Zechariah 10:4

Authorized King James Version

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Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail, out of him the battle bow, out of him every oppressor together.

Original Language Analysis

מִמֶּ֤נּוּ H4480
מִמֶּ֤נּוּ
Strong's: H4480
Word #: 1 of 12
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
פִנָּה֙ the corner H6438
פִנָּה֙ the corner
Strong's: H6438
Word #: 2 of 12
an angle; by implication, a pinnacle; figuratively, a chieftain
מִמֶּ֣נּוּ H4480
מִמֶּ֣נּוּ
Strong's: H4480
Word #: 3 of 12
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
יָתֵ֔ד out of him the nail H3489
יָתֵ֔ד out of him the nail
Strong's: H3489
Word #: 4 of 12
a peg
מִמֶּ֖נּוּ H4480
מִמֶּ֖נּוּ
Strong's: H4480
Word #: 5 of 12
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
קֶ֣שֶׁת bow H7198
קֶ֣שֶׁת bow
Strong's: H7198
Word #: 6 of 12
a bow, for shooting (hence, figuratively, strength) or the iris
מִלְחָמָ֑ה out of him the battle H4421
מִלְחָמָ֑ה out of him the battle
Strong's: H4421
Word #: 7 of 12
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
מִמֶּ֛נּוּ H4480
מִמֶּ֛נּוּ
Strong's: H4480
Word #: 8 of 12
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
יֵצֵ֥א Out of him came forth H3318
יֵצֵ֥א Out of him came forth
Strong's: H3318
Word #: 9 of 12
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
כָל H3605
כָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 10 of 12
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
נוֹגֵ֖שׂ out of him every oppressor H5065
נוֹגֵ֖שׂ out of him every oppressor
Strong's: H5065
Word #: 11 of 12
to drive (an animal, a workman, a debtor, an army); by implication, to tax, harass, tyrannize
יַחְדָּֽו׃ together H3162
יַחְדָּֽו׃ together
Strong's: H3162
Word #: 12 of 12
properly, a unit, i.e., (adverb) unitedly

Analysis & Commentary

Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail, out of him the battle bow, out of him every oppressor together (מִמֶּנּוּ פִנָּה מִמֶּנּוּ יָתֵד מִמֶּנּוּ קֶשֶׁת מִלְחָמָה מִמֶּנּוּ יֵצֵא כָל־נוֹגֵשׂ יַחְדָּו)—fourfold mimmennu ('from him/out of him') emphasizes that Judah will produce the essential elements of stability and victory. The pinnah (corner/cornerstone) represents foundational leadership; yated (nail/peg) suggests secure fastening; qeshet (battle bow) denotes military strength; noges (ruler/oppressor) indicates authority.

This is messianic prophecy. Paul applies cornerstone imagery to Christ (Ephesians 2:20), as does Peter (1 Peter 2:6-7), quoting Isaiah 28:16. The 'nail' may allude to Eliakim as type of Messiah (Isaiah 22:23-24). From Judah comes not just any leader, but the Messiah who is foundation, security, defender, and king. All essential leadership roles converge in Christ.

Historical Context

Post-exilic Judah was weak, dependent on Persian imperial permission. This prophecy assured them that from their tribe would come the ultimate Deliverer—not merely another Davidic king, but the Messiah who would establish eternal rule. Jesus the Jew from Judah (Hebrews 7:14) fulfills every metaphor in this verse.

Questions for Reflection