Zechariah 12:1

Authorized King James Version

The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
מַשָּׂ֥א
H4853
The burden
a burden; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom, especially singing; mental, desire
#2
דְבַר
H1697
of the word
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#3
יְהוָ֗ה
H3068
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#4
עַל
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#5
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
H3478
for Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#6
נְאֻם
H5002
saith
an oracle
#7
יְהוָ֗ה
H3068
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#8
נֹטֶ֤ה
H5186
which stretcheth
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
#9
שָׁמַ֙יִם֙
H8064
forth the heavens
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
#10
וְיֹסֵ֣ד
H3245
and layeth the foundation
to set (literally or figuratively); intensively, to found; reflexively, to sit down together, i.e., settle, consult
#11
אָ֔רֶץ
H776
of the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#12
וְיֹצֵ֥ר
H3335
and formeth
to mould into a form; especially as a potter; figuratively, to determine (i.e., form a resolution)
#13
רֽוּחַ
H7307
the spirit
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
#14
אָדָ֖ם
H120
of man
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
#15
בְּקִרְבּֽוֹ׃
H7130
within
properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)

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 sovereignty 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 literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Zechariah Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection