Zechariah 12:1-8

Jerusalem’s Enemies to Be Destroyed

1

A prophecy: The word of the LORD concerning Israel.

1 The LORD, who stretches out the heavens, who lays the foundation of the earth, and who forms the human spirit within a person, declares:
2 “I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling. Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem.
3 On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves.
4 On that day I will strike every horse with panic and its rider with madness,” declares the LORD. “I will keep a watchful eye over Judah, but I will blind all the horses of the nations.
5 Then the clans of Judah will say in their hearts, ‘The people of Jerusalem are strong, because the LORD Almighty is their God.’
6 “On that day I will make the clans of Judah like a firepot in a woodpile, like a flaming torch among sheaves. They will consume all the surrounding peoples right and left, but Jerusalem will remain intact in her place.
7 “The LORD will save the dwellings of Judah first, so that the honor of the house of David and of Jerusalem’s inhabitants may not be greater than that of Judah.
8 On that day the LORD will shield those who live in Jerusalem, so that the feeblest among them will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the LORD going before them.

Zechariah 12:1-8 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ZECHARIAH 12

This chapter contains a prophecy of the defence, protection, and salvation of the church of God; and of the effusion of the Spirit; and of the conversion of the Jews in the latter day. It begins with a title and preface, describing the power of God, from the creation of the heavens and earth, and soul of man, Zec 12:1 then follows the subject matter of the prophecy, in a way of judgment upon the enemies of the people of God, and in a way of salvation to them. The judgments on their enemies are signified by various metaphors; by Jerusalem's being a cup of trembling, a burdensome stone, and a hearth, and torch of fire to them, Zec 12:2,3,6. The effects of which are to them astonishment, madness, blindness, and utter destruction; and to the people of God confidence in him, salvation from him, and strength and protection by him, Zec 12:4,5,7,8 and, at the same time that God will destroy all the enemies of his people, he will pour out his Spirit upon his chosen ones among the Jews. The consequence of which will be, their faith in Christ, signified by looking to him whom they have pierced; and their repentance towards God, expressed by mourning; and this illustrated by mourning for an only and firstborn son, Zec 12:9,10 and which is further illustrated by the mourning for Josiah in the valley of Megiddon; and by an enumeration of the several families in Jerusalem, that should separately mourn on this account, Zec 12:11-14.

Cross References 19

  • 1. S Genesis 1:8; S Psalms 104:2; Isaiah 42:5; S Jeremiah 51:15
  • 2. Psalms 102:25; Hebrews 1:10
  • 3. S Isaiah 57:16
  • 4. S Psalms 75:8
  • 5. S Psalms 60:3; S Isaiah 51:23
  • 6. Zechariah 14:14
  • 7. Isaiah 66:18; Zechariah 14:2
  • 8. S Isaiah 28:16; Daniel 2:34-35
  • 9. S Isaiah 29:8; Matthew 21:44
  • 10. Psalms 76:6; S Zechariah 10:5
  • 11. S Ezekiel 30:24
  • 12. Isaiah 10:17-18; S Zechariah 11:1
  • 13. Obadiah 1:18
  • 14. Zechariah 14:10
  • 15. Jeremiah 30:18; S Amos 9:11
  • 16. S Psalms 91:4; S Joel 3:16; S Zechariah 9:15
  • 17. Joel 3:10
  • 18. Psalms 82:6
  • 19. Micah 7:8
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