Zechariah 9:15
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 altar.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָ֣ה
The LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
1 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָאוֹת֮
of hosts
H6635
צְבָאוֹת֮
of hosts
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
2 of 16
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
עֲלֵיהֶם֒
H5921
עֲלֵיהֶם֒
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
4 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְאָכְל֗וּ
them and they shall devour
H398
וְאָכְל֗וּ
them and they shall devour
Strong's:
H398
Word #:
5 of 16
to eat (literally or figuratively)
וְכָֽבְשׁוּ֙
and subdue
H3533
וְכָֽבְשׁוּ֙
and subdue
Strong's:
H3533
Word #:
6 of 16
to tread down; hence, negatively, to disregard; positively, to conquer, subjugate, violate
קֶ֔לַע
with sling
H7050
קֶ֔לַע
with sling
Strong's:
H7050
Word #:
8 of 16
a (door) screen (as if slung across), or the valve (of the door) itself
וְשָׁת֥וּ
and they shall drink
H8354
וְשָׁת֥וּ
and they shall drink
Strong's:
H8354
Word #:
9 of 16
to imbibe (literally or figuratively)
הָמ֖וּ
and make a noise
H1993
הָמ֖וּ
and make a noise
Strong's:
H1993
Word #:
10 of 16
to make a loud sound (like english 'hum'); by implication, to be in great commotion or tumult, to rage, war, moan, clamor
יָ֑יִן
as through wine
H3196
יָ֑יִן
as through wine
Strong's:
H3196
Word #:
12 of 16
wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication
וּמָֽלְאוּ֙
and they shall be filled
H4390
וּמָֽלְאוּ֙
and they shall be filled
Strong's:
H4390
Word #:
13 of 16
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
Cross References
Zechariah 12:6In that day will I make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem.Zechariah 10:7And they of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man, and their heart shall rejoice as through wine: yea, their children shall see it, and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in the LORD.Exodus 27:2And thou shalt make the horns of it upon the four corners thereof: his horns shall be of the same: and thou shalt overlay it with brass.Zechariah 10:5And they shall be as mighty men, which tread down their enemies in the mire of the streets in the battle: and they shall fight, because the LORD is with them, and the riders on horses shall be confounded.Zechariah 12:8In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them.Psalms 78:65Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine.Leviticus 4:25And the priest shall take of the blood of the sin offering with his finger, and put it upon the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and shall pour out his blood at the bottom of the altar of burnt offering.Leviticus 4:18And he shall put some of the blood upon the horns of the altar which is before the LORD, that is in the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall pour out all the blood at the bottom of the altar of the burnt offering, which is at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Historical Context
Maccabean victories were remarkable precisely because Jewish forces were numerically inferior and poorly equipped compared to Seleucid professional armies. Their success validated this prophecy—God defended them beyond natural explanation. The altar imagery connects military victory to temple restoration (the Maccabees rededicated the temple in 164 BC, commemorated as Hanukkah).
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding spiritual warfare as 'worship' change your approach to confronting evil?
- What does it mean that God often chooses 'sling stones' (weak instruments) to accomplish His purposes?
- In what sense is Christ's sacrifice the ultimate fulfillment of this 'altar blood' imagery?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The LORD of hosts shall defend them (יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת יָגֵן עֲלֵיהֶם)—Yahweh Tzva'ot, 'LORD of armies,' emphasizes God's military might. And they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones—Israel will overcome enemies using seemingly primitive weapons (slings), demonstrating that victory comes from God, not superior armaments (cf. David versus Goliath, 1 Samuel 17).
And they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine—the imagery shifts to celebratory feasting after victory. And they shall be filled like bowls, and as the corners of the altar (וּמָלְאוּ כַּמִּזְרָק כְּזָוִיּוֹת מִזְבֵּחַ)—comparing warriors to sacrificial vessels full of blood is jarring but deliberate. Just as altar bowls received sacrificial blood in worship, so Israel's victory over God's enemies is itself an act of worship, a holy offering. This anticipates Christ's victory where His blood consecrates the new covenant altar.