TG
Everything TrueGospel offers, in one place.

Study

Bible Reader Scripture Search Word Study & Lexicon Bible Study Builder Reading Plans Verse Chains

Reference

The Reference Library Topical Index

Learn

True Gospel Institute

Grow & Share

Blog Q&A Sermon Notes Bible Studies Podcast

Community

Community Student Dashboard

About

About Us Support Us Contact Log In Create Free Account
BSB
← Prev Next →

Zechariah 2

BSB·13 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Then I liftedוָאֶשָּׂ֥אwā·’eś·śā — To lift up, raise, or bear; to carry or supportH5375 — Full Word Study → up my eyesעֵינַ֛י‘ê·nay — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study → and sawוָאֵ֖רֶאwā·’ê·re — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → a manאִ֑ישׁ’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → with a measuringמִדָּֽה׃mid·dāh — Measure, standard, garment, or portionH4060 — Full Word Study → lineחֶ֥בֶלḥe·ḇel — Rope, cord, line; inheritance; pain, sorrowH2256 — Full Word Study → in his handוּבְיָד֖וֹū·ḇə·yā·ḏōw — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study →. 2Whereאָ֖נָה’ā·nāh — Where? Whither? (interrogative/indefinite adverb of place)H575 — Full Word Study → are youאַתָּ֣ה’at·tāh — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study → goingהֹלֵ֑ךְhō·lêḵ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study →?” I askedוָאֹמַ֕רwā·’ō·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →. “To measureלָמֹד֙lā·mōḏ — to measure, extend, or stretch outH4058 — Full Word Study → Jerusalemיְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔םyə·rū·šā·lim — City of peaceH3389 — Full Word Study →,” he repliedוַיֹּ֣אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “and to determineלִרְא֥וֹתlir·’ō·wṯ — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → its widthרָחְבָּ֖הּrā·ḥə·bāh — width, breadth, or expanseH7341 — Full Word Study → and lengthאָרְכָּֽהּ׃’ā·rə·kāh — Length, duration, or extensivenessH753 — Full Word Study →.” 3Thenוְהִנֵּ֗הwə·hin·nêh — Look! Behold! Pay attention!H2009 — Full Word Study → the angelהַמַּלְאָ֛ךְham·mal·’āḵ — messenger; angel; envoyH4397 — Full Word Study → who was speakingהַדֹּבֵ֥רhad·dō·ḇêr — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study → with me went out, and anotherאַחֵ֔ר’a·ḥêr — another, different, or following person or thingH312 — Full Word Study → angelוּמַלְאָ֣ךְū·mal·’āḵ — messenger; angel; envoyH4397 — Full Word Study → came out to meet himלִקְרָאתֽוֹ׃liq·rā·ṯōw — to meet, encounter, or come upon (often by chance or unexpectedly)H7122 — Full Word Study → 4and saidוַיֹּ֣אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → to himאֵלָ֔וʾē·lå̄w — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study →, “Runרֻ֗ץruṣ — to run; move swiftlyH7323 — Full Word Study → and tellדַּבֵּ֛רdab·bêr — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study → thatהַלָּ֖זhal·lāz — this side, that side, directionH1975 — Full Word Study → young manהַנַּ֥עַרhan·na·‘ar — Young man, boy, or male servantH5288 — Full Word Study →: ‘Jerusalemיְרוּשָׁלִַ֔םyə·rū·šā·lim — City of peaceH3389 — Full Word Study → will be a cityתֵּשֵׁ֣בtê·šêḇ — to dwell, inhabit, settle, remainH3427 — Full Word Study → without wallsפְּרָזוֹת֙pə·rā·zō·wṯ — unwalled village or settlementH6519 — Full Word Study → because of the multitudeמֵרֹ֥בmê·rōḇ — Abundance, multitude, or great quantityH7230 — Full Word Study → of menאָדָ֛ם’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study → and livestockוּבְהֵמָ֖הū·ḇə·hê·māh — Animal, beast, livestockH929 — Full Word Study → within itבְּתוֹכָֽהּ׃bə·ṯō·w·ḵāh — midst, among, between, throughH8432 — Full Word Study →. 5For Iוַאֲנִ֤יwa·’ă·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → will beאֶֽהְיֶה־’eh·yeh- — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → a wallח֥וֹמַתḥō·w·maṯ — A fortified wall or defensive barrierH2346 — Full Word Study → of fireאֵ֖שׁ’êš — Fire; flame; burningH784 — Full Word Study → around itסָבִ֑יבsā·ḇîḇ — around, on all sides, encirclingH5439 — Full Word Study →, declaresנְאֻם־nə·’um- — A solemn declaration; utterance of GodH5002 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֔הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, and I will beאֶֽהְיֶ֥ה’eh·yeh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → the gloryוּלְכָב֖וֹדū·lə·ḵā·ḇō·wḏ — weightiness, honor, splendor, gloryH3519 — Full Word Study → within itבְתוֹכָֽהּ׃פḇə·ṯō·w·ḵāh — midst, among, between, throughH8432 — Full Word Study →.’” 