Read & explore together
The Redemption of Zion
Zechariah 2:6–13 is a prophetic call for scattered people to leave Babylon, a promise that Yahweh will defend Zion, and a declaration that he will dwell among his people and be honoured by all.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
This passage speaks in commands and promises. Yahweh addresses people scattered abroad and calls Zion to escape from Babylon. He speaks against nations that plundered his people, then turns to joy, dwelling among Zion, many nations joining to Yahweh, and silence before him.
Zechariah 2:6–13Main takeaway
This passage teaches that Yahweh calls his scattered people, guards them, promises to dwell among them, and deserves silent reverence from all.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Called out from the northThe opening words are urgent: “Come! Come! Flee” and “Escape”.
Explanation
The opening words are urgent: “Come! Come! Flee” and “Escape”. Yahweh speaks to people he has spread abroad “as the four winds of the sky”. Zion, living with “the daughter of Babylon”, is told to leave. The passage begins with Yahweh calling scattered people away from that place.
02Precious and defendedYahweh of Armies speaks about nations that plundered his people. He says, “he who touches you touches the apple of his eye”, an image of special care and value.
Explanation
Yahweh of Armies speaks about nations that plundered his people. He says, “he who touches you touches the apple of his eye”, an image of special care and value. He will “shake” his hand over those nations, and they will become plunder. This shows both Yahweh’s concern and his action.
03Joy, belonging, and silenceZion is told to “Sing and rejoice” because Yahweh says, “I come and I will dwell within you.”
Explanation
Zion is told to “Sing and rejoice” because Yahweh says, “I come and I will dwell within you.” The promise widens when many nations join themselves to Yahweh and become his people. Judah and Jerusalem are named again, and the passage ends with all flesh silent before Yahweh.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What commands show the urgency at the start of this prophecy?
Notice the repeated words “Come”, “Flee”, and “Escape”, and who is being addressed in Zechariah 2:6 and Zechariah 2:7.
02What does “the apple of his eye” say about Yahweh’s view of his people here?
Read the image in Zechariah 2:8 alongside Yahweh’s action against the plundering nations in Zechariah 2:9.
03Why are Zion and many nations both mentioned in the promises?
Look for Yahweh’s promise to dwell within Zion and for many nations to join themselves to Yahweh in Zechariah 2:10 and Zechariah 2:11.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Zechariah 2:6–13
6Come! Come! Flee from the land of the north,’ says Yahweh; ‘for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the sky,’ says Yahweh.
7‘Come, Zion! Escape, you who dwell with the daughter of Babylon.’
8For Yahweh of Armies says: ‘For honor he has sent me to the nations which plundered you; for he who touches you touches the apple of his eye.
9For, behold, I will shake my hand over them, and they will be a plunder to those who served them; and you will know that Yahweh of Armies has sent me.
10Sing and rejoice, daughter of Zion! For behold, I come and I will dwell within you,’ says Yahweh.
11Many nations shall join themselves to Yahweh in that day, and shall be my people; and I will dwell among you, and you shall know that Yahweh of Armies has sent me to you.
12Yahweh will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land, and will again choose Jerusalem.
13Be silent, all flesh, before Yahweh; for he has roused himself from his holy habitation!”