and they broke Israel in pieces, and none of them lifted up his head: and these are come forth to sharpen them for their hands, even the four horns, the nations that lifted up the horn against the land of the Lord to scatter it.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Vision of the Horns
20Then the LORD showed me four craftsmen. 21“What are these coming to do?” I asked. And He replied, “These are the horns that scattered Judah so that no one could raise his head; but the craftsmen have come to terrify them and throw down these horns of the nations that have lifted up their horns against the land of Judah to scatter it.”

Cross References
Daniel 2:34-35
As you watched, a stone was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay, and crushed them. / Then the iron, clay, bronze, silver, and gold were shattered and became like chaff on the threshing floor in summer. The wind carried them away, and not a trace of them could be found. But the stone that had struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.

Jeremiah 51:20-23
“You are My war club, My weapon for battle. With you I shatter nations; with you I bring kingdoms to ruin. / With you I shatter the horse and rider; with you I shatter the chariot and driver. / With you I shatter man and woman; with you I shatter the old man and the youth; with you I shatter the young man and the maiden. ...

Isaiah 41:15-16
Behold, I will make you into a threshing sledge, new and sharp, with many teeth. You will thresh the mountains and crush them, and reduce the hills to chaff. / You will winnow them, and a wind will carry them away; a gale will scatter them. But you will rejoice in the LORD; you will glory in the Holy One of Israel.

Revelation 19:15
And from His mouth proceeds a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.

Revelation 17:14
They will make war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will triumph over them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and He will be accompanied by His called and chosen and faithful ones.”

Daniel 7:21-22
As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and prevailing against them, / until the Ancient of Days arrived and pronounced judgment in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for them to possess the kingdom.

Isaiah 54:17
No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.

Micah 4:13
Rise and thresh, O Daughter of Zion, for I will give you horns of iron and hooves of bronze to break to pieces many peoples. Then you will devote their gain to the LORD, their wealth to the Lord of all the earth.

Revelation 11:15
Then the seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and loud voices called out in heaven: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever.”

Psalm 2:9
You will break them with an iron scepter; You will shatter them like pottery.”

Revelation 2:26-27
And to the one who overcomes and continues in My work until the end, I will give authority over the nations. / He will rule them with an iron scepter and shatter them like pottery—just as I have received authority from My Father.

Ezekiel 21:9-10
“Son of man, prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord says: ‘A sword, a sword, sharpened and polished— / it is sharpened for the slaughter, polished to flash like lightning! Should we rejoice in the scepter of My son? The sword despises every such stick.

Isaiah 60:12
For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish; it will be utterly destroyed.

Revelation 12:5
And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who will rule all the nations with an iron scepter. And her child was caught up to God and to His throne.

Jeremiah 30:11
For I am with you to save you, declares the LORD. Though I will completely destroy all the nations to which I have scattered you, I will not completely destroy you. Yet I will discipline you justly, and will by no means leave you unpunished.”


Treasury of Scripture

Then said I, What come these to do? And he spoke, saying, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but these are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it.

These are the.

Zechariah 1:19
And I said unto the angel that talked with me, What be these? And he answered me, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.

Daniel 12:7
And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.

fray.

which.

Psalm 75:4,5
I said unto the fools, Deal not foolishly: and to the wicked, Lift not up the horn: …

Lamentations 2:17
The LORD hath done that which he had devised; he hath fulfilled his word that he had commanded in the days of old: he hath thrown down, and hath not pitied: and he hath caused thine enemy to rejoice over thee, he hath set up the horn of thine adversaries.

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Zechariah 1
1. Zechariah exhorts to repentance.
7. The vision of the horses.
12. At the prayer of the angel comfortable promises are made to Jerusalem.
18. The vision of the four horns and the four carpenters.














What are these coming to do?
This phrase reflects a moment of inquiry and curiosity from the prophet Zechariah. The Hebrew root for "coming" (בָּאִים, ba'im) suggests an arrival with purpose or intent. In the context of biblical prophecy, this question underscores the anticipation of divine intervention. Historically, the people of Judah were familiar with the concept of God sending agents or messengers to enact His will, and Zechariah's question is a natural response to witnessing a vision of divine activity.

And He replied
The response comes from an angelic figure or possibly the Lord Himself, indicating divine communication. The Hebrew verb for "replied" (וַיֹּאמֶר, vayomer) is frequently used in the Old Testament to denote authoritative speech. This highlights the importance of the message that follows, as it is not merely a human interpretation but a revelation from God.

