Zechariah 9:3-13

3 Tyre has built a fortification for itself, and it heaped up silver like dust, and gold like [the] mud of [the] streets.

4 Look! The Lord will drive it out and will hurl its outer ramparts into the sea, and it will be consumed by fire.

5 Ashkelon will see and will be afraid, and Gaza will writhe exceedingly, and Ekron [also], because its hope is ruined. And the king from Gaza will perish, and Ashkelon will not be inhabited.

6 A mongrel people will dwell in Ashdod, and I will cut down the pride of [the] Philistines.

7 I will remove its blood from its mouth, and its abominations from between its teeth. And it too will be a remnant for our God; and it will be like a tribal chief in Judah, and Ekron [will be] like [the] Jebusite.

8 But I will encamp at my temple [like a] guard, against those crossing through and returning; no oppressor will cross through them again, for now I have seen with my [own] eyes.

9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Look! Your king comes to you; he [is] righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, and on a male donkey, {the foal of} a female donkey!

10 And I will cut off [the] chariot from Ephraim, and [the] horse from Jerusalem; the battle bow will be cut down, and he will announce peace to the nations. His dominion [will be] from sea to sea, and from [the] River to [the] ends of [the] earth.

11 [As for] you also, because of the blood of your covenant, I will release your prisoners from {the waterless pit}.

12 Return to [the] fortress, O prisoners of hope; today [I am] declaring [that] I will repay you double.

13 For I have bent Judah [as] my bow; I have set Ephraim [as an arrow]. I will set in motion your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Javan. I will wield you like the sword of a warrior.

Zechariah 9:3-13 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ZECHARIAH 9

This chapter treats of the conversion of the Gentiles, before spoken of in general, now particularly named; of the coming of Christ into the world, and the advantages of it to his church; of the preaching of the Gospel by the apostles, and of their protection, encouragement, and success. The Gentiles converted are first the Syrians that dwelt in Hadrach, Damascus, and Hamath, the Lord's eye being upon them, Zec 9:1 next the Phoenicians, the inhabitants of Tyre and Zidon, who had a vain opinion of their wisdom, and trusted in their riches, Zec 9:2-4 and then the Philistines, the inhabitants of Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron, and Ashdod, guilty of pride, murder, idolatry, and other abominations, Zec 9:5-7 when the church and people of God should be safely protected, Zec 9:8 to whom, for their joy and comfort, is given forth a prophecy concerning the coming of the Messiah; who is described by his character as a King, just, having salvation, lowly, and riding on an ass; by the peaceableness of his kingdom; by the various offices he executes; the prophetic office, speaking peace to the Heathen; the kingly office, his dominion being very large; and his priestly office, in the effusion of his blood, by which the covenant is confirmed, his people delivered out of distress, and encouraged to flee to him as their stronghold, where they find plenty and protection, Zec 9:9-12 next the apostles are represented as military men, accoutered with the bow and the sword of the mighty, Zec 9:13 whose success is owing to the Lord's appearance over them, and the efficacy of his grace and Spirit attending the word, Zec 9:14 who are protected and encouraged in it by the Lord, and honoured on account of it, Zec 9:15,16 and the chapter is concluded with an exclamation, wondering at the grace and glory of Christ, and expressing the satisfying provisions of his house, Zec 9:17.

Footnotes

• [a]. Hebrew "her"
• [b]. Hebrew "her"
• [c]. Hebrew "her"
• [d]. Hebrew "she"
• [e]. Traditionally "ashamed"; some presuppose a different Hebrew form and translate "withered"
• [f]. That is, a people of mixed marriage; "half-breeds"
• [g]. Hebrew "his"
• [h]. Hebrew "his"
• [i]. Hebrew "his"
• [j]. Hebrew "his"
• [k]. Hebrew "he"
• [l]. Hebrew "he"
• [m]. This word is sometimes interpreted as "clan"
• [n]. Or "house"
• [o]. Literally "the son of "
• [p]. That is, the Euphrates
• [q]. Literally "[the] cistern there is not water in him"
• [r]. That is, Greece