Zechariah 12:1

Translations

Modern

This is the burden of the word of the LORD concerning Israel. Thus declares the LORD, who stretches out the heavens and lays the foundation of the earth, who forms the spirit of man within him:

Traditional

The burden of the word of the Lord for Israel, saith the Lord, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.

Literal

The burden of the word of YHWH against Israel. Thus says YHWH, the One stretching out the heavens, and founding the earth, and forming the spirit of man within him:

Latin

Onus verbi Domini super Israël. Dicit Dominus extendens cælum, et fundans terram, et fingens spiritum hominis in eo:

Original

Hebrew

English

This is the burden of the word of the LORD concerning Israel. Thus declares the LORD, who stretches out the heavens and lays the foundation of the earth, who forms the spirit of man within him:

Notes

Zechariah 12:1–14:21

The theme of Jerusalem versus the nations connects the four messages in Zechariah's second oracle. The nations gather against Jerusalem at both the start (Zechariah 12:1–9) and the end (14:1–15) of the oracle. The repeated phrase on that day points to the future day of the Lord.

This oracle shows both judgment and blessing for Jerusalem. The main focus is the cleansing of the people of Israel (Zechariah 13:1), ending with God's universal kingdom (14:16–21). These future visions encouraged the Judeans of Zechariah's time to stay faithful despite feeling unimportant and helpless.

Theme notes and profiles

Apocalyptic Literature

Events

Prophecies of Zechariahc. 520 BC

Related verses

Isaiah 42:5
This is what God the LORD says—He who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and its offspring, who gives breath to the people on it and life to those who walk in it:
Jeremiah 51:15
The LORD made the earth by His power; He established the world by His wisdom and stretched out the heavens by His understanding.
Isaiah 57:16
For I will not accuse you forever, nor will I always be angry; for then the spirit of man would grow weak before Me—the breath of life I have made.
Isaiah 48:13
Surely My own hand founded the earth, and My right hand spread out the heavens; when I summon them, they stand up together.
Psalm 102:25–26
In the beginning You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands.
Hebrews 1:10–12
And: “In the beginning, O Lord, You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands.
Isaiah 44:24
Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer who formed you from the womb: “I am the LORD, who has made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who by Myself spread out the earth,
Hebrews 12:9
Furthermore, we have all had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them. Should we not much more submit to the Father of our spirits and live?
Numbers 16:22
But Moses and Aaron fell facedown and said, “O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, when one man sins, will You be angry with the whole congregation?”
Genesis 2:7
Then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.
Ecclesiastes 12:7
…before the dust returns to the ground from which it came and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
Job 26:7
He stretches out the north over empty space; He hangs the earth upon nothing.

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Glossary

David Zechariah, Book of

Topics

God: Creator God: Creator of Man Man: Created Man: Spirit Prophecies Concerning Israel: Prophecies Concerning of Blessing and Restoration The Jews: Promises Respecting: Sanctification The Spirit of Man

Zechariah 12:1

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Events?

Related verses?