Zechariah 1:9
Then said I, O my lord, what are these? And the angel that talked with me said unto me, I will shew thee what these be. Then said I, O my lord, what are these? And the angel that talked with me said unto me, I will shew thee what these be.
The inquiry is the prophet's request for the meaning of what he is beholding in vision. The angel who is conversing with him responds with a promise to explain what those things are. That exchange stands at the opening of a series of visions occupying the first six chapters, all given in symbolic form. They were given at a time of uncertainty over whether the Jews would be permitted to rebuild. Their purpose was to strengthen and encourage the Jews by revealing God's compassion and love toward them.