Zechariah 9

King James Version

Full text for Zechariah Chapter 9

1¶ The burden of the word of the LORD in the land of Hadrach, and Damascus [shall be] the rest thereof: when the eyes of man, as of all the tribes of Israel, [shall be] toward the LORD.

2And Hamath also shall border thereby; Tyrus, and Zidon, though it be very wise.

3And Tyrus did build herself a strong hold, and heaped up silver as the dust, and fine gold as the mire of the streets.

4Behold, the Lord will cast her out, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be devoured with fire.

5Ashkelon shall see [it], and fear; Gaza also [shall see it], and be very sorrowful, and Ekron; for her expectation shall be ashamed; and the king shall perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon shall not be inhabited.

6And a bastard shall dwell in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines.

7And I will take away his blood out of his mouth, and his abominations from between his teeth: but he that remaineth, even he, [shall be] for our God, and he shall be as a governor in Judah, and Ekron as a Jebusite.

8And I will encamp about mine house because of the army, because of him that passeth by, and because of him that returneth: and no oppressor shall pass through them any more: for now have I seen with mine eyes.

9¶ Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he [is] just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

10And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion [shall be] from sea [even] to sea, and from the river [even] to the ends of the earth.

11As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein [is] no water.

12¶ Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare [that] I will render double unto thee;

13When I have bent Judah for me, filled the bow with Ephraim, and raised up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and made thee as the sword of a mighty man.

14And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord GOD shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south.

15The LORD of hosts shall defend them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones; and they shall drink, [and] make a noise as through wine; and they shall be filled like bowls, [and] as the corners of the altar.

16And the LORD their God shall save them in that day as the flock of his people: for they [shall be as] the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land.

17For how great [is] his goodness, and how great [is] his beauty! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Zechariah 9 begins with a prophecy of judgment upon surrounding nations, including Damascus, Tyre, and the Philistine cities, despite their strength and wisdom. A remnant of these nations, however, will turn to the Lord and be incorporated into His people. The chapter then shifts to a joyous prophecy of Zion's King, who is just and brings salvation, arriving humbly on an ass, and establishing a peaceful dominion that extends across the earth.

Medium Summary

The chapter opens with a divine burden declared against the land of Hadrach and Damascus, followed by the wealthy and wise cities of Tyre and Sidon, which are prophesied to fall and be consumed by fire despite their fortifications. Philistine cities like Ashkelon, Gaza, and Ekron will witness this judgment with fear and sorrow, and their pride will be cut off, though a remnant among them will be converted and serve the Lord. The Lord promises to encamp around His house, protecting His people from oppressors. A pivotal prophecy then calls for Jerusalem to rejoice, for her King comes, just and having salvation, yet lowly, riding upon an ass. This King will abolish instruments of war, speak peace to the Gentiles, and establish a vast dominion from sea to sea. Through the blood of the covenant, prisoners of hope are released and encouraged to return to their stronghold, as the Lord promises double restoration. Judah and Ephraim will be used as God's bow against the sons of Greece, with the Lord Himself fighting for them with divine power, ensuring their defense and triumphant victory, saving them as His flock and exalting them as precious stones.

Long Summary

Zechariah 9 commences with a prophetic burden concerning the land of Hadrach and Damascus, indicating a time when all eyes, including those of Israel, shall be toward the Lord. Neighboring cities like Hamath, Tyre, and Sidon, despite Tyre's great wisdom, wealth, and strongholds, are marked for divine judgment, with Tyre specifically destined to be cast out and devoured by fire. The Philistine cities of Ashkelon, Gaza, and Ekron will witness this destruction with fear and sorrow, their expectations brought to shame, and their kings perishing. Ashdod will be inhabited by a 'bastard,' signifying a loss of identity, and the pride of the Philistines will be utterly cut off. However, a significant turning point is declared for a remnant of the Philistines: their abominations will be removed, and those who remain will become part of God's people, serving as governors in Judah, and Ekron as a Jebusite. The Lord also promises to encamp about His house, providing unwavering protection against any passing or returning army, ensuring no oppressor shall trouble His people further. The prophecy then shifts to a joyous call for Zion and Jerusalem to rejoice, for their King is coming. This King is described as just, having salvation, and notably, lowly, riding upon an ass and a colt. His advent signifies the end of military might for Israel, as chariots from Ephraim and horses from Jerusalem, along with the battle bow, will be cut off. Instead, He will speak peace to the heathen, and His dominion will extend universally, from sea to sea and from the river to the ends of the earth. Furthermore, through the blood of the covenant, the Lord promises to release prisoners from their waterless pit, calling them 'prisoners of hope' and declaring double recompense. The Lord will arm Judah and Ephraim as His bow, raising them against the 'sons of Greece,' and fighting alongside them with lightning arrows, trumpet blasts, and whirlwinds. The Lord of hosts will defend His people, granting them overwhelming victory, enabling them to devour and subdue with sling stones, and to be filled with joy and strength. In that day, the Lord their God will save them as His flock, and they shall be as the precious stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon His land, experiencing His great goodness and beauty, with prosperity in corn and new wine.

Core Concepts

  • Judgment of NationsThe chapter opens with prophecies of divine judgment against surrounding nations, including Hadrach, Damascus, Tyre, Sidon, and the Philistine cities, highlighting their impending downfall despite their wealth or strength.
  • Conversion of a RemnantAmidst the judgment, a promise is made that a remnant of the Philistines will be cleansed from their abominations and incorporated into God's people, serving Him and dwelling among Judah.
  • Divine ProtectionThe Lord declares His intention to encamp around His house, providing a protective barrier against any military threat or oppressor, ensuring the security of His people.
  • The Coming KingA central prophecy foretells the arrival of Zion's King, who is just, brings salvation, and demonstrates humility by riding on an ass, signifying a different kind of power and reign.
  • Peaceful and Universal DominionThis King will abolish instruments of war (chariots, horses, bows) and speak peace to the Gentiles, establishing a vast, global dominion that extends from sea to sea and to the ends of the earth.
  • Prisoners of Hope and CovenantThe Lord promises to release 'prisoners of hope' from their distress through the blood of His covenant, offering them double restoration and encouraging them to turn to their stronghold.
  • Divine Victory and RestorationJudah and Ephraim are depicted as God's instruments against 'Greece,' with the Lord Himself fighting for them with supernatural power, leading them to a triumphant victory and exalting them as precious stones.