Zechariah 8:9
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets, which were in the day that the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built. | This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Let your hands be strong, you who now hear these words spoken by the prophets who were present when the foundations were laid to rebuild the temple, the house of the LORD of Hosts. | Thus saith Jehovah of hosts: Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words from the mouth of the prophets that were in the day that the foundation of the house of Jehovah of hosts was laid, even the temple, that it might be built. |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedAfter promising that he will return to Zion and bring his scattered people home (8:3-8), the LORD tells the returned exiles to take courage and keep working. The words they are hearing come from the prophets who spoke when the temple's foundation was laid, so the builders should not lose heart. Before this time there was no hire and no peace, but now God promises crops, blessing, and an end to fear (8:10-13). Zechariah 8:3Zechariah 8:8Zechariah 8:9Zechariah 8:10Zechariah 8:11Zechariah 8:12Zechariah 8:13
SpeakingThe LORD of hosts, speaking through the prophet Zechariah, son of Berechiah, son of Iddo. Zechariah 8:9Zechariah 8:1Zechariah overview
ToThe people of Judah who had come back from exile in Babylon and were rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. Zechariah overviewEzra 5:1Zechariah 8:13
Also involvedThe prophets whose words the people were hearing. Ezra names Haggai and Zechariah as the prophets who stood with the builders. Zechariah 8:9Ezra 5:1Ezra 5:2
God commands the people to be strong and keep going with the temple work. He grounds this in the prophets' message given since the foundation was laid. The same call, "fear not, but let your hands be strong," closes this part of the chapter in 8:13. Zechariah 8:9Zechariah 8:13Ezra 5:2
Jerusalem and Judah, among the exiles who had returned, where the house of God was being rebuilt. Zechariah overviewEzra 5:2
The eventsThe prophets spoke when the people began to build again in the second year of Darius king of Persia, about 520 BC, after work had stopped under opposition. This message belongs to the section that begins in Darius's fourth year, about 518 BC (7:1). Zechariah overviewHaggai 1:1Ezra 5:1Ezra 5:2
WrittenTraditional: written by Zechariah, with dated messages from about 520 to 518 BC. Scholarly: most scholars agree chapters 1-8, including this verse, come from Zechariah in 520-518 BC. Zechariah overview
HereThe verse aims to keep discouraged builders from quitting. God reminds them that his word through the prophets stood behind this work, and he promises to deal with them differently than in the hard years before. Zechariah 8:9Zechariah 8:10Zechariah 8:11Zechariah overview
In the whole of ScriptureZechariah's book calls the people to return to the LORD and to finish the temple, "not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit" (4:6). The command to be strong echoes other places where God's people are told to "be strong and of a good courage," as when they were about to inherit the land (Joshua 1:6) and in 1 Chronicles 22:13. Zechariah overviewJoshua 1:61 Chronicles 22:13
For readersThe strength asked for rests on God's promise, not on human effort alone. Scripture repeats this pattern: "Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come" (Isaiah 35:4), and "be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might" (Ephesians 6:10). Zechariah 8:9Zechariah 8:13Isaiah 35:4Ephesians 6:10
- be strongחָזַק
The word means to be strong, firm, courageous or resolute. It is a call to steady courage in the work, matching "fear not" in 8:13 and 8:15. Strong's H2388GZechariah 8:13Zechariah 8:15
- handsיָד
"Hand" can stand for strength or power. Here strong hands point to people ready to work, since the verse is about building the temple. Strong's H3027GZechariah 8:9
- hearשָׁמַע
The word means to hear, but also to listen, give heed, and obey. Here it is those who hear these words in the days the temple foundation was laid. Strong's H8085GZechariah 8:9
Takeaway
