Zechariah 9:15
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | The 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. | The LORD of Hosts will shield them. They will destroy and conquer with slingstones; they will drink and roar as with wine. And they will be filled like sprinkling bowls, drenched like the corners of the altar. | Jehovah of hosts will defend them; and they shall devour, and shall tread down the sling-stones; and they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine; and they shall be filled like bowls, like the corners of the altar. |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedZechariah 9:13-14 pictures the LORD using Judah and Ephraim as his bow and arrows against Greece, and appearing over them with lightning and trumpet. Verse 15 says the LORD of hosts will shield them, so they overcome their enemies, shout as through wine, and are filled like the altar's bowls and corners. The next verses call them his flock and promise grain and new wine (9:16-17). Zechariah 9:13Zechariah 9:14Zechariah 9:15Zechariah 9:16Zechariah 9:17
SpeakingThe LORD speaks through the prophet Zechariah, son of Berechiah. The section opens as "the burden of the word of the LORD." Zechariah 9:1Zechariah overview
ToThe people of Judah who had come back from exile in Babylon. Chapter 9 addresses them as the daughter of Zion and the daughter of Jerusalem. Zechariah overviewZechariah 9:9
Also involvedThe "them" of the verse are Judah, Ephraim and the sons of Zion, whom God raises against the sons of Greece. Zechariah 9:13Zechariah 9:15
The verse promises God's protection in battle. With the LORD covering them, his people devour and subdue their foes, even with sling stones. They drink and make a noise as through wine, and are filled like bowls and like the corners of the altar. Zechariah 9:15Strong's H1598Strong's H7050AStrong's H4219Strong's H2106
The promise centers on Zion and Jerusalem, where God says he will camp around his house (9:8-9). The book was written in Jerusalem among the returned exiles. Zechariah 9:8Zechariah 9:9Zechariah overview
The eventsThe text places this in the future, "in that day" (9:16), and gives no date. It names Greece as the enemy (9:13) but does not say which war is meant. Zechariah 9:13Zechariah 9:16
WrittenTraditional: Zechariah wrote the whole book, with dated messages from about 520 to 518 BC. Scholarly: chapters 9-14 carry no dates, and many scholars assign them to a later writer or writers, while others hold Zechariah wrote them. Zechariah overview
HereThe verse assures God's people that the LORD himself will fight for them and win. The verse before shows him appearing over them and going out with them (9:14), so their victory comes from his defense. Zechariah 9:15Zechariah 9:14
In the whole of ScriptureZechariah repeats this pattern. The LORD will defend Jerusalem's people (12:8), they will tread down enemies "because the LORD is with them" (10:5), and they will rejoice "as through wine" (10:7). It fits the book's theme that God's work is done "not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit." Zechariah 12:8Zechariah 10:5Zechariah 10:7Zechariah overview
For readersReaders see that God's people overcome only because the LORD covers them. The verse ends with them filled full, like the bowls and corners of the altar. Zechariah 9:15Strong's H1598
Christians read this differently
The phrase "filled like bowls, and as the corners of the altar" is not explained elsewhere in Scripture. Some read it as a picture of fullness and joy, linking it with rejoicing "as through wine" (10:7) and the new wine of 9:17. Others read it as battle imagery, since the altar's bowls and corners were where sacrificial blood was sprinkled and poured (Leviticus 4:7, Exodus 27:3). Zechariah 9:15Zechariah 10:7Zechariah 9:17Leviticus 4:7Exodus 27:3Strong's H4219
- defendגָּנַן
The word means to defend, cover or surround. Zechariah uses the same promise in 12:8, "shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem," so the victory rests on God's covering. Strong's H1598Zechariah 12:8
- devourאָכַל
The word means to eat or devour, and it is also used of fire and the sword consuming. Zechariah 12:6 uses the same picture: Judah's leaders "shall devour all the people round about." Strong's H0398Zechariah 12:6
- bowlsמִזְרָק
