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.
Read it in contextThe Burden against Israel’s Enemies
Start reading at Zechariah 9:1 (Zechariah 9:1 to Zechariah 9:8).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The oracles present the coming king and conflicts involving the flock and shepherds, requiring careful attention to their changing images.
9:1The 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.
9:2And Hamath also shall border thereby; Tyrus, and Zidon, though it be very wise.
9:3And Tyrus did build herself a strong hold, and heaped up silver as the dust, and fine gold as the mire of the streets.
9:4Behold, the LORD will cast her out, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be devoured with fire.
9:5Ashkelon 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.
9:6And a bastard shall dwell in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines.
9:7And I will take away his blood out of his mouth, and his abominations from between his teeth: but he that remaineth, even he, shall be for our God, and he shall be as a governor in Judah, and Ekron as a Jebusite.
9:8And I will encamp about mine house because of the army, because of him that passeth by, and because of him that returneth: and no oppressor shall pass through them any more: for now have I seen with mine eyes.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Zechariah son of Berechiah, son of Iddo, is the named prophet and traditional author. The composition of the later portions is debated. Biblical references: Zechariah 1:1. stated in the text
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Zechariah 9:1–11:17): Israel, Judah, surrounding peoples, and their leaders appear in oracles concerning judgment, deliverance, and the shepherds of the flock. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? The restored community of Judah and Jerusalem, with messages for its leaders and visions extending beyond that immediate community. Biblical references: Zechariah 1:3; Zechariah 4:9; Zechariah 7:5. stated in the text
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? The Burden against Israel’s Enemies. Read Zechariah 9:1 through Zechariah 9:8 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The oracles present the coming king and conflicts involving the flock and shepherds, requiring careful attention to their changing images. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The opening dates messages to Darius' reign; later oracles are not all introduced with the same level of dating. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? The returned community, Jerusalem, the temple, and symbolic visionary scenes are central, with wider nations and conflicts in view. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in The Burden against Israel’s Enemies (Zechariah 9:1 to Zechariah 9:8).
Start reading at Zechariah 9:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The Gospels explicitly connect the king riding on an ass with Jesus' entry into Jerusalem and cite other passages in the passion accounts. Additional identifications should still be marked as interpretation. See Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 21:4, Matthew 21:5, Zechariah 13:7, Matthew 26:31. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Join worship with truth, mercy, and justice. Begin interpretation of a vision with its supplied explanation and avoid treating speculation about present events as the words of the prophecy. interpretation
Cited: Zechariah 9:1, Zechariah 9:8, Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 21:4, Matthew 21:5, Zechariah 13:7, Matthew 26:31
Who wrote it, and how we know
ZechariahNamed in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book opens with the word of the LORD to Zechariah. Zechariah 1:1
Early traditionTradition names Zechariah.
What is debatedSome scholars propose a second author for chapters 9 through 14.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Zechariah 9
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Zechariah's dated opening belongs to the post-exilic setting under Darius. The book includes interpreted visions, exhortations, and later oracles. Retain explanations supplied by the text and label further symbolic connections as interpretation. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The oracles present the coming king and conflicts involving the flock and shepherds, requiring careful attention to their changing images.
Connection to the wholeThe oracles present the coming king and conflicts involving the flock and shepherds, requiring careful attention to their changing images.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The oracles present the coming king and conflicts involving the flock and shepherds, requiring careful attention to their changing images.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Zechariah
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Zechariah's dated opening belongs to the post-exilic setting under Darius. The book includes interpreted visions, exhortations, and later oracles. Retain explanations supplied by the text and label further symbolic connections as interpretation.
Connection to the wholeA sequence of visions and explanations addresses the community's situation and the LORD's purposes, followed by the symbolic crowning.
Connection to the wholeThe oracles present the coming king and conflicts involving the flock and shepherds, requiring careful attention to their changing images.
Connection to the wholeThe closing oracles move through mourning, cleansing, conflict, and the LORD's kingship; detailed fulfillments must be argued rather than assumed.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.