Zechariah 4:9
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. | “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house, and his hands will complete it. Then you will know that the LORD of Hosts has sent me to you. | The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that Jehovah of hosts hath sent me unto you. |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedIn Zechariah's vision of the golden lampstand, the LORD sends a word about the temple in Jerusalem. Zerubbabel, who laid its foundation, will also finish it with his own hands. When that happens, the people will know the message truly came from the LORD of hosts. Zechariah 4:6Zechariah 4:8Zechariah 4:9Zechariah overviewZechariah 4:2
SpeakingZechariah reports that 'the word of the LORD came unto me.' The 'me' who is sent is the messenger bringing this word from the LORD of hosts. Zechariah 4:8Zechariah 4:9Zechariah overview
ToThe people of Judah who had returned from exile in Babylon, here addressed as 'you.' The same vision also has a word directly for Zerubbabel. Zechariah 4:6Zechariah 4:9Zechariah overview
Also involvedZerubbabel, the governor of Judah and grandson of king Jehoiachin, who led the first returning exiles and began the temple work. Strong's H2216Ezra 3:8Zechariah overview
A promise that the man who laid the temple's foundation will complete it. The finished building will be a sign that the prophet's word is truly from God. The work would succeed 'not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit.' Zechariah 4:6Zechariah 4:7Zechariah 4:9
Jerusalem, where the returned exiles were rebuilding the house of God. Zechariah overviewEzra 5:16Ezra 3:8
The eventsThe foundation had been laid earlier, when Zerubbabel (also called Sheshbazzar) and Jeshua began the work, but building then stopped under opposition. Zechariah spoke around 520-518 BC, in the second year of Darius. The house was finished in the sixth year of Darius. Ezra 3:8Ezra 5:16Strong's H2216Zechariah overviewEzra 6:15
WrittenTraditional: Zechariah wrote it about 520-518 BC. Scholarly: most scholars agree that chapters 1-8, including this verse, come from Zechariah in those years. Many assign chapters 9-14 to later writers. Zechariah overview
HereTo encourage a discouraged people and their leader to finish the stalled temple. The work had begun but was 'not finished.' God promised it would be completed by his Spirit. Ezra 5:16Zechariah 4:6Zechariah 4:7Zechariah overview
In the whole of ScriptureEzra records that the elders of the Jews 'builded, and finished it' through the prophesying of Haggai and Zechariah, in the sixth year of Darius. Later in the book, a man called the BRANCH is also said to 'build the temple of the LORD,' and the same phrase 'ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you' appears again. Ezra 6:14Ezra 6:15Zechariah 6:12Zechariah 6:13Zechariah 6:15
For readersGod finishes the work he begins, and he does it by his Spirit, not by human strength. A fulfilled word proves the messenger. Zechariah 6:15 ties such promises to diligently obeying the LORD's voice. Zechariah 4:6Zechariah 4:9Ezra 6:14Zechariah 6:15
- laid the foundationיָסַד
The word means to found, establish or begin. It marks Zerubbabel as the one who started the work, as Ezra 3:8 records. Strong's H3245Ezra 3:8
- finishבָּצַע
In this form the word means to finish, complete or accomplish. It matches Ezra's record that 'this house was finished.' Strong's H1214HEzra 6:15
- knowיָדַע
Its senses include to know by experience and to recognise or acknowledge. The people would come to know God sent the prophet by seeing the promise happen. Strong's H3045Zechariah 4:9
- sentשָׁלַח
The word means to send. It presents the prophet's message as coming from the LORD of hosts, not from himself. Strong's H7971GZechariah 4:8
Takeaway
God promised that Zerubbabel, who began the temple, would finish it, and Ezra records that the house was finished in Darius's sixth year. The completed house would show that Zechariah's word came from the LORD, whose work succeeds by his Spirit. Zechariah 4:6Zechariah 4:9Ezra 6:14Ezra 6:15
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
Behind this verse
- Zerubbabel, governor of judah
- 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
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] hands of | יְדֵ֣י | ye-DEI | H3027G | handיָד (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 |
| Zerubbabel | זְרֻבָּבֶ֗ל | ze-ru-ba-VEL | H2216 | Zerubbabelזְרֻבָּבֶ֫ל (ze.rub.ba.vel) A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at 1Ch.3.19; son of: Pedaiah (H6305H); brother of: Shimei (H8096J); father of: Meshullam (H4918H), Hananiah (H2608L), Shelomith (H8019I), Hashubah (H2807), Ohel (H0169), Berechiah (H1296), Hasadiah (H2619), Jushab-hesed (H3142) and Abiud (G0010); also called Sheshbazzar at Ezr.1.8,11; 5.14,16; KJV: Zorobabel at Mat.1.12,13; § Zerubbabel = "sown in Babylon" the grandson of king Jehoiachin and leader of the first group of returning exiles from Babylon |
| they have founded | יִסְּד֛וּ | yi-se-DU | 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 |
| the house | הַבַּ֥יִת | ha-BA-yit | H1004B | to lodgeבִּית (but) (P'al) to pass the night, lodge Aramaic of ba.yit (בַּ֫יִת ": home" H1004B) |
| the this | הַזֶּ֖ה | ha-ZEH | H2088 | thatדִּי (di) part of relation 1) who, which, that mark of genitive 2) that of, which belongs to, that conj 3) that, because |
| and hands his | וְיָדָ֣יו | ve-ya-DAV | H3027G | handיָד (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 |
| they will finish [it] | תְּבַצַּ֑עְנָה | te-va-TZA'-nah | H1214H | to cut offבָּצַע (ba.tsa) : to cut off 1) to cut off, break off, gain by unrighteous violence, get, finish, be covetous, be greedy 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to cut off 1a2) to stop 1a3) to gain wrongfully or by violence 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to cut off, sever 1b2) to finish, complete, accomplish 1b3) to violently make gain of |
| and you will know | וְיָ֣דַעְתָּ֔ | ve-YA-da'-ta | H3045 | to knowיָדַע (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) … |
| that | כִּֽי־ | ki- | H3588A | forכִּי (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 |
| 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) |
| of hosts | צְבָא֖וֹת | tze-va-'ot | H6635B | Hostsצָבָא (tsa.va) The Hosts (of the Lord) Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G) |
| he has sent me | שְׁלָחַ֥נִי | she-la-CHA-ni | H7971G | to send: departשָׁלַח (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 |
| to you | אֲלֵיכֶֽם׃ | 'a-lei-KHEM | H0413 | to(wards)אֶל (el) 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to) |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.