Zechariah 1:21
Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but these are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it.
Original Language Analysis
מָ֛ה
H4100
מָ֛ה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
2 of 32
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
וַיָּבֹ֤אוּ
I What come
H935
וַיָּבֹ֤אוּ
I What come
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
4 of 32
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
לַֽעֲשׂ֑וֹת
these to do
H6213
לַֽעֲשׂ֑וֹת
these to do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
5 of 32
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
קֶ֛רֶן
These are the horns
H7161
קֶ֛רֶן
These are the horns
Strong's:
H7161
Word #:
9 of 32
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
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 32
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לְזָרוֹתָֽהּ׃
to scatter
H2219
לְזָרוֹתָֽהּ׃
to scatter
Strong's:
H2219
Word #:
11 of 32
to toss about; by implication, to diffuse, winnow
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 32
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוּדָ֖ה
Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֖ה
Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
13 of 32
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
כְּפִי
so that
H6310
כְּפִי
so that
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
14 of 32
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
אִישׁ֙
no man
H376
אִישׁ֙
no man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
15 of 32
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
16 of 32
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הַנֹּשְׂאִ֥ים
did lift up
H5375
הַנֹּשְׂאִ֥ים
did lift up
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
17 of 32
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
רֹאשׁ֔וֹ
his head
H7218
רֹאשׁ֔וֹ
his head
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
18 of 32
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
וַיָּבֹ֤אוּ
I What come
H935
וַיָּבֹ֤אוּ
I What come
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
19 of 32
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
לְהַחֲרִ֣יד
to fray
H2729
לְהַחֲרִ֣יד
to fray
Strong's:
H2729
Word #:
21 of 32
to shudder with terror; hence, to fear; also to hasten (with anxiety)
אֹתָ֔ם
H853
אֹתָ֔ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
22 of 32
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לְיַדּ֞וֹת
them to cast out
H3034
לְיַדּ֞וֹת
them to cast out
Strong's:
H3034
Word #:
23 of 32
physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the ha
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
24 of 32
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
קֶ֛רֶן
These are the horns
H7161
קֶ֛רֶן
These are the horns
Strong's:
H7161
Word #:
25 of 32
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
הַגּוֹיִ֗ם
of the Gentiles
H1471
הַגּוֹיִ֗ם
of the Gentiles
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
26 of 32
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
הַנֹּשְׂאִ֥ים
did lift up
H5375
הַנֹּשְׂאִ֥ים
did lift up
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
27 of 32
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
קֶ֛רֶן
These are the horns
H7161
קֶ֛רֶן
These are the horns
Strong's:
H7161
Word #:
28 of 32
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
Cross References
Zechariah 1:19And 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.Psalms 75:10All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.Lamentations 2:17The LORD hath done that which he had devised; he hath fulfilled his word that he had commanded in the days of old: he hath thrown down, and hath not pitied: and he hath caused thine enemy to rejoice over thee, he hath set up the horn of thine adversaries.
Historical Context
Historically fulfilled as empires fell in succession: Babylon to Persia, Persia to Greece, Greece to Rome. Each oppressor of God's people eventually faced judgment. For Zechariah's audience in 520 BC, this vision assured them that though currently under Persian dominion (even if benevolent), God would ultimately free them completely. The eschatological horizon points to Messiah's reign when all Gentile powers will submit to Israel's King (Philippians 2:9-11). The New Testament reveals the mystery: Gentiles who believe are grafted into God's covenant people (Romans 11:17-24, Ephesians 2:11-22), while unbelieving Israel faces temporary hardening until 'the fullness of the Gentiles has come in' (Romans 11:25).
Questions for Reflection
- How does knowing God will judge all who oppose His purposes help me endure present injustice patiently?
- Do I trust God's timing in bringing down oppressive powers, or do I grow impatient with His patience?
Analysis & Commentary
The angel explains the craftsmen's purpose: 'These are the horns which have scattered Judah... and these are come to terrify them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it.' The Hebrew 'le-harid' (to terrify) indicates causing trembling/panic—those who scattered God's people will themselves experience terror. 'Cast out/down' (le-yado'ah) means to drive away or throw down these horns (symbols of power). This divine retribution demonstrates the lex talionis principle: those who scattered will be scattered, those who terrorized will be terrorized. Yet God's justice serves redemptive purposes—clearing away obstacles to His people's restoration. This anticipates Revelation's vision of Christ defeating all hostile powers and establishing His kingdom (Revelation 11:15, 19:11-21). God is zealous for His glory and His people.