Zechariah 10 6

Zechariah 10:6 kjv

And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them again to place them; for I have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I am the LORD their God, and will hear them.

Zechariah 10:6 nkjv

"I will strengthen the house of Judah, And I will save the house of Joseph. I will bring them back, Because I have mercy on them. They shall be as though I had not cast them aside; For I am the LORD their God, And I will hear them.

Zechariah 10:6 niv

"I will strengthen Judah and save the tribes of Joseph. I will restore them because I have compassion on them. They will be as though I had not rejected them, for I am the LORD their God and I will answer them.

Zechariah 10:6 esv

"I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph. I will bring them back because I have compassion on them, and they shall be as though I had not rejected them, for I am the LORD their God and I will answer them.

Zechariah 10:6 nlt

"I will strengthen Judah and save Israel ;
I will restore them because of my compassion.
It will be as though I had never rejected them,
for I am the LORD their God, who will hear their cries.

Zechariah 10 verses

Zechariah 10 6 Meaning

Zechariah 10:6 presents a profound divine promise of comprehensive restoration for both the Southern Kingdom (Judah) and the Northern Kingdom (Joseph/Israel). It declares God's active intervention to strengthen, save, and return His scattered people. The core motivation is God's enduring compassion, which radically overturns their past rejection and exile, asserting His perpetual identity as their faithful God who is always accessible and responsive to them.

Zechariah 10 6 Context

Zechariah 10:6 is nestled within Zechariah's final vision concerning the future of God's people. Chapter 10 itself follows the oracles in chapter 9, which depict God's future judgment on surrounding nations and the coming of the Messiah (Zec 9:9-10). In contrast, chapter 10 turns to Israel, specifically Judah and Joseph, to promise restoration. The immediate context shows the people seeking help from "diviners" and "idols" (Zec 10:2) and facing oppression from their "shepherds" (leaders). This verse provides God's direct answer and alternative to their misplaced trust, declaring that He, not false gods or human leaders, will be their rescuer and restorer. Historically, Zechariah was a post-exilic prophet (circa 520-518 BC) ministering to the returned Jewish community in Judah. While a remnant had returned from Babylon, the northern tribes (House of Joseph/Israel) remained largely scattered after the Assyrian exile (722 BC). Thus, the promise of reuniting Judah and Joseph was a long-awaited and radical hope, emphasizing God's ultimate plan for a unified, flourishing Israel.

Zechariah 10 6 Word analysis

• "I will strengthen" (וְחִזַּקְתִּי֙ - ve-khizaqti): This Hebrew root חזק (chazaq) signifies to make firm, strengthen, harden, be courageous. It conveys divine empowerment, an act of God bestowing internal and external resilience. It implies overcoming weakness, fear, and opposition not by human might, but by divine initiative.
• "the house of Judah": Refers to the Southern Kingdom, whose remnant had already returned from Babylonian exile but still faced challenges and was a small, struggling community. It signifies God's direct and specific care for this part of His covenant people.
• "and I will save" (וְהוֹשַׁעְתִּי֙ - ve-hosha'ti): From ישע (yasha), meaning to save, deliver, bring victory. This is a comprehensive salvation, rescuing from oppression, enemies, sin, and spiritual desolation. It denotes active intervention for deliverance.
• "the house of Joseph": This represents the Northern Kingdom of Israel, which was deported by Assyria and scattered. Ephraim, often synonymous with Joseph, became the largest and most influential northern tribe. This promise signifies the future gathering and restoration of all twelve tribes, not just Judah, fulfilling the larger vision for Israel.
• "and I will bring them back" (וַהֲשִׁבֹתִים֙ - va-hashivotim): From שׁוב (shuv), meaning to return, restore, turn back. This speaks of a physical return from exile to their land, but also implicitly a spiritual return to God. It encompasses the complete reversal of their punishment and a fresh start.
• "for I have compassion on them" (כִּ֣י רִחַמְתִּ֔ים - ki richamtimm): The רחם (rakham) root is deep, signifying mercy, tenderness, deep pity, often associated with a mother's womb, implying a profound, visceral, and tender love. This highlights God's unfailing love and merciful disposition as the primary driver for His saving actions, not their merit.
• "and they shall be as though I had not cast them off" (וְהָי֕וּ כְּלֹ֣א זְנַחְתִּ֔ים - v'hayu k'lo zanakh'tim): זנח (zanakh) means to reject, cast off, abandon, often with finality. God is essentially stating that He will so thoroughly reverse their rejection (their exile and suffering due to sin) that it will be as if it never happened. This signifies a profound wiping away of the past consequences, not just forgiveness, but a complete restoration of their status.
• "for I am the LORD their God" (כִּי אֲנִי֙ יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֔ם - ki Ani YHWH Eloheihem): This is a powerful covenant declaration. "The LORD" (YHWH) is God's personal covenant name, emphasizing His unchangeable, faithful, and redemptive nature. "their God" (Eloheihem) reaffirms His unique relationship and commitment to His chosen people, solidifying the basis of all His promises.
• "and I will answer them" (וְאֶעֱנֵֽם - ve'e'enēm): From ענה (anah), meaning to answer, respond, declare. This signifies divine attentiveness and responsiveness to His people's prayers, cries, and needs. It assures them of direct communication and active intervention, directly countering their former feeling of abandonment and silence from God during their judgment.

