Zechariah 12:1 kjv
The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.
Zechariah 12:1 nkjv
The burden of the word of the LORD against Israel. Thus says the LORD, who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him:
Zechariah 12:1 niv
A prophecy: The word of the LORD concerning Israel. The LORD, who stretches out the heavens, who lays the foundation of the earth, and who forms the human spirit within a person, declares:
Zechariah 12:1 esv
The oracle of the word of the LORD concerning Israel: Thus declares the LORD, who stretched out the heavens and founded the earth and formed the spirit of man within him:
Zechariah 12:1 nlt
This message concerning the fate of Israel came from the LORD: "This message is from the LORD, who stretched out the heavens, laid the foundations of the earth, and formed the human spirit.
Zechariah 12 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Zech 12:1 | "The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel..." | Zechariah 12:1 (Source) |
| Zech 14:2 | "For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle..." | Zechariah 14:2 (Fulfillment) |
| Joel 3:1-2 | "For, behold, in those days and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem," ... "I will also gather all nations..." | Joel 3:1-2 (Parallel Prophecy) |
| Isa 34:2 | "For the indignation of the LORD is upon all nations..." | Isaiah 34:2 (God's Judgment) |
| Ezek 38:4, 16 | "Yea, I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws..." | Ezekiel 38:4, 16 (Gog & Magog) |
| Rev 20:8-9 | "...and shall come forth to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle..." | Revelation 20:8-9 (Eschatological Parallel) |
| Jer 23:16 | "Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you..." | Jeremiah 23:16 (False Prophets) |
| Jer 30:7 | "Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it..." | Jeremiah 30:7 (Day of Jacob's Trouble) |
| Matt 24:21 | "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time..." | Matthew 24:21 (Great Tribulation) |
| Luke 21:24 | "...and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled." | Luke 21:24 (Times of Gentiles) |
| Rom 11:26 | "And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written..." | Romans 11:26 (Salvation of Israel) |
| Zeph 3:8 | "Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations..." | Zephaniah 3:8 (Gathering Nations) |
| Mic 4:3 | "And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off..." | Micah 4:3 (God's Judgment) |
| Zech 14:14 | "And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem..." | Zechariah 14:14 (Judah Fights) |
| Ps 2:1-2 | "Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?" | Psalm 2:1-2 (Nations Against God) |
| Isa 66:15-16 | "For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind..." | Isaiah 66:15-16 (Lord's Coming Judgment) |
| Acts 4:25-26 | "Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?" | Acts 4:25-26 (David's words quoted) |
| Joel 2:30-31 | "And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke." | Joel 2:30-31 (Signs of Judgment) |
| 1 Thess 5:2-3 | "For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night." | 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3 (Day of Lord's Coming) |
| Rev 16:14, 16 | "For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty." | Revelation 16:14, 16 (Gathering for Armageddon) |
| Zech 2:8 | "For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you..." | Zechariah 2:8 (Lord's Declaration) |
| Nah 2:13 | "Behold, I am against thee, saith the LORD of hosts..." | Nahum 2:13 (God Against Nations) |
| Ezek 20:34 | "And I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered..." | Ezekiel 20:34 (Gathering Out) |
| Isa 8:9-10 | "Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces..." | Isaiah 8:9-10 (Nations Broken) |
Zechariah 12 verses
Zechariah 12 1 Meaning
The prophecy begins by announcing Yahweh's intention to gather all nations against Jerusalem for battle. This act is presented as a divine decree, an outpouring of divine wrath and purpose. It signifies a crucial turning point where Jerusalem, the city of God's covenant, becomes the focal point of global conflict, ultimately leading to God's intervention and vindication.
Zechariah 12 1 Context
This verse marks the commencement of Zechariah chapter 12, a section filled with powerful prophetic declarations. The historical backdrop is post-exilic Judah, during the rebuilding of the Temple. Zechariah is delivering a series of oracles from the LORD. Chapter 12, specifically, focuses on a future eschatological conflict centered around Jerusalem, detailing both the intense pressure on the city and God's ultimate salvation of His people. This initial declaration sets the stage for a major divine intervention that will confirm Israel's restored standing and judgment upon its enemies. The prophecies in Zechariah, like this one, often carry immediate implications for the people in Zechariah's time but also point to a final, overarching fulfillment in the end times.
Zechariah 12 1 Word Analysis
The (H376) burden (Massa): The Hebrew word 'massa' signifies a "burden," "oracle," or "utterance," often referring to a prophecy that carries significant weight, judgment, or a divine message that is heavy. It is a formal prophetic pronouncement.
of the word (Dabar): 'Dabar' means "word," "saying," "thing," "matter," or "promise." Here, it signifies the divine message delivered by the prophet.
of the LORD (Yahweh): This is the personal covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal, self-existent nature and His specific relationship with Israel.
for Israel (Le Yisrael): 'Le' means "for" or "to," and 'Yisrael' refers to the covenant people of God. This indicates the recipient and subject of this prophetic message.
to pronounce (Nasha): This Hebrew verb, less common in this specific conjugation, can relate to lifting, bearing, or declaring. Here it points to the act of conveying the message.
declaration of divine utterance: The phrase "burden of the word of the LORD" underscores the gravity and divine authority of the prophecy being conveyed.
focus on Israel: The message is specifically directed towards and concerning the people of Israel, indicating their central role in this prophetic unfolding.
forthcoming judgment/gathering: The introductory statement prepares the audience for a significant future event initiated by God.
Zechariah 12 1 Bonus Section
This introductory verse establishes the thematic foundation of Zechariah chapter 12, which intricately details a future eschatological battle centered on Jerusalem. The "burden" spoken of is not merely a pronouncement of doom but a prophetic burden that ultimately leads to God's glory and salvation. This immediate context sets the stage for the subsequent verses that describe the siege of Jerusalem and the miraculous deliverance by the LORD. The message is ultimately one of hope, demonstrating that even in the midst of the fiercest opposition, God will not abandon His people, and His redemptive plan will prevail. This prophetic theme of God's judgment and salvation converging on Jerusalem is a recurring motif throughout biblical prophecy.
Zechariah 12 1 Commentary
Zechariah 12:1 is an opening salvo, a formal declaration of a significant prophecy. It's not just news; it's a divinely appointed message of utmost importance. The phrase "burden of the word" carries the weight of divine decree, signaling that what follows is not a casual observation but a powerful, perhaps weighty, pronouncement from Yahweh Himself. This opening emphasizes the sovereignty of God in orchestrating future events. It prepares the reader for an account of an impending universal conflict centered on Jerusalem, a conflict that will reveal God's power and faithfulness to His covenant people. The verse establishes that this is not a matter of human planning but a divine orchestration designed to bring about His ultimate purposes.