Zechariah12
World English Bible · Public Domain
1A revelation of Yahweh’s word concerning Israel: Yahweh, who stretches out the heavens and lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him says:
2“Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of reeling to all the surrounding peoples, and it will also be on Judah in the siege against Jerusalem.
3It will happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all the peoples. All who burden themselves with it will be severely wounded, and all the nations of the earth will be gathered together against it.
4In that day,” says Yahweh, “I will strike every horse with terror and his rider with madness. I will open my eyes on the house of Judah, and will strike every horse of the peoples with blindness.
5The chieftains of Judah will say in their heart, ‘The inhabitants of Jerusalem are my strength in Yahweh of Armies their God.’
6In that day I will make the chieftains of Judah like a pan of fire among wood, and like a flaming torch among sheaves. They will devour all the surrounding peoples on the right hand and on the left; and Jerusalem will yet again dwell in their own place, even in Jerusalem.
7Yahweh also will save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of David’s house and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem not be magnified above Judah.
8In that day Yahweh will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem. He who is feeble among them at that day will be like David, and David’s house will be like God, like Yahweh’s angel before them.
9It will happen in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.
10I will pour on David’s house and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the spirit of grace and of supplication. They will look to me whom they have pierced; and they shall mourn for him as one mourns for his only son, and will grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for his firstborn.
11In that day there will be a great mourning in Jerusalem, like the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddo.
12The land will mourn, every family apart; the family of David’s house apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart;
13the family of the house of Levi apart, and their wives apart; the family of the Shimeites apart, and their wives apart;
14all the families who remain, every family apart, and their wives apart.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Zechariah 12.
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.
Key Words
מַשָּׂא: a burden; specifically, tribute, or (abstractly) porterage; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly adoom, especially singing; mental, desire
דָּבָר: a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
עַל: above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יִשְׂרָאֵל: Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
נְאֻם: an oracle
נָטָה: to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application
שָׁמַיִם: the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve)
יָסַד: to set (literally or figuratively); intensively, to found; reflexively, to sit down together, i.e. settle, consult
אֶרֶץ: the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
יָצַר: to mould into a form; especially as apotter; figuratively, to determine (i.e. form a resolution)
Cross References
Zechariah 12Explicitly cited in John's Gospel as fulfilled when the soldier pierced Jesus' side.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Christ as the stone of stumbling that grinds to powder those who oppose Him.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Eschatological vision of Christ returning, where those who pierced Him will mourn.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Similar preface declaring God's creative power over heavens and earth to assure His promises.
Supported by JFB
Addresses God as the Father/former of spirits, matching Zechariah's description of the human soul.
Supported by JFB
God removes the cup of trembling from Jerusalem and gives it to her oppressors.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The dramatic strengthening of the weak, echoing 'let the weak say, I am strong.'
Supported by JFB
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
Nathan, son of David, traceably listed in the messianic genealogy of Jesus.
Supported by Matthew Poole