Zechariah 8:2
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury. | This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “I am jealous for Zion with great zeal; I am jealous for her with great fervor.” | Thus saith Jehovah of hosts: I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I am jealous for her with great wrath. |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedThis verse opens a string of promises to Zion in chapter 8. The LORD says his jealousy for Zion was great and burning. That passion leads straight into his promise: "I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem" (8:3). Zechariah 8:1Zechariah 8:2Zechariah 8:3
SpeakingThe LORD of hosts is speaking. His word comes through the prophet Zechariah. Zechariah 8:1Zechariah 8:2Zechariah overview
ToThe message is for the people of Judah who had come back from exile in Babylon and were rebuilding the temple. Zechariah overviewZechariah 8:9
Also involvedZion, another name for Jerusalem, is the one God is jealous for. Strong's H6726Zechariah 8:3
God declares a deep, fiery devotion to Zion. The word "jealous" here means a burning zeal on her behalf, and it is joined with great fury. The chapter shows the result: God will return, dwell in Jerusalem, and bless her people (8:3-8). Zechariah 8:2Strong's H7065Strong's H7068Strong's H2534Zechariah 8:3Zechariah 8:8
The message was given in Jerusalem, among the returned exiles. It concerns Zion, that is, Jerusalem itself. Zechariah overviewStrong's H6726JerusalemZion
The eventsThis section (chapters 7-8) is dated to the fourth year of Darius king of Persia, about 518 BC. Work on the temple was under way at the time. Zechariah overviewZechariah 8:9
WrittenTraditional: Zechariah wrote it, with dated messages from about 520 to 518 BC. Scholarly: most scholars agree that chapters 1-8, including this verse, come from Zechariah in 520-518 BC. Zechariah overview
HereThe verse gives the reason behind the promises that follow. Because God is so jealous for Zion, he will return to her, gather his people, and make her "a city of truth" (8:3, 8:7-8). Zechariah 8:2Zechariah 8:3Zechariah 8:7Zechariah 8:8
In the whole of ScriptureGod's jealousy for Jerusalem is a key theme of Zechariah. It echoes 1:14, "I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy," which leads to "I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies" (1:16). Joel 2:18 likewise ties the LORD being jealous for his land to pity for his people. Zechariah overviewZechariah 1:14Zechariah 1:16Joel 2:18
For readersGod's jealousy here is not petty envy. It is the fierce commitment of a God who will not let his people go. Scripture also shows this jealousy turning to fury against his adversaries (Nahum 1:2), and even against Israel when they moved him to jealousy with their graven images (Psalms 78:58-59). Strong's H7068Nahum 1:2Psalms 78:58Psalms 78:59
- jealousקָנָא
The verb means to be jealous or envious, and also "to be zealous for." Here it is jealousy "for" Zion, so it speaks of zeal on her behalf. Strong's H7065Zechariah 8:2
- jealousyקִנְאָה
The noun means ardour, zeal, or jealousy. Its definition includes the zeal "of God for his people" and also jealousy that results in God's wrath. Both senses fit beside "great fury" in this verse. Strong's H7068Zechariah 8:2
- furyחֱמָא
The word means anger or rage. Joined to jealousy, it shows how intense God's zeal for Zion is. Nahum 1:2 likewise pairs God being jealous with being furious toward his adversaries. Strong's H2534Nahum 1:2
Takeaway
God's burning jealousy for Zion is the reason he returns to dwell among his people and restore them. His zeal is a pledge of his faithfulness to them. Zechariah 8:2Zechariah 8:3Zechariah 8:8Zechariah 1:14
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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) |
| I am jealous | קִנֵּ֥אתִי | ki-NE-ti | H7065 | be jealousקָנָא (qa.na) 1) to envy, be jealous, be envious, be zealous 1a) (Piel) 1a1) to be jealous of 1a2) to be envious of 1a3) to be zealous for 1a4) to excite to jealous anger 1b) (Hiphil) to provoke to jealous anger, cause jealousy |
| for Zion | לְצִיּ֖וֹן | le-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) |
| jealousy | קִנְאָ֣ה | kin-'AH | H7068 | jealousyקִנְאָה (qin.ah) 1) ardour, zeal, jealousy 1a) ardour, jealousy, jealous disposition (of husband) 1a1) sexual passion 1b) ardour of zeal (of religious zeal) 1b1) of men for God 1b2) of men for the house of God 1b3) of God for his people 1c) ardour of anger 1c1) of men against adversaries 1c2) of God against men 1d) envy (of man) 1e) jealousy (resulting in the wrath of God) |
| great | גְדוֹלָ֑ה | ge-do-LAH | H1419A | great: largeגָּדוֹל (ga.dol) adj 1) great 1a) large (in magnitude and extent) 1b) in number 1c) in intensity 1d) loud (in sound) 1e) older (in age) 1f) in importance 1f1) important things 1f2) great, distinguished (of men) 1f3) God Himself (of God) subst 1g) great things 1h) haughty things 1i) greatness Also means: ga.dol (גָּדוֹל ": old" H1419K) § Haggedolim = "the great one" (CLBL) Haggedolim, the great man?, father of Zabdiel |
| and rage | וְחֵמָ֥ה | ve-che-MAH | H2534 | rageחֱמָא (che.ma) anger, rage Aramaic of che.mah (חֵמָה "rage" H2534) |
| great | גְדוֹלָ֖ה | ge-do-LAH | H1419A | great: largeגָּדוֹל (ga.dol) adj 1) great 1a) large (in magnitude and extent) 1b) in number 1c) in intensity 1d) loud (in sound) 1e) older (in age) 1f) in importance 1f1) important things 1f2) great, distinguished (of men) 1f3) God Himself (of God) subst 1g) great things 1h) haughty things 1i) greatness Also means: ga.dol (גָּדוֹל ": old" H1419K) § Haggedolim = "the great one" (CLBL) Haggedolim, the great man?, father of Zabdiel |
| I am jealous | קִנֵּ֥אתִי | ki-NE-ti | H7065 | be jealousקָנָא (qa.na) 1) to envy, be jealous, be envious, be zealous 1a) (Piel) 1a1) to be jealous of 1a2) to be envious of 1a3) to be zealous for 1a4) to excite to jealous anger 1b) (Hiphil) to provoke to jealous anger, cause jealousy |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.