Zechariah 2 2

Zechariah 2:2 kjv

Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof.

Zechariah 2:2 nkjv

So I said, "Where are you going?" And he said to me, "To measure Jerusalem, to see what is its width and what is its length."

Zechariah 2:2 niv

I asked, "Where are you going?" He answered me, "To measure Jerusalem, to find out how wide and how long it is."

Zechariah 2:2 esv

Then I said, "Where are you going?" And he said to me, "To measure Jerusalem, to see what is its width and what is its length."

Zechariah 2:2 nlt

"Where are you going?" I asked. He replied, "I am going to measure Jerusalem, to see how wide and how long it is."

Zechariah 2 verses

Zechariah 2 2 Meaning

Zechariah 2:2 describes a profound exchange within Zechariah's second vision. The prophet queries a measuring angel about the purpose of his actions. The angel responds that he is surveying Jerusalem, specifically its breadth and length, indicating a divine intent for the city's expansive future and an upcoming, massive population growth, far surpassing its current desolate state. This measurement is not for limitation but for an extraordinary restoration and a comprehensive understanding of God's magnificent plan for His holy city.

Zechariah 2 2 Context

Zechariah 2:2 is part of the second of eight symbolic night visions given to the prophet Zechariah between 520 and 518 BC, during the second year of King Darius's reign (Zec 1:7). This was a crucial time for the returned Jewish exiles from Babylon. Jerusalem lay in ruins, its walls broken, and the Temple rebuilding efforts faced opposition and internal apathy (Ezra 4:24). The people were deeply discouraged, contemplating their seemingly limited future amidst desolate circumstances. This vision, specifically Zec 2:1-5, directly follows the vision of the four horns and four smiths (Zec 1:18-21), which assured the people of God's victory over their enemies. Zechariah 2:2 introduces the surveying of Jerusalem, setting the stage for the remarkable prophecy in verses 4 and 5 that Jerusalem will expand so greatly it will be too vast for walls, and God Himself will be its protecting fire and glory within. The context is one of divine encouragement and an unveiling of God's immense plans, far beyond human capacity or current disheartening realities.

Zechariah 2 2 Word Analysis

• Then said I: The "I" refers to Zechariah, indicating his direct, inquisitive participation in the vision. He is an active observer and inquirer, seeking understanding of God's purposes.
• Whither goest thou?: Zechariah's direct question to the measuring angel (or man, per Zec 2:1) expresses his genuine desire to understand the divine activity he is witnessing. It signifies a pursuit of revelation.
• And he said unto me: The response comes from the angelic messenger (מַלְאָךְ, mal'akh, messenger), underscoring that the information is a direct revelation from God through His divine agent.
• To measure (לִמְדֹּד, limdod): The verb limdod means "to measure." In this context, it is not for confinement or demarcation of limits, but rather to ascertain the current state in preparation for, and to declare the scale of, future expansion. It implies a detailed assessment and planning for immense growth. Unlike instances of measuring for judgment (e.g., Amos 7:7-8) or precise architectural specifications for a sacred structure (e.g., Ezek 40:3), here it precedes a promise of immeasurable growth.
• Jerusalem (יְרוּשָׁלַיִם, Yerushalayim): The city central to God's covenant, symbolizing His presence, His people, and their divinely appointed dwelling. In its ruined state post-exile, its measurement for future glory emphasizes God's faithfulness to His covenant promises concerning His earthly dwelling place.
• to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof: This phrase details the comprehensive nature of the measurement. The angel is not merely going, but going "to see," to discern the full potential dimensions. This reinforces the idea of God's foreknowledge and the exactness of His plans for the city's future immense growth. The very act of measuring highlights the tangible promise of expansion and population explosion beyond current physical boundaries.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "Whither goest thou? ... To measure Jerusalem": This exchange reveals God's specific and purposeful action. It communicates that God is not passively observing Jerusalem's desolation but is actively involved in planning its grand future. This immediate divine response dispels any doubt about His intentionality.
• "To measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof": This entire phrase, focusing on the act of measuring and comprehending Jerusalem's full dimensions, signifies divine foresight and a promise of boundless restoration. It implies that Jerusalem's future expanse will be so great that human attempts to wall it off would be futile or insufficient, necessitating God's own immeasurable protection and presence as described in Zec 2:4-5. It is a pictorial representation of abundant blessings and population increase.

Zechariah 2 2 Bonus Section

The angelic figure undertaking the measurement in Zechariah 2:1-2 is sometimes understood by commentators as the Angel of the Lord, possibly a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ, given the significance of his role in mediating revelation and action (e.g., Zec 1:11-13). This would underscore the divine authority and certainty behind the promise. The act of "measuring" itself, especially without a specific reason stated upfront in the prophet's query, subtly sets up the powerful revelation in the following verses: that Jerusalem will expand beyond walls. This foreshadows a time of unprecedented security and divine indwelling, where human constructs for protection become irrelevant. The scene not only serves as encouragement for the rebuilding Temple but points to the glorious, unhindered future of God's kingdom and the spiritual expansion of His people.

Zechariah 2 2 Commentary

Zechariah 2:2 serves as the initial step in conveying God's monumental vision for Jerusalem. The seemingly ordinary act of measuring is infused with profound divine intention: it's not about imposing boundaries but rather affirming the limitless scope of God's restorative plan. At a time when Jerusalem was confined, desolate, and demoralized, this vision assures the struggling post-exilic community that their city is destined for an astonishing, uncontainable expansion and population growth. The angelic surveyor is essentially taking stock of an inheritance whose future dimensions defy earthly confines. This speaks to God's capacity to exceed human expectation and the visible limitations, laying the groundwork for the promise of Jerusalem's future as an unwalled city thriving under divine protection and glory (Zec 2:4-5). It emphasizes that God's plans are always greater than our present circumstances. For practical usage, this verse encourages believers to trust in God's grander design even when current realities appear bleak, knowing that He meticulously plans for overflowing blessing and security beyond what we can comprehend or enclose.