Zechariah 12:4

Translations

Modern

On that day, declares the LORD, I will strike every horse with panic, and every rider with madness. I will keep a watchful eye on the house of Judah, but I will strike with blindness all the horses of the nations.

Traditional

In that day, saith the Lord, I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness: and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness.

Literal

On that day, a declaration of YHWH, I will strike every horse with confusion, and its rider with madness. And upon the house of Judah I will keep open My eyes, and every horse of the peoples I will strike with blindness.

Latin

In die illa, dicit Dominus, percutiam omnem equum in stuporem, et ascensorem ejus in amentiam: et super domum Juda aperiam oculos meos, et omnem equum populorum percutiam cæcitate.

Original

Hebrew

English

On that day, declares the LORD, I will strike every horse with panic, and every rider with madness. I will keep a watchful eye on the house of Judah, but I will strike with blindness all the horses of the nations.

Notes

Zechariah 12:4

Madness, blindness, and panic were some of the curses threatened against Israel for breaking the covenant (Deuteronomy 28:28). On the day of the Lord, these curses will instead affect Israel’s enemies (see 2 Kings 7:6–7).
keep a watchful eye (literally open my eyes): God's open eyes symbolize divine help for those in great need (see Genesis 16:13–14; 21:19–21).

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

Deuteronomy 28:28
The LORD will afflict you with madness, blindness, and confusion of mind,
Zechariah 12:3
On that day, when all the nations of the earth gather against her, I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who would heave it away will be severely injured.
Zechariah 12:6
On that day I will make the clans of Judah like a firepot in a woodpile, like a flaming torch among the sheaves; they will consume all the peoples around them on the right and on the left, while the people of Jerusalem remain secure there.
Acts 17:30
Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent.
Isaiah 37:17
Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see. Listen to all the words that Sennacherib has sent to defy the living God.
Ezekiel 39:20
And at My table you will eat your fill of horses and riders, of mighty men and warriors of every kind,’ declares the Lord GOD.
Zechariah 14:15
And a similar plague will strike the horses and mules, camels and donkeys, and all the animals in those camps.
Zechariah 12:8–9
On that day the LORD will defend the people of Jerusalem, so that the weakest among them will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the LORD going before them.
Ezekiel 38:4
I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws, and bring you out with all your army—your horses, your horsemen in full armor, and a great company armed with shields and bucklers, all brandishing their swords.
2 Chronicles 7:15
Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.
Isaiah 24:21
In that day the LORD will punish the host of heaven above and the kings of the earth below.
Jeremiah 24:6
I will keep My eyes on them for good and will return them to this land. I will build them up and not tear them down; I will plant them and not uproot them.

People

Judah: Israelite tribe, kingdom, and province

Glossary

David Zechariah, Book of

Topics

Insanity: Sent As a Judgment from God Prophecies Concerning Israel: Prophecies Concerning of Blessing and Restoration The Horse: Often Suffered: from Blindness

Zechariah 12:4

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Events?

Related verses?

People

Glossary?

Topics?

Translations

Original

Notes

Events

Related verses

Glossary

Topics