Zechariah 8

The LORD Promises to Bless Jerusalem

1 The word of the LORD Almighty came to me.

2 This is what the LORD Almighty says: “I am very jealous for Zion; I am burning with jealousy for her.”

3 This is what the LORD says: “I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the Faithful City, and the mountain of the LORD Almighty will be called the Holy Mountain.”

4 This is what the LORD Almighty says: “Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each of them with cane in hand because of their age.

5 The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there.”

6 This is what the LORD Almighty says: “It may seem marvelous to the remnant of this people at that time, but will it seem marvelous to me?” declares the LORD Almighty.

7 This is what the LORD Almighty says: “I will save my people from the countries of the east and the west.

8 I will bring them back to live in Jerusalem; they will be my people, and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God.”

9 This is what the LORD Almighty says: “Now hear these words, ‘Let your hands be strong so that the temple may be built.’ This is also what the prophets said who were present when the foundation was laid for the house of the LORD Almighty.

10 Before that time there were no wages for people or hire for animals. No one could go about their business safely because of their enemies, since I had turned everyone against their neighbor.

11 But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as I did in the past,” declares the LORD Almighty.

12 “The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will produce its crops, and the heavens will drop their dew. I will give all these things as an inheritance to the remnant of this people.

13 Just as you, Judah and Israel, have been a curse^[a] among the nations, so I will save you, and you will be a blessing.^[b] Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong.”

14 This is what the LORD Almighty says: “Just as I had determined to bring disaster on you and showed no pity when your ancestors angered me,” says the LORD Almighty,

15 “so now I have determined to do good again to Jerusalem and Judah. Do not be afraid.

16 These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts;

17 do not plot evil against each other, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this,” declares the LORD.

18 The word of the LORD Almighty came to me.

19 This is what the LORD Almighty says: “The fasts of the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months will become joyful and glad occasions and happy festivals for Judah. Therefore love truth and peace.”

20 This is what the LORD Almighty says: “Many peoples and the inhabitants of many cities will yet come,

21 and the inhabitants of one city will go to another and say, ‘Let us go at once to entreat the LORD and seek the LORD Almighty. I myself am going.’

22 And many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the LORD Almighty and to entreat him.”

23 This is what the LORD Almighty says: “In those days ten people from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, ‘Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.’ ”

Zechariah 8 Commentary

Chapter 8

The restoration of Jerusalem. (1-8) The people encouraged by promises of God's favour, and exhorted to holiness. (9-17) The Jews in the latter days. (18-23)

Verses 1-8 The sins of Zion were her worst enemies. God will take away her sins, and then no other enemies shall hurt her. Those who profess religion must adorn their profession by godliness and honesty. When become a city of truth and a mountain of holiness, ( zechariah 8:4-5 ) describe a state of great outward peace, attended with plenty, temperance, and contentment. The scattered Israelites shall be brought together from all parts. God will never leave nor forsake them in a way of mercy, for this he has promised them; and they shall never leave nor forsake him in a way of duty, as they have promised him. These promises were partly fulfilled in the Jewish church, betwixt the captivity and the time of Christ's coming; and they had fuller accomplishment in the gospel church; but the full import must be as to the future times of the Christian church, or the future restoration of the Jews. With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible; so far are God's thoughts and ways above ours. In the present low state of vital godliness, we can hardly conceive that so complete a change can be made; but a change thus extensive and glorious, can be brought to pass by the almighty power of the new-creating Spirit, in less time than he was pleased to employ in creating the world. Let the hands of all who labour in the cause of the gospel be strong, serving the Lord in true holiness, assured that their labour shall not be in vain.

Verses 9-17 Those only who lay their hands to the plough of duty, shall have them strengthened with the promises of mercy: those who avoid their fathers' faults have the curse turned into a blessing. Those who believed the promises, were to show their faith by their works, and to wait the fulfilment. When God is displeased, he can cause trade to decay, and set every man against his neighbour; but when he returns in mercy, all is happy and prosperous. Surely believers in Christ must not trifle with the exhortation to put away lying, and to speak every man peace with his neighbour, to hate what the Lord hates, and to love that wherein he delights.

Verses 18-23 When God comes towards us in ways of mercy, we must meet him with joy and thankfulness. Therefore be faithful and honest in all your dealings; and let it be a pleasure to you to be so, though thereby you come short of the gains others get dishonestly; and, as much as in you lies, live peaceably with all men. Let the truths of God rule in your heads, and let the peace of God rule in your hearts. Thus the ancient servants of God drew the notice of heathen neighbours, whose prejudices were softened. A great increase to the church shall be made. Hitherto the Jews had been prone to learn the idolatries of other nations: what more unlikely than that they should teach religion to their conquerors, and to all the principal nations of the earth! Yet this is expressly foretold, and it came to pass. Hitherto the prophecy has been wonderfully fulfilled, and no doubt future events will explain it further. It is good to be with those who have God with them; if we take God for our God, we must take his people for our people, and be willing to take our lot with them. But let not any one think that mere zeal, either for Jews or Gentiles, will stand in the place of personal religion. Let us be living epistles of Christ, known and read of all men, so that others may wish to go with us, and to have their portion with us in the realms of bliss.

