Zechariah 9:13

Zion’s Coming King · Zechariah 9:9–13
Read Zechariah 9

Translations

Modern
For I will bend Judah as My bow and fit it with Ephraim. I will rouse your sons, O Zion, against the sons of Greece. I will make you like the sword of a mighty man.
Traditional
When I have bent Judah for me, filled the bow with Ephraim, and raised up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and made thee as the sword of a mighty man.
Literal
For I have bent for Myself Judah as a bow, I have filled it with Ephraim, and I have raised up your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Javan, and I have set like the sword of a mighty one!
Latin
Quoniam extendi mihi Judam quasi arcum: implevi Ephraim: et suscitabo filios tuos, Sion, super filios tuos, Græcia: et ponam te quasi gladium fortium.

Original

Hebrew
English
For I will bend Judah as My bow and fit it with Ephraim. I will rouse your sons, O Zion, against the sons of Greece. I will make you like the sword of a mighty man.

Notes

In Zechariah’s time, the Persian Empire and the Greeks were competing for power. Looking ahead, God promised to judge the Greeks, who may also represent all Gentile nations.

Zechariah may be pointing to the vision recorded in the book of Daniel, where Greece appears as a future ruling power (Daniel 8:21–22).

The second message of Zechariah’s first oracle (Zechariah 9–11) contrasts war and peace, themes that have shaped human history. Judah’s future deliverer-king will win in battle, yet remain righteous and humble (Zechariah 9:9). He will bring peace to all nations during his universal reign (Zechariah 9:10).

Theme notes and profiles

Apocalyptic Literature

Events

Parallels

Matthew 21:1–11 Mark 11:1–11 Luke 19:28–40 John 12:12–19

People

Ephraim: Second son of Joseph, and a tribe of Israel Judah: Israelite tribe, kingdom, and province

Places

Greece: A nation and culture, often in opposition to Israel Jerusalem: The capital of Israel, a holy city for three religions

Glossary

Gaza Greece, Greek Jubilee Year Zechariah, Book of

Topics

Archery: Practiced by the Israelites Greece: Prophecies Concerning Zion: Applied to Jerusalem Zion: Restoration of, Promised