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

Zechariah 12:6 prophesies a future time, often referred to as "that day," when the families of Judah will be divinely empowered with irresistible destructive force against all their surrounding enemies. Using vivid imagery of fire consuming flammable materials—a firepot in a woodpile and a flaming torch among sheaves—the verse illustrates the swift and total victory Judah will achieve. Concurrently, Jerusalem, the object of intense spiritual and military conflict, will be fully restored, securely reinhabited, and permanently established in its rightful place.

Zechariah 12 6 Context

Zechariah 12:6 is situated within the "Burden of the Word of the Lord Concerning Israel" (Zech 9-14), specifically in the first part that focuses on Jerusalem's deliverance and the mourning for the pierced One. Chapter 12 foretells a future siege of Jerusalem by all nations, but instead of succumbing, Jerusalem is miraculously strengthened by God to become an "immovable rock" (v. 3) and a cause of panic for its adversaries. This particular verse vividly describes the empowered state of the "clans of Judah" in battle. Historically, the post-exilic community under Zechariah understood their vulnerability. The prophet's message instilled hope by looking forward to a time of divine intervention where God would not only defend His people but empower them to become victors, establishing Jerusalem permanently despite past destructions and foreign dominance. This counters any belief that foreign powers held ultimate sway or that Judah was destined for perpetual subjugation.

Zechariah 12 6 Word analysis

• "In that day" (בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא - bayyôm hahûʾ): A recurring prophetic phrase throughout Zechariah and other prophets. It marks a definite future time of God's direct intervention, often pointing to eschatological events and the ultimate establishment of His kingdom. It signals a shift from the present reality to a divinely orchestrated future.
• "I will make": Emphasizes God's sovereign initiative and active role. It is His power, not Judah's inherent strength, that transforms their military capability. God is the primary agent behind these future events.
• "the clans of Judah" (אֵלּוּפֵי יְהוּדָה - ʾellûpê Yĕhûdâ): ʾellûpê generally means 'chiefs' or 'leaders,' but in context, "clans" implies not just military elites, but all collective groups or families of Judah. It suggests a widespread, comprehensive empowerment across all segments of Judah's people. This collective strength reflects divine empowerment rather than conventional military might.
• "like a firepot in a woodpile" (כְּכִיּוֹר אֵשׁ בַּעֵצִים - kəḵîyôr ʾēš baʿēṣîm): Kîyôr is a 'brazier' or 'firepot,' a vessel for holding hot coals. ʿēṣîm means 'wood' or 'trees.' This imagery signifies total and irresistible destructive power. A firepot in a dry woodpile rapidly causes a comprehensive blaze, consuming everything.
• "like a flaming torch among sheaves" (וּכְלַפִּיד אֵשׁ בַּעֲמִיר - ûḵəlappîḏ ʾēš baʿămîr): Lappîḏ is a 'torch,' and ʿămîrîm refers to 'sheaves of grain'—highly flammable, dry crop bundles. This parallels the previous image, intensifying the picture of quick, thorough, and unavoidable devastation for their enemies. The enemies are like readily combustible fuel.
• "and they will consume" (וְאָכְלוּ - wəʾāḵlû): ʾāḵal means 'to eat' or 'to consume.' Used here metaphorically, it means to utterly destroy, to make an end of. This isn't just winning a battle but thoroughly dismantling the opposition.
• "all the surrounding peoples" (כָּל-הָעַמִּים סָבִיב - kāl-hāʿammîm sāḇîḇ): Refers to all the nations hostile to Israel and Jerusalem. This emphasizes the wide-ranging victory over all hostile neighbors.
• "right and left" (מִיָּמִין וּמִשְּׂמֹאול - mîyāmîn ûmišśmôʾl): An idiom signifying 'in every direction' or 'everywhere.' It conveys the totality and comprehensiveness of Judah's victory; no enemy in any direction will escape their empowered assault.
• "And Jerusalem will again be inhabited" (וְיָשְׁבָה יְרוּשָׁלַם - wəyāšəḇâ Yərûšālim): Yāšab means 'to dwell,' 'inhabit,' 'settle.' This promises not just rebuilding, but a secure, populous, and flourishing restoration for the city.
• "in its place, in Jerusalem" (עַל-מְקוֹמָהּ בִּירוּשָׁלָיִם - ʿal-məqômāh bîrûšālāyim): məqômāh means 'her place.' The repetition emphasizes permanence and divine establishment. It highlights that Jerusalem will remain central, unmovable, and not displaced or conquered again, symbolizing enduring stability and God's secure dwelling among His people.

Zechariah 12 6 Bonus section

The intensity of the destructive imagery, likening Judah to an unstoppable fire, highlights a significant aspect of divine judgment executed through human agents. This is not merely a defensive act but an aggressive, thorough victory orchestrated by God. The double mention of "Jerusalem" at the end of the verse "in its place, in Jerusalem" is a strong rhetorical device for emphasis. It underscores the unparalleled importance, unique status, and enduring security God will bestow upon His holy city, making it clear that its future establishment will be unshakable and precisely where it belongs—forever secured by divine decree. This verse also implicitly contrasts with Judah's past failures and exiles, assuring a final, unchallengeable redemption and permanence.

Zechariah 12 6 Commentary

Zechariah 12:6 offers a profound vision of divine empowerment and restoration, centering on God's decisive intervention in the eschatological "Day of the Lord." It paints a picture of Judah, typically weak and vulnerable in the post-exilic period, transformed into an unstoppable, consuming force. The imagery of a "firepot in a woodpile" and "flaming torch among sheaves" brilliantly communicates an irresistible and thorough destruction of all hostile nations. This is not achieved by Judah's inherent military might, but by the direct action and empowerment of God, signified by "I will make." This victory ensures not only the vanquishing of adversaries but also the complete and permanent restoration of Jerusalem. The repeated phrase "in its place, in Jerusalem" emphasizes stability, security, and an enduring re-establishment, a stark contrast to its history of siege, destruction, and exile. The verse offers a powerful promise of ultimate divine vindication for God's chosen city and people against all forces of opposition, establishing a kingdom that will never be overthrown.For practical usage, this verse reassures believers that even in times of vulnerability, God empowers His people to overcome overwhelming odds against spiritual adversaries, and ultimately secures His promises for His Church (spiritual Jerusalem), ensuring her permanence and victory.