Zechariah 8:1-17

1 The LORD of Armies spoke his word.

2 This is what the LORD of Armies says: I am very jealous about Zion. I am fiercely possessive of it.

3 This is what the LORD says: I will return to Zion and live in Jerusalem. Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth. The mountain of the LORD of Armies will be called the holy mountain.

4 This is what the LORD of Armies says: Old men and old women will again sit in the streets of Jerusalem. Each will have a cane in hand because of old age.

5 The city will be filled with boys and girls playing in the streets.

6 This is what the LORD of Armies says: It may seem impossible to the few remaining people in those days, but will it seem impossible to me? declares the LORD of Armies.

7 This is what the LORD of Armies says: I am going to save my people from the land where the sun rises and from the land where the sun sets.

8 I will bring them back, and they will live in Jerusalem. They will be my people, and I will be their God, who is faithful and just.

9 This is what the LORD of Armies says: Be strong so that the temple might be rebuilt, you people who are presently listening to the words from the mouths of the prophets who spoke when the foundation for the house of the LORD of Armies was laid.

10 Before that time there was no money to hire any person or animal. No one who traveled was safe from the enemy. I turned every person against his neighbor.

11 But now I won't deal with the few remaining people as I did in earlier times, declares the LORD of Armies.

12 Seeds will thrive in peacetime. Vines will produce their grapes. The land will yield its crops. The sky will produce its dew. I will give the few remaining people all these things as an inheritance.

13 Just as you, people of Judah and people of Israel, have been a curse among the nations, so I will now save you, and you will become a blessing. Don't be afraid. Let your hands work hard.

14 This is what the LORD of Armies says: When your ancestors made me angry, I made plans to destroy you, declares the LORD of Armies, and I didn't change my plans.

15 So now I have again made plans, but this time to do good to Jerusalem and the people of Judah. Don't be afraid.

16 You must do these things: Speak the truth to each other. Give correct and fair verdicts for peace in your courts.

17 Don't even think of doing evil to each other. Don't enjoy false testimony. I hate all these things, declares the LORD.

Zechariah 8:1-17 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ZECHARIAH 8

This chapter contains promises of various blessings to the people of the Jews; and exhortations to each of the duties incumbent on them; and is concluded with a prophecy of the calling of the Gentiles. The cause of all the blessings promised is the love of God to them, signified by zeal, or jealousy for them, Zec 8:1,2. The blessings promised are the Lord's return to dwell in Jerusalem, and the integrity and holiness of that city, Zec 8:3. The long life of the inhabitants of it, and the plenty of children that should be born in it, Zec 8:4,5 and, however wonderful and incredible this might seem to some, it was not to the Lord, who was determined to bring his people that were in various distant countries to Jerusalem, and settle them there; and renew and reestablish his covenant with them, Zec 8:6-8 wherefore the Lord encourages them to go on in rebuilding the temple, Zec 8:9 and promises them that things would be better with them than in times past; that whereas there had been nothing but penury, affliction, and distress, now there should be great affluence and prosperity, Zec 8:10-12 and though before they were a curse among the nations, now they should be a blessing; and though their fathers were punished, they should be dealt well with, Zec 8:13-15 and then they are exhorted to the discharge of several duties mentioned, to which they are induced by the Lord's hatred of that which is evil, and by his turning their fasts into cheerful feasts. Zec 8:16-19 to which is added a prophecy of the calling and conversion of the Gentiles, which would make for the glory of the Jewish church; who are described by their numbers, being many people, and the inhabitants of many cities; by their association together, to pray to the Lord, and worship him; by their coming up to Jerusalem for that purpose; and by their junction with the Jews, to which they will be encouraged by having heard that God is with them, Zec 8:20-23.