Zechariah8
New International Version
1The word of the Lord Almighty came to me.
2This is what the Lord Almighty says: “I am very jealous for Zion; I am burning with jealousy for her.”
3This is what the Lord says: “I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the Faithful City, and the mountain of the Lord Almighty will be called the Holy Mountain.”
4This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each of them with cane in hand because of their age.
5The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there.”
6This is what the Lord Almighty says: “It may seem marvelous to the remnant of this people at that time, but will it seem marvelous to me?” declares the Lord Almighty.
7This is what the Lord Almighty says: “I will save my people from the countries of the east and the west.
8I will bring them back to live in Jerusalem; they will be my people, and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God.”
9This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Now hear these words, ‘Let your hands be strong so that the temple may be built.’ This is also what the prophets said who were present when the foundation was laid for the house of the Lord Almighty.
10Before that time there were no wages for people or hire for animals. No one could go about their business safely because of their enemies, since I had turned everyone against their neighbor.
11But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as I did in the past,” declares the Lord Almighty.
12“The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will produce its crops, and the heavens will drop their dew. I will give all these things as an inheritance to the remnant of this people.
13Just as you, Judah and Israel, have been a curse among the nations, so I will save you, and you will be a blessing. Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong.”
14This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Just as I had determined to bring disaster on you and showed no pity when your ancestors angered me,” says the Lord Almighty,
15“so now I have determined to do good again to Jerusalem and Judah. Do not be afraid.
16These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts;
17do not plot evil against each other, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this,” declares the Lord.
18The word of the Lord Almighty came to me.
19This is what the Lord Almighty says: “The fasts of the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months will become joyful and glad occasions and happy festivals for Judah. Therefore love truth and peace.”
20This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Many peoples and the inhabitants of many cities will yet come,
21and the inhabitants of one city will go to another and say, ‘Let us go at once to entreat the Lord and seek the Lord Almighty. I myself am going.’
22And many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the Lord Almighty and to entreat him.”
23This is what the Lord Almighty says: “In those days ten people from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, ‘Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.’”
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Zechariah 8.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The restoration of Jerusalem. (1–8). The people encouraged by promises of God's favour, and exhorted to holiness. (9–17). The Jews in the latter days. (18–23).
vv1-8
The sins of Zion were her worst enemies. God will take away her sins, and then no other enemies shall hurt her. Those who profess religion must adorn their profession by godliness and honesty. When become a city of truth and a mountain of holiness, Jerusalem is peaceable and prosperous. Verses 4, 5, beautifully describe a state of great outward peace, attended with plenty, temperance, and contentment. The scattered Israelites shall be brought together from all parts. God will never leave nor forsake them in a way of mercy, for this he has promised them; and they shall never leave nor forsake him in a way of duty, as they have promised him. These promises were partly fulfilled in the Jewish church, betwixt the captivity and the time of Christ's coming; and they had fuller accomplishment in the gospel church; but the full import must be as to the future times of the Christian church, or the future restoration of the Jews. With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible; so far are God's thoughts and ways above ours. In the present low state of vital godliness, we can hardly conceive that so complete a change can be made; but a change thus extensive and glorious, can be brought to pass by the almighty power of the new-creating Spirit, in less time than he was pleased to employ in creating the world. Let the hands of all who labour in the cause of the gospel be strong, serving the Lord in true holiness, assured that their labour shall not be in vain.
vv9-17
Those only who lay their hands to the plough of duty, shall have them strengthened with the promises of mercy: those who avoid their fathers' faults have the curse turned into a blessing. Those who believed the promises, were to show their faith by their works, and to wait the fulfilment. When God is displeased, he can cause trade to decay, and set every man against his neighbour; but when he returns in mercy, all is happy and prosperous. Surely believers in Christ must not trifle with the exhortation to put away lying, and to speak every man peace with his neighbour, to hate what the Lord hates, and to love that wherein he delights.
vv18-23
When God comes towards us in ways of mercy, we must meet him with joy and thankfulness. Therefore be faithful and honest in all your dealings; and let it be a pleasure to you to be so, though thereby you come short of the gains others get dishonestly; and, as much as in you lies, live peaceably with all men. Let the truths of God rule in your heads, and let the peace of God rule in your hearts. Thus the ancient servants of God drew the notice of heathen neighbours, whose prejudices were softened. A great increase to the church shall be made. Hitherto the Jews had been prone to learn the idolatries of other nations: what more unlikely than that they should teach religion to their conquerors, and to all the principal nations of the earth! Yet this is expressly foretold, and it came to pass. Hitherto the prophecy has been wonderfully fulfilled, and no doubt future events will explain it further. It is good to be with those who have God with them; if we take God for our God, we must take his people for our people, and be willing to take our lot with them. But let not any one think that mere zeal, either for Jews or Gentiles, will stand in the place of personal religion. Let us be living epistles of Christ, known and read of all men, so that others may wish to go with us, and to have their portion with us in the realms of bliss.
Key Words
דָּבָר: a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
צָבָא: a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (specifically, hardship, worship)
אָמַר: to say (used with great latitude)
כֹּה: properly, like this, i.e. by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
קָנָא: to be (causatively, make) zealous, i.e. (in a bad sense) jealous or envious
צִיּוֹן: Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of Jerusalem
גָּדוֹל: great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
קִנְאָה: jealousy or envy
חֵמָה: heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)
שׁוּב: to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again
Cross References
Zechariah 8Direct echo of God's great jealousy for Zion and His anger against her oppressors.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallels the promise of long life and old age in restored Jerusalem.
Supported by JFB
Describes the lack of crop yield and severe labor hardships before temple building resumed.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Contrasts the early post-exilic economic misery and lack of peace with later blessings.
Supported by JFB
Identical prophetic vocabulary naming Jerusalem as the habitation of justice and holy mountain.
Supported by JFB
Illustrates historical times of no peace for going out or coming in due to affliction.
Supported by JFB
Parallels the covenantal pattern of being transformed from a curse into a blessing.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Repeats Zechariah's ethical demands of truth, justice, and mercy in the gates.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Direct reference to the fasts established during the exile, now turned to joy.
Supported by Matthew Poole
New Testament parallel of Gentiles recognizing and confessing that God is truly with His people.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallels the visual picture of Jerusalem populated abundantly without restrictive defensive walls.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Echoes the classic rhetorical question: Is anything too hard or marvelous for the Lord?
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Prophesies the widespread future recovery of the remnant from east and west.
Supported by JFB
Contrasts the former curse status of the Jews among nations with their future blessing.
Supported by JFB
New Testament command to speak truth to one's neighbor, citing the same moral imperative.
Supported by Matthew Henry