Zechariah 6:8 - Exposition

Then cried he upon me. The angel cried aloud (like a herald announcing a proclamation, Jonah 3:7 ), to call the prophet's attention to what was coming, which was of most immediate consequence to his people. This angel speaks as in the person of God. Have quieted my spirit; literally, have caused my spirit to rest; LXX ; ἀνέπαυσαν τὸν θυμόν μου , "quieted my anger," i.e. by satiating it. Many commentators take the clause as equivalent to "have caused my wrath to rest upon the land" (comp. John 3:36 ), referring to 8:3 ; Proverbs 16:32 ; Ecclesiastes 10:4 , for the use of the word "spirit" ( ruach ) in the sense of "anger." Others see here an intimation of mercy and grace to the Jews still resident in Babylonia. But it is plain that the vision is one of judgment: and the Spirit of the Lord is a Spirit of judgment and vengeance ( Isaiah 4:4 ), which destroys evil that good may flourish.