Zechariah 2

Zechariah · Chapter 2

Zechariah 2:9

1I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand.2Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof.3And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him,4And said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein:5For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.6Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, saith the LORD: for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the LORD.7Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon.8For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.9For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me.10Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD.11And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee.12And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again.13Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.

King James Version (1769)

Other translations

VerseKJVBSBASV
9For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me.I will surely wave My hand over them, so that they will become plunder for their own servants. Then you will know that the LORD of Hosts has sent Me.”For, behold, I will shake my hand over them, and they shall be a spoil to those that served them; and ye shall know that Jehovah of hosts hath sent me.

In context

AI-assisted, sourced

In one of Zechariah's night visions, God promises that Jerusalem will be inhabited and protected, and calls the exiles still with 'the daughter of Babylon' to flee. This verse gives the reason: the LORD will shake his hand against the nations that plundered his people, and they will become plunder for those who once served them. When that happens, God's people will know the speaker was truly sent by the LORD of hosts. Zechariah overviewZechariah 2:1Zechariah 2:4Zechariah 2:5Zechariah 2:6Zechariah 2:7Zechariah 2:8Zechariah 2:9

SpeakingOne sent by the LORD of hosts speaks. In verse 8 he says the LORD 'hath sent me unto the nations which spoiled you,' and he repeats the claim at the end of this verse and in verse 11. Zechariah 2:8Zechariah 2:9Zechariah 2:11

ToThe people of Zion, especially those still living 'with the daughter of Babylon,' and the returned exiles in Judah who received Zechariah's messages. Zechariah 2:7Zechariah overview

Also involved'Them' are the nations that plundered God's people. Verse 8 says touching God's people is like touching 'the apple of his eye.' Zechariah 2:8Zechariah 2:9

God threatens the oppressor nations with a shaken hand, a picture of his power used against enemies, as in Isaiah 19:16 over Egypt. The plunderers will be plundered, and their former servants will be over them. Isaiah 14:2 and Ezekiel 39:10 describe the same reversal: God's people 'spoil those that spoiled them.' Zechariah 2:9Isaiah 19:16Isaiah 11:15Isaiah 14:2Ezekiel 39:10Zephaniah 2:9

Zechariah received the message in Jerusalem among the returned exiles. It addresses Jews still in Babylon, 'the land of the north,' and speaks against the nations that had plundered Israel. Zechariah overviewZechariah 2:6Zechariah 2:7Zechariah 2:8

JUDAHMediterranean SeaJerusalemTyreSidonDamascusHamath 1GazaAshdodMegiddo

The eventsThe vision belongs to the night visions given to Zechariah after the return from exile, while the temple was being rebuilt under Darius king of Persia. The judgment on the nations is announced as still to come. Zechariah overviewZechariah 2:9

WrittenTraditional: Zechariah wrote it, about 520-518 BC. Scholarly: most scholars agree chapters 1-8, including this verse, come from Zechariah in 520-518 BC. Zechariah overview

HereThe verse gives a reason to flee Babylon and a reason to trust the messenger. Judgment is coming on the oppressors, and its arrival will prove the LORD sent him. Zechariah 2:7Zechariah 2:8Zechariah 2:9

In the whole of ScriptureThe phrase 'ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me' runs through Zechariah. It is tied to finishing the temple (4:9), to those far off coming to build (6:15), and to many nations joining the LORD (2:11). God judges his people's enemies, but his larger aim is to dwell in Zion and draw the nations to himself. Zechariah 2:9Zechariah 2:10Zechariah 2:11Zechariah 4:9Zechariah 6:15Zechariah overview

For readersGod treats harm done to his people as harm done to himself. When his word comes true, his messenger is shown to be genuine. Zechariah 2:8Zechariah 2:9Zechariah 6:15

Christians read this differently

The verse does not name the one the LORD of hosts 'hath sent.' Some read him as the prophet Zechariah, whose message will be proven true, as in 4:9. Others read him as a divine messenger, because the same speaker says 'I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD' and also says he is sent by the LORD of hosts (2:10-11); many Christians who hold this view see him as the Son sent by the Father. Zechariah 2:8Zechariah 2:9Zechariah 2:10Zechariah 2:11Zechariah 4:9

  • shakeנוּף
    Hebrew · nuph · H5130B

    The word means to wave or brandish, including 'in threat' and 'to shake or brandish against.' It pictures a raised hand against enemies, as when the LORD shakes his hand over Egypt in Isaiah 19:16. Strong's H5130BIsaiah 19:16

  • spoilשָׁלָל
    Hebrew · sha.lal · H7998

    The word means prey, plunder, or war booty. The nations 'which spoiled you' (2:8) will themselves become plunder, an exact reversal. Strong's H7998Zechariah 2:8Ezekiel 39:10

