Zechariah 2:9

Authorized King James Version

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For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me.

Original Language Analysis

כִּ֠י H3588
כִּ֠י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 1 of 14
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הִנְנִ֨י H2005
הִנְנִ֨י
Strong's: H2005
Word #: 2 of 14
lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if
מֵנִ֤יף For behold I will shake H5130
מֵנִ֤יף For behold I will shake
Strong's: H5130
Word #: 3 of 14
to quiver (i.e., vibrate up and down, or rock to and fro); used in a great variety of applications (including sprinkling, beckoning, rubbing, bastinad
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 4 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יָדִי֙ mine hand H3027
יָדִי֙ mine hand
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 5 of 14
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם H5921
עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 6 of 14
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְהָי֥וּ H1961
וְהָי֥וּ
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 7 of 14
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
שָׁלָ֖ל upon them and they shall be a spoil H7998
שָׁלָ֖ל upon them and they shall be a spoil
Strong's: H7998
Word #: 8 of 14
booty
לְעַבְדֵיהֶ֑ם H5650
לְעַבְדֵיהֶ֑ם
Strong's: H5650
Word #: 9 of 14
a servant
וִֽידַעְתֶּ֕ם and ye shall know H3045
וִֽידַעְתֶּ֕ם and ye shall know
Strong's: H3045
Word #: 10 of 14
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כִּֽי H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 11 of 14
(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 #: 12 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָא֖וֹת of hosts H6635
צְבָא֖וֹת of hosts
Strong's: H6635
Word #: 13 of 14
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
שְׁלָחָֽנִי׃ hath sent H7971
שְׁלָחָֽנִי׃ hath sent
Strong's: H7971
Word #: 14 of 14
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

Analysis & Commentary

For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants—Divine reversal where Israel's oppressors become plunder to those they enslaved. The Hebrew nōphēph (נוֹפֵף, 'to shake/wave the hand') depicts God's sovereign gesture commanding judgment, like a commander signaling attack. This continues the promise from verses 7-8 where God declared He would punish the nations that plundered His people.

And ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me—The mysterious prophetic 'me' appears again (also 2:8-11; 4:9; 6:15). Who is this divine messenger sent by Yahweh yet distinct from Him? The Angel of the LORD speaks as God yet refers to being 'sent' by God—a Christophany, pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. The vindication of Israel will prove that Zechariah's message came from the LORD's authorized representative. The Hebrew shālach (שָׁלַח, 'sent') emphasizes divine commission and authority.

Historical Context

Written during temple rebuilding (520 BC), when the tiny Jewish remnant faced hostility from surrounding nations—Samaritans, Ammonites, Arabs, and Ashdodites who had opposed the work (Ezra 4:1-5; Nehemiah 4:7-8). The promise of reversal where servants plunder their former masters would have seemed impossible to this weak community, yet it foreshadows ultimate eschatological vindication.

Questions for Reflection