Zechariah 2:8
For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 18
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
כֹ֣ה
H3541
כֹ֣ה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
2 of 18
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֣ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָאוֹת֒
of hosts
H6635
צְבָאוֹת֒
of hosts
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
5 of 18
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
אַחַ֣ר
After
H310
אַחַ֣ר
After
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
6 of 18
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
כָּב֔וֹד
the glory
H3519
כָּב֔וֹד
the glory
Strong's:
H3519
Word #:
7 of 18
properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
שְׁלָחַ֕נִי
hath he sent
H7971
שְׁלָחַ֕נִי
hath he sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
8 of 18
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
הַגּוֹיִ֖ם
me unto the nations
H1471
הַגּוֹיִ֖ם
me unto the nations
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
10 of 18
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
הַשֹּׁלְלִ֣ים
which spoiled
H7997
הַשֹּׁלְלִ֣ים
which spoiled
Strong's:
H7997
Word #:
11 of 18
to drop or strip; by implication, to plunder
אֶתְכֶ֑ם
H853
אֶתְכֶ֑ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כִּ֚י
H3588
כִּ֚י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
13 of 18
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
נֹגֵ֖עַ
you for he that toucheth
H5060
נֹגֵ֖עַ
you for he that toucheth
Strong's:
H5060
Word #:
14 of 18
properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive
נֹגֵ֖עַ
you for he that toucheth
H5060
נֹגֵ֖עַ
you for he that toucheth
Strong's:
H5060
Word #:
16 of 18
properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive
Cross References
Deuteronomy 32:10He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye.Psalms 17:8Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,John 14:26But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.2 Thessalonians 1:6Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;Matthew 25:40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.1 John 4:14And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.John 17:18As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.Amos 1:13Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of the children of Ammon, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have ripped up the women with child of Gilead, that they might enlarge their border:Amos 1:9Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Tyrus, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they delivered up the whole captivity to Edom, and remembered not the brotherly covenant:Amos 1:11Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he did pursue his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath for ever:
Historical Context
Post-exilic context (520 BC): Jews had returned from Babylon but were weak, vulnerable, and surrounded by hostile neighbors. Zechariah reassures them of God's jealous protection. The principle applies throughout Scripture: God used Assyria and Babylon to discipline Israel/Judah, then judged those empires for brutality. Romans 11:28-29 reflects this: Israel as 'enemies' regarding the gospel yet 'beloved' regarding election. God's promises to Abraham (Genesis 12:3, 'I will bless those who bless you, and curse those who curse you') remain in force. Ultimately fulfilled in Christ protecting His church: 'he that toucheth you toucheth him' (Acts 9:4-5, Saul persecuting Christians touches Jesus).
Questions for Reflection
- How does knowing I'm the 'apple of God's eye' shape my security and identity in Christ?
- Does God's fierce protection of His people make me more bold in witnessing despite opposition?
Analysis & Commentary
God's protective promise: 'For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.' The Hebrew 'nogea bakem' (he who touches you) 'nogea be-babat eyno' (touches the pupil/apple of his eye). The pupil is the eye's most sensitive, protected part—touching it provokes instant, involuntary protective reflex. This vivid metaphor describes God's fierce protectiveness toward His people: harming them is as personal an attack as poking His eye. The promise follows 'after the glory'—after God manifests His glory by judging oppressors. Though Israel suffered discipline through pagan nations, God then judges those nations for excessive cruelty (1:15). This demonstrates God's covenant loyalty: He disciplines His children but defends them against abusers.