Zechariah 1:17
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the LORD shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem. | Proclaim further that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘My cities will again overflow with prosperity; the LORD will again comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem.’” | Cry yet again, saying, Thus saith Jehovah of hosts: My cities shall yet overflow with prosperity; and Jehovah shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem. |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedThis verse closes Zechariah's first night vision, before the next vision of four horns begins. The angel of the LORD had asked how long God would withhold mercy from Jerusalem after seventy years of anger, and God answered with comforting words. Here Zechariah is told to proclaim even more: the LORD's cities will overflow with good, and the LORD will again comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem. Zechariah 1:12Zechariah 1:13Zechariah 1:16Zechariah 1:17Zechariah 1:18
SpeakingThe LORD of hosts gives the message. The angel who talked with Zechariah tells the prophet to cry it out. Zechariah 1:14Zechariah 1:17
ToZechariah was to proclaim it to the people of Judah who had come back from exile in Babylon. Zechariah 1:3Zechariah overview
Also involvedJerusalem, Zion and the cities of Judah are in view. God had had indignation against them for seventy years. Zechariah 1:12Zechariah 1:17
The word "yet" comes four times. First Zechariah is told to "cry yet," that is, to proclaim once more. Then come three promises: the LORD's cities will spread out with prosperity, he will comfort Zion, and he will choose Jerusalem. This follows his word that he has returned to Jerusalem with mercies and that his house will be built there. Zechariah 1:16Zechariah 1:17Strong's H5750
Zechariah was among the returned exiles in Jerusalem. The promise concerns Jerusalem, also called Zion, and the LORD's cities. Zechariah overviewJerusalemZionStrong's H6726Zechariah 1:17
The eventsThe vision came at night on the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, Sebat, in the second year of Darius. Ezra shows that the temple rebuilding had stalled and was being started again at that time. Zechariah 1:7Zechariah 1:8Zechariah overview
WrittenTraditional: Zechariah wrote these messages between about 520 and 518 BC. Scholarly: most scholars agree that chapters 1-8, including this verse, come from Zechariah in those years, while many assign chapters 9-14 to a later writer or writers. Zechariah overview
HereThe verse answers the angel's cry of "how long" with the LORD's comfortable words. It shows that God's season of anger toward Jerusalem was giving way to mercy and rebuilding. Zechariah 1:12Zechariah 1:13Zechariah 1:16
In the whole of ScriptureGod called his people to turn to him and promised to turn to them. He was angry with the nations that made Judah's affliction worse, and the next vision shows the horns that scattered Judah being cast out. Other Scripture gives the same promise: the LORD shall comfort Zion, build the cities of Judah, and choose Jerusalem again. Zechariah 1:3Zechariah 1:15Zechariah 1:21Isaiah 51:3Psalms 69:35Zechariah 2:12
For readersGod's discipline of his people had an end, and his mercy went further than his anger. As Isaiah puts it, "In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee." Zechariah 1:15Isaiah 54:8
- yetעוֹד
The word means still, yet, again, or more. It appears four times in this verse: once in the command to cry out again, and once in each of the three promises about the cities, Zion and Jerusalem. Strong's H5750Zechariah 1:17
- spread abroadפּוּץ
The word means to flow or overflow. The LORD's cities are pictured as overflowing with good. Strong's H6327CZechariah 1:17
- prosperityטוֹב
The word means a good thing, welfare, or prosperity. Here it is the good that fills the LORD's cities. Psalm 69:35 also promises that God will build the cities of Judah. Strong's H2896BZechariah 1:17Psalms 69:35
- comfortנָחַם
The word means to comfort or console, and also to be moved to pity. It links with the "comfortable words" God spoke in verse 13 and with Isaiah's promise that the LORD shall comfort Zion. Strong's H5162GZechariah 1:13Isaiah 51:3
- chooseבָּחַר
The word means to choose or elect. Zechariah 2:12 repeats the promise that the LORD "shall choose Jerusalem again," and Isaiah 14:1 says he will "yet choose Israel." Strong's H0977Zechariah 2:12Isaiah 14:1
Takeaway
After seventy years of judgment, God promised the returned exiles that his anger was not his last word. He would fill his cities with good, comfort Zion, and choose Jerusalem again. Zechariah 1:12Zechariah 1:17Isaiah 54:8
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-28.
The world around the text
About 520-518 BC. King of Persia: Darius I (522-486 BC). Where Zechariah prophesied. A small, poor community was rebuilding the temple among the ruins of the city Babylon had burned.