Cross References

• 1. S Joel 2:18
• 2. Zechariah 1:16
• 3. S Isaiah 52:8; S Joel 3:21
• 4. S Zechariah 2:10
• 5. S Psalms 15:2; S Isaiah 1:26; S Isaiah 48:1; S Jeremiah 33:16
• 6. S Jeremiah 26:18
• 7. S Isaiah 1:26; S Micah 4:1
• 8. S Isaiah 65:20
• 9. S Jeremiah 30:20; Jeremiah 31:13
• 10. Psalms 118:23; Psalms 126:1-3
• 11. Jeremiah 32:17,27
• 12. Psalms 107:3; S Isaiah 11:11; S Isaiah 43:5
• 13. S Ezekiel 37:12; Zechariah 10:10
• 14. S Jeremiah 31:24
• 15. S Isaiah 51:16; S Ezekiel 11:19-20; S Ezekiel 36:28; S Zechariah 2:11; Hebrews 8:10
• 16. Jeremiah 11:4; Zechariah 10:6
• 17. S Ezra 5:1
• 18. S Ezra 3:11
• 19. S Haggai 2:4
• 20. S Isaiah 5:10; S Haggai 1:6
• 21. S 2 Chronicles 15:5
• 22. Isaiah 12:1
• 23. S Psalms 85:12; S Joel 2:22
• 24. S Psalms 67:6
• 25. S Genesis 27:28
• 26. S Psalms 65:13; S Isaiah 60:21; Obadiah 1:17
• 27. S Hosea 2:21
• 28. S Numbers 5:27; S Deuteronomy 13:15; S Psalms 102:8; Jeremiah 42:18
• 29. S Psalms 48:8
• 30. S Genesis 12:2; S Joel 2:14
• 31. S Haggai 2:5
• 32. ver 9
• 33. Jeremiah 31:28; S Ezekiel 24:14
• 34. ver 13; S Jeremiah 29:11; Micah 7:18-20
• 35. Jeremiah 31:28; Jeremiah 32:42
• 36. S Psalms 15:2; S Jeremiah 33:16; S Ephesians 4:25
• 37. S Ezekiel 18:8
• 38. S Ezekiel 45:9; S Amos 5:15; S Zechariah 7:9
• 39. Proverbs 3:29
• 40. S Proverbs 6:16-19; S Jeremiah 7:9; Zechariah 5:4
• 41. S 2 Kings 25:7; Jeremiah 39:2
• 42. S Jeremiah 52:12
• 43. 2 Kings 25:25
• 44. Jeremiah 52:4
• 45. Psalms 30:11
• 46. ver 16
• 47. S Zechariah 7:2
• 48. Jeremiah 26:19
• 49. S Psalms 86:9; Psalms 117:1; Isaiah 2:2-3; S Isaiah 44:5; S Isaiah 45:14; Isaiah 49:6; Isaiah 60:3; S Zechariah 2:11
• 50. S Psalms 102:22; S Isaiah 14:1; S Isaiah 45:14; S Isaiah 56:3; 1 Corinthians 14:25
• 51. S Isaiah 13:1; Jeremiah 23:33

Footnotes

• [a]. That is, your name has been used in cursing (see Jer. 29:22); or, you have been regarded as under a curse.
• [b]. Or "and your name will be used in blessings" (see Gen. 48:20); or "and you will be seen as blessed"

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO ZECHARIAH 8

This chapter contains promises of various blessings to the people of the Jews; and exhortations to each of the duties incumbent on them; and is concluded with a prophecy of the calling of the Gentiles. The cause of all the blessings promised is the love of God to them, signified by zeal, or jealousy for them, Zec 8:1,2. The blessings promised are the Lord's return to dwell in Jerusalem, and the integrity and holiness of that city, Zec 8:3. The long life of the inhabitants of it, and the plenty of children that should be born in it, Zec 8:4,5 and, however wonderful and incredible this might seem to some, it was not to the Lord, who was determined to bring his people that were in various distant countries to Jerusalem, and settle them there; and renew and reestablish his covenant with them, Zec 8:6-8 wherefore the Lord encourages them to go on in rebuilding the temple, Zec 8:9 and promises them that things would be better with them than in times past; that whereas there had been nothing but penury, affliction, and distress, now there should be great affluence and prosperity, Zec 8:10-12 and though before they were a curse among the nations, now they should be a blessing; and though their fathers were punished, they should be dealt well with, Zec 8:13-15 and then they are exhorted to the discharge of several duties mentioned, to which they are induced by the Lord's hatred of that which is evil, and by his turning their fasts into cheerful feasts. Zec 8:16-19 to which is added a prophecy of the calling and conversion of the Gentiles, which would make for the glory of the Jewish church; who are described by their numbers, being many people, and the inhabitants of many cities; by their association together, to pray to the Lord, and worship him; by their coming up to Jerusalem for that purpose; and by their junction with the Jews, to which they will be encouraged by having heard that God is with them, Zec 8:20-23.