Zechariah 1:19
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.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
The scattering occurred in waves. Assyria's conquest (722 BC) scattered the Northern Kingdom's ten tribes, who largely disappeared from history (the "lost tribes"). Babylon's campaigns (605-586 BC) deported Judah's population in three stages, culminating in Jerusalem's destruction. Small remnants remained in the land, living among foreign settlers. Edom exploited Judah's weakness, occupying southern territories.
Cyrus's decree (538 BC) allowed return, but only a minority returned—most Jews remained scattered throughout the Persian Empire. By Zechariah's time (520 BC), diaspora Jews far outnumbered those in Judah. This pattern intensified: after AD 70 and 135, Jews scattered globally for nearly two millennia. Modern Israel's 1948 establishment and subsequent immigrations represent partial regathering, but full restoration awaits Messiah's return (Romans 11:25-27).
The church experiences analogous scattering and gathering. Persecution scattered early Christians (Acts 8:1, 4), yet this spread the gospel. Believers face opposition from multiple "horns"—false teaching, persecution, cultural pressure—yet God gathers His elect from all nations into one body (John 10:16; Ephesians 2:11-22).
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding the comprehensive scattering of "Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem" help us grasp the totality of covenant judgment?
- What does the pattern of scattering followed by gathering teach about God's judgment serving ultimately redemptive purposes?
- How does Jesus's promise to gather His scattered sheep (John 10:16) fulfill and transcend ethnic Israel's restoration?
Analysis & Commentary
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. Zechariah's question "What be these?" models appropriate response to puzzling visions—ask for divine interpretation rather than relying solely on human speculation. The interpreting angel provides the answer: "These are the horns which have scattered" (eleh ha-qarnayim asher zeru, אֵלֶּה הַקְּרָנַיִם אֲשֶׁר זֵרוּ). The verb zaru (זֵרוּ, "scattered") means to winnow, disperse, or scatter—used of grain tossed in the wind, emphasizing violent dispersal.
The targets of scattering are listed comprehensively: "Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem." "Judah" represents the Southern Kingdom and its tribal territory. "Israel" can refer to the Northern Kingdom (ten tribes exiled by Assyria in 722 BC) or to the covenant people collectively. "Jerusalem" specifically names the holy city, capital of David's kingdom and location of God's temple. Together, these terms encompass God's entire covenant nation—all were scattered by hostile powers.
The scattering fulfills covenant curses for disobedience (Leviticus 26:33; Deuteronomy 28:64-65). Yet Deuteronomy also promises eventual regathering (Deuteronomy 30:3-5). The prophets elaborate: Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel prophesy both scattering in judgment and regathering in restoration. Jesus prophesied further scattering after Jerusalem's AD 70 destruction (Luke 21:24), yet promised to gather His elect from the four winds (Matthew 24:31). The pattern culminates in Revelation's vision of the redeemed gathered from every nation (Revelation 7:9).