The word means a bowl or basin, including a bowl for wine or a vessel for tossing liquid. Here it is paired with "the altar." Strong's H4219Zechariah 9:15
- cornersזָוִית
The word means corner. Exodus 27:2 describes horns on the altar's four corners, so the comparison is to the altar itself. Strong's H2106Exodus 27:2
Takeaway
Zechariah 9:15 does not praise human strength. It promises that the LORD of hosts will shield his people and give them full victory over their enemies. Zechariah 9:15Zechariah 10:5Zechariah 12:8
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | צְבָאוֹת֮ | tze-va-'OT | H6635B | Hostsצָבָא (tsa.va) The Hosts (of the Lord) Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G) |
| he will defend | יָגֵ֣ן | ya-GEN | H1598 | to defendגָּנַן (ga.nan) 1) to defend, cover, surround 1a) (Qal) to defend 1b) (Hiphil) to defend |
| on them | עֲלֵיהֶם֒ | 'a-lei-HEM | 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) … |
| and they will eat | וְאָכְל֗וּ | ve-'a-khe-LU | H0398 | to eatאָכַל (a.khal) 1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to eat (human subject) 1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds) 1a3) to devour, consume (of fire) 1a4) to devour, slay (of sword) 1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought) 1a6) to devour (of oppression) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be eaten (by men) 1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire) 1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh) 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to cause to eat, feed with 1c2) to cause to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to feed 1d2) to cause to eat 1e) (Piel) 1e1) consume Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399) |
| and they will subdue | וְכָֽבְשׁוּ֙ | ve-kha-ve-SHU | H3533 | to subdueכָּבַשׁ (ka.vash) 1) to subject, subdue, force, keep under, bring into bondage 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to bring into bondage, make subservient 1a2) to subdue, force, violate 1a3) to subdue, dominate, tread down 1b) (Niphal) to be subdued 1c) (Piel) to subdue 1d) (Hiphil) to bring into bondage |
| stones of | אַבְנֵי־ | 'av-nei- | H0068G | stoneאֶ֫בֶן (e.ven) : stone 1) stone (large or small) 1a) common stone (in natural state) 1b) stone, as material 1b1) of tablets 1b2) marble, hewn stones 1c) precious stones, stones of fire 1d) stones containing metal (ore), tool for work or weapon 1e) weight 1f) plummet (stones of destruction) also made of metal 1g) stonelike objects, eg hailstones, stony heart, ice 1h) sacred object, as memorial Samuel set up to mark where God helped Israel to defeat the Philistines 1i) (simile) 1i1) sinking in water, motionlessness 1i2) strength, firmness, solidity 1i3) commonness 1j) (metaph) 1j1) petrified with terror … |
| a sling | קֶ֔לַע | KE-la' | H7050A | slingקֶ֫לַע (qe.la) sling, slingstones |
| and they will drink | וְשָׁת֥וּ | ve-sha-TU | H8354 | to drinkשָׁתָה (sha.tah) 1) to drink 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to drink 1a1a) of drinking cup of God's wrath, of slaughter, of wicked deeds (fig) 1a2) to feast 1b) (Niphal) to be drunk Aramaic equivalent: she.tah (שְׁתָה "to drink" H8355) |
| they will be in an uproar | הָמ֖וּ | ha-MU | H1993 | to roarהָמָה (ha.mah) 1) to murmur, growl, roar, cry aloud, mourn, rage, sound, make noise, tumult, be clamorous, be disquieted, be loud, be moved, be troubled, be in an uproar 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to growl 1a2) to murmur (fig. of a soul in prayer) 1a3) to roar 1a4) to be in a stir, be in a commotion 1a5) to be boisterous, be turbulent |
| like | כְּמוֹ־ | ke-mov- | H3644G | likeכְּמוֹ (ke.mo) adv 1) like, as, the like of which conj 2) when, according as, as it were |
| wine | יָ֑יִן | YA-yin | H3196 | wineיַ֫יִן (ya.yin) wine |
| and they will be full | וּמָֽלְאוּ֙ | u-mal-'U | 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) |
| like the bowl | כַּמִּזְרָ֔ק | ka-miz-RAK | H4219 | bowlמִזְרָק (miz.raq) 1) bowl, basin 1a) bowl (for wine) 1b) basin (vessel for throwing or tossing a liquid) |
| like [the] corners of | כְּזָוִיּ֖וֹת | ke-za-vi-YOT | H2106 | cornerזָוִית (za.vit) corner |
| [the] altar | מִזְבֵּֽחַ׃ | miz-BE-ach | H4196 | sacrificeדְּבַח (de.vach) sacrifice Aramaic of miz.be.ach (מִזְבֵּחַ "altar" H4196) |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.