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Zechariah 9
The book's tone changes here, opening a second half. An oracle sweeps down the map from Hadrach and Damascus through Hamath, the proud merchant cities Tyre and Sidon, and the Philistine towns Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron and Ashdod — naming who will be humbled and who, like Ekron, absorbed into Judah. Then comes the famous reversal of v. 9: Zion is told to rejoice because her king arrives not on a warhorse but "lowly, and riding on a donkey," who will speak peace to the nations.
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A revelation. The LORD’s word is against the land of Hadrach, and will rest upon Damascus— for the eye of man and of all the tribes of Israel is toward the LORD—
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and Hamath, also, which borders on it, Tyre and Sidon, because they are very wise.
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Tyre built herself a stronghold, and heaped up silver like the dust, and fine gold like the mire of the streets.
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Behold, the Lord will dispossess her, and he will strike her power in the sea; and she will be devoured with fire.
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Ashkelon will see it, and fear; Gaza also, and will writhe in agony; as will Ekron, for her expectation will be disappointed; and the king will perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon will not be inhabited.
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Foreigners will dwell in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines.
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I will take away his blood out of his mouth, and his abominations from between his teeth; and he also will be a remnant for our God; and he will be as a chieftain in Judah, and Ekron as a Jebusite.
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I will encamp around my house against the army, that no one pass through or return; and no oppressor will pass through them any more: for now I have seen with my eyes.
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Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout, daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King comes to you! He is righteous, and having salvation; lowly, and riding on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
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I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem. The battle bow will be cut off; and he will speak peace to the nations. His dominion will be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.
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As for you also, because of the blood of your covenant, I have set free your prisoners from the pit in which is no water.
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Turn to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope! Even today I declare that I will restore double to you.
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For indeed I bend Judah as a bow for me. I have loaded the bow with Ephraim. I will stir up your sons, Zion, against your sons, Greece, and will make you like the sword of a mighty man.
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The LORD will be seen over them. His arrow will flash like lightning. The Lord GOD will blow the trumpet, and will go with whirlwinds of the south.
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The LORD of Armies will defend them. They will destroy and overcome with sling stones. They will drink, and roar as through wine. They will be filled like bowls, like the corners of the altar.
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The LORD their God will save them in that day as the flock of his people; for they are like the jewels of a crown, lifted on high over his land.
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For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! Grain will make the young men flourish, and new wine the virgins.
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Uma revelação. A palavra do SENHOR é contra a terra de Hadraque, e repousará sobre Damasco — pois os olhos dos homens e de todas as tribos de Israel estão voltados para o SENHOR —
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e também Hamate, que faz fronteira com ela, Tiro e Sidom, porque são muito sábias.
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Tiro construiu para si uma fortaleza, e amontoou prata como o pó, e ouro fino como a lama das ruas.
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Eis que o Senhor a desapossará, e ferirá o seu poder no mar; e ela será devorada pelo fogo.
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Asquelom verá isso e temerá; Gaza também, e se contorcerá de agonia; como também Ecrom, pois a sua esperança será frustrada; e o rei perecerá de Gaza, e Asquelom não será habitada.
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Estrangeiros habitarão em Asdode, e eu eliminarei o orgulho dos filisteus.
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Tirarei o sangue da sua boca, e as suas abominações de entre os seus dentes; e ele também será um remanescente para o nosso Deus; e será como um líder em Judá, e Ecrom como um jebuseu.
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Acamparei ao redor da minha casa contra o exército, para que ninguém passe ou retorne; e nenhum opressor passará mais por eles: pois agora eu vi com os meus olhos.
- 9
Alegre-se muito, filha de Sião! Grite de alegria, filha de Jerusalém! Eis que o seu Rei vem a você! Ele é justo, e traz a salvação; humilde, e montado em um jumento, sim, em um jumentinho, cria de jumenta.
- 10
Eliminarei o carro de guerra de Efraim e o cavalo de Jerusalém. O arco de batalha será quebrado; e ele falará de paz às nações. O seu domínio será de mar a mar, e desde o Rio até os confins da terra.
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Quanto a você também, por causa do sangue da sua aliança, eu libertei os seus prisioneiros da cova em que não há água.
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Voltem para a fortaleza, prisioneiros da esperança! Ainda hoje declaro que restaurarei o dobro a vocês.
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Pois de fato curvo Judá como um arco para mim. Eu carreguei o arco com Efraim. Despertarei os seus filhos, Sião, contra os seus filhos, Grécia, e farei de você como a espada de um valente.
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O SENHOR será visto sobre eles. Sua flecha brilhará como o relâmpago. O Senhor DEUS tocará a trombeta, e marchará com os redemoinhos do sul.
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O SENHOR dos Exércitos os defenderá. Eles destruirão e vencerão com pedras de funda. Eles beberão, e rugirão como sob o efeito do vinho. Ficarão cheios como as bacias, como os cantos do altar.
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O SENHOR, o seu Deus, os salvará naquele dia como o rebanho do seu povo; pois eles são como as joias de uma coroa, erguidas bem alto sobre a sua terra.
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Pois quão grande é a sua bondade, e quão grande é a sua beleza! O trigo fará os jovens florescerem, e o vinho novo, as virgens.
Prisoners of hope
After the gentle king disarms chariot and battle bow, the chapter turns militant again: God will bend Judah like a bow, rouse Zion's sons against Greece, and defend his flock so they shine "like the jewels of a crown." The captives are called "prisoners of hope," promised double restoration (v. 12).
The pairing is deliberate — a humble, peace-speaking king alongside God fighting for his people — and it sets the shepherd theme that chapter 10 takes up.
Context layers
Keep these closed by default and open them only when you want more context.
- CovenantWhat covenant means in the Bible, how it shapes the story of Scripture, and why it matters for reading both Testaments together.
- HopeWhat biblical hope means, how it differs from optimism, and which passages show its shape most clearly.
- PeaceWhat peace means in the Bible, how it relates to reconciliation with God, and why it is more than calm feelings or conflict avoidance.
- SalvationWhat salvation means in the Bible, how it relates to rescue from sin and judgment, and where to read it clearly.
- Genesis 15:17-18Key passage connected to Covenant.
- Jeremiah 31:31-34Key passage connected to Covenant.
- Hebrews 8:6-13Key passage connected to Covenant.
- Lamentations 3:21-24Key passage connected to Hope.
- Romans 5:3-5Key passage connected to Hope.
- 1 Peter 1:3-5Key passage connected to Hope.
- Isaiah 9:6-7Key passage connected to Peace.
- Romans 5:1Key passage connected to Peace.
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