Zechariah 12:3 kjv
And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.
Zechariah 12:3 nkjv
And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it.
Zechariah 12:3 niv
On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves.
Zechariah 12:3 esv
On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples. All who lift it will surely hurt themselves. And all the nations of the earth will gather against it.
Zechariah 12:3 nlt
On that day I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock. All the nations will gather against it to try to move it, but they will only hurt themselves.
Zechariah 12 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Zechariah 12:2 | "Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of staggering to all the surrounding peoples. | Judgment on nations |
| Psalm 75:8 | For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup... full of mixture; and He pours from it | God's judgment, wrath |
| Isaiah 51:17 | Awake, awake, and stand up, O Jerusalem, you who have drunk from the Lord’s hand the cup of his fury | God's judgment, wrath |
| Jeremiah 25:15 | For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, to me: “Take from my hand this cup of the wine of wrath, and make all the nations to whom I send you drink it.” | God's judgment, wrath |
| Revelation 14:10 | ...he will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured undiluted into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur... | Judgment on adversaries |
| Zechariah 14:12 | And this shall be the plague with which the Lord strikes all the peoples that fought against Jerusalem: their flesh will rot while they stand on their feet... | Divine destruction of enemies |
| Joel 3:16 | The Lord roars from Zion and utters his voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth shake, but the Lord is a refuge to his people, a stronghold to the people of Israel. | God's protective power |
| Psalm 60:3 | You have shown your people hard things; you have given us wine to drink that made us stagger. | Experiencing God's chastening |
| Habakkuk 2:15 | "Woe to him who makes his neighbor drink of the cup of his wrath, and makes him drunk, to gaze on their shameful parts!" | Judgment on oppressors |
| 1 Corinthians 10:22 | Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he? | Warning against provoking God |
| Proverbs 20:1 | Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise. | Effects of intoxication |
| Psalm 11:6 | Let him rain burning coals on the wicked; fire and sulfur and a scorching wind be their lot! | Divine punishment |
| Deuteronomy 32:42 | I will make my arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh, with the blood of the slain and the captives, from the long-haired heads of the enemy.” | God's victorious judgment |
| Revelation 17:4 | And the woman was clothed in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold and jewels and pearls, holding in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her fornication. | Idolatry and apostasy |
| Isaiah 29:9-10 | …The Lord has poured out on you a spirit of deep sleep, and he has closed your eyes (the prophets). He has covered your heads (the visions). | Divine blinding |
| 2 Thessalonians 2:11 | Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false... | Judgment of delusion |
| Jeremiah 51:7 | Babylon was a golden cup in the Lord’s hand, making all the earth drunk. From her wine the nations drank; therefore the nations are mad. | Idolatrous nation as judgment tool |
| Acts 2:15 | For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. | Spiritual intoxication comparison |
| Psalm 36:9 | For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light. | God as source of life |
| Ephesians 5:18 | And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit. | Contrast with spiritual fullness |
Zechariah 12 verses
Zechariah 12 3 Meaning
The verse describes Jerusalem as a "cup of staggering" or a "bowl of reeling" for all the surrounding nations. This imagery signifies that Jerusalem will become a source of confusion, disorientation, and perhaps even intoxicating judgment for those who attack it. The inhabitants of Jerusalem will be empowered by God, transforming their weakness into a source of strength that causes their enemies to falter and become drunk with divine wrath.
Zechariah 12 3 Context
Zechariah chapter 12 focuses on the future restoration of Jerusalem and God's judgment upon the nations that oppose His people. The preceding verses (12:1) lay the foundation for God's future actions regarding Israel. This particular verse (12:3) shifts to the consequence for the surrounding nations, specifically those who attempt to attack Jerusalem in the end times. The broader context of Zechariah's prophecy is the post-exilic period, yet it points forward to eschatological events. Historically, Jerusalem was frequently a target of aggressive nations. This prophecy envisions a final siege where God intervenes directly, causing the attackers to be utterly disoriented and incapacitated.
