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The Coming Deliverance of Jerusalem
This prophecy announces Yahweh’s word about Jerusalem and Judah in a time of attack. It presents his power over creation, his judgement on nations coming against Jerusalem, and his purpose to protect his people.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
The message is introduced as a revelation concerning Israel from Yahweh, who stretches out the heavens, lays the earth’s foundation, and forms the human spirit. The repeated words “in that day” mark a prophetic announcement of what Yahweh says he will do for Jerusalem and Judah when peoples gather against them.
Zechariah 12:1–9Main takeaway
Zechariah 12:1–9 teaches that Yahweh rules creation and nations, and this passage speaks of his judgement on nations attacking Jerusalem, not a model for modern violence or personal retaliation.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Yahweh speaks as CreatorThe prophecy begins by identifying this as Yahweh’s word concerning Israel. He is the one who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the human spirit within a person.
Explanation
The prophecy begins by identifying this as Yahweh’s word concerning Israel. He is the one who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the human spirit within a person. That opening gives authority to the whole message, because the speaker rules both the world and human life.
02Jerusalem brings harm to attackersYahweh says he will make Jerusalem a “cup of reeling” to surrounding peoples and a “burdensome stone” for all the peoples.
Explanation
Yahweh says he will make Jerusalem a “cup of reeling” to surrounding peoples and a “burdensome stone” for all the peoples. These images point to painful consequences for those who come against the city. The text names reeling, severe wounding, and nations gathering against Jerusalem.
03Yahweh weakens enemies and strengthens JudahIn that day Yahweh says he will strike horses with terror and blindness, and riders with madness, while opening his eyes on the house of Judah.
Explanation
In that day Yahweh says he will strike horses with terror and blindness, and riders with madness, while opening his eyes on the house of Judah. Judah’s chieftains recognise that Jerusalem’s strength is found in “Yahweh of Armies their God”. Yahweh then compares them to fire among wood and sheaves.
04Yahweh saves Judah and defends JerusalemYahweh says he will save the tents of Judah first, so that David’s house and Jerusalem’s inhabitants are not magnified above Judah.
Explanation
Yahweh says he will save the tents of Judah first, so that David’s house and Jerusalem’s inhabitants are not magnified above Judah. He also promises to defend Jerusalem’s inhabitants. Even the feeble will be strengthened, and the passage ends with Yahweh seeking to destroy the nations that come against Jerusalem.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Why does the passage begin by describing Yahweh as maker of the heavens, earth, and human spirit?
Look at how Zechariah 12:1 introduces the speaker before the prophecy about Jerusalem and Judah.
02What do the pictures of a cup of reeling and a burdensome stone say about the nations that come against Jerusalem?
Use the exact outcomes in the text: surrounding peoples reel, those who burden themselves are severely wounded, and nations gather against Jerusalem.
03How does the passage show care for both Judah and Jerusalem?
Notice that Yahweh saves the tents of Judah first and also defends the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Zechariah 12:1–9
1A revelation of Yahweh’s word concerning Israel: Yahweh, who stretches out the heavens and lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him says:
2“Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of reeling to all the surrounding peoples, and it will also be on Judah in the siege against Jerusalem.
3It will happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all the peoples. All who burden themselves with it will be severely wounded, and all the nations of the earth will be gathered together against it.
4In that day,” says Yahweh, “I will strike every horse with terror and his rider with madness. I will open my eyes on the house of Judah, and will strike every horse of the peoples with blindness.
5The chieftains of Judah will say in their heart, ‘The inhabitants of Jerusalem are my strength in Yahweh of Armies their God.’
6In that day I will make the chieftains of Judah like a pan of fire among wood, and like a flaming torch among sheaves. They will devour all the surrounding peoples on the right hand and on the left; and Jerusalem will yet again dwell in their own place, even in Jerusalem.
7Yahweh also will save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of David’s house and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem not be magnified above Judah.
8In that day Yahweh will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem. He who is feeble among them at that day will be like David, and David’s house will be like God, like Yahweh’s angel before them.
9It will happen in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.