The Bible — World English Bible
Zechariah 9
In brief
Zechariah 9 opens with an oracle against Israel's neighboring cities, Damascus, Tyre, Sidon and the Philistine towns, which God has in view. He promises to encamp around his house to protect it. Then comes the heart of the chapter: Zion is called to rejoice, because her king is coming, righteous, victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, and he will speak peace to the nations. The chapter goes on with the freeing of the captives and the protection of the people. The Gospels see the fulfillment of verse 9 in Jesus' entry into Jerusalem.
The chapter in 3 parts
1A revelation. Yahweh’s word is against the land of Hadrach, and will rest upon Damascus; for the eye of man and of all the tribes of Israel is toward Yahweh;
2and Hamath, also, which borders on it; Tyre and Sidon, because they are very wise.
3Tyre built herself a stronghold, and heaped up silver like the dust, and fine gold like the mire of the streets.
4Behold, the Lord will dispossess her, and he will strike her power in the sea; and she will be devoured with fire.
5Ashkelon will see it, and fear; Gaza also, and will writhe in agony; as will Ekron, for her expectation will be disappointed; and the king will perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon will not be inhabited.
6Foreigners will dwell in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines.
7I will take away his blood out of his mouth, and his abominations from between his teeth; and he also will be a remnant for our God; and he will be as a chieftain in Judah, and Ekron as a Jebusite.
8I will encamp around my house against the army, that no one pass through or return; and no oppressor will pass through them any more: for now I have seen with my eyes.
9Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout, daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King comes to you! He is righteous, and having salvation; lowly, and riding on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
10I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow will be cut off; and he will speak peace to the nations: and his dominion will be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.
11As for you also, because of the blood of your covenant, I have set free your prisoners from the pit in which is no water.
12Turn to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope! Even today I declare that I will restore double to you.
13For indeed I bend Judah as a bow for me. I have filled the bow with Ephraim; and I will stir up your sons, Zion, against your sons, Greece, and will make you like the sword of a mighty man.
14Yahweh will be seen over them; and his arrow will go flash like lightning; and the Lord Yahweh will blow the trumpet, and will go with whirlwinds of the south.
15Yahweh of Armies will defend them; and they will destroy and overcome with sling stones; and they will drink, and roar as through wine; and they will be filled like bowls, like the corners of the altar.
16Yahweh their God will save them in that day as the flock of his people; for they are like the jewels of a crown, lifted on high over his land.
17For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! Grain will make the young men flourish, and new wine the virgins.
Key verses
Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout, daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King comes to you! He is righteous, and having salvation; lowly, and riding on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
The promised king arrives righteous and victorious, yet lowly and riding on a donkey. The Gospels cite this verse for Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.
I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow will be cut off; and he will speak peace to the nations: and his dominion will be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.
This king removes the chariots and the battle bows, and he speaks peace to the nations. His rule extends far beyond Israel.
As for you also, because of the blood of your covenant, I have set free your prisoners from the pit in which is no water.
The deliverance of the captives rests on a covenant sealed with blood. Christians recognize an echo of Jesus' work on the cross.
Turn to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope! Even today I declare that I will restore double to you.
The captives are called prisoners of hope: God invites them to return to the stronghold, and promises to restore double.
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Frequently asked questions about Zechariah 9
What does Zechariah 9:9 mean?
The verse announces a king who comes to Jerusalem righteous and victorious, yet lowly and riding on a donkey. This picture stands against that of a warlord on a horse. The Gospels see its fulfillment when Jesus enters Jerusalem on a colt, welcomed by the crowd, a few days before his death.
Why a donkey and not a horse?
In the context of the text, the next verse says that the chariots and war horses will be destroyed and that the king will speak peace to the nations. The donkey is therefore the sign of a reign of peace and humility. Several preachers draw this question from it: which king are you really waiting for?
What does Zechariah 9 say about the covenant sealed with blood?
In verse 11, God promises to set the captives free from the waterless pit because of the covenant sealed with blood. The text speaks first of the freeing of the people. Christians see in it an echo of the new covenant founded on the blood of Christ.
Articles quoting Zechariah 9
- What Are You Using the Life You've Been Given For?
- Luke 19: The Lord Needs You, Set Free to Serve Him
- Matthew 5: Jesus Did Not Come to Abolish but to Fulfill
- Get Ready for Passover: Exodus 12 and the Passover Lamb
- Palm Sunday: Jesus Comes to Meet You, What Will You Say Back?
- Rise Up, Move Forward: The Faith That Sets You Free
World English Bible translation — public domain.