Zechariah 1:16 kjv
Therefore thus saith the LORD; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem.
Zechariah 1:16 nkjv
'Therefore thus says the LORD: "I am returning to Jerusalem with mercy; My house shall be built in it," says the LORD of hosts, "And a surveyor's line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem." '
Zechariah 1:16 niv
"Therefore this is what the LORD says: 'I will return to Jerusalem with mercy, and there my house will be rebuilt. And the measuring line will be stretched out over Jerusalem,' declares the LORD Almighty.
Zechariah 1:16 esv
Therefore, thus says the LORD, I have returned to Jerusalem with mercy; my house shall be built in it, declares the LORD of hosts, and the measuring line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem.
Zechariah 1:16 nlt
"'Therefore, this is what the LORD says: I have returned to show mercy to Jerusalem. My Temple will be rebuilt, says the LORD of Heaven's Armies, and measurements will be taken for the reconstruction of Jerusalem. '
Zechariah 1 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
| Exod 25:8 | “Let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst.” | God desires to dwell among His people. |
| 1 Kgs 8:11 | "...the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD." | God's presence filled the first temple. |
| Isa 57:15 | "For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit...'" | God's dwelling and compassion for the contrite. |
| Ezek 43:7 | "Son of man, this is the place of my throne... where I will dwell in the midst of the people of Israel forever." | God's promise to dwell perpetually in the restored temple. |
| Zech 8:3 | "Thus says the LORD: 'I have returned to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem, and Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city, and the mountain of the LORD of hosts, the Holy Mountain.'" | Direct echo of Zech 1:16, emphasizing God's return and dwelling. |
| Ezra 1:1-3 | "In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia... he made a proclamation... ‘The LORD, the God of heaven... has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem...'" | Cyrus' decree allowing the return and temple rebuilding. |
| Ezra 3:8-13 | "In the second month of the second year... Zerubbabel... Jeshua... began to build the house of the LORD." | Foundation of the Second Temple laid, illustrating human cooperation. |
| Hag 1:7-9 | "Thus says the LORD of hosts: 'Consider your ways. Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified,' says the LORD." | Divine call to rebuild, linking obedience to God's pleasure. |
| Hag 2:6-9 | "For thus says the LORD of hosts: 'Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens... The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former...'" | Promise of future greater glory for the rebuilt house. |
| Isa 56:7 | "...My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples." | The universal purpose of God's house. |
| Jer 29:10 | "For thus says the LORD: 'When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill my good word to you, in bringing you back to this place.'" | Prophecy of return from exile, contextualizing God's future visit. |
| Neh 2:17 | "Then I said to them, 'You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins, with its gates burned. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer disgrace.'" | Parallel effort to rebuild Jerusalem's walls, confirming its restoration. |
| Psa 102:13-16 | "You will arise and have pity on Zion; for it is the time to favor her... For your servants hold her stones dear and have pity on her dust." | A cry and prophecy for Zion's restoration, God's favorable time. |
| Joel 3:17-20 | "So you shall know that I am the LORD your God, who dwells in Zion, my holy mountain... Jerusalem shall be holy..." | Future divine dwelling in Jerusalem and its holiness. |
| Rev 21:2-3 | "And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God... 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man.'" | Ultimate fulfillment of God's dwelling with man in the new Jerusalem. |
| Rev 21:10-16 | "He carried me away... and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven... having a great, high wall, with twelve gates... And the city lies foursquare, its length equal to its width." | Vision of the New Jerusalem, including its measurements, fulfilling the 'measuring line' theme comprehensively. |
| Psa 103:8 | "The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love." | Foundation of God's compassionate character. |
| Lam 3:22-23 | "The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning..." | God's unfailing compassion despite judgment. |
| Zech 2:1-2 | "I lifted my eyes again and saw, and behold, a man with a measuring line in his hand!... To measure Jerusalem, to see what is its breadth and what is its length.” | Further vision directly elaborating on the measuring line's purpose for Jerusalem's expansion. |
| Jer 31:39 | "And the measuring line shall go out farther, straight to the hill Gareb, and shall turn to Goah." | Prophecy of Jerusalem's future physical expansion. |
| Ezek 40:3-5 | "...he brought me there, and behold, there was a man whose appearance was like bronze, with a linen cord and a measuring reed in his hand..." | Measuring for the detailed future temple in Ezekiel's vision, demonstrating divine precision. |
| Amos 7:7-9 | "...He was standing beside a wall built with a plumb line, with a plumb line in his hand. And the LORD said to me, 'Amos, what do you see?' And I said, 'A plumb line.' Then the LORD said, 'Behold, I am setting a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel...'" | Measuring line can also signify divine judgment and setting of standards, providing depth to the imagery. |
| Isa 28:17 | "And I will make justice the line, and righteousness the plumb line..." | Figurative use of measuring lines for divine standards and judgment. |
Zechariah 1 verses
Zechariah 1 16 Meaning
This verse proclaims God's decisive shift from anger and judgment to tender compassion and renewed favor towards Jerusalem. It is a divine declaration guaranteeing the immediate and certain rebuilding of the Second Temple ("my house") and the comprehensive restoration and expansion of the city of Jerusalem, signified by the precise application of a measuring line. It reassures the returning exiles of God's active presence and commitment to His covenant promises, establishing a foundation for their work.