Zechariah 8:9 is God's word to tired builders in Jerusalem: keep working on my house, because my promise stands behind you. Courage here comes from trusting what God has said, as in Joshua 1:6 and in the prophets' help to the builders in Ezra 5:1-2. Zechariah 8:9Zechariah 8:11Joshua 1:6Ezra 5:1Ezra 5:2
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
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| thus | כֹּֽה־ | 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 | אָמַר֮ | '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 | צְבָאוֹת֒ | tze-va-'OT | H6635B | Hostsצָבָא (tsa.va) The Hosts (of the Lord) Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G) |
| let them be strong | תֶּחֱזַ֣קְנָה | te-che-ZAK-nah | H2388G | to strengthen: strengthenחָזַק (cha.zaq) : strengthen/support/encourage 1) to strengthen, prevail, harden, be strong, become strong, be courageous, be firm, grow firm, be resolute, be sore 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be strong, grow strong 1a1a) to prevail, prevail upon 1a1b) to be firm, be caught fast, be secure 1a1c) to press, be urgent 1a1d) to grow stout, grow rigid, grow hard (bad sense) 1a1e) to be severe, be grievous 1a2) to strengthen 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to make strong 1b2) to restore to strength, give strength 1b3) to strengthen, sustain, encourage 1b4) to make strong, make bold, encourage 1b5) to make firm 1b6) to make rigid, make hard … |
| hands your | יְדֵיכֶ֔ם | ye-dei-KHEM | 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 |
| O those [who] hear | הַשֹּֽׁמְעִים֙ | ha-sho-me-'IM | H8085G | to hear: hearשָׁמַע (sha.ma) : hear v 1) to hear, listen to, obey 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to hear (perceive by ear) 1a2) to hear of or concerning 1a3) to hear (have power to hear) 1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to 1a5) to understand (language) 1a6) to hear (of judicial cases) 1a7) to listen, give heed 1a7a) to consent, agree 1a7b) to grant request 1a8) to listen to, yield to 1a9) to obey, be obedient 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound) 1b2) to be heard of 1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed 1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound … |
| in the days | בַּיָּמִ֣ים | bai-ya-MIM | H3117G | dayיוֹם (yom) : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow |
| the these | הָאֵ֔לֶּה | ha-'E-leh | H0428 | theseאֵ֫לֶּה (el.leh) 1) these 1a) used before antecedent 1b) used following antecedent Aramaic equivalent: el.leh (אֵלֶּה "these" H0429) |
| the words | הַדְּבָרִ֣ים | ha-de-va-RIM | 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) |
| the these | הָאֵ֑לֶּה | ha-'E-leh | H0428 | theseאֵ֫לֶּה (el.leh) 1) these 1a) used before antecedent 1b) used following antecedent Aramaic equivalent: el.leh (אֵלֶּה "these" H0429) |
| from [the] mouth of | מִפִּי֙ | mi-PI | H6310G | lipפֶּה (peh) : lip/mouth peh 1) mouth 1a) mouth (of man) 1b) mouth (as organ of speech) 1c) mouth (of animals) 1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc) 1e) extremity, end pim 2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21 |
| the prophets | הַנְּבִיאִ֔ים | ha-ne-vi-'IM | H5030 | prophetנְבִיא (ne.vi) prophet Aramaic of na.vi (נָבִיא "prophet" H5030) |
| who | אֲ֠שֶׁר | 'a-SHER | H0834A | whichאֲשֶׁר (a.sher) A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when |
| on [the] day | בְּי֞וֹם | be-YOM | H3117G | dayיוֹם (yom) : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow |
| [when] it was founded | יֻסַּ֨ד | yu-SAD | 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 of | בֵּית־ | beit- | H1004Q | No entry |
| Yahweh | יְהוָ֧ה | 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 | צְבָא֛וֹת | tze-va-'ot | H6635B | Hostsצָבָא (tsa.va) The Hosts (of the Lord) Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G) |
| the temple | הַהֵיכָ֖ל | ha-hei-KHAL | H1964G | templeהֵיכָל (he.khal) : temple 1) palace, temple, nave, sanctuary 1a) palace 1b) temple (palace of God as king) 1c) hall, nave (of Ezekiel's temple) 1d) temple (of heavenly temple) |
| to be rebuilt | לְהִבָּנֽוֹת׃ | le-hi-ba-NOT | H1129 | to buildבְּנָה (be.nah) 1) to build 1a) (P'al) to build 1b) (Ithp'il) to be built |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.