זכריה, פרק ו׳, פסוק ד׳

The prophet turns to the guiding angel still standing beside him, seeking to understand the meaning of the vision unfolding before him [אבן עזרא]. Having already experienced two previous visions concerning four great kingdoms—such as the earlier sight of the four horns, which brought greater clarity than the first—he recognizes that this new appearance of four chariots must contain a fresh message. Since the earlier visions already introduced the concept of these kingdoms, he knows there must be a specific, new purpose for being shown another vision on the exact same subject [רד״ק].

The inquiry reveals that these visions represent four massive empires destined to rule the entire world from east to west. Their rise to global power is by no means an accident; it is the direct result of a divine decree and the will of God. Empowered by Heaven with immense and destructive force, these empires are compared to fierce winds capable of tearing apart mountains and shattering solid rock.

This division into four distinct empires mirrors a fundamental structure found throughout reality. It parallels the four corners of the earth, the four seasons of the year, the four physical elements, and the four humors of the human body. Ultimately, all these earthly powers draw their energy from higher spiritual forces. They originate directly from God, who is the Master of the entire earth and the primary cause of all existence [אברבנאל].