Zechariah 12:1
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. | This is the burden of the word of the LORD concerning Israel. Thus declares the LORD, who stretches out the heavens and lays the foundation of the earth, who forms the spirit of man within him: | The burden of the word of Jehovah concerning Israel. Thus saith Jehovah, who stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him: |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedThis verse opens the second 'burden' of Zechariah (chapters 12-14), which is about Jerusalem and the day of the LORD. Before giving the promises that follow, the LORD names himself as the one who stretches out the heavens, lays the earth's foundation, and forms the human spirit. That Creator title backs the promises that he will defend Jerusalem and pour out 'the spirit of grace and of supplications.' Zechariah 12:1Zechariah overviewZechariah 12:2Zechariah 12:8Zechariah 12:10
SpeakingThe LORD speaks ('saith the LORD'). Traditional: the message comes through the prophet Zechariah, son of Berechiah. Scholarly: many scholars assign chapters 9-14 to a later writer or writers, while others hold that Zechariah wrote the whole book. Zechariah 12:1Zechariah overview
ToThe book is addressed to the people of Judah who had returned from exile in Babylon, along with their leaders Zerubbabel and Joshua. Zechariah overview
Also involvedThe message is 'for Israel.' It goes on to concern Jerusalem, Judah, the house of David, and the nations that come against Jerusalem. Zechariah 12:1Zechariah 12:2Zechariah 12:7Zechariah 12:9
The verse is a heading and a self-description. It calls what follows a 'burden' (an oracle) of the LORD's word. It grounds that word in God's work as Maker of heaven, earth, and the spirit inside every person. Zechariah 12:1Strong's H4853BStrong's H1697G
The book is addressed to Jerusalem and Judah, and its dated messages were given in Jerusalem among the returned exiles. This oracle centers on Jerusalem and the peoples 'round about' it. Zechariah overviewZechariah 12:2
The eventsThe events promised in the chapter are set 'in that day.' The text does not give a date for them. Zechariah 12:3Zechariah 12:4Zechariah 12:8Zechariah 12:11
WrittenTraditional: Zechariah wrote the whole book, with dated messages from about 520 to 518 BC. Scholarly: most scholars place chapters 1-8 in 520-518 BC. Chapters 9-14 have no dates, and many scholars assign them to a later writer or writers, while others hold that Zechariah wrote them. Zechariah overview
HereThe Creator titles show that the One making these promises has the power to keep them. He can make Jerusalem 'a burdensome stone for all people,' and he can change hearts by pouring out his spirit. The same pattern, where God names himself Creator before a promise, appears in Isaiah 42:5, Isaiah 44:24, and Isaiah 48:13. Zechariah 12:1Zechariah 12:3Zechariah 12:10Isaiah 42:5Isaiah 44:24Isaiah 48:13
In the whole of ScriptureThis verse begins the book's final section, which looks ahead to Jerusalem's cleansing and the day when 'the LORD shall be king over all the earth.' Verse 10 of this chapter, 'they shall look upon me whom they have pierced,' is quoted in John 19:37. Zechariah overviewZechariah 12:10
For readersThe God who made the heavens and earth also formed each person's inner spirit. Scripture calls him 'the Father of spirits,' to whom we should be subject and live. His promises rest on his power as Maker, and he will endure even when the heavens wax old like a garment. Zechariah 12:1Hebrews 12:9Psalms 102:25Psalms 102:26
- burdenמַשָּׂא
The word is glossed 'oracle,' with the meanings 'utterance, oracle, burden.' It marks this as a formal prophetic message, the heading of a new section of the book. Strong's H4853BZechariah overview
- stretcheth forthנָטָה
It means to stretch out or spread out, including to pitch a tent. The same picture of God stretching out the heavens appears in Isaiah 42:5, Isaiah 44:24, and Jeremiah 51:15. Strong's H5186Isaiah 42:5Isaiah 44:24Jeremiah 51:15
- formethיָצַר
It means to form, fashion, or frame. The lexicon lists its use for God's original creation, for forming individuals at conception, and for forming Israel as a people. Isaiah 44:24 uses the same idea: 'he that formed thee from the womb.' Strong's H3335GIsaiah 44:24
- spiritרוּחַ
The word can mean wind, breath, mind, or spirit, including the life-breath in a living being. Isaiah 57:16 likewise speaks of 'the spirit' and 'the souls which I have made.' God who forms this inner spirit in verse 1 also promises to pour out 'the spirit of grace' in verse 10. Strong's H7307GIsaiah 57:16Zechariah 12:10
Takeaway
Zechariah 12:1 introduces God's promises for Jerusalem by naming him the Maker of heaven, earth, and the human spirit. Because he made all things, he can keep every word that follows. Zechariah 12:1Isaiah 48:13Psalms 102:25
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.
