Zechariah 9:13
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | When 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. | For I will bend Judah as My bow and fit it with Ephraim. I will rouse your sons, O Zion, against the sons of Greece. I will make you like the sword of a mighty man. | For I have bent Judah for me, I have filled the bow with Ephraim; and I will stir up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and will make thee as the sword of a mighty man. |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedThe LORD has just promised Zion her lowly King (9:9) and freedom for her prisoners of hope (9:11-12). Here he pictures himself as a warrior who bends Judah like a bow, sets Ephraim on it like an arrow, and stirs Zion's sons against the sons of Greece. The next verses show that the LORD himself appears over them, fights, and saves them (9:14-16). Zechariah 9:9Zechariah 9:11Zechariah 9:12Zechariah 9:13Zechariah 9:14Zechariah 9:15Zechariah 9:16
SpeakingThe LORD speaks in the first person ("I have bent Judah for me"). The words come through the prophet Zechariah as part of "the burden of the word of the LORD." Zechariah 9:1Zechariah 9:13Zechariah overview
ToZion, meaning Jerusalem and its people. These were the Jews who had come back from exile in Babylon. Zechariah 9:13Strong's H6726Zechariah overview
Also involvedJudah and Ephraim, tribes of Israel, are the ones God takes up as his weapons; the chapter opens with "all the tribes of Israel" looking to the LORD. The ones they are raised against are "thy sons, O Greece." Zechariah 9:1Zechariah 9:13Strong's H0669GStrong's H3063GStrong's H3120H
God promises to use his people as his weapons: Judah as his bow, Ephraim as his arrow, Zion as a mighty man's sword. God does the bending and the rousing, and he defends them (9:15). Zechariah 10:3 and 10:7 use the same picture, with Judah as God's "goodly horse in the battle" and Ephraim "like a mighty man." Zechariah 9:13Zechariah 9:15Zechariah 10:3Zechariah 10:7
The promise centers on Zion, another name for Jerusalem. The enemy named is Greece, a region northwest of Zion. Strong's H6726ZionGreeceZechariah overview
The eventsThe verse looks ahead to a battle God will bring about. The text gives no date for it. Joel 3:6 also speaks of the Grecians, as people to whom the children of Judah had been sold. Zechariah 9:13Joel 3:6
WrittenTraditional view: Zechariah wrote the whole book, and his dated messages fall in 520-518 BC. Scholarly view: chapters 9-14 carry no dates, and many scholars assign them to a later writer or writers. Others hold that Zechariah wrote them. Zechariah overview
HereThe promise gives the returned exiles hope that God will fight for them and defend them (9:14-15). Zechariah 1:21 makes a like promise: God will cast out the nations that scattered Judah. Zechariah overviewZechariah 9:12Zechariah 9:14Zechariah 9:15Zechariah 1:21
In the whole of ScriptureJust before this, God says he will cut off the chariot and the battle bow and his King will speak peace (9:10). Here the bow is the one God himself bends, so the victory belongs to him, as in 12:8 where "the LORD shall defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem." This fits the book's theme: "not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit." Zechariah 9:10Zechariah 9:13Zechariah 12:8Zechariah overview
For readersGod takes up his people and makes them weapons in his own hand. Isaiah 49:2 uses the same picture of God's servant as a sharp sword and a polished shaft hidden in his quiver. Revelation 17:14 says the Lamb overcomes, and those with him are called, chosen and faithful. Zechariah 9:13Isaiah 49:2Revelation 17:14
- bentדָּרַךְ
The word means to tread, and it is used for bending a bow with the foot. God is pictured as an archer stringing his bow, Judah. Strong's H1869
- bowקֶ֫שֶׁת
The word means a bow for hunting or battle, and it can stand for might. In 9:10 the "battle bow" is cut off, so the bow here is the one God holds. Strong's H7198Zechariah 9:10
- raised upעוּר
The word means to rouse, awaken or stir up. Zion's sons do not rise on their own; God rouses them for the fight. Strong's H5782Zechariah 9:13
- Greeceיָוָן
The Hebrew name is Javan, meaning Ionia or Greece. Joel 3:6 speaks of the "Grecians" as those to whom Judah's children were sold. Strong's H3120HJoel 3:6