Words-Group analysis

• "I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph": This phrase demonstrates God's commitment to both the separated components of Israel, showing His intention for a unified restoration. It counters the historical division and anticipates a time when both will experience God's active power and deliverance. The repetition of "I will" emphasizes divine agency.
• "and I will bring them back, for I have compassion on them": The action of bringing back (restoration) is directly linked to God's compassionate nature. It highlights that God's motivations are rooted in His unchanging love, rather than Israel's worthiness or current state, affirming His grace.
• "and they shall be as though I had not cast them off, for I am the LORD their God": This powerful statement assures a complete reversal of their fortunes. The consequences of their sin, which led to being "cast off" into exile, are erased as if they never occurred, establishing a fresh, unbroken covenant relationship. God's very nature as YHWH, their faithful God, guarantees this radical renewal.
• "and I will answer them": This concluding phrase affirms the relational aspect of God's covenant. Not only will He act powerfully and mercifully, but He will also maintain an intimate, responsive relationship with His restored people, hearing and acting upon their needs and prayers.

Zechariah 10 6 Bonus section

The promise of Zechariah 10:6 has a multifaceted fulfillment. While there was a partial historical fulfillment for Judah in their post-exilic return, the complete reunion and radical transformation for both "houses" are seen through a wider eschatological lens. The reference to the "House of Joseph" highlights that God's plans are for all twelve tribes, not just the returned remnant of Judah, indicating a future, all-encompassing ingathering that stretches beyond the initial post-exilic period. This verse implicitly sets the stage for a Messianic King (Zec 9:9-10) who will embody and execute this ultimate strengthening, saving, and uniting work. Furthermore, the divine attributes displayed — God as the strengthener, savior, restorer, and compassionate, responsive Lord — provide a powerful theological understanding of God's character applicable to His people across all dispensations, signifying that His ultimate goal is always reconciliation and flourishing based on His covenant love. The radical declaration "as though I had not cast them off" suggests a restorative act so profound that it virtually erases the consequences of past discipline, hinting at the concept of grace and the atoning work that covers sin so completely that its effects are undone.

Zechariah 10 6 Commentary

Zechariah 10:6 is a potent declaration of divine grace, signaling God's comprehensive restoration plan for all Israel. It portrays God as the sole initiator of Israel's resurgence, strengthening and saving both Judah and the long-lost tribes of Joseph. This promise goes beyond mere physical return; it speaks of a reversal so complete that the memory of their rejection is effectively nullified in their restored status. The foundation of this extraordinary pledge lies in God's unyielding compassion and His steadfast identity as their covenant God. This is not a reward for their righteousness but an overflow of His character, assuring His constant presence and responsiveness. This passage points to an eschatological hope, a time when a unified Israel will thrive under God's direct, faithful care, a truth echoed throughout both testaments in prophecies of the end times and the messianic reign.