Who ruled
- King of PersiaDarius I522-486 BC
Zechariah dates his messages by the years of Darius. Darius confirmed Cyrus's decree and ordered the temple work to go on at royal expense. Zechariah 1:1Zechariah 7:1Ezra 6:1-12Haggai 1:1Behistun Inscription
- Governor of JudahZerubbabelc. 520 BC
A descendant of David who led the rebuilding. "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it." Zechariah 4:6-10Haggai 1:1Ezra 3:8
- High priestJoshua the high priestc. 520 BC
Called Jeshua in Ezra. He stands in Zechariah's vision clothed in filthy garments, which are taken away, and later receives crowns as a sign. Zechariah 3:1-10Zechariah 6:11Haggai 1:1Ezra 3:2
- Persian governor "on this side the river"Tattenaic. 520 BC
The governor of the province west of the Euphrates. He asked who had allowed the building, wrote to Darius, and was told to let the work go on. Ezra 5:3-6Ezra 6:6-13
What was happening, 539 BC to 332 BC
- 539 BCWarBabylon falls to Cyrus
Cyrus king of Persia took Babylon, ending the empire that had destroyed Jerusalem. Daniel 5:30-31Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)Cyrus Cylinder
- 538 BCGod's peopleThe first return
Cyrus let the exiles go home to build the LORD's house. About fifty thousand returned with Zerubbabel and Jeshua. Ezra 1:1-4Ezra 2:1-2Ezra 2:64-65
- c. 536 BCGod's peopleThe foundation is laid, then the work stops
The returned exiles laid the temple's foundation with shouting and weeping. Opposition from their neighbors stopped the work until the second year of Darius. Ezra 3:10-13Ezra 4:4-5Ezra 4:24
- 525 BCWarPersia conquers Egypt
Cyrus's son Cambyses invaded and took Egypt, bringing the whole region from the Nile to the Indus under one king. Herodotus, Histories 3.1-16
- 522-521 BCWarDarius crushes the revolts
When Darius took the throne, provinces across the empire rebelled, Babylon twice. By 520 he had put them all down. Compare the riders' report in Zechariah's first vision: "all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest." Behistun InscriptionHerodotus, Histories 3.150-159Zechariah 1:11
- 520 BCGod's peopleHaggai and Zechariah stir the people to build
In Darius's second year the two prophets urged the people to take up the temple work again, and Zerubbabel and Jeshua began to build. Ezra 5:1-2Haggai 1:1-15Zechariah 1:1
- c. 520-519 BCRulersDarius confirms Cyrus's decree
Tattenai questioned the building. A search found Cyrus's decree at Achmetha, and Darius ordered the work to continue and be paid for from royal taxes. Ezra 5:3-6:12
- 515 BCBuildingThe second temple is finished
The temple was finished on the third day of Adar in Darius's sixth year and dedicated with joy. Ezra 6:14-18Zechariah 4:9
- 490-479 BCWarPersia's wars with Greece
Persia invaded Greece twice and was turned back at Marathon (490), Salamis (480) and Plataea (479). Greece, which Zechariah names in 9:13, was becoming Persia's great rival. Herodotus, Histories 6.102-117Herodotus, Histories 8.40-96Herodotus, Histories 9.1-89Zechariah 9:13
- 445 BCBuildingNehemiah rebuilds Jerusalem's walls
Under the Persian king Artaxerxes, Nehemiah came from Shushan and rebuilt the walls in fifty-two days. Nehemiah 2:1-8Nehemiah 6:15
- 332 BCWarAlexander takes Tyre and Gaza
Alexander the Great besieged island Tyre for seven months and then Gaza for two, on his way to Egypt. Zechariah 9 speaks of Tyre's "strong hold" and of Gaza, Ashkelon, Ekron and Ashdod. Arrian, Anabasis of Alexander 2.15-27Zechariah 9:3-7
The full picture: places, culture and daily life. Scripture first, then ancient records (the Behistun Inscription, the Cyrus Cylinder, the Babylonian Chronicles) and ancient writers (Herodotus, Arrian, Josephus). Drafted by Claude and not yet reviewed by a person.
Where
- Jerusalem settlementMapAbout this place
- Zion settlementMapAbout this place
Locations from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Some ancient sites are uncertain.
