Zechariah 7:14
But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not. Thus the land was desolate after them, that no man passed through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate.
Original Language Analysis
וְאֵ֣סָעֲרֵ֗ם
But I scattered them with a whirlwind
H5590
וְאֵ֣סָעֲרֵ֗ם
But I scattered them with a whirlwind
Strong's:
H5590
Word #:
1 of 16
to rush upon; by implication, to toss (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative)
עַ֤ל
H5921
עַ֤ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
3 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַגּוֹיִם֙
among all the nations
H1471
הַגּוֹיִם֙
among all the nations
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
4 of 16
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יְדָע֔וּם
whom they knew
H3045
יְדָע֔וּם
whom they knew
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
7 of 16
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
אַֽחֲרֵיהֶ֔ם
after
H310
אַֽחֲרֵיהֶ֔ם
after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
10 of 16
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
מֵֽעֹבֵ֖ר
them that no man passed through
H5674
מֵֽעֹבֵ֖ר
them that no man passed through
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
11 of 16
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
וּמִשָּׁ֑ב
nor returned
H7725
וּמִשָּׁ֑ב
nor returned
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
12 of 16
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
וַיָּשִׂ֥ימוּ
for they laid
H7760
וַיָּשִׂ֥ימוּ
for they laid
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
13 of 16
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
Cross References
Deuteronomy 28:33The fruit of thy land, and all thy labours, shall a nation which thou knowest not eat up; and thou shalt be only oppressed and crushed alway:Jeremiah 23:19Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked.Deuteronomy 28:64And the LORD shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, even wood and stone.Deuteronomy 4:27And the LORD shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the LORD shall lead you.Zechariah 2:6Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, saith the LORD: for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the LORD.Zephaniah 3:6I have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I made their streets waste, that none passeth by: their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, that there is none inhabitant.
Historical Context
Fulfilled in 586 BC when Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem, burned the temple, and deported the population to Babylon. Archaeological evidence confirms extensive depopulation of Judah during the exilic period (586-538 BC). The land lay desolate until Persian king Cyrus allowed Jewish return in 538 BC.
Questions for Reflection
- How might privilege and blessing become curses when we're unfaithful stewards of God's gifts?
- What does Israel's experience teach about the difference between God's patience and God's permission for consequences?
- In what ways can spiritual complacency today lead to the desolation of what was once fruitful in our lives?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not (וְאֵת פִּזַּרְתִּים עַל־כָּל־הַגּוֹיִם)—the verb pizar depicts violent dispersion, fulfilling covenant curses in Deuteronomy 28:64. The whirlwind (sa'ar) suggests sudden, devastating force—the Babylonian invasion came swiftly after prolonged warnings. Exile wasn't to familiar cultures but to nations whom they knew not, maximizing alienation and suffering.
Thus the land was desolate after them, that no man passed through nor returned—Judah became uninhabited wasteland during the seventy-year exile. For they laid the pleasant land desolate (וַיָּשִׂימוּ אֶרֶץ־חֶמְדָּה לְשַׁמָּה)—eretz chemdah means 'desirable land,' the Promised Land itself. Ironically, Israel's sin made God's gift a curse. This demonstrates that covenant blessings require covenant faithfulness.