Zechariah 1 16 Context
Zechariah 1:16 falls within the opening section of the book (Zech 1:1-6, 1:7-6:15) which details a series of eight night visions given to the prophet. Following a call for the exiles to repent and return to the LORD (Zech 1:1-6), this verse initiates God's renewed favor, providing assurance directly after the first vision of the horsemen. In this first vision, a messenger reports that the nations are at ease while Jerusalem and the cities of Judah remain desolate (Zech 1:11). An angel then intercedes for Jerusalem, asking "How long will you have no mercy?" (Zech 1:12). God's answer to this plea, found in Zech 1:13, reveals "good and comforting words." Verse 16 is a direct proclamation of these "comforting words."
Historically, the exiles had returned to Judah in 538 BC after the decree of Cyrus (Ezra 1). The foundation of the Second Temple had been laid (Ezra 3), but due to Samaritan opposition and their own disillusionment, construction had ceased for about 16 years (Ezra 4). The people were living in their own comfortable houses while the Lord's house lay in ruins (Hag 1:4). Zechariah, alongside Haggai, was raised up by God to spur the community to resume the work, promising divine assistance and prosperity if they did so. This verse directly addresses their despair and provides the theological impetus for renewed effort.
Zechariah 1 16 Word analysis
- Therefore (לָכֵ֕ן lakhen): An emphatic particle linking this divine declaration as a direct consequence and positive response to the angelic intercession (Zech 1:12) and God's renewed zeal for Jerusalem (Zech 1:14-15). It signals a turning point in God's disposition and plan.
- thus says the LORD (כֹּה אָמַ֤ר יְהוָה֙ koh amar Yahweh): The classic formula for prophetic utterances, asserting the direct, unmediated word of Yahweh. It conveys absolute authority, certainty, and divine origin, making the ensuing promise an unalterable decree.
- I have returned (שַׁ֙בְתִּי֙ shavti): Qal perfect of the verb שׁוּב (shuv), "to turn, return." This is a significant theological statement. God, who symbolically "departed" from Jerusalem prior to the Babylonian exile due to the people's idolatry and sin (Ezek 10:18, 11:23), now declares His active and deliberate return. It marks a reversal of His judgmental presence and a re-engagement with His people in covenant fidelity.
- to Jerusalem (יְרֽוּשָׁלַ֫ם Yerushalem): The holy city, the site of the Temple, and the heart of God's covenant with Israel. God's return is specifically to His chosen dwelling place and people, signaling restoration for the entire nation represented by the city.
- with compassion (בְרַחֲמִים b'rachamim): The plural noun רַחֲמִים (rachamim) implies deep, multifaceted, and abundant mercy or compassion. Rooted in the word for "womb" (rechem), it signifies a motherly, deeply visceral, and tender love. It conveys God's profound pity and willingness to relieve suffering, marking a distinct shift from divine wrath (Zech 1:2, 1:15) to grace and restoration.
