Zechariah 10

King James Version

Full text for Zechariah Chapter 10

1¶ Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; [so] the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.

2For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because [there was] no shepherd.

3Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds, and I punished the goats: for the LORD of hosts hath visited his flock the house of Judah, and hath made them as his goodly horse in the battle.

4Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail, out of him the battle bow, out of him every oppressor together.

5¶ And they shall be as mighty [men], which tread down [their enemies] in the mire of the streets in the battle: and they shall fight, because the LORD [is] with them, and the riders on horses shall be confounded.

6And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them again to place them; for I have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I [am] the LORD their God, and will hear them.

7And [they of] Ephraim shall be like a mighty [man], and their heart shall rejoice as through wine: yea, their children shall see [it], and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in the LORD.

8I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them: and they shall increase as they have increased.

9And I will sow them among the people: and they shall remember me in far countries; and they shall live with their children, and turn again.

10I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Assyria; and I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon; and [place] shall not be found for them.

11And he shall pass through the sea with affliction, and shall smite the waves in the sea, and all the deeps of the river shall dry up: and the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, and the sceptre of Egypt shall depart away.

12And I will strengthen them in the LORD; and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith the LORD.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Zechariah 10 opens with a call to ask the Lord for rain, contrasting His provision with the vanity of idols and false diviners. The Lord expresses anger against negligent shepherds but promises to strengthen and save the houses of Judah and Joseph. He declares His intention to gather His people from various lands, enabling them to return with strength and joy.

Medium Summary

The chapter begins by urging the people to seek rain from the Lord, as He alone can provide it, unlike the empty words of idols and diviners who offer false comfort. God's anger is kindled against the unfaithful shepherds, but He promises to visit His flock, the house of Judah, making them like a mighty warhorse in battle. From Judah will arise essential leaders and warriors. The Lord will strengthen both Judah and Joseph, saving them and bringing them back, for He has mercy upon them. He will gather them from distant countries like Egypt and Assyria, causing them to increase and rejoice in Him, overcoming obstacles like the sea and river, and ultimately strengthening them in His name.

Long Summary

Zechariah 10 commences with an exhortation to petition the Lord for rain during the latter rain season, emphasizing His sole capacity to provide bright clouds and showers, in stark contrast to the deceitful pronouncements of idols and the false dreams of diviners. These false comforts are deemed vain, leading the people astray like a troubled flock without a shepherd. Consequently, the Lord's anger is kindled against these negligent shepherds, whom He punishes. Yet, He promises to visit His flock, the house of Judah, transforming them into His goodly horse in battle. From Judah will emerge foundational leaders—the corner, the nail, and the battle bow—along with every oppressor. The people will be empowered as mighty men, treading down enemies, fighting with the Lord's presence, confounding horsemen. The Lord pledges to strengthen Judah and save Joseph, bringing them back with mercy, as if they had never been cast off. Ephraim will become mighty, rejoicing like one invigorated by wine, and their children will share in this gladness. God will gather His redeemed people from far countries, sowing them among nations yet causing them to remember Him and return. He will bring them from Egypt and Assyria to Gilead and Lebanon, where space will be insufficient for their multitude. Miraculously, He will pass through the sea with affliction, smiting its waves and drying up river depths, humbling the pride of Assyria and removing Egypt's sceptre. Ultimately, the Lord will strengthen them, enabling them to walk in His name.

Core Concepts

  • Divine ProvisionThe chapter opens by instructing the people to ask the Lord for rain, establishing Him as the sole source of essential blessings and contrasting His power with the vanity of idols.
  • Condemnation of False LeadershipIdols, diviners, and negligent shepherds are denounced for speaking vanity, seeing lies, and offering false comfort, leading the people astray and incurring God's wrath.
  • Restoration of Judah and JosephThe Lord promises to strengthen and save both the house of Judah and the house of Joseph (Ephraim), bringing them back from dispersion and restoring their might.
  • Emergence of True LeadershipFrom Judah will come the 'corner,' 'nail,' and 'battle bow,' signifying the divine appointment of essential leaders and warriors for His people.
  • Global Gathering of IsraelGod declares His intention to gather His scattered people from distant lands, specifically mentioning Egypt and Assyria, bringing them back to their ancestral territories.
  • Miraculous DeliveranceThe return of the people will be accompanied by miraculous events, such as the drying up of seas and rivers, echoing the Exodus and demonstrating God's power to overcome obstacles.
  • Strength in the LordThe ultimate promise is that the restored people will be strengthened by the Lord and will walk in His name, signifying their renewed dependence and faith in Him.