Zechariah 12:8

Authorized King James Version

In 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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
בַּיּ֥וֹם
H3117
In that day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#2
הַה֗וּא
H1931
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#3
יָגֵ֤ן
H1598
defend
to hedge about, i.e., (generally) protect
#4
יְהוָ֖ה
H3068
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#5
בְּעַד֙
H1157
in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc
#6
יוֹשֵׁ֣ב
H3427
the inhabitants
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
#7
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֔ם
H3389
of Jerusalem
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
#8
וְהָיָ֞ה
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#9
הַנִּכְשָׁ֥ל
H3782
and he that is feeble
to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the ankle); by implication, to falter, stumble, faint or fall
#10
בָּהֶ֛ם
H0
#11
בַּיּ֥וֹם
H3117
In that day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#12
הַה֖וּא
H1931
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#13
דָּוִיד֙
H1732
of David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#14
וּבֵ֤ית
H1004
and the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#15
דָּוִיד֙
H1732
of David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#16
כֵּֽאלֹהִ֔ים
H430
shall be as God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#17
כְּמַלְאַ֥ךְ
H4397
as the angel
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
#18
יְהוָ֖ה
H3068
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#19
לִפְנֵיהֶֽם׃
H6440
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

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