- my house (בֵיתִ֤י beiti): This directly refers to the Temple, emphasizing God's ownership and proprietary interest. It's not just a house but His house, signifying His intended dwelling among His people and the re-establishment of His covenantal presence and worship.
- shall be built (יִבָּ֣נֶה yibbaneh): Niphal imperfect of בָּנָה (banah), "to build." The Niphal (passive) voice is crucial here, highlighting that while the people must build (as per Haggai's message), God is the primary agent and guarantor of the construction. It will be built because God wills it and enables it.
- in it (בָּהּ bah): Within Jerusalem. Reinforces the location and God's specific commitment to this place.
- declares the LORD of hosts (נְאֻם־ יְהוָ֣ה צְבָא֔וֹת ne'um Yahweh Tzva'ot): A common prophetic declaration formula, emphasizing certainty. "LORD of hosts" (Yahweh Tzva'ot) is a majestic title highlighting God's absolute sovereignty, His command over all celestial and earthly armies and powers. It reassures the dispirited exiles that the Almighty God, who controls all creation, has declared this; thus, its fulfillment is absolutely certain, irrespective of human obstacles.
- and a measuring line (וְקָ֥ו veqav): Connected by waw (and), introducing the second key aspect of the restoration. קָו (qav) means "cord" or "measuring line." Symbolically, it indicates precise planning, order, and structured rebuilding. It signals the comprehensive and intentional nature of Jerusalem's restoration, implying not merely fixing ruins but systematic construction, likely encompassing expansion.
- shall be stretched out (יִנָּטֶֽה yinnateh): Niphal imperfect of נָטָה (natah), "to stretch out, extend." Again, the passive voice implies divine initiative. The measuring line won't just appear but will be actively (divinely) laid out.
- over Jerusalem (עַל־ יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם al Yerushalem): Extending over the city. This signifies not just the rebuilding of the Temple but also the full, planned, and perhaps expanded restoration of the entire city. In contrast to a destroyed city whose limits have shrunk, the measuring line points to new and established boundaries, affirming a flourishing future.
Zechariah 1 16 Bonus section
The immediate fulfillment of "my house shall be built" was the completion of the Second Temple under Zerubbabel, which occurred within Zechariah's lifetime. However, the comprehensive and ideal restoration signified by the "measuring line" had only a partial fulfillment in the post-exilic period. Scholars recognize that Zechariah's visions often have dual or even multi-layered fulfillments: an immediate, historical context, and a grander, eschatological realization. The ultimate fulfillment of a fully restored and expanded Jerusalem, where God truly dwells among His people without end, points towards the New Testament concept of the spiritual temple (the Church, 1 Cor 3:16, Eph 2:19-22) and finally, the New Jerusalem (Rev 21:10-16) in which God's presence is perfected and eternal. Thus, the promises in Zechariah 1:16 not only encouraged the physical rebuilding efforts but also laid a prophetic foundation for God's ultimate and everlasting dwelling with His people.
Zechariah 1 16 Commentary
Zechariah 1:16 is a foundational statement of hope and divine commitment, revealing God's character and plan. Following His people's discipline in exile, God declares an end to His righteous indignation and a profound turn back to Jerusalem with tender compassion. This divine declaration signals not just a general favor, but specific, actionable steps for the post-exilic community. Firstly, it explicitly guarantees that "my house"—the Second Temple—will indeed be built. This directly confronts the prevailing discouragement and delays, assuring the people that God Himself is the ultimate architect and guarantor of the project. The title "LORD of hosts" underlines His omnipotence, silencing any doubt about the fulfillment of His decree in the face of human weakness or external opposition. Secondly, the declaration that a "measuring line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem" is a powerful image of holistic restoration. It signifies precise, divinely orchestrated planning, systematic rebuilding, and indeed, expansion of the city's boundaries. It moves beyond merely constructing the Temple to envision a fully restored, functional, and even glorious Jerusalem. This verse serves as God's categorical answer to the angelic intercession and a powerful call to renewed faith and effort for the disheartened returnees. It ensures them that their labors in rebuilding the Temple and city are aligned with God's perfect will and sovereign power.