Zechariah 9:4

4 But the Lord will take away her possessions and destroy her power on the sea, and she will be consumed by fire.

Zechariah 9:4 in Other Translations

KJV
4 Behold, the Lord will cast her out, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be devoured with fire.
ESV
4 But behold, the Lord will strip her of her possessions and strike down her power on the sea, and she shall be devoured by fire.
NLT
4 But now the Lord will strip away Tyre’s possessions and hurl its fortifications into the sea, and it will be burned to the ground.
MSG
4 But God will certainly bankrupt her; he will dump all that wealth into the ocean and burn up what's left in a big fire.
CSB
4 Listen! The Lord will impoverish her and cast her wealth into the sea; she herself will be consumed by fire.

Zechariah 9:4 Meaning and Commentary

Zechariah 9:4

Behold, the Lord will cast her out
Or "inherit her" {f}, or "them", as the Septuagint render the words; when, being converted, she would become the Lord's inheritance and possession, and her riches should be devoted to his service: and he will smite her power in the sea;
for Tyre was situated in the sea, at the entry of it, and was strong in it, ( Ezekiel 26:17 ) ( 27:3 ) . Kimchi interprets this of her humiliation and subjection in the days of the Messiah; and in a spiritual sense it has been verified in such who have been spoiled of their carnal strength, in which they trusted, and have laid down their weapons, and have submitted to the sceptre of Christ: and she shall be devoured with fire;
with the spirit of judgment, and of burning, which purges and removes the filth of sin; and with the fire of the word, which burns up and consumes its lusts; and with the flames of divine love, which make souls as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. This was literally accomplished in the burning of Tyre by Alexander F7, which injected fear and dread in cities near it, as follow:


FOOTNOTES:

F6 (hnvrwy) (klhronomhsei autouv) , Setp.; "possidebit eam", V. L. Munster, Castalio. So some in Vatablus.
F7 Curtius, l. 4. c. 4.

Zechariah 9:4 In-Context

2 and on Hamath too, which borders on it, and on Tyre and Sidon, though they are very skillful.
3 Tyre has built herself a stronghold; she has heaped up silver like dust, and gold like the dirt of the streets.
4 But the Lord will take away her possessions and destroy her power on the sea, and she will be consumed by fire.
5 Ashkelon will see it and fear; Gaza will writhe in agony, and Ekron too, for her hope will wither. Gaza will lose her king and Ashkelon will be deserted.
6 A mongrel people will occupy Ashdod, and I will put an end to the pride of the Philistines.

Cross References 2

  • 1. S Isaiah 23:11
  • 2. S Isaiah 23:1; Jeremiah 25:22; Ezekiel 26:3-5; Ezekiel 27:32-36; Ezekiel 28:18
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.