6Get upה֣וֹיhō·w — Woe, alas, or lamentH1945 — Full Word Study →! Get upה֗וֹיhō·w — Woe, alas, or lamentH1945 — Full Word Study →! Fleeוְנֻ֛סוּwə·nu·sū — to flee, escape, or run awayH5127 — Full Word Study → from the landמֵאֶ֥רֶץmê·’e·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → of the northצָפ֖וֹןṣā·p̄ō·wn — North; northern direction or regionH6828 — Full Word Study →,” declaresנְאֻם־nə·’um- — A solemn declaration; utterance of GodH5002 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, “forכִּ֠יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → I have scatteredפֵּרַ֥שְׂתִּיpê·raś·tî — to spread, stretch out, or extendH6566 — Full Word Study → you like the fourכְּאַרְבַּ֞עkə·’ar·ba‘ — The number four; a group of fourH702 — Full Word Study → windsרוּח֧וֹתrū·ḥō·wṯ — Spirit, breath, wind, or inner dispositionH7307 — Full Word Study → of heavenהַשָּׁמַ֛יִםhaš·šā·ma·yim — The heavens; sky; dwelling place of GodH8064 — Full Word Study →,” declaresנְאֻם־nə·’um- — A solemn declaration; utterance of GodH5002 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָֽה׃Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →. 7Get upה֥וֹיhō·w — Woe, alas, or lamentH1945 — Full Word Study →, O Zionצִיּ֖וֹןṣî·yō·wn — The Lord's MountainH6726 — Full Word Study →! Escapeהִמָּלְטִ֑יhim·mā·lə·ṭî — to escape, deliver, or save from dangerH4422 — Full Word Study →, you who dwellיוֹשֶׁ֖בֶתyō·wō·še·ḇeṯ — to dwell, inhabit, settle, remainH3427 — Full Word Study → with the Daughterבַּת־baṯ- — daughter; female child or descendantH1323 — Full Word Study → of Babylonבָּבֶֽל׃סbā·ḇel — Gate of GodH894 — Full Word Study →!” 8Forכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → this is whatכֹ֣הḵōh — thus, so, in this mannerH3541 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → of Hostsצְבָאוֹת֒ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ — army, host, or organized military forceH6635 — Full Word Study → saysאָמַר֮’ā·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →: “After His Gloryכָּב֔וֹדkā·ḇō·wḏ — weightiness, honor, splendor, gloryH3519 — Full Word Study → has sent Meשְׁלָחַ֕נִיšə·lā·ḥa·nî — to send, let go, releaseH7971 — Full Word Study → againstאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the nationsהַגּוֹיִ֖םhag·gō·w·yim — Nation; a people or ethnic groupH1471 — Full Word Study → that have plundered youהַשֹּׁלְלִ֣יםhaš·šō·lə·lîm — to plunder, strip, or spoilH7997 — Full Word Study →forכִּ֚יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → whoever touchesהַנֹּגֵ֣עַhan·nō·ḡê·a‘ — to touch, reach, strike, or come into contactH5060 — Full Word Study → you touchesנֹגֵ֖עַnō·ḡê·a‘ — to touch, reach, strike, or come into contactH5060 — Full Word Study → the appleבְּבָבַ֥תbə·ḇā·ḇaṯ — pupil of the eye; apple of the eyeH892 — Full Word Study → of His eyeעֵינֽוֹ׃‘ê·nōw — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study → 9I will surelyהִנְנִ֨יhin·nî — Look! Behold! — an attention-directing particleH2005 — Full Word Study → waveמֵנִ֤יףmê·nîp̄ — to wave, shake, or move back and forthH5130 — Full Word Study → My handיָדִי֙yā·ḏî — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → over themעֲלֵיהֶ֔ם‘ă·lê·hem — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →, so that they will becomeוְהָי֥וּwə·hā·yū — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → plunderשָׁלָ֖לšā·lāl — Plunder, spoils of war; prey taken in battleH7998 — Full Word Study → for their own servantsלְעַבְדֵיהֶ֑םlə·‘aḇ·ḏê·hem — Servant; slave; one in bondage or serviceH5650 — Full Word Study →. Then you will knowוִֽידַעְתֶּ֕םwî·ḏa‘·tem — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → thatכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֥הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → of Hostsצְבָא֖וֹתṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ — army, host, or organized military forceH6635 — Full Word Study → has sent Meשְׁלָחָֽנִי׃סšə·lā·ḥā·nî — to send, let go, releaseH7971 — Full Word Study →.” 