- mighty manגִּבּוֹר
The word means a strong, brave man, a warrior. Zion becomes like this warrior's sword, wielded by God. Strong's H1368Zechariah 9:13
Takeaway
Zechariah 9:13 does not praise human military strength. It promises that the LORD will take up his people as his own bow, arrow and sword. He himself will fight for them and save them. Zechariah 9:13Zechariah 9:14Zechariah 9:16Zechariah overview
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
- Greece regionMapAbout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| for | 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 |
| I will bend | דָרַ֨כְתִּי | da-RAKH-ti | H1869 | to treadדָּרַךְ (da.rakh) 1) to tread, bend, lead, march 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to tread, march, march forth 1a2) to tread on, tread upon 1a3) to tread (a press) 1a4) to tread (bend) a bow 1a5) archer, bow-benders (participle) 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to tread, tread down 1b2) to tread (bend with the foot) a bow 1b3) to cause to go, lead, march, tread |
| Judah | יְהוּדָ֗ה | ye-hu-DAH | H3063G | Judahיְהוּד (ye.hud) A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.29.35; son of: Israel (H3478) and Leah (H3812); brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074) and Dinah (H1783); half-brother of: Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); married to Bath-shua (H1323I) and Tamar (H8559); father of: Er (H6147), Onan (H0209), Shelah (H7956), Perez (H6557) and Zerah (H2226I) Aramaic of ye.hu.dah (יְהוּדָה "Judah" H3063) Judah-the territory of the tribe of Judah |
| a bow | קֶ֚שֶׁת | KE-shet | H7198 | bowקֶ֫שֶׁת (qe.shet) 1) bow 1a) bow (for hunting, battle) 1b) bowmen, archers 1c) bow (fig. of might) 1d) rainbow |
| I will fill | מִלֵּ֣אתִי | mi-LE-ti | H4390 | to fillמָלֵא (ma.le) 1) to fill, be full 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be full 1a1a) fulness, abundance (participle) 1a1b) to be full, be accomplished, be ended 1a2) to consecrate, fill the hand 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be filled, be armed, be satisfied 1b2) to be accomplished, be ended 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to fill 1c2) to satisfy 1c3) to fulfil, accomplish, complete 1c4) to confirm 1d) (Pual) to be filled 1e) (Hithpael) to mass themselves against Aramaic equivalent: me.la (מְלָא "to fill" H4391) |
| Ephraim | אֶפְרַ֔יִם | 'ef-RA-yim | H0669G | Ephraimאֶפְרַ֫יִם (eph.ra.yim) A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.41.52; son of: Joseph (H3130) and Asenath (H0621); brother of: Manasseh (H4519); father of: Shuthelah (H7803), Becher (H1071H), Tahan (H8465), Ezer (H5827), Elead (H0496) and Beriah (H1283H); also called Ephrathite (NIV: Ephraimite) at 1Sa.1.1; Ephron (Qere, KJV: Ephrain) at 2Ch.13.19; § Ephraim = "double ash-heap: I shall be doubly fruitful" 1) second son of Joseph, blessed by him and given preference over first son, Manasseh 2) the tribe, Ephraim 3) the mountain country of Ephraim … |
| and I will rouse | וְעוֹרַרְתִּ֤י | ve-'o-rar-TI | H5782 | to rouseעוּר (ur) 1) to rouse oneself, awake, awaken, incite 1a) (Qal) to rouse oneself, awake 1b) (Niphal) to be roused 1c) (Polel) to stir up, rouse, incite 1d) (Hithpolel) to be excited, be triumphant 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to rouse, stir up 1e2) to act in an aroused manner, awake |
| sons your | בָנַ֙יִךְ֙ | va-NA-yikh | H1121G | No entry |
| O Zion | צִיּ֔וֹן | 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) |
| on | עַל־ | 'al- | H5921A | uponעַל (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) … |
| sons your | בָּנַ֖יִךְ | ba-NA-yikh | H1121G | No entry |
| O Greece | יָוָ֑ן | ya-VAN | H3120H | Greeceיָוָן (ya.van) § Javan = "Ionia" or "Greece" 1) Greece, Ionia, Ionians 2) location of descendants of Javan |
| and I will make you | וְשַׂמְתִּ֖יךְ | ve-sam-TIKH | H7760H | No entry |
| like [the] sword of | כְּחֶ֥רֶב | ke-CHE-rev | H2719 | swordחֶ֫רֶב (che.rev) 1) sword, knife 1a) sword 1b) knife 1c) tools for cutting stone |
| a warrior | גִּבּֽוֹר׃ | gi-BOR | H1368 | mighty manגִּבּוֹר (gib.bor) adj 1) strong, mighty n m 2) strong man, brave man, mighty man |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.