What Does Zechariah 1:18 Mean in the King James?

Then lifted I up mine eyes, and saw, and behold four horns.

Zechariah 1:18 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The four horns make power visible as something that projects outward and can scatter.

THE MEANING

You are shown power before it is named: horns give force a visible form, projecting outward from a point. The image lets you perceive threat as something with shape and direction.

THE ROOT

קְרָנוֹת

qarnot

GROWS FROM

קרן

Q-R-N

Horn; by extension, a projecting point and a sign of strength or power.

The same three consonants name a horn and form the verb qāran, to shine or send out rays. The root holds power and radiance together as outward projection; here the four horns make a force visible.

ALSO GROWS

qeren: Horn; figuratively, strength or power.

קֶרֶן

This is the singular form behind the four horns, making power visible as something that projects outward.

qāran: To shine or radiate; to send out rays.

קָרַן

In Exodus 34:29, Moses’ face “shone.” English separates shining from horns, while the shared root links both to something projecting outward.

THE PATTERN

Scripture uses horns as visible signs of power that can be raised, broken, or embodied by rulers.

All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.

Psalm 75:10 · KJVHorns represent power that can be brought low or lifted up.

And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.

Daniel 7:24 · KJVThe vision names the horns as rulers, showing power embodied in figures that project authority.

And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.

Revelation 17:12 · KJVThe horns again make power visible through rulers who receive authority.

THE THREAD

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.

Zechariah 1:19 · KJV

The same word, qarnot (⁨קְרָנוֹת⁩, horns), appears again when the vision names what the four horns signify. The next verse opens the image from symbol into impact: projecting power becomes the force that scatters.

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