Zechariah 9
King James Version (1769) · Tap a verse to see it in context
About this chapter
AI-assisted, sourced"The burden of the word of the LORD" falls on the lands around Israel, from Hadrach and Damascus to Tyre, Sidon, Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron and "the pride of the Philistines," while the LORD promises, "I will encamp about mine house." Then Zion is told, "Rejoice greatly... behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass," and "he shall speak peace unto the heathen." By "the blood of thy covenant" the LORD frees his prisoners, calls them "prisoners of hope," and will save them "as the flock of his people." Zechariah 9:1Zechariah 9:2Zechariah 9:5Zechariah 9:6Zechariah 9:8Zechariah 9:9Zechariah 9:10Zechariah 9:11Zechariah 9:12Zechariah 9:16
Who, where, when, and the key verses
Who
The LORD speaks against Hadrach, Damascus, Hamath, Tyrus, Zidon and the Philistines, and to the "daughter of Zion," and he speaks of Judah and Ephraim as his bow. The king who comes is "just, and having salvation; lowly." Zechariah 9:1Zechariah 9:2Zechariah 9:6Zechariah 9:9Zechariah 9:13
Where
The burden moves from Hadrach, Damascus and Hamath in the north, to Tyre and Sidon on the coast, to Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron and Ashdod, then to Jerusalem. The king's rule reaches "from the river even to the ends of the earth," and Zion's sons are raised "against thy sons, O Greece." Zechariah 9:1Zechariah 9:2Zechariah 9:5Zechariah 9:6Zechariah 9:9Zechariah 9:10Zechariah 9:13HadrachDamascusHamath 1TyreSidonAshkelonGazaEkronAshdodJerusalemGreece
When
Chapters 9-14 carry no dates. Traditionally written by Zechariah; many scholars assign these chapters to a later writer or writers. Zechariah overview
How it fits
Chapter 8 promised that "many people and strong nations" would come to seek the LORD; here the "first burden" begins, with judgment on the nations and the coming king. Chapter 10 goes on with the LORD caring for "his flock the house of Judah." Zechariah 8:22Zechariah 9:1Zechariah 10:3Zechariah overview
Key verses
- Verse 9
"Behold, thy King cometh unto thee... lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass." Matthew 21 and John 12 quote this verse; Matthew 21:4 says, "All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet." Zechariah 9:9Matthew 21:4Zechariah overview
- Verse 10
"He shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea," while the chariot, the horse and "the battle bow shall be cut off." Zechariah 9:10
- Verse 12
"Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee." They are set free "by the blood of thy covenant," as Exodus 24:8 speaks of "the blood of the covenant." Zechariah 9:11Zechariah 9:12Exodus 24:8
Takeaway
Zion's King comes just and lowly, bringing salvation and peace; God calls his freed prisoners to "turn you to the strong hold," as "prisoners of hope." Zechariah 9:9Zechariah 9:10Zechariah 9:11Zechariah 9:12
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a separate AI reader. Updated 2026-10-29.
Judgment on the nations around
1The burden of the word of the LORD in the land of Hadrach, and Damascus shall be the rest thereof: when the eyes of man, as of all the tribes of Israel, shall be toward the LORD. 2And Hamath also shall border thereby; Tyrus, and Zidon, though it be very wise. 3And Tyrus did build herself a strong hold, and heaped up silver as the dust, and fine gold as the mire of the streets. 4Behold, the LORD will cast her out, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be devoured with fire. 5Ashkelon shall see it, and fear; Gaza also shall see it, and be very sorrowful, and Ekron; for her expectation shall be ashamed; and the king shall perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon shall not be inhabited. 6And a bastard shall dwell in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines. 7And I will take away his blood out of his mouth, and his abominations from between his teeth: but he that remaineth, even he, shall be for our God, and he shall be as a governor in Judah, and Ekron as a Jebusite. 8And I will encamp about mine house because of the army, because of him that passeth by, and because of him that returneth: and no oppressor shall pass through them any more: for now have I seen with mine eyes.
Your King comes, lowly
9Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. 10And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth.
Prisoners of hope
11As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water. 12Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee; 13When I have bent Judah for me, filled the bow with Ephraim, and raised up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and made thee as the sword of a mighty man. 14And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the LORD God shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south. 15The LORD of hosts shall defend them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones; and they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine; and they shall be filled like bowls, and as the corners of the altar. 16And the LORD their God shall save them in that day as the flock of his people: for they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land. 17For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids.