Zechariah 12NASB
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Zechariah12

New American Standard

1The pronouncement of the word of the Lord concerning Israel: The Lord who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of a person within him, declares:

2“Behold, I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that causes staggering to all the peoples around; and when the siege is against Jerusalem, it will also be against Judah.

3It will come about on that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will injure themselves severely. And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it.

4On that day,” declares the Lord, “I will strike every horse with confusion and its rider with insanity. But I will watch over the house of Judah, while I strike every horse of the peoples with blindness.

5Then the clans of Judah will say in their hearts, ‘The inhabitants of Jerusalem are a strong support for us through the Lord of armies, their God.’

6“On that day I will make the clans of Judah like a firepot among pieces of wood and a flaming torch among sheaves, so they will consume on the right and on the left all the surrounding peoples, while the inhabitants of Jerusalem again live on their own sites in Jerusalem.

7The Lord also will save the tents of Judah first, so that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem will not be greater than Judah.

8On that day the Lord will protect the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the one who is feeble among them on that day will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the Lord before them.

9And on that day I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.

10“And I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and of pleading, so that they will look at Me whom they pierced; and they will mourn for Him, like one mourning for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn.

11On that day the mourning in Jerusalem will be great, like the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the plain of Megiddo.

12The land will mourn, every family by itself; the family of the house of David by itself and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of Nathan by itself and their wives by themselves;

13the family of the house of Levi by itself and their wives by themselves; the family of the Shimeites by itself and their wives by themselves;

14all the families that are left, every family by itself, and their wives by themselves.

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Zechariah 12.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: Punishment of the enemies of Judah. (1–8). Repentance and sorrow of the Jews. (9–14).

vv1-8

Here is a Divine prediction, which will be a heavy burden to all the enemies of the church. But it is for Israel; for their comfort and benefit. It is promised that God will make foolish the counsels, and weaken the courage of the enemies of the church. The exact meaning is not clear; but God often begins by calling the poor and despised; and in that day even the feeblest will resemble David, and be as eminent in courage and every thing good. Desirable indeed is it that the examples and labours of Christians should render them as fire among wood, as a torch in a sheaf, to kindle the flame of Divine love, to spread religion on the right hand and on the left.

vv9-14

The day here spoken of, is the day of Jerusalem's defence and deliverance, that glorious day when God will appear for the salvation of his people. In Christ's first coming he bruised the serpent's head, and broke all the powers of darkness that fought against God's kingdom among men. In his second coming he will complete their destruction, when he shall put down all opposing rule, principality, and power; and death itself shall be swallowed up in that victory. The Holy Spirit is gracious and merciful, and is the Author of all grace or holiness. He, also, is the Spirit of supplications, and shows men their ignorance, want, guilt, misery, and danger. At the time here foretold, the Jews will know who the crucified Jesus was; then they shall look by faith to him, and mourn with the deepest sorrow, not only in public, but in private, even each one separately. There is a holy mourning, the effect of the pouring out of the Spirit; a mourning for sin, which quickens faith in Christ, and qualifies for joy in God. This mourning is a fruit of the Spirit of grace, a proof of a work of grace in the soul, and of the Spirit of supplications. It is fulfilled in all who sorrow for sin after a godly sort; they look to Christ crucified, and mourn for him. Looking by faith upon the cross of Christ will cause us to mourn for sin after a godly sort.

Cross References

Zechariah 12
v10John 19:37fulfillment

Explicitly cited in John's Gospel as fulfilled when the soldier pierced Jesus' side.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB

v3Matthew 21:44allusion

Christ as the stone of stumbling that grinds to powder those who oppose Him.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v10Revelation 1:7allusion

Eschatological vision of Christ returning, where those who pierced Him will mourn.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v1Isaiah 42:5thematic

Similar preface declaring God's creative power over heavens and earth to assure His promises.

Supported by JFB

v1Hebrews 12:9thematic

Addresses God as the Father/former of spirits, matching Zechariah's description of the human soul.

Supported by JFB

v2Isaiah 51:22thematic

God removes the cup of trembling from Jerusalem and gives it to her oppressors.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v8Joel 3:10contrast

The dramatic strengthening of the weak, echoing 'let the weak say, I am strong.'

Supported by JFB

v8Exodus 23:20typology

The divine Angel of the Lord who goes before Israel to defend them.

Supported by JFB

The tragic national mourning for King Josiah who was slain at Megiddo.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v12Luke 3:31thematic

Nathan, son of David, traceably listed in the messianic genealogy of Jesus.

Supported by Matthew Poole