Zechariah 9:5

Translations

Modern

Ashkelon will see and fear; Gaza will writhe in agony, as will Ekron, for her hope will wither. There will cease to be a king in Gaza, and Ashkelon will be uninhabited.

Traditional

Ashkelon shall see it, and fear; Gaza also shall see it, and be very sorrowful, and Ekron; for her expectation shall be ashamed; and the king shall perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon shall not be inhabited.

Literal

Ashkelon will see and fear, and also Gaza will greatly writhe, and Ekron, for her expectation He has dried up. And the king will perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon will not be inhabited,

Latin

Videbit Ascalon, et timebit, et Gaza, et dolebit nimis, et Accaron, quoniam confusa est spes ejus: et peribit rex de Gaza, et Ascalon non habitabitur.

Original

Hebrew

English

Ashkelon will see and fear; Gaza will writhe in agony, as will Ekron, for her hope will wither. There will cease to be a king in Gaza, and Ashkelon will be uninhabited.

Notes

Zechariah 9:5–6

Ashkelon … Gaza … Ekron … Ashdod: These Philistine cities are on Israel's coastal plain. David defeated them (2 Samuel 5:17–25), but they later regained some independence. The prophets Amos and Zephaniah predicted similar judgments against these four cities (Amos 1:6–8; Zephaniah 2:4–7).

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

Prophecies of Zechariahc. 520 BC

Related verses

Acts 8:26
Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go south to the desert road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.”
Jeremiah 47:1
This is the word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet about the Philistines before Pharaoh struck down Gaza.
Revelation 18:9–17
Then the kings of the earth who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her will weep and wail at the sight of the smoke rising from the fire that consumes her.
Zephaniah 2:4–7
For Gaza will be abandoned, and Ashkelon left in ruins. Ashdod will be driven out at noon, and Ekron will be uprooted.
Philippians 1:20
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have complete boldness so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
Jeremiah 47:4–7
For the day has come to destroy all the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre and Sidon every remaining ally. Indeed, the LORD is about to destroy the Philistines, the remnant from the coasts of Caphtor.
Ezekiel 26:15–21
This is what the Lord GOD says to Tyre: ‘Will not the coastlands quake at the sound of your downfall, when the wounded groan at the slaughter in your midst?
Isaiah 20:5–6
Those who made Cush their hope and Egypt their boast will be dismayed and ashamed.
Isaiah 14:29–31
Do not rejoice, all you Philistines, that the rod that struck you is broken. For a viper will spring from the root of the snake, and a flying serpent from its egg.
Ezekiel 25:15–17
This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Because the Philistines acted in vengeance, taking vengeance with malice of soul to destroy Judah with ancient hostility,
Jeremiah 51:8–9
Suddenly Babylon has fallen and been shattered. Wail for her; get her balm for her pain; perhaps she can be healed.
Romans 5:5
And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.

Places

Ashkelon: A major Philistine city, often a target of prophecy Ekron: One of the five major Philistine city-states Gaza: Philistine city; Samson's exploits; Philip's ministry

Glossary

Ashkelon Ekron, Ekronites Gaza Zechariah, Book of

Topics

Ashkelon: Prophecies Concerning Ekron: Prophecies Against Gaza: Also Called Azzah: Prophecies Relating To Hope of the Wicked Hope of the Wicked: Shall Make Them Ashamed Philistines: Prophecies Against The Philistines: Prophecies Respecting: Dismay at Ruin of Tyre Tyre: Prophecies Respecting: All Nations to be Terrified at Its Destruction

Zechariah 9:5

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