Zechariah 3:10
In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree.
Original Language Analysis
בַּיּ֣וֹם
In that day
H3117
בַּיּ֣וֹם
In that day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
1 of 14
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
הַה֗וּא
H1931
הַה֗וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
2 of 14
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
יְהוָ֣ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָא֔וֹת
of hosts
H6635
צְבָא֔וֹת
of hosts
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
5 of 14
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
תִּקְרְא֖וּ
shall ye call
H7121
תִּקְרְא֖וּ
shall ye call
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
6 of 14
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
אִ֣ישׁ
every man
H376
אִ֣ישׁ
every man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
7 of 14
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
תַּ֥חַת
H8478
תַּ֥חַת
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
10 of 14
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
Cross References
1 Kings 4:25And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, all the days of Solomon.Micah 4:4But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it.
Historical Context
The returned remnant lived in economic hardship, drought, and crop failure (Haggai 1:6-11). Hostile neighbors threatened constantly. The vision of vine-and-fig-tree prosperity seemed impossibly distant. Yet Zechariah roots future hope in present atonement: sin removed (v. 9) leads to peace restored (v. 10). The modest circumstances of the Second Temple era weren't the final word—Messiah's atonement would bring ultimate Edenic restoration.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the vine-and-fig-tree image capture both material blessing and relational peace?
- Why is corporate hospitality ('call every man his neighbor') essential to biblical peace rather than isolated prosperity?
- In what ways can Christians experience 'vine and fig tree' rest now while awaiting its full consummation?
Analysis & Commentary
In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree—Eschatological peace following atonement. The phrase bayyōm hahū (בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא, 'in that day') connects to verse 9's 'one day' of sin-removal, projecting to the Messianic age. The idyllic image under the vine and under the fig tree echoes Solomon's golden age: 'Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree' (1 Kings 4:25). Micah 4:4 uses identical language for millennial peace. The vine and fig represent agricultural prosperity, security from enemies, and leisure for fellowship—each family enjoying their inheritance undisturbed.
Tiqre'ū īsh lərē'ēhū (תִּקְרְאוּ אִישׁ לְרֵעֵהוּ, 'you shall call each man to his neighbor') depicts mutual hospitality, sharing abundance rather than hoarding. This pictures the peace Christ brings: 'Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest' (Matthew 11:28). Jesus called Nathanael 'an Israelite indeed' after seeing him 'under the fig tree' (John 1:47-48)—a subtle allusion to this messianic vision. The ultimate fulfillment awaits the New Earth where 'they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid' (Micah 4:4).