Zechariah 9:14
And the LORD 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.
Original Language Analysis
וַֽיהוָה֙
And the LORD
H3068
וַֽיהוָה֙
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
1 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עֲלֵיהֶ֣ם
H5921
עֲלֵיהֶ֣ם
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 13
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יֵֽרָאֶ֔ה
shall be seen
H7200
יֵֽרָאֶ֔ה
shall be seen
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
3 of 13
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
וְיָצָ֥א
shall go forth
H3318
וְיָצָ֥א
shall go forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
4 of 13
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
כַבָּרָ֖ק
as the lightning
H1300
כַבָּרָ֖ק
as the lightning
Strong's:
H1300
Word #:
5 of 13
lightning; by analogy, a gleam; concretely, a flashing sword
חִצּ֑וֹ
over them and his arrow
H2671
חִצּ֑וֹ
over them and his arrow
Strong's:
H2671
Word #:
6 of 13
properly, a piercer, i.e., an arrow; by implication, a wound; figuratively, (of god) thunder-bolt; the shaft of a spear
בַּשּׁוֹפָ֣ר
the trumpet
H7782
בַּשּׁוֹפָ֣ר
the trumpet
Strong's:
H7782
Word #:
9 of 13
a cornet (as giving a clear sound) or curved horn
יִתְקָ֔ע
shall blow
H8628
יִתְקָ֔ע
shall blow
Strong's:
H8628
Word #:
10 of 13
to clatter, i.e., slap (the hands together), clang (an instrument); by analogy, to drive (a nail or tent-pin, a dart, etc.); by implication, to become
וְהָלַ֖ךְ
and shall go
H1980
וְהָלַ֖ךְ
and shall go
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
11 of 13
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
Cross References
Psalms 18:14Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.Isaiah 66:15For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.Isaiah 21:1The burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south pass through; so it cometh from the desert, from a terrible land.Isaiah 27:13And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem.Zechariah 2:5For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.Zechariah 14:3Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.Revelation 6:2And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.Isaiah 30:30And the LORD shall cause his glorious voice to be heard, and shall shew the lighting down of his arm, with the indignation of his anger, and with the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering, and tempest, and hailstones.Habakkuk 3:11The sun and moon stood still in their habitation: at the light of thine arrows they went, and at the shining of thy glittering spear.
Historical Context
These verses describe God's direct intervention on behalf of His people during the Maccabean crisis and prophetically point to final eschatological deliverance. The theophanic language evokes God's appearances at Sinai (Exodus 19) and in conquest (Joshua 10), demonstrating covenant continuity.
Questions for Reflection
- How does knowing that God Himself fights for His people affect your perspective on current spiritual battles?
- What is the significance of God using natural phenomena (lightning, whirlwinds) as instruments of judgment?
- In what ways does Christ's second coming fulfill the imagery of divine theophany and warfare in this verse?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And the LORD shall be seen over them (וַיהוָה עֲלֵיהֶם יֵרָאֶה)—divine theophany, God's visible presence in battle, recalls His appearance at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:24) and in Judges. And his arrow shall go forth as the lightning—God's arrows represent swift, irresistible judgment against Israel's enemies. The imagery shifts: previously Israel was God's bow (v. 13); now God shoots His own arrows.
And the Lord GOD shall blow the trumpet (וַאדֹנָי יְהוִה בַּשּׁוֹפָר יִתְקָע)—the shofar signals divine warfare, summoning heavenly armies. And shall go with whirlwinds of the south (וְהָלַךְ בְּסַעֲרוֹת תֵּימָן)—sa'arot teiman, the violent desert storms from the south (Negev/Arabia), symbolize God's overwhelming power. This is holy war where Yahweh Himself is the divine warrior, not merely empowering human soldiers.