Zechariah 9
Judgement on Neighbouring Nations
1This is the LORD 's message:
Notes for verse 12 entries
Cross-references
Zechariah 9:1 – Isaiah 17:1–3 ; Jeremiah 49:23–27 ; Amos 1:3–5
Zechariah 9:1–4 – Isaiah 23:1–18 ; Ezekiel 26:1 —28.26; Joel 3:4–8 ; Amos 1:9–10 ; Matthew 11:21–22 ; Luke 10:13–14
He has decreed punishment for the land of Hadrach and for the city of Damascus. Not only the tribes of Israel, but also the capital of Syria belong to the LORD. 2Hamath, which borders on Hadrach, also belongs to him, and so do the cities of Tyre and Sidon, with all their skill. 3Tyre has built fortifications for herself and has piled up so much silver and gold that it is as common as dirt! 4But the Lord will take away everything she has. He will throw her wealth into the sea, and the city will be burnt to the ground.
5The city of Ashkelon will see this and be afraid. The city of Gaza will see it and suffer great pain. So will Ekron, and her hopes will be shattered. Gaza will lose her king, and Ashkelon will be left deserted. 6People of mixed race will live in Ashdod. The LORD says, “I will humble all these proud Philistines. 7They will no longer eat meat with blood in it, or other forbidden food. All the survivors will become part of my people and be like a clan in the tribe of Judah. Ekron will become part of my people, as the Jebusites did. 8I will guard my land and keep armies from passing through it. I will not allow tyrants to oppress my people any more. I have seen how my people have suffered.”
Notes for verses 5–82 entries
Text notes
Zechariah 9:7 Jebusites: The original inhabitants of Jerusalem, who became David's subjects after he captured the city. View in passage
Cross-references
Zechariah 9:5–7 – Isaiah 14:29–31 ; Jeremiah 47:1–7 ; Ezekiel 25:15–17 ; Joel 3:4–8 ; Amos 1:6–8 ; Zephaniah 2:4–7
The Future King
9Rejoice, rejoice, people of Zion!
Shout for joy, you people of Jerusalem!
Look, your king is coming to you!
He comes triumphant and victorious,
but humble and riding on a donkey —
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Notes for verse 91 entry
Cross-references
Zechariah 9:9 – Matthew 21:5 ; John 12:15
10The LORD says,
Notes for verse 101 entry
Cross-references
Zechariah 9:10 – Psalms 72:8
“I will remove the war chariots from Israel
and take the horses from Jerusalem;
the bows used in battle will be destroyed.
Your king will make peace among the nations;
he will rule from sea to sea,
from the River Euphrates to the ends of the earth.”
The Restoration of God's People
11The LORD says,
Notes for verse 111 entry
Cross-references
Zechariah 9:11 – Exodus 24:8
“Because of my covenant with you
that was sealed by the blood of sacrifices,
I will set your people free —
free from the waterless pit of exile.
12Return, you exiles who now have hope;
return to your place of safety.
I tell you now, I will repay you twice over
with blessing for all you have suffered.
13I will use Judah like a soldier's bow
and Israel like the arrows.
I will use the men of Zion like a sword,
to fight the men of Greece.”
14The LORD will appear above his people;
he will shoot his arrows like lightning.
The Sovereign LORD will sound the trumpet;
he will march in the storms from the south.
15The LORD Almighty will protect his people,
and they will destroy their enemies.
They will shout in battle like drunken men
and will shed the blood of their enemies;
it will flow like the blood of a sacrifice
poured on the altar from a bowl.
Notes for verses 14–151 entry
Text notes
Zechariah 9:15 Verse 15 in Hebrew is unclear. View in passage
16When that day comes, the LORD will save his people,
as a shepherd saves his flock from danger.
They will shine in his land
like the jewels of a crown.
17How good and beautiful the land will be!
The young people will grow strong on its corn and wine.