Original Hebrew words
| English | Hebrew | Say it | Strong's | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [the] oracle of | מַשָּׂ֥א | ma-SA' | H4853B | oracleמַשָּׂא (mas.sa) utterance, oracle, burden |
| [the] word of | דְבַר־ | de-var- | H1697G | wordדָּבָר (da.var) : word/speech/command 1) speech, word, speaking, thing 1a) speech 1b) saying, utterance 1c) word, words 1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension) |
| Yahweh | יְהוָ֖ה | 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) |
| on | עַל־ | 'al- | H5921A | uponעַל (al) prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) … |
| Israel | יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל | YIS-ra-'EL | H3478 | Jacobיַעֲקֹב (ya.a.qov) A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently Another name of yis.ra.el (יִשְׂרָאֵל "Israel" H3478) § Jacob = "heel holder" or "supplanter" … |
| [the] utterance of | נְאֻם־ | ne-'um- | H5002 | utteranceנְאֻם (ne.um) 1) (Qal) utterance, declaration (of prophet) 1a) utterance, declaration, revelation (of prophet in ecstatic state) 1b) utterance, declaration (elsewhere always preceding divine name) |
| Yahweh | יְהוָ֗ה | 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) |
| [who] stretched out | נֹטֶ֤ה | no-TEH | H5186 | to stretchנָטָה (na.tah) 1) to stretch out, extend, spread out, pitch, turn, pervert, incline, bend, bow 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to stretch out, extend, stretch, offer 1a2) to spread out, pitch (tent) 1a3) to bend, turn, incline 1a3a) to turn aside, incline, decline, bend down 1a3b) to bend, bow 1a3c) to hold out, extend (fig.) 1b) (Niphal) to be stretched out 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to stretch out 1c2) to spread out 1c3) to turn, incline, influence, bend down, hold out, extend, thrust aside, thrust away |
| heaven | שָׁמַ֙יִם֙ | sha-MA-yim | H8064 | heavenשָׁמַיִם (sha.ma.yim) 1) heaven, heavens, sky 1a) visible heavens, sky 1a1) as abode of the stars 1a2) as the visible universe, the sky, atmosphere, etc 1b) Heaven (as the abode of God) Aramaic equivalent: sha.ma.yin (שָׁמַ֫יִן "heaven" H8065) |
| and [who] founded | וְיֹסֵ֣ד | ve-yo-SED | H3245 | to foundיָסַד (ya.sad) 1) to found, fix, establish, lay foundation 1a) (Qal) to found, establish, begin 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to fix or seat themselves close together, sit in conclave 1b2) to be founded 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to found 1c2) to establish, appoint, ordain 1d) (Pual) to be founded, be laid 1e) (Hophal) to be founded |
| earth | אָ֔רֶץ | 'A-retz | H0776G | land: country/planetאֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) : country/field 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth … |
| and [who] formed | וְיֹצֵ֥ר | ve-yo-TZER | H3335G | to form: formedיָצַר (ya.tsar) : formed 1) to form, fashion, frame 1a) (Qal) to form, fashion 1a1) of human activity 1a2) of divine activity 1a2a) of creation 1a2a1) of original creation 1a2a2) of individuals at conception 1a2a3) of Israel as a people 1a2b) to frame, pre-ordain, plan (fig. of divine) purpose of a situation) 1b) (Niphal) to be formed, be created 1c) (Pual) to be predetermined, be pre-ordained 1d) (Hophal) to be formed |
| [the] spirit of | רֽוּחַ־ | RU-ach- | H7307G | spiritרוּחַ (ru.ach) : spirit 1) wind, breath, mind, spirit 1a) breath 1b) wind 1b1) of heaven 1b2) quarter (of wind), side 1b3) breath of air 1b4) air, gas 1b5) vain, empty thing 1c) spirit (as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation) 1c1) spirit, animation, vivacity, vigour 1c2) courage 1c3) temper, anger 1c4) impatience, patience 1c5) spirit, disposition (as troubled, bitter, discontented) 1c6) disposition (of various kinds), unaccountable or uncontrollable impulse 1c7) prophetic spirit 1d) spirit (of the living, breathing being in man and animals) … |
| a human | אָדָ֖ם | 'a-DAM | H0120G | manאָדָם (a.dam) 1) man, mankind 1a) man, human being 1b) man, mankind (much more frequently intended sense in OT) 1c) Adam, first man 1d) city in Jordan valley |
| in inner being his | בְּקִרְבּֽוֹ׃ פ | be-kir-BO | H7130G | entrails: amongקֶ֫רֶב (qe.rev) : among/within 1) midst, among, inner part, middle 1a) inward part 1a1) physical sense 1a2) as seat of thought and emotion 1a3) as faculty of thought and emotion 1b) in the midst, among, from among (of a number of persons) 1c) entrails (of sacrificial animals) Also means: qe.rev (קֶ֫רֶב ": inner_parts" H7130H) |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.