Zacharias 8:5

5 And the broad places of the city shall be filled with boys and girls playing in the streets thereof.

Zacharias 8:5 Meaning and Commentary

Zechariah 8:5

And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls,
&c.] Denoting a large increase of inhabitants, in a literal sense; and may spiritually signify the large numbers of converts, of new born babes, who are regenerated by the grace and Spirit of God, and are accounted of by the Lord for a generation: playing the streets thereof;
being in health and rigour, and in great security. The Targum renders it, "singing" or "praising in the spacious places thereof"; singing the praises of God in Gospel strains; saying their Hosannas to the Son of David; rejoicing in the great salvation by Christ, and magnifying the grace of God, and setting forth the glories of it in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; see ( Matthew 11:16 Matthew 11:17 ) ( Matthew 21:15 Matthew 21:16 ) . In Jerusalem, literally taken, there were various streets, besides the street of the temple, which led to it, ( Ezra 10:9 ) mention is made of others in Jewish writings, as of the upper street ^F11, and of the street of the butchers, and of the street of those that dealt in wool ^F12.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F11 Misn. Shekalim, c. 8. sect. 1.
F12 Misn. Erubin, c. 10. sect. 9.

Zacharias 8:5 In-Context

3 Thus saith the Lord; I will return to Sion, and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a true city, and the mountain of the Lord Almighty a holy mountain.

4 Thus saith the Lord Almighty; There shall yet dwell old men and old women in the streets of Jerusalem, every one holding his staff in his hand for age.

5 And the broad places of the city shall be filled with boys and girls playing in the streets thereof.

6 Thus saith the Lord Almighty; If it shall be impossible in the sight of the remnant of this people in those days, shall it also be impossible in my sight? saith the Lord Almighty.

7 Thus saith the Lord Almighty; Behold, I save my people from the east country, and the west country;