10Shout for joyרָנִּ֥יrān·nî — To shout or sing aloud with joy; to cry out triumphantlyH7442 — Full Word Study → and be gladוְשִׂמְחִ֖יwə·śim·ḥî — To rejoice, be glad, make merryH8055 — Full Word Study →, O Daughterבַּת־baṯ- — daughter; female child or descendantH1323 — Full Word Study → of Zionצִיּ֑וֹןṣî·yō·wn — The Lord's MountainH6726 — Full Word Study →, forכִּ֧יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → I am comingבָ֛אḇā — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → to dwellוְשָׁכַנְתִּ֥יwə·šā·ḵan·tî — To dwell, inhabit, or settle in a placeH7931 — Full Word Study → among youבְתוֹכֵ֖ךְḇə·ṯō·w·ḵêḵ — midst, among, between, throughH8432 — Full Word Study →,” declaresנְאֻם־nə·’um- — A solemn declaration; utterance of GodH5002 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָֽה׃Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →. 11On thatהַה֔וּאha·hū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → dayבַּיּ֣וֹםbay·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → manyרַבִּ֤יםrab·bîm — great, many, abundant, mightyH7227 — Full Word Study → nationsגוֹיִ֨םḡō·w·yim — Nation; a people or ethnic groupH1471 — Full Word Study → will joinוְנִלְווּ֩wə·nil·wū — To join, unite, or borrow; to cleave togetherH3867 — Full Word Study → themselves toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָה֙Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, and they will becomeוְהָ֥יוּwə·hā·yū — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → My peopleלְעָ֑םlə·‘ām — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study →. I will dwellוְשָׁכַנְתִּ֣יwə·šā·ḵan·tî — To dwell, inhabit, or settle in a placeH7931 — Full Word Study → among youבְתוֹכֵ֔ךְḇə·ṯō·w·ḵêḵ — midst, among, between, throughH8432 — Full Word Study →, and you will knowוְיָדַ֕עַתְּwə·yā·ḏa·‘at — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → thatכִּי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֥הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → of Hostsצְבָא֖וֹתṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ — army, host, or organized military forceH6635 — Full Word Study → has sent Meשְׁלָחַ֥נִיšə·lā·ḥa·nî — to send, let go, releaseH7971 — Full Word Study → to youאֵלָֽיִךְ׃’ê·lā·yiḵ — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study →. 12And the LORDיְהוָ֤הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → will take possessionוְנָחַ֨לwə·nā·ḥal — to inherit, to take possession as an heirH5157 — Full Word Study → of Judahיְהוּדָה֙yə·hū·ḏāh — The Lord is praisedH3063 — Full Word Study → as His portionחֶלְק֔וֹḥel·qōw — portion, allotment, flatteryH2506 — Full Word Study → inעַ֖ל‘al — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the Holyהַקֹּ֑דֶשׁhaq·qō·ḏeš — Holiness, sacred, consecrated, set apartH6944 — Full Word Study → Landאַדְמַ֣ת’aḏ·maṯ — Land, soil, ground, earthH127 — Full Word Study →, and He will once againע֖וֹד‘ō·wḏ — still, yet, again, continuing or additional occurrenceH5750 — Full Word Study → chooseוּבָחַ֥רū·ḇā·ḥar — To choose, select, or preferH977 — Full Word Study → Jerusalemבִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃bî·rū·šā·lim — City of peaceH3389 — Full Word Study →. 13Be silentהַ֥סhas — to be silent, keep quiet, hold one's peaceH2013 — Full Word Study → beforeמִפְּנֵ֣יmip·pə·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → peopleבָּשָׂ֖רbā·śār — Flesh; body; meat; human natureH1320 — Full Word Study →, forכִּ֥יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → He has roused Himselfנֵע֖וֹרnê·‘ō·wr — To wake up, rouse, stir up, awakenH5782 — Full Word Study → from His holyקָדְשֽׁוֹ׃סqā·ḏə·šōw — Holiness, sacred, consecrated, set apartH6944 — Full Word Study → dwellingמִמְּע֥וֹןmim·mə·‘ō·wn — den, dwelling place, habitationH4583 — Full Word Study →.”
Scripture Explorer
Original Language
Notes & Doctrine
Chapter Commentary
Cross-Refs
Highlight
My Note
Original Hebrew / Greek
Loading…
Translation Notes & Doctrine — This Verse
Loading…
Chapter Commentary — Zechariah 2
Chapter Overview

