Zechariah 12 6

Zechariah 12:6 kjv

In that day will I make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem.

Zechariah 12:6 nkjv

In that day I will make the governors of Judah like a firepan in the woodpile, and like a fiery torch in the sheaves; they shall devour all the surrounding peoples on the right hand and on the left, but Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place?Jerusalem.

Zechariah 12:6 niv

"On that day I will make the clans of Judah like a firepot in a woodpile, like a flaming torch among sheaves. They will consume all the surrounding peoples right and left, but Jerusalem will remain intact in her place.

Zechariah 12:6 esv

"On that day I will make the clans of Judah like a blazing pot in the midst of wood, like a flaming torch among sheaves. And they shall devour to the right and to the left all the surrounding peoples, while Jerusalem shall again be inhabited in its place, in Jerusalem.

Zechariah 12:6 nlt

"On that day I will make the clans of Judah like a flame that sets a woodpile ablaze or like a burning torch among sheaves of grain. They will burn up all the neighboring nations right and left, while the people living in Jerusalem remain secure.

Zechariah 12 verses

Zechariah 12 6 Meaning

This verse describes the transformation of Jerusalem into a formidable stronghold and a powerful force. It suggests that in the future, during the Lord's intervention, Jerusalem will be seen not just as a city, but as a potent military power, with its inhabitants possessing the strength and authority of the Davidic dynasty. They will overcome all opposition.

Zechariah 12 6 Context

This verse is part of Zechariah chapter 12, which is the beginning of a prophecy concerning God's future dealings with Israel and the surrounding nations. The immediate context is the gathering of nations against Jerusalem for battle, a situation described in verse 2 of this chapter. Zechariah 12 sets the stage for the ultimate deliverance of Jerusalem by the Lord himself. This chapter foretells a time of great tribulation for Jerusalem, followed by divine intervention and salvation. It emphasizes God's sovereignty and his role as the ultimate defender of His people and city. The prophecy speaks of a future millennial reign and the spiritual transformation of Jerusalem, where it will be a place of immense divine power.

Zechariah 12 6 Word analysis

• And (וְ, ve): A conjunctive particle, linking clauses and indicating continuation or addition.
• it (הוּא, hu'): Refers back to Jerusalem.
• shall be (יִהְיֶה, yihyeh): Future tense of "to be," indicating a future state or condition.
• as (כְּ, kə): A preposition indicating likeness or comparison.
• a (a definite article ha- often implied or combined with prepositions): Jerusalem will be like.
• hearth (אֵת, 'eth): Though 'eth can be an object marker, in other contexts related to fire or hearth, it signifies a place of fire or intense heat. However, in some translations, it's rendered as "a furnace" or "a hearth" in a figurative sense of intense power and judgment. The primary understanding relates to intense, fiery power.
• of (the use of genitive construction): Indicates possession or characteristic.
• fire (אֵשׁ, ’ēsh): Symbolizes God's purifying, judging, and powerful presence.
• and (וְ, ve): Continuing the description.
• as (כְּ, kə): Indicating comparison.
• a (implied definite article):
• torch (לַפִּיד, lappid): Signifies brilliance, intensity, and consuming power. It's something that illuminates and can also destroy.
• of (genitive construction):
• an (implied indefinite article):
• olive tree (זַיִת, zayit): The olive tree was a symbol of prosperity, fertility, and God's blessing in ancient Israel. Here, its fruitfulness is contrasted with intense destructive power.
• in (בְּ, bə): Indicating location or sphere of operation.
• the midst (תּוֹךְ, tok): The central part, among.
• of (genitive construction):
• them (הֵם, hem): Refers to the surrounding nations.
• and (וְ, ve): Conjunction.
• it (וְהָפַךְ, vehafach, and she will turn): This verb suggests a transformation or change in character and action. Jerusalem will actively act as a destructive force.
• shall devour (יֹאכַל, yo'kal): Means to eat, consume, devour. It implies utter destruction and consumption.
• on (בְּ, bə):
• the right (יָמִין, yamin): Symbolically, the place of power and authority.
• hand (יָד, yad):
• and (וְ, ve):
• on (בְּ, bə):
• the left (שְׂמֹאל, smol): Represents opposition or weakness.
• hand (יָד, yad):
• and (וְ, ve):
• Jerusalem (יְרוּשָׁלַם, Yerushalayim): The city itself.
• shall be (תִּשֵׁב, tishev, will dwell): Implies residence and enduring presence.
• again (עוֹד, 'od, again, yet, still): Signifying continuity or repetition in the future.
• in (בִּ, bi):
• its (construct form relating to the possessor):
• own (מְקוֹם, mekom): Place.
• place (or jurisdiction/appointment):
• in (בִּ, bi):
• Jerusalem (יְרוּשָׁלַם, Yerushalayim):
• even (כֵּן, ken, thus, so, indeed): Emphatically reinforcing the statement.
• in (בִּ, bi):
• Jerusalem (יְרוּשָׁלַם, Yerushalayim).

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "a hearth of fire... and as a torch of an olive tree": This imagery denotes that Jerusalem, in its future restored state, will possess an intense, powerful, and divinely-fueled energy. The hearth is a source of sustained warmth and consuming fire. The torch of an olive tree is vivid, suggesting a brilliant and possibly wild or uncontainable light and heat emanating from the very sustenance of Israel (the olive tree). This points to judgment and power that is not easily extinguished.
• "and it shall devour on the right hand and on the left hand": This phrase signifies absolute and complete destruction of all opposing forces, no matter their position or perceived strength. It implies that every enemy, whether in a position of advantage (right hand) or disadvantage (left hand), will be consumed.
• "and Jerusalem shall dwell again in its own place, even in Jerusalem": This reiterates Jerusalem's restoration to its rightful, God-given position and existence. The repetition emphasizes the permanence and secure reality of its re-establishment.

Zechariah 12 6 Bonus section

The olive tree, mentioned in the context of the torch, symbolizes Israel itself, known for its resilience and its blessed status under God. Thus, Jerusalem becomes a beacon and instrument of divine judgment, drawing its power from God, symbolized by the olive tree. This prophecy also anticipates the judgment that will fall upon all nations who come against Israel and God's purposes, a theme consistent throughout prophetic literature. It underscores that God's ultimate victory and reign will be established through His people and His appointed city.

Zechariah 12 6 Commentary

Zechariah 12:6 describes a future manifestation of divine power resident in Jerusalem. The city will be transformed into a force of immense and consuming power, likened to a fiery hearth and a brilliant, consuming torch made from the olive tree's produce. This power will be directed against all who oppose God and His people, completely devastating them without discrimination (devouring on the right and left). Despite this immense power, Jerusalem will be re-established permanently in its own God-appointed place, signifying restoration and enduring security. This imagery points to the future millennial reign of Christ, where His authority will be sovereign, and His enemies will be utterly destroyed. The verse highlights the transformation from a vulnerable city to an invincible spiritual and temporal center of God's power and rule.