  • sentשָׁלַח
    Hebrew · sha.lach · H7971G

    The word means to send. It marks the speaker as a commissioned messenger, and the same claim recurs in 2:8, 2:11, 4:9 and 6:15. Strong's H7971GZechariah 2:8Zechariah 2:11Zechariah 4:9Zechariah 6:15

Takeaway

God promises to turn the tables on those who plundered his people, and the fulfillment will show that "the LORD of hosts hath sent me." The one sent speaks for the LORD of hosts, who pledges to defend those who are 'the apple of his eye.' Zechariah 2:8Zechariah 2:9Isaiah 14:2

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
  1. 539 BC
    WarBabylon 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

  2. 538 BC
    God'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

  3. c. 536 BC
    God'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

  4. 525 BC
    WarPersia 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

  5. 522-521 BC
    WarDarius 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

  6. 520 BC
    God'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

  7. c. 520-519 BC
    RulersDarius 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

  8. 515 BC
    BuildingThe 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

  9. 490-479 BC
    WarPersia'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

  10. 445 BC
    BuildingNehemiah 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

  11. 332 BC
    WarAlexander 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

EnglishHebrewSay itStrong'sMeaning
forכִּ֠יkiH3588A
for

כִּי (ki) 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

here Iהִנְנִ֨יhi-NIH2005
look!

הֵן (hen) interj 1) behold, lo, though hypothetical part 2) if Aramaic equivalent: hen (הֵן "look!" H2006A)

[am] about to brandishמֵנִ֤יףme-NIFH5130B
to wave

נוּף (nuph) 1) to move to and fro, wave 1a) (Qal) to move 1b) (Polel) to wave, brandish (in threat) 1c) (Hiphil) to swing, wield, wave 1c1) to wield 1c2) to wave or shake (the hand) 1c2a) to wave (hand) 1c2b) to shake or brandish against 1c2c) to swing to and fro 1c3) to wave (an offering), offer 1c4) to shed abroad 1d) (Hophal) to be waved

hand myיָדִי֙ya-DIH3027G
hand

יָד (yad) : hand/arm[anatomy] 1) hand 1a) hand (of man) 1b) strength, power (fig.) 1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.) 1d) (various special, technical senses) 1d1) sign, monument 1d2) part, fractional part, share 1d3) time, repetition 1d4) axle-trees, axle 1d5) stays, support (for laver) 1d6) tenons (in tabernacle) 1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure) 1d8) wrists

on themעֲלֵיהֶ֔ם'a-lei-HEMH5921A
upon

עַל (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) …

and they will beוְהָי֥וּve-ha-YUH1961
to be

הָיָה (ha.yah) 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) …

plunderשָׁלָ֖לsha-LALH7998
spoil

שָׁלָל (sha.lal) 1) prey, plunder, spoil, booty 1a) prey 1b) booty, spoil, plunder (of war) 1c) plunder (private) 1d) gain (meaning uncertain)

for own slaves theirלְעַבְדֵיהֶ֑םle-'av-dei-HEMH5650
servant/slave

עֲבַד (a.vad) servant, slave Aramaic of e.ved (עֶ֫בֶד "servant/slave" H5650)

and you will knowוִֽידַעְתֶּ֕םvi-da'-TEMH3045
to know

יָדַע (ya.da) 1) to know 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to know 1a1a) to know, learn to know 1a1b) to perceive 1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern 1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish 1a1e) to know by experience 1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess 1a1g) to consider 1a2) to know, be acquainted with 1a3) to know (a person carnally) 1a4) to know how, be skilful in 1a5) to have knowledge, be wise 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed 1b2) to make oneself known 1b3) to be perceived 1b4) to be instructed 1c) (Piel) to cause to know 1d) (Poal) to cause to know 1e) (Pual) …

thatכִּֽי־ki-H3588A
for

כִּי (ki) 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

Yahwehיְהוָ֥הYAH-wehH3068G
Lord

אֲדֹנָי (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 hostsצְבָא֖וֹתtze-va-'otH6635B
Hosts

צָבָא (tsa.va) The Hosts (of the Lord) Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

he has sent meשְׁלָחָֽנִי׃ סshe-la-CHA-niH7971G
to send: depart

שָׁלַח (sha.lach) : depart/send 1) to send, send away, let go, stretch out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to send 1a2) to stretch out, extend, direct 1a3) to send away 1a4) to let loose 1b) (Niphal) to be sent 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to send off or away or out or forth, dismiss, give over, cast out 1c2) to let go, set free 1c3) to shoot forth (of branches) 1c4) to let down 1c5) to shoot 1d) (Pual) to be sent off, be put away, be divorced, be impelled 1e) (Hiphil) to send

Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.