Zechariah 1:19

Authorized King James Version

And I said unto the angel that talked with me, What be these? And he answered me, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
And I said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#3
הַמַּלְאָ֛ךְ
unto the angel
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
#4
הַדֹּבֵ֥ר
that talked
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#5
בִּ֖י
H0
#6
מָה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#7
אֵ֑לֶּה
these or those
#8
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
And I said
to say (used with great latitude)
#9
אֵלַ֔י
near, with or among; often in general, to
#10
אֵ֤לֶּה
these or those
#11
הַקְּרָנוֹת֙
me These are the horns
a horn (as projecting); by implication, a flask, cornet; by resemblance. an elephant's tooth (i.e., ivory), a corner (of the altar), a peak (of a moun
#12
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#13
זֵר֣וּ
which have scattered
to toss about; by implication, to diffuse, winnow
#14
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#15
יְהוּדָ֔ה
Judah
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
#16
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#17
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#18
וִירוּשָׁלָֽם׃
and Jerusalem
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

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 revelation 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 historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection