Zechariah 2:12

Authorized King James Version

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And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again.

Original Language Analysis

וְנָחַ֨ל shall inherit H5157
וְנָחַ֨ל shall inherit
Strong's: H5157
Word #: 1 of 11
to inherit (as a (figurative) mode of descent), or (generally) to occupy; causatively, to bequeath, or (generally) distribute, instate
יְהוָ֤ה And the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֤ה And the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 2 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 3 of 11
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוּדָה֙ Judah H3063
יְהוּדָה֙ Judah
Strong's: H3063
Word #: 4 of 11
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
חֶלְק֔וֹ his portion H2506
חֶלְק֔וֹ his portion
Strong's: H2506
Word #: 5 of 11
properly, smoothness (of the tongue)
עַ֖ל H5921
עַ֖ל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 6 of 11
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אַדְמַ֣ת land H127
אַדְמַ֣ת land
Strong's: H127
Word #: 7 of 11
soil (from its general redness)
הַקֹּ֑דֶשׁ in the holy H6944
הַקֹּ֑דֶשׁ in the holy
Strong's: H6944
Word #: 8 of 11
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
וּבָחַ֥ר and shall choose H977
וּבָחַ֥ר and shall choose
Strong's: H977
Word #: 9 of 11
properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select
ע֖וֹד H5750
ע֖וֹד
Strong's: H5750
Word #: 10 of 11
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
בִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ Jerusalem H3389
בִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ Jerusalem
Strong's: H3389
Word #: 11 of 11
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

Analysis & Commentary

And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land—God possesses His people rather than being possessed by them. The verb nāchal (נָחַל, 'inherit/possess as inheritance') typically describes Israel inheriting Canaan, but here the roles reverse: Yahweh inherits Judah as His cheleq (חֵלֶק, 'portion/allotment'). This recalls Deuteronomy 32:9, 'For the LORD's portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance.' We are God's treasured inheritance (Ephesians 1:18).

In the holy land ('admat haqqōdesh, אַדְמַת הַקֹּדֶשׁ)—the only place in Scripture this exact phrase appears. While 'eretz (אֶרֶץ, 'land') is common, 'adamah (אֲדָמָה) emphasizes the soil/ground itself, the very dirt becoming 'holy ground' by God's presence. And shall choose Jerusalem again—bāchar (בָּחַר, 'choose') in the perfect tense: God re-affirms His elective love for Jerusalem despite centuries of judgment. The 'again' ('ōd, עוֹד) assures that exile hasn't nullified divine election (Romans 11:29).

Historical Context

The returned remnant questioned whether God still favored them after seventy years of Babylonian exile. Jerusalem lay in ruins, the modest temple couldn't compare to Solomon's glory, and the Davidic throne remained empty. Zechariah reassures them: God's covenant choice of Jerusalem stands firm. The 'holy land' designation sanctifies the geographic inheritance promised to Abraham.

Questions for Reflection