These are the horns that scattered Judah
The "horns" symbolize power and strength, often used in biblical literature to represent nations or leaders. The Hebrew word for "horn" (קֶרֶן, keren) conveys the idea of aggressive force. Historically, Judah faced invasions and dispersions by powerful empires such as Babylon. This imagery would resonate deeply with the original audience, who experienced the scattering firsthand.

so that no one could raise his head
This phrase paints a picture of oppression and humiliation. The inability to "raise his head" signifies a state of subjugation and despair. In the Hebrew context, lifting one's head is associated with dignity and freedom. The historical scattering of Judah left the people in a state of despondency, unable to assert themselves or reclaim their former glory.

but the craftsmen have come to terrify them
The "craftsmen" (חָרָשִׁים, charashim) are agents of divine retribution. In the ancient Near Eastern context, craftsmen were skilled workers, often associated with construction or creation. Here, they symbolize God's instruments to dismantle the oppressive powers. The use of "terrify" (לְהַחֲרִיד, lehachrid) indicates a reversal of roles, where the oppressors become the oppressed, instilling fear in those who once wielded power.

and throw down these horns of the nations
The act of "throwing down" (לְיַדֵּי, leyadei) signifies a decisive defeat. The "horns of the nations" represent the foreign powers that exalted themselves against Judah. This phrase assures the audience of God's sovereignty and justice, promising that those who have wronged His people will be overthrown.

who lifted up their horns against the land of Judah to scatter it
The phrase "lifted up their horns" (הֵרִימוּ קֶרֶן, herimu keren) conveys arrogance and aggression. The nations' intent "to scatter" (לְפָזֵר, lefazer) Judah reflects a deliberate attempt to disrupt and destroy. This historical context of exile and dispersion is a reminder of the consequences of sin and rebellion, yet it also sets the stage for God's redemptive plan to restore His people.

Verse 21. - And he spake. The interpreting angel spake. Which have scattered Judah. The LXX. adds, "and broke Israel in pieces." Did lift up his head. These powers laid Judah prostrate. To fray them. To terrify the powers symbolized by the four horns, and disturb their self-complacent Security (ver. 15). The LXX., mistaking the sense, gives, Τοῦ ὀξῦναι αὐτὰ εἰς χεῖρας αὐτῶν τὰ τέσσαρα κέρατα, "To sharpen them, even the four horns, in their hands." To cast out; to cast down, to overthrow these proud powers. Over (against) the land. The nations had treated Judah as a wild bull treats things that oppose him, tossing and scattering them to the wind.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“What
מָ֛ה (māh)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

are these
אֵ֥לֶּה (’êl·leh)
Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

coming
בָאִ֖ים (ḇā·’îm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to do?”
לַֽעֲשׂ֑וֹת (la·‘ă·śō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6213: To do, make

I asked.
וָאֹמַ֕ר (wā·’ō·mar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

And He replied,
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“These
אֵ֣לֶּה (’êl·leh)
Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

are the horns
הַקְּרָנ֞וֹת (haq·qə·rā·nō·wṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 7161: A horn, a flask, cornet, an elephant's tooth, a corner, a peak, a ray, power

that
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

scattered
זֵ֣רוּ (zê·rū)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 2219: To toss about, to diffuse, winnow

Judah
יְהוּדָ֗ה (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

so that
כְּפִי־ (kə·p̄î-)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

no
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

one
אִישׁ֙ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

could raise
נָשָׂ֣א (nā·śā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

his head;
רֹאשׁ֔וֹ (rō·šōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7218: The head

but the [craftsmen]
אֵ֙לֶּה֙ (’êl·leh)
Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

have come
וַיָּבֹ֤אוּ (way·yā·ḇō·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to terrify
לְהַחֲרִ֣יד (lə·ha·ḥă·rîḏ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 2729: To shudder with terror, to fear, to hasten

them
אֹתָ֔ם (’ō·ṯām)
Direct object marker | third person masculine plural
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

[and] throw down
לְיַדּ֞וֹת (lə·yad·dō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3034: To throw, at, away, to revere, worship, to bemoan

these horns
קַרְנ֣וֹת (qar·nō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 7161: A horn, a flask, cornet, an elephant's tooth, a corner, a peak, a ray, power

of the nations
הַגּוֹיִ֗ם (hag·gō·w·yim)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts

that lifted up
הַנֹּשְׂאִ֥ים (han·nō·śə·’îm)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

their horns
קֶ֛רֶן (qe·ren)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7161: A horn, a flask, cornet, an elephant's tooth, a corner, a peak, a ray, power

against
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the land
אֶ֥רֶץ (’e·reṣ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776: Earth, land

of Judah
יְהוּדָ֖ה (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

to scatter it.”
לְזָרוֹתָֽהּ׃ (lə·zā·rō·w·ṯāh)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 2219: To toss about, to diffuse, winnow


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OT Prophets: Zechariah 1:21 Then I asked What are these coming (Zech. Zec Zc)
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