Zechariah 10:5

Authorized King James Version

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And they shall be as mighty men, which tread down their enemies in the mire of the streets in the battle: and they shall fight, because the LORD is with them, and the riders on horses shall be confounded.

Original Language Analysis

וְהָי֨וּ H1961
וְהָי֨וּ
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 1 of 13
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כְגִבֹּרִ֜ים And they shall be as mighty H1368
כְגִבֹּרִ֜ים And they shall be as mighty
Strong's: H1368
Word #: 2 of 13
powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant
בּוֹסִ֨ים men which tread down H947
בּוֹסִ֨ים men which tread down
Strong's: H947
Word #: 3 of 13
to trample (literally or figuratively)
בְּטִ֤יט their enemies in the mire H2916
בְּטִ֤יט their enemies in the mire
Strong's: H2916
Word #: 4 of 13
mud or clay; figuratively, calamity
חוּצוֹת֙ of the streets H2351
חוּצוֹת֙ of the streets
Strong's: H2351
Word #: 5 of 13
properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors
בַּמִּלְחָמָ֔ה in the battle H4421
בַּמִּלְחָמָ֔ה in the battle
Strong's: H4421
Word #: 6 of 13
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
וְנִ֨לְחֲמ֔וּ and they shall fight H3898
וְנִ֨לְחֲמ֔וּ and they shall fight
Strong's: H3898
Word #: 7 of 13
to feed on; figuratively, to consume
כִּ֥י H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 8 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יְהוָ֖ה because the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֖ה because the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 9 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עִמָּ֑ם H5973
עִמָּ֑ם
Strong's: H5973
Word #: 10 of 13
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
וְהֹבִ֖ישׁוּ shall be confounded H3001
וְהֹבִ֖ישׁוּ shall be confounded
Strong's: H3001
Word #: 11 of 13
to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither (as herbage)
רֹכְבֵ֥י is with them and the riders H7392
רֹכְבֵ֥י is with them and the riders
Strong's: H7392
Word #: 12 of 13
to ride (on an animal or in a vehicle); causatively, to place upon (for riding or generally), to despatch
סוּסִֽים׃ on horses H5483
סוּסִֽים׃ on horses
Strong's: H5483
Word #: 13 of 13
a horse (as leaping)

Cross References

Haggai 2:22And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen; and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother.Psalms 20:7Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.Zechariah 9:13When I have bent Judah for me, filled the bow with Ephraim, and raised up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and made thee as the sword of a mighty man.Zechariah 12:8In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them.Isaiah 10:6I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.Isaiah 25:10For in this mountain shall the hand of the LORD rest, and Moab shall be trodden down under him, even as straw is trodden down for the dunghill.Isaiah 41:12Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought.Isaiah 8:9Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces.Acts 7:22And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.Psalms 18:42Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets.

Analysis & Commentary

And they shall be as mighty men, which tread down their enemies in the mire of the streets in the battle (וְהָיוּ כְגִבֹּרִים בּוֹסִים בְּטִיט חוּצוֹת בַּמִּלְחָמָה)—gibborim (mighty warriors) empowered by God trample enemies into mud, vivid imagery of total victory. And they shall fight, because the LORD is with them—divine presence ensures success. Immanuel ('God with us') theology pervades Scripture; presence, not numbers or strategy, guarantees victory.

And the riders on horses shall be confounded (וְהֹבִישׁוּ רֹכְבֵי סוּסִים)—enemy cavalry, supposedly superior military technology, will be hovish (shamed/dismayed). This recalls Egyptian chariots in the Red Sea (Exodus 14:28) and anticipates Revelation's vision of Christ's conquering ride (Revelation 19:11-16). God levels advantages: mounted warriors fall before foot soldiers empowered by divine presence. This principle applies spiritually: the church overcomes 'not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts' (Zechariah 4:6).

Historical Context

Maccabean victories exemplified this—Jewish forces repeatedly defeated superior Seleucid armies including war elephants and cavalry. Natural explanations fail; only divine empowerment explains their success. This points forward to the church's spiritual victories over seemingly more powerful worldly opposition.

Questions for Reflection