Zechariah 1:14

Authorized King James Version

So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אָמַ֖ר
Thus saith
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
אֵלַ֗י
near, with or among; often in general, to
#3
הַמַּלְאָךְ֙
So the angel
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
#4
הַדֹּבֵ֣ר
that communed
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#5
בִּ֔י
H0
#6
קְרָ֣א
unto me Cry
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
#7
אָמַ֖ר
Thus saith
to say (used with great latitude)
#8
כֹּ֥ה
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
#9
אָמַ֖ר
Thus saith
to say (used with great latitude)
#10
יְהוָ֣ה
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#11
צְבָא֑וֹת
of hosts
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
#12
קִנֵּ֧אתִי
I am jealous
to be (causatively, make) zealous, i.e., (in a bad sense) jealous or envious
#13
לִירוּשָׁלִַ֛ם
for Jerusalem
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
#14
וּלְצִיּ֖וֹן
and for Zion
tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem
#15
קִנְאָ֥ה
jealousy
jealousy or envy
#16
גְדוֹלָֽה׃
with a great
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Zechariah Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection