Keraia
Zechariah 9

Zechariah 9:1

The Burden against Israel’s Enemies · Zechariah 9:1–8
Read Zechariah 9

Translations

Modern
This is the burden of the word of the LORD against the land of Hadrach and Damascus its resting place—for the eyes of men and of all the tribes of Israel are upon the LORD—
Traditional
The burden of the word of the Lord in the land of Hadrach, and Damascus shall be the rest thereof: when the eyes of man, as of all the tribes of Israel, shall be toward the Lord.
Literal
The burden of the word of YHWH against the land of Hadrach, and Damascus its resting place—For unto YHWH is an eye on mankind, and on all the tribes of Israel—
Latin
Onus verbi Domini in terra Hadrach et Damasci requiei ejus, quia Domini est oculus hominis et omnium tribuum Israël.

Original

Hebrew
English
This is the burden of the word of the LORD against the land of Hadrach and Damascus its resting place—for the eyes of men and of all the tribes of Israel are upon the LORD—

Notes

Zechariah 9:1

  • Aram was a city-state located on Israel's northern border, along the trade route linking Mesopotamia to the Mediterranean coast. Aram was sometimes an ally and sometimes an enemy of Israel and Judah.

  • Damascus, the capital of Aram, marked the northern boundary of the ideal Hebrew state (Ezekiel 47:16–18).

Zechariah 9:1–11:17

This is the burden of the word: This is the superscription (introductory heading) for the entire section. It includes the term message (or oracle, burden), which is a prophetic statement of judgment. Using this word gives the message divine authority. These prophecies may relate to events between Zechariah’s time and the coming of Christ.

Zechariah 9:1–14:21

The second part of Zechariah differs from the first in several ways. Zechariah 9–14 has an apocalyptic style (a style that uses symbolic language to describe God’s future actions). It combines unclear references to past events with visions that look ahead to the future.

These messages alternate between warnings of judgment on other nations and promises of rescue for Israel. This section does not name Zechariah directly. Instead, it presents God speaking in his own voice. Most scholars think these messages come from a later time in Zechariah’s ministry.

Zechariah 9:1–8

This message reassured the Judeans that they should not fear their three main neighbors:

  • Syria (Aram),

  • the Phoenicians (Tyre and Sidon), and

  • the Philistines.

These neighbors were rivals of Judah and often tried to gain commercial and territorial advantages. God said their efforts would fail.

Theme notes and profiles

Apocalyptic Literature

Events

People

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

Places

Damascus: Ancient city, capital of Syria, important in biblical history Hadrach: A region mentioned in a prophetic oracle of judgment

Glossary

Gaza Hadrach Zechariah, Book of

Topics

Church: Prophecies Concerning Prosperity of Damascus: Prophecies Concerning Gentiles: Prophecies of the Conversion of Hadrach: A District of Syria Jesus, the Christ: Prophecies Concerning Universality of the Kingdom of Syria: Prophecies Concerning