Zechariah 12 3 Word analysis
- Wə (וְ) - And. A conjunction connecting this verse to the preceding one, indicating a sequence or further detail.
- hə·yə·ṯâ (הָיְתָה) - She shall become. Feminine singular Qal perfect verb from the root היה (haya), meaning "to be" or "to become."
- lə·‘ā·mi (לְעָם) - To a people; For a nation. A preposition (לְ - lə) followed by the noun עם (am), meaning "people" or "nation."
- la·’ă·rî·mîm (לָאֲרִמִּיִם) - The inhabitants; The people. Masculine plural definite form of an ambiguous noun (ארימ - arim). In this context, it refers to the people or inhabitants, specifically those associated with the "nation" or "people" mentioned before. Some scholars suggest a connection to strength or readiness.
- ḥəs·rə·‘ê–‘ɛîṯ (חֶסְרֵ֣עֵית) - Wine cup; Cup of intoxicating poison. This is a significant term. It is a compound word:
- ḥəs·rə (חֶסֶר) - Deficiency, want, lack. However, here it likely forms part of the compound expressing a type of cup or mixture.
- ‘ɛîṯ (עֵית) - Timeliness, season, due time. However, in compound terms, it can form an intensified meaning.
- The Septuagint translates it as "a cup of madness." The interpretation leans towards a "cup of staggering" or "cup of stupor," referring to something that causes disorientation.
- kō·w·sî (כּוֹסִי) - My cup. Noun כּוס (kos) with the first-person common singular possessive suffix. Refers to "my cup."
- mê·‘î·ḏî (מֵאֵידִי) - My destructive, ravaging. Possessive form from the root איד (id), meaning "ruin," "calamity," or "destruction." This adjective modifies the "cup," implying a cup of destruction.
- wə·yə·ṯî·šə·qə (וְיָתִּשְׁבְּ) - And he shall make drunk. Feminine singular Piel perfect verb from the root שׁתה (shatah), meaning "to drink." The Piel stem indicates causativity, meaning "to cause to drink" or "to make drunk."
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "a cup of staggering to all the surrounding nations": This phrase presents Jerusalem as the epicenter of a divine potent drink. The nations, when they engage with Jerusalem, will become intoxicated by God's power.
- "and when they call against Jerusalem": This refers to any nation that declares war, summons forces, or makes appeals against Jerusalem.
- " Judah also shall be besieged against Jerusalem": This shows that even parts of Judah might be caught in the conflict or opposition, highlighting the widespread nature of the tribulation.
Zechariah 12 3 Bonus section
The Hebrew term for "cup of staggering" or "bowl of reeling" (חַסְרֶ֣עֵית) is a unique construction, and its exact nuance has been debated. Some scholars suggest it might be related to the idea of a cup that is deficient or lacking in its potency for the drinkers, meaning God retains its full destructive power. Others interpret it more as a cup given in due time, implying that the judgment is precisely timed by God. The understanding of it as a "cup of intoxication" or "staggering" is strongly supported by comparative ancient Near Eastern texts and other biblical passages that use similar imagery for divine judgment. The passage suggests that God equips Jerusalem to be not merely a passive recipient of defense but an active element in the downfall of her enemies, causing their leaders and armies to become mentally and strategically compromised. This divine enablement is the source of Jerusalem's eventual resilience.
Zechariah 12 3 Commentary
This verse vividly portrays the strategic and spiritual significance of Jerusalem in God's plan for the end times. It's not just a physical city but a focal point of divine intervention. The "cup of staggering" signifies that those who attempt to conquer or destabilize Jerusalem will be met with divine confusion and defeat, causing them to act irrationally and ultimately fail. This judgment will be so profound that it resembles the effects of strong drink, leading to disorientation and downfall. Even Judah, intended to be protected, might face a form of siege or distress during this period, emphasizing the severity of the final conflict but also God's ultimate purpose in preserving His chosen city and people. The imagery echoes throughout scripture, consistently depicting God’s judgment being poured out on His enemies through various means, often represented as a potent drink.