Zechariah 2:11

Authorized King James Version

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And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee.

Original Language Analysis

וְנִלְווּ֩ shall be joined H3867
וְנִלְווּ֩ shall be joined
Strong's: H3867
Word #: 1 of 18
properly, to twine; also to borrow (as a form of obligation) or (causative) to lend
גוֹיִ֨ם nations H1471
גוֹיִ֨ם nations
Strong's: H1471
Word #: 2 of 18
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
רַבִּ֤ים And many H7227
רַבִּ֤ים And many
Strong's: H7227
Word #: 3 of 18
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 4 of 18
near, with or among; often in general, to
יְהוָ֥ה that the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֥ה that the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 5 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בַּיּ֣וֹם in that day H3117
בַּיּ֣וֹם in that day
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 6 of 18
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
הַה֔וּא H1931
הַה֔וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 7 of 18
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
וְהָ֥יוּ H1961
וְהָ֥יוּ
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 8 of 18
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לִ֖י H0
לִ֖י
Strong's: H0
Word #: 9 of 18
לְעָ֑ם and shall be my people H5971
לְעָ֑ם and shall be my people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 10 of 18
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וְשָׁכַנְתִּ֣י and I will dwell H7931
וְשָׁכַנְתִּ֣י and I will dwell
Strong's: H7931
Word #: 11 of 18
to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)
בְתוֹכֵ֔ךְ in the midst H8432
בְתוֹכֵ֔ךְ in the midst
Strong's: H8432
Word #: 12 of 18
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
וְיָדַ֕עַתְּ of thee and thou shalt know H3045
וְיָדַ֕עַתְּ of thee and thou shalt know
Strong's: H3045
Word #: 13 of 18
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כִּי H3588
כִּי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 14 of 18
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יְהוָ֥ה that the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֥ה that the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 15 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָא֖וֹת of hosts H6635
צְבָא֖וֹת of hosts
Strong's: H6635
Word #: 16 of 18
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
שְׁלָחַ֥נִי hath sent H7971
שְׁלָחַ֥נִי hath sent
Strong's: H7971
Word #: 17 of 18
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
אֵלָֽיִךְ׃ H413
אֵלָֽיִךְ׃
Strong's: H413
Word #: 18 of 18
near, with or among; often in general, to

Analysis & Commentary

And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people—Stunning universalism: Gentile inclusion in the covenant. The Hebrew nilwū (נִלְווּ, 'shall be joined/attached') depicts nations grafting themselves onto Israel's covenant relationship. This echoes Isaiah's vision of nations streaming to Zion (Isaiah 2:2-3) and anticipates Paul's olive tree metaphor (Romans 11:17-24) where Gentile branches are grafted into Israel's root.

And I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee—The promise of divine indwelling repeats (v. 10) but now includes the nations. The 'sent one' speaks again, whose arrival brings both God's dwelling and Gentile incorporation. Jesus declared, 'Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring' (John 10:16). Pentecost inaugurated this reality when the Spirit indwelt believers from 'every nation under heaven' (Acts 2:5-11). The eschatological 'that day' (bayyōm hahū', בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא) points to Messiah's kingdom age.

Historical Context

Revolutionary for post-exilic Judaism focused on ethnic purity and separation from surrounding peoples (Ezra 9-10). Yet the prophets consistently envisioned Gentile inclusion (Isaiah 56:6-8; Malachi 1:11). The 'nations' becoming 'my people' foreshadows the church where 'there is neither Jew nor Greek' (Galatians 3:28), yet without replacing Israel's distinct calling (Romans 11:25-29).

Questions for Reflection