Zechariah 8:22

Authorized King James Version

Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וּבָ֨אוּ
shall come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#2
עַמִּ֤ים
people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#3
רַבִּים֙
Yea many
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
#4
וְגוֹיִ֣ם
nations
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
#5
עֲצוּמִ֔ים
and strong
powerful (specifically, a paw); by implication, numerous
#6
לְבַקֵּ֛שׁ
to seek
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
#7
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#8
יְהוָֽה׃
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#9
צְבָא֖וֹת
of hosts
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
#10
בִּירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם
in Jerusalem
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
#11
וּלְחַלּ֖וֹת
and to pray
properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to stroke (in flattering), entreat
#12
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#13
פְּנֵ֥י
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#14
יְהוָֽה׃
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection