Zechariah 10 5

Zechariah 10:5 kjv

And they shall be as mighty men, which tread down their enemies in the mire of the streets in the battle: and they shall fight, because the LORD is with them, and the riders on horses shall be confounded.

Zechariah 10:5 nkjv

They shall be like mighty men, Who tread down their enemies In the mire of the streets in the battle. They shall fight because the LORD is with them, And the riders on horses shall be put to shame.

Zechariah 10:5 niv

Together they will be like warriors in battle trampling their enemy into the mud of the streets. They will fight because the LORD is with them, and they will put the enemy horsemen to shame.

Zechariah 10:5 esv

They shall be like mighty men in battle, trampling the foe in the mud of the streets; they shall fight because the LORD is with them, and they shall put to shame the riders on horses.

Zechariah 10:5 nlt

They will be like mighty warriors in battle,
trampling their enemies in the mud under their feet.
Since the LORD is with them as they fight,
they will overthrow even the enemy's horsemen.

Zechariah 10 verses

Zechariah 10 5 Meaning

Zechariah 10:5 foretells a remarkable transformation of God's people, primarily Judah and Ephraim. From a state of weakness, they will become formidable warriors, empowered directly by the Lord. This divine empowerment will enable them to decisively defeat their enemies, not merely repelling them but completely overcoming and humiliating them. The verse highlights that the source of their strength and victory is the direct, faithful presence of God with them, leading to the utter confusion and defeat of even the most powerful and feared adversaries.

Zechariah 10 5 Context

Zechariah chapter 10 falls within the "Burden of the Word of the LORD" (chapters 9-14), a prophetic section primarily focused on Israel's future, including a glorious restoration and the final confrontation with opposing nations. Following God's promise to save His flock from false shepherds (Zech 10:1-3) and to raise up leaders (cornerstone, tent peg, battle bow) from among them, verse 5 specifically details the direct empowerment God will bestow upon His people, identified in surrounding verses as Judah and Ephraim (the entire covenant community). Historically, the Jews returning from Babylonian exile were militarily weak and often under the subjugation of successive world powers (Persian, then Greek, potentially alluded to in the prophetic vision). Zechariah 10:5 prophesies a reversal of this situation, emphasizing a future where God transforms their weakness into invincible strength against formidable enemies, showcasing His unique ability to defend and deliver His chosen people. The "riders on horses" represent the advanced military might of empires of the day, making the promised victory even more remarkable and divinely wrought.

Zechariah 10 5 Word analysis

• And they shall be as mighty men (וְהָיוּ כְגִבּוֹרִים v'hāyū kəgibbōrîm)
  • v'hāyū: "and they shall be." Indicates a future state, a divine transformation from their current weakness.
  • kəgibbōrîm: "as mighty men," "as warriors," "as heroes." The term gibbor (singular) denotes powerful, valorous individuals, often warriors or champions. This signifies not just general strength, but heroic military prowess and effectiveness in battle.
• which tread down their enemies (בֹּסְסֵי אֹיְבֵיהֶם bōse(y) əsû 'ō(y)vêhem)
  • bōse(y): "treading down," "trampling," "crushing." This verb emphasizes a complete, forceful, and utterly dominant defeat.
  • ʾō(y)vêhem: "their enemies." Refers to all adversaries who oppose God's people.
• in the mire of the streets (בַּטִּיט חוּצוֹ baṭṭîṭ ḥûṣō(y)w)
  • baṭṭîṭ: "in the mire," "in the mud" or "filth." Ṭiṭ describes dirty, sticky mud, often associated with degradation and impurity. It implies a disgusting and humiliating state.
  • ḥûṣō(y)w: "of its streets," "out in the open." The defeat is public, visible, and deeply disgraceful, as if the enemies are reduced to worthless, trodden refuse.
• in the battle (בַּקְּרָב baqqaṭrāv)
  • baqqaṭrāv: "in the midst of battle," "in the conflict." Confirms that this powerful trampling takes place during an actual, direct confrontation, highlighting the immediacy and completeness of the victory.
• and they shall fight (וְנִלְחֲמוּ v'niləḥămû)
  • v'niləḥămû: "and they shall fight" (Hiphil conjugation). Despite God's empowering presence, the people are still active participants. It's a divinely enabled engagement, not a passive victory. This verb in the perfect tense denotes a future certainty.
• because the LORD is with them (כִּי יְהוָה אִתָּם kî YHWH 'ittām)
  • kî: "because," "for," "surely." Introduces the fundamental reason and absolute certainty of their success.
  • YHWH: The covenant name of God, indicating His personal, faithful, and active involvement with His chosen people.
  • ʾittām: "with them." This phrase is the theological cornerstone of the verse. It points to God's presence as the exclusive source of their transformation and triumph, underscoring divine enablement over human strength. It evokes the powerful "Immanuel" theme.
• and the riders on horses shall be confounded (וּבוֹשׁוּ רֹכְבֵי סוּסִים ûvōšû rōkəvē sûsîm)
  • ûvōšû: "and they shall be ashamed," "disgraced," "confounded," "put to shame." Denotes a deep sense of humiliation, demoralization, and utter bewilderment, resulting in the collapse of their effectiveness.
  • rōkəvē sûsîm: "riders of horses," "cavalry." Represents the pinnacle of ancient military might and strategic advantage – speed, shock, and destructive power. Their confounding highlights that even superior human military force is impotent against God's direct intervention. This serves as a polemic against reliance on human power versus divine strength.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And they shall be as mighty men, which tread down their enemies": This entire phrase describes a reversal of fortune. The once weak and downtrodden will become strong and victorious, actively crushing their foes. It signifies not just victory but complete domination and subjugation of their adversaries.
• "in the mire of the streets in the battle": This vivid imagery intensifies the description of the enemy's defeat. It is a public, total, and humiliating overthrow, where they are rendered helpless and despised in the very context of military conflict.
• "and they shall fight, because the LORD is with them": This core statement reveals the synergistic relationship between divine power and human action. The people are empowered to fight, but the success and effectiveness of their fighting are directly contingent upon and derived from the personal, active presence of God among them.
• "and the riders on horses shall be confounded": This specific mention of cavalry is significant. Horsemen were the elite forces, often considered invincible. Their "confounding" (being put to shame and thrown into disarray) dramatically underscores the extent of God's power—even the strongest human might will utterly fail against Him.

Zechariah 10 5 Bonus section

• Eschatological Fulfillment: Many scholars view Zechariah 10:5 as having a dual fulfillment. While it certainly spoke to the post-exilic community about their restoration and defense, its strong, almost hyperbolic language and placement within Zechariah's prophetic corpus also point towards an ultimate eschatological victory during the messianic era. This could include both literal physical victories for a restored Israel and the spiritual triumph of the church over all opposition through Christ's return.
• Emphasis on Divine-Human Partnership: The phrase "they shall fight, because the LORD is with them" succinctly captures the dynamic between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. God empowers, but His people must engage. This rejects both passivity and self-reliance, teaching that true victory comes through obedient action fueled by divine presence.
• Polemical Stance: The mention of "riders on horses" being confounded directly challenges the pagan and worldly reliance on military strength. In the ancient Near East, cavalry was often the decisive factor in battles, a symbol of overwhelming power. Zechariah declares that this very symbol of human might will be nullified and shamed when it stands against God and His people, demonstrating the futility of trusting in anything other than the Lord (cf. Psalms 33:17).
• Hope for the Discouraged: For the post-exilic community, surrounded by more powerful nations and their own internal struggles, this verse offered immense hope. It reminded them that their perceived weakness was not a barrier to God's plans and that their future was secured by His unwavering presence and power.

Zechariah 10 5 Commentary

Zechariah 10:5 is a powerful prophecy illustrating the profound transformation and empowerment God provides for His chosen people. It pictures a people, historically weakened and oppressed, being divinely endowed with the strength and resolve of seasoned warriors. This is no ordinary battle; the victory is total and humiliating for the adversaries, who are depicted as being trodden down like refuse in public streets. The central message, however, rests in the concise declaration: "because the LORD is with them." This clause is the wellspring of their power, transforming ordinary people into an irresistible force. The inclusion of "riders on horses" being confounded serves as a powerful testament to God's supremacy over all human military prowess. Even the most technologically advanced or formidable enemy forces will collapse into shame and disarray when they confront a people backed by the Lord of hosts. This verse holds dual implications: an ancient promise of restoration and defense for Israel, and an eternal principle that God's people, acting in His power and presence, will ultimately triumph over all spiritual and temporal adversaries.