Keraia
Zechariah 9

Zechariah 9:2

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

Translations

Modern
…and also against Hamath, which borders it, as well as Tyre and Sidon, though they are very shrewd.
Traditional
And Hamath also shall border thereby; Tyrus, and Zidon, though it be very wise.
Literal
…and Hamath that borders on her, and Tyre and Sidon, though they are very wise.
Latin
Emath quoque in terminis ejus, et Tyrus, et Sidon: assumpserunt quippe sibi sapientiam valde.

Original

Hebrew
English
…and also against Hamath, which borders it, as well as Tyre and Sidon, though they are very shrewd.

Notes

Zechariah 9:2

  • Hamath was a fortress city on a southern trade route from Asia Minor. It marked the northern boundary of Israel (see Numbers 13:21; Joshua 13:5).

  • The twin port cities of Tyre and Sidon were independent Phoenician kingdoms on the Mediterranean coast north of Israel (modern-day Lebanon). They often appear together in biblical texts (for example, Ezra 3:7; Joel 3:4; Luke 10:13–14). These cities were famous for their maritime trade wealth. However, Old Testament prophets criticized their pride and harsh policies and predicted their destruction (Isaiah 23; Ezekiel 26:3–14; Amos 1:9–10).

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

Places

Hamath: A major city and kingdom in Syria, often mentioned in the Bible Sidon: Phoenician city; home of Jezebel Tyre: A major Phoenician port city, known for its trade

Glossary

Gaza Hamath Sidon (Place), Sidonian Zechariah, Book of

Topics

Tyre: City of Commerce of Tyre: Prophecies Respecting: Its Second Destruction by the Macedonians