Zechariah 9:15

Authorized King James Version

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 altar.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
יְהוָ֣ה
The LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#2
צְבָאוֹת֮
of hosts
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
#3
יָגֵ֣ן
shall defend
to hedge about, i.e., (generally) protect
#4
עֲלֵיהֶם֒
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#5
וְאָכְל֗וּ
them and they shall devour
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#6
וְכָֽבְשׁוּ֙
and subdue
to tread down; hence, negatively, to disregard; positively, to conquer, subjugate, violate
#7
אַבְנֵי
H68
stones
a stone
#8
קֶ֔לַע
with sling
a (door) screen (as if slung across), or the valve (of the door) itself
#9
וְשָׁת֥וּ
and they shall drink
to imbibe (literally or figuratively)
#10
הָמ֖וּ
and make a noise
to make a loud sound (like english 'hum'); by implication, to be in great commotion or tumult, to rage, war, moan, clamor
#11
כְּמוֹ
as, thus, so
#12
יָ֑יִן
as through wine
wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication
#13
וּמָֽלְאוּ֙
and they shall be filled
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
#14
כַּמִּזְרָ֔ק
like bowls
a bowl (as if for sprinkling)
#15
כְּזָוִיּ֖וֹת
and as the corners
an angle (as projecting), i.e., (by implication) a corner-column (or anta)
#16
מִזְבֵּֽחַ׃
of the altar
an altar

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