The four horns ( ’arba‘ qərānōṯ) and the four craftsmen ( ’arbā‘āh ḥārāšîm, also translated "engravers" or "artisans") feature in a vision found in the Book of Zechariah in the Old Testament. The passage is in Zechariah 1:18-21 in traditional English texts; in Hebrew texts, 1:18-21 is numbered 2:1-4. The vision precedes the vision of a man with a measuring line (Zechariah 2:1-5, or 2:5-9 in Hebrew texts).
Hebrew Bible text
In the Talmud The four craftsmen are discussed in Babylonian Talmud Suk. 52b. Rav Hana bar Bizna attributed to Rav Simeon Hasida the identification of these four craftsmen as Messiah ben David, Messiah ben Joseph, Elijah, and the Righteous Priest.Alan Avery-Peck, The Review of Rabbinic Judaism: Ancient, Medieval, and Modern 9004144846 2005 "B. Suk. 52b: The Four Craftsmen "And the Lord showed me four craftsmen" (Zech. 2.3). ... Rav Hana bar Bizna said in the name of Rav Simeon Hasida: “Messiah ben David, Messiah ben Joseph, Elijah, and the Righteous Priest.” " However David Kimhi interpreted the four craftsmen as four kingdoms.David Baron - Zechariah: A Commentary on His Visions and Prophecies 2001 0825499313 p.53 "The following curious passage about the four carpenters or "smiths" is from Kimhi's Commentary: 'And the Lord showed me four workmen, ... in order to cut off the horns — that is to say, each kingdom shall be a carpenter, ...'."
In later interpretation The imagery of craftsmen is generally considered as "smiths", able to master the four iron horns, as symbolizing nations used as instruments of divine power for the destruction of Israel's enemies.Joyce G. Baldwin, Haggai Zechariah and Malachi - Page 73 1988 - And the Lord shewed me four carpenters. Then said I, What 21 The Second Vision. The four horns and the four workmen, i. 18 — 21. (Heb.,ii.i — 4.) The scene changes. The first vision had foretold as certain the punishment of the heathen, ...Herbert Lockyer All the Parables of the Bible 1963 0310281113 p.107 "(Zechariah 2:1-13) The four carpenters were four smiths or workmen, well able to deal with the four horns. These smiths (R.V. ) symbolize instruments of Divine power for the destruction of alien power and the redemption of God's people." The appearance of four horns "symbolises their universality".Jerusalem Bible (1966), footnote a at Zechariah 2:1, London: Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd. and Doubleday and Co. Inc.
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