Zechariah 1:15

Authorized King James Version

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And I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction.

Original Language Analysis

וְקֶ֤צֶף sore H7110
וְקֶ֤צֶף sore
Strong's: H7110
Word #: 1 of 14
a splinter (as chipped off)
גָּדוֹל֙ And I am very H1419
גָּדוֹל֙ And I am very
Strong's: H1419
Word #: 2 of 14
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
אֲנִ֣י H589
אֲנִ֣י
Strong's: H589
Word #: 3 of 14
i
קָצַ֣פְתִּי displeased H7107
קָצַ֣פְתִּי displeased
Strong's: H7107
Word #: 4 of 14
to crack off, i.e., (figuratively) burst out in rage
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 5 of 14
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַגּוֹיִ֖ם with the heathen H1471
הַגּוֹיִ֖ם with the heathen
Strong's: H1471
Word #: 6 of 14
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
הַשַּֽׁאֲנַנִּ֑ים that are at ease H7600
הַשַּֽׁאֲנַנִּ֑ים that are at ease
Strong's: H7600
Word #: 7 of 14
secure; in a bad sense, haughty
אֲשֶׁ֤ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 8 of 14
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אֲנִי֙ H589
אֲנִי֙
Strong's: H589
Word #: 9 of 14
i
קָצַ֣פְתִּי displeased H7107
קָצַ֣פְתִּי displeased
Strong's: H7107
Word #: 10 of 14
to crack off, i.e., (figuratively) burst out in rage
מְּעָ֔ט for I was but a little H4592
מְּעָ֔ט for I was but a little
Strong's: H4592
Word #: 11 of 14
a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)
וְהֵ֖מָּה H1992
וְהֵ֖מָּה
Strong's: H1992
Word #: 12 of 14
they (only used when emphatic)
עָזְר֥וּ and they helped H5826
עָזְר֥וּ and they helped
Strong's: H5826
Word #: 13 of 14
to surround, i.e., protect or aid
לְרָעָֽה׃ forward the affliction H7451
לְרָעָֽה׃ forward the affliction
Strong's: H7451
Word #: 14 of 14
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

Analysis & Commentary

God declares 'I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction.' The Hebrew intensifies it: 'I am jealous with great jealousy' (qana'ti qin'ah gedolah) regarding Jerusalem, but 'with great wrath I am wrathful' (qetseph gadol ani qotsef) toward complacent nations. God's measured discipline of Israel through Babylon and others became excessive cruelty from the nations' perspective—they exceeded their mandate (Isaiah 10:5-7 shows Assyria's similar overreach). Though God used pagan nations as judgment instruments, their callous brutality and self-serving exploitation provoked His wrath. This reveals God's covenant faithfulness: He disciplines His people but defends them against those who abuse them. Romans 11:28 captures this: Israel 'as touching the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father's sakes.'

Historical Context

Zechariah prophesied in 520 BC, during post-exilic restoration under Persian rule. Babylon had destroyed Jerusalem (586 BC), but Cyrus's decree (539 BC) allowed Jews to return. By Zechariah's time, temple rebuilding had stalled, and returnees faced discouragement. Meanwhile, former oppressors (Babylon conquered by Persia, Edom displaced, Assyria long gone) lived 'at ease'—comfortable while God's people struggled. This seemed unjust to the Jews. Zechariah assures them that God hasn't forgotten: He will judge the nations that mistreated His people. Verses 16-17 promise Jerusalem's restoration. This pattern repeats: God uses pagan powers to discipline His people, then judges those powers for their cruelty (Habakkuk addresses this theodicy question).

Questions for Reflection