John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 6. The black horses which [are] therein , etc.] Which were in the second chariot: no further mention is made of the red horses in the first chariot, because the kingdom of the Chaldeans was now extinct: these design the Medes and Persians: go forth into the north country : into the country of Babylon or Chaldea, which lay north of Judea; (see Jeremiah 1:13-15 3:12 6:22) and other places; these went to Babylon, took that, and seized on the empire, and delivered the Jews, who were captives there: and the white go forth after them ; the Grecians under Alexander, who went after the Medes and Persians into the same country, and fought Darius the Persian, and conquered him: and the grisled go forth toward the south country ; the Romans under Julius Caesar, Augustus, and others before them, who went into Egypt, which lay south of Judea, ( Daniel 11:5) and conquered that, and other nations, and set up the fourth kingdom or monarchy.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-8 - This vision may represent the ways of Providence in the government of this lower world. Whatever the providences of God about us are, as to public or private affairs, we should see them all as coming from between the mountains of brass, the immoveable counsels and decrees of God; and therefore reckon it as much our folly to quarrel with them, a it is our duty to submit to them. His providences move swiftly an strongly as chariots, but all are directed and governed by his infinit wisdom and sovereign will. The red horses signify war and bloodshed The black, signify the dismal consequences of war, famines pestilences, and desolations. The white, signify the return of comfort peace, and prosperity. The mixed colour, signify events of differen complexions, a day of prosperity and a day of adversity. The angels go forth as messengers of God's counsels, and ministers of his justice an mercy. And the secret motions and impulses upon the spirits of men, by which the designs of Providence are carried on, are these four spirit of the heavens, which go forth from God, and fulfil what the God of the spirits of all flesh appoints. All the events which take place in the world spring from the unchangeable counsels of the Lord, which ar formed in unerring wisdom, perfect justice, truth, and goodness; an from history it is found that events happened about the period when this vision was sent to the prophet, which seem referred to therein.
Original Hebrew אשׁר834 בה הסוסים5483 השׁחרים7838 יצאים3318 אל413 ארץ776 צפון6828 והלבנים3836 יצאו3318 אל413 אחריהם310 והברדים1261 יצאו3318 אל413 ארץ776 התימן׃8486