Original Hebrew words
| English | Hebrew | Say it | Strong's | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| again | ע֣וֹד׀ | od | H5750 | stillעוֹד (od) subst 1) a going round, continuance adv 2) still, yet, again, besides 2a) still, yet (of continuance or persistence) 2b) still, yet, more (of addition or repetition) 2c) again 2d) still, moreover, besides Aramaic equivalent: od (עוֹד "still" H5751) |
| proclaim | קְרָ֣א | ke-RA' | H7121I | to call: call toקָרָא (qa.ra) : call_to/invite/entreat 1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound 1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God) 1a3) to proclaim 1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read 1a5) to summon, invite, call for, call and commission, appoint, call and endow 1a6) to call, name, give name to, call by 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to call oneself 1b2) to be called, be proclaimed, be read aloud, be summoned, be named 1c) (Pual) to be called, be named, be called out, be chosen |
| to saying | לֵאמֹ֗ר | le-MOR | H0559 | to sayאָמַר (a.mar) 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560) |
| thus | כֹּ֤ה | koh | H3541 | thusכֹּה (koh) 1) thus, here, in this manner 1a) thus, so 1b) here, here and there 1c) until now, until now...until then, meanwhile Aramaic equivalent: kah (כָּה "thus" H3542) |
| he says | אָמַר֙ | 'a-MAR | H0559 | to sayאָמַר (a.mar) 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560) |
| Yahweh | יְהוָ֣ה | YAH-weh | H3068G | Lordאֲדֹנָי (a.do.nai) Lord - a title, spoken in place of Yahweh in Jewish display of reverence Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G) |
| of hosts | צְבָא֔וֹת | tze-va-'ot | H6635B | Hostsצָבָא (tsa.va) The Hosts (of the Lord) Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G) |
| again | ע֛וֹד | od | H5750 | stillעוֹד (od) subst 1) a going round, continuance adv 2) still, yet, again, besides 2a) still, yet (of continuance or persistence) 2b) still, yet, more (of addition or repetition) 2c) again 2d) still, moreover, besides Aramaic equivalent: od (עוֹד "still" H5751) |
| they will overflow | תְּפוּצֶ֥ינָה | te-fu-TZEI-nah | H6327C | to flowפּוּץ (puts) (Qal) to flow, overflow |
| cities my | עָרַ֖י | 'a-RAI | H5892B | cityעִיר (ir) 1) city, town (a place of waking, guarded) 1a) city, town (a place of waking, guarded) 1a) city, town |
| from good | מִטּ֑וֹב | mi-TOV | H2896B | goodטוֹב (tov) 1) a good thing, benefit, welfare 1a) welfare, prosperity, happiness 1b) good things (collective) 1c) good, benefit 1d) moral good |
| and he will comfort | וְנִחַ֨ם | ve-ni-CHAM | H5162G | to be sorry: comfortנָחַם (na.cham) : comfort 1) to be sorry, console oneself, repent, regret, comfort, be comforted 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to be sorry, be moved to pity, have compassion 1a2) to be sorry, rue, suffer grief, repent 1a3) to comfort oneself, be comforted 1a4) to comfort oneself, ease oneself 1b) (Piel) to comfort, console 1c) (Pual) to be comforted, be consoled 1d) (Hithpael) 1d1) to be sorry, have compassion 1d2) to rue, repent of 1d3) to comfort oneself, be comforted 1d4) to ease oneself Also means: na.cham (נָחַם ": relent" H5162H) |
| Yahweh | יְהוָ֥ה | YAH-weh | H3068G | Lordאֲדֹנָי (a.do.nai) Lord - a title, spoken in place of Yahweh in Jewish display of reverence Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G) |
| again | עוֹד֙ | 'Od | H5750 | stillעוֹד (od) subst 1) a going round, continuance adv 2) still, yet, again, besides 2a) still, yet (of continuance or persistence) 2b) still, yet, more (of addition or repetition) 2c) again 2d) still, moreover, besides Aramaic equivalent: od (עוֹד "still" H5751) |
| Zion | צִיּ֔וֹן | tzi-YON | H6726 | Zionצִיּוֹן (tsiy.yon) Zion = "parched place" another name for Jerusalem especially in the prophetic books Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389) |
| and he will choose | וּבָחַ֥ר | u-va-CHAR | H0977 | to chooseבָּחַר (ba.char) 1) to choose, elect, decide for 1a) (Qal) to choose 1b) (Niphal) to be chosen 1c) (Pual) to be chosen, selected |
| again | ע֖וֹד | od | H5750 | stillעוֹד (od) subst 1) a going round, continuance adv 2) still, yet, again, besides 2a) still, yet (of continuance or persistence) 2b) still, yet, more (of addition or repetition) 2c) again 2d) still, moreover, besides Aramaic equivalent: od (עוֹד "still" H5751) |
| in Jerusalem | בִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ ס | bi-ru-sha-LIM | H3389 | Arielאֲרִיאֵל (a.ri.el) Ariel = "lion of God" or "lioness of God" Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389) |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.