Overview

Zechariah chapter 2 presents a vision of Jerusalem's future restoration and God's unshakeable protection over His people. The prophet witnesses an angel measuring the city, only to be interrupted by another angel who declares that Jerusalem will expand far beyond its walls, protected not by earthly fortifications but by God Himself. This chapter combines comfort for the exiled remnant with a call to return from Babylon and a promise of God's ultimate presence among His people, culminating in the coming of the Messiah and the inclusion of many nations into God's covenant family.

Verses 1-5: The Vision of Measuring and God's Promise of Protection

Zechariah sees a man with a measuring line, preparing to measure Jerusalem. The prophet asks him his purpose, and the man responds that he will measure the city's length and breadth. However, before the measurement can be completed, a second angel intercepts the first and delivers God's word: Jerusalem will be so enlarged by population and blessing that it cannot be contained by walls. Instead of man-made defenses, the LORD Himself will be a wall of fire around Jerusalem and the glory in her midst (verse 5). This is the heart of the vision—God's presence is Jerusalem's ultimate security. No earthly rampart or military power can protect as God does. The "wall of fire" recalls God's protective pillar of fire that led Israel through the wilderness (Exodus 13:21), signifying both protection and purification. The promise speaks to the post-exilic community's anxiety about their vulnerability, assuring them that their hope rests not in their own strength but in God's covenant faithfulness.

Verses 6-9: The Call to Return and God's Vengeance on Her Enemies

God commands the exiles scattered "as the four winds of heaven" to return from "the land of the north"—a reference to Babylon, where the Jews were captive. The call "Deliver thyself, O Zion" (verse 7) is an urgent summons to escape bondage. God then speaks in first person through the messenger angel: "he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye" (verse 8). This phrase expresses the extreme tenderness and protective vigilance God maintains over His people. To harm Israel is to wound God Himself. Verses 8-9 promise that God will shake His hand against the nations who have plundered Judah, and those nations will become spoil to Israel's servants—a reversal of fortunes. This vindication will prove to the people that God has truly sent this messenger. The emphasis moves from comfort to courage: God's people need not fear their enemies because their enemy is God's enemy, and His justice is certain.

Verses 10-13: The Coming of the Lord and Universal Salvation

The passage reaches its climax with a joyous call: "Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion; for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee" (verse 10). While this initially addresses the post-exilic remnant, evangelical interpreters understand this as pointing ultimately to Christ's incarnation and final return. Verse 11 expands the promise: many nations will be joined to the LORD and become His people. God's restoration of Jerusalem is not parochial but cosmic in scope—it opens the door for Gentile salvation. The LORD will "inherit Judah" and "choose Jerusalem again" (verse 12), ensuring the permanence of His covenant. The chapter concludes with an awe-struck command: "Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD" (verse 13). All humanity must recognize that God has risen from His holy habitation to execute His purposes. Silence here is not emptiness but reverent recognition of God's sovereignty.

Application for Today

Zechariah 2 assures us that our security rests not in our circumstances or defenses but in God's presence. When we feel exposed or threatened, remember that God jealously guards those who belong to Him. Moreover, the vision of nations joining God's people reminds us that the gospel's reach is boundless. As we witness to the world, we participate in God's age-old purpose to gather a people for Himself from every nation. Let us respond to this chapter with both gratitude for God's protective love and joy at the prospect of His kingdom expanding to the ends of the earth.

Cross References
Loading…
Highlight This Verse
My Note