Zechariah 9

Judgment on Israel's Enemies

1 The burden of the word of the LORDLord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai). When 'LORD' appears in small capitals, it represents the Tetragrammaton YHWH (יְהוָה), God's personal covenant name meaning 'I AM.' When 'Lord' appears normally, it's Adonai (אֲדֹנָי), meaning 'my Lord,' emphasizing sovereignty. in the land of Hadrach, and Damascus shall be the rest thereof: when the eyes of man, as of all the tribes of Israel, shall be toward the LORD.

2 And Hamath also shall border thereby; Tyrus, and Zidon, though it be very wise. Parallel theme: Jeremiah 49:23, Ezekiel 28:12

3 And Tyrus did build herself a strong hold, and heaped up silver as the dust, and fine gold as the mire of the streets. Parallel theme: Joshua 19:29, 2 Samuel 24:7, Job 27:16, Ezekiel 27:33

4 Behold, the Lord will cast her out, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be devoured with fire. Parallel theme: Ezekiel 26:17, 28:18

5 Ashkelon shall see it, and fear; Gaza also shall see it, and be very sorrowful, and Ekron; for her expectation shall be ashamed; and the king shall perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon shall not be inhabited. Parallel theme: Jeremiah 47:1, Acts 8:26

6 And a bastard shall dwell in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines. Parallel theme: Amos 1:8, Zephaniah 2:10, 1 Peter 5:5

7 And I will take away his bloodBlood: דָּם (Dam). The Hebrew dam (דָּם) means blood—representing life itself. 'The life of the flesh is in the blood' (Leviticus 17:11), and blood was required for atonement, foreshadowing Christ's sacrifice. out of his mouth, and his abominations from between his teeth: but he that remaineth, even he, shall be for our God, and he shall be as a governor in Judah, and Ekron as a Jebusite.

8 And I will encamp about mine house because of the army, because of him that passeth by, and because of him that returneth: and no oppressor shall pass through them any more: for now have I seen with mine eyes. Parallel theme: Exodus 3:9, Psalms 34:7, 72:4, Isaiah 31:5, 52:1, 52:12, 54:14, 60:18, Jeremiah 31:12, Amos 9:15 +5

10 And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth. Parallel theme: Isaiah 49:6, 60:12, Hosea 1:7, 2:18, Micah 5:4, Revelation 11:15

11 As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenantCovenant: בְּרִית (Berit). The Hebrew berit (בְּרִית) denotes a covenant—a binding agreement, often ratified by blood sacrifice. God's covenants (Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic) structure redemptive history, culminating in the New Covenant. I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water. Covenant: Exodus 24:8, Matthew 26:28, 1 Corinthians 11:25, Hebrews 10:29. Parallel theme: Psalms 40:2, 69:33, Isaiah 42:7, 49:9, 51:14, 61:1 +5

12 Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hopeHope: תִּקְוָה (Tikvah). The Hebrew tikvah (תִּקְוָה) means hope or expectation—confident trust in God's promises. 'Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God' (Psalm 146:5).: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee; Hope: Jeremiah 31:17, Ezekiel 37:11, Hosea 2:15, Joel 3:16, Hebrews 6:18. Parallel theme: Job 42:10, Isaiah 40:2, 61:7, Jeremiah 51:10, Nahum 1:7 +5

13 When I have bent Judah for me, filled the bow with Ephraim, and raised up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and made thee as the sword of a mighty man. Word: Psalms 45:3, Isaiah 49:2. Parallel theme: Zechariah 1:21, Revelation 17:14

14 And the LORDLord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai). When 'LORD' appears in small capitals, it represents the Tetragrammaton YHWH (יְהוָה), God's personal covenant name meaning 'I AM.' When 'Lord' appears normally, it's Adonai (אֲדֹנָי), meaning 'my Lord,' emphasizing sovereignty. shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord GOD shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south. References Lord: Zechariah 2:5, 14:3, Isaiah 27:13, 66:15. Light: Psalms 18:14, Isaiah 30:30, Habakkuk 3:11. Parallel theme: Isaiah 21:1, Revelation 6:2 +4

15 The LORD of hosts shall defend them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones; and they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine; and they shall be filled like bowls, and as the corners of the altarAltar: מִזְבֵּחַ (Mizbeach). The Hebrew mizbeach (מִזְבֵּחַ) means altar—from the root 'to slaughter.' Altars were places where sacrifices were offered to God, pointing forward to Christ's ultimate sacrifice.. References Lord: Zechariah 10:5, 10:7, 12:8, Psalms 78:65. Sacrifice: Leviticus 4:18, 4:25. Parallel theme: Zechariah 12:6, Exodus 27:2 +3

16 And the LORD their GodGod: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim). The Hebrew Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) is a plural form denoting majesty and fullness of deity. Though grammatically plural, it takes singular verbs when referring to the one true God, suggesting the Trinity's plurality within unity. shall save them in that day as the flock of his people: for they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land. References God: Psalms 100:3, Isaiah 40:10, 62:3, Ezekiel 34:31. References Lord: Isaiah 60:14, Jeremiah 31:11, Haggai 2:23. Parallel theme: Isaiah 60:3, Luke 12:32, John 10:27 +5

17 For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids. Good: Psalms 31:19, 145:7. Related: Song of Solomon 5:10, 7:9. Parallel theme: Exodus 15:11, Psalms 36:7, 45:2, 50:2, 90:17, Isaiah 33:17 +5