Zechariah 8 11

Zechariah 8:11 kjv

But now I will not be unto the residue of this people as in the former days, saith the LORD of hosts.

Zechariah 8:11 nkjv

But now I will not treat the remnant of this people as in the former days,' says the LORD of hosts.

Zechariah 8:11 niv

But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as I did in the past," declares the LORD Almighty.

Zechariah 8:11 esv

But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as in the former days, declares the LORD of hosts.

Zechariah 8:11 nlt

"But now I will not treat the remnant of my people as I treated them before, says the LORD of Heaven's Armies.

Zechariah 8 verses

Zechariah 8 11 Meaning

Zechariah 8:11 proclaims a profound shift in God's dealings with His people. It signifies a pivotal change from past judgments and adversities, promising that God will no longer treat the returning exiles—the "remnant"—with the same disciplinary severity experienced during the period leading to and throughout the Babylonian exile. Instead, this verse sets the stage for a new era of blessing, restoration, and favor, signaling an end to the "former days" of divine wrath and beginning a time of renewed covenant grace for those who remained faithful and returned to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple.

Zechariah 8 11 Context

Zechariah 8:11 is nestled within the "Messages of Hope and Restoration" section of Zechariah (chapters 7-8). This specific message was given in the fourth year of King Darius, prompted by a delegation from Bethel inquiring if they should continue the traditional fasts commemorating the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. God's response, through Zechariah, transcends merely answering the question about fasting. Instead, He pivots to an expansive promise of future restoration, prosperity, and blessings for Jerusalem and its people.

The historical context is critical: the returned Jewish exiles are back in Judah after decades in Babylonian captivity. They are a relatively small, struggling community attempting to rebuild the Second Temple and restore their societal life amidst economic hardship, opposition from neighboring peoples, and lingering discouragement. The "former days" referred to in the verse allude to the period of their forefathers' persistent disobedience, resulting in divine judgment, national downfall, the destruction of the First Temple, and the bitter experience of exile (as elaborated in Zec 7:7-14). Zechariah 8:11 thus marks a definitive break with this sorrowful past, offering immense encouragement and assuring them of God's renewed covenant faithfulness and intent to bless, rather than punish, their efforts and future. It's a foundational statement upon which the subsequent detailed promises of blessing in chapter 8 are built.

Zechariah 8 11 Word analysis

• But now (וְעַתָּה - və’attāh):
  • This is a strong adversative conjunction that signals a distinct turning point or a sharp contrast to what was previously stated or implied.
  • It serves as a temporal marker indicating a significant shift from the past circumstances described in previous chapters (specifically Zechariah 7:7-14 which detailed the "former days" of judgment).
  • Significance: Emphasizes a divine initiative that transcends human experience, announcing a new era distinct from historical patterns of judgment.
• I will not deal (לֹא אֶעֱשֶׂה - lo’ ’e‘eśeh):
  • lo’ is a definite negative particle.
  • ’e‘eśeh is the first-person singular imperfect form of the verb עָשָׂה (‘āśāh), meaning "to do, make, act, deal." The imperfect tense often implies ongoing or repeated action, here negated to signify a permanent cessation of former dealings.
  • Significance: This is an unequivocal declaration from God, conveying His resolute decision and divine power to alter His interaction with His people. It's a firm, irreversible promise of changed behavior on God's part.
• with the remnant (אֶת שְׁאֵרִית הָעָם הַזֶּה - ’et shə’ērît hā‘ām hazzeh):
  • shə’ērît (שְׁאֵרִית) means "remainder, remnant, residue." It refers to the surviving portion, specifically those Jews who returned from Babylonian exile and were present in Judah during Zechariah's time.
  • This term is rich in theological significance across the Old Testament, representing those God preserves out of judgment, upholding His covenantal faithfulness (Isa 1:9, Rom 9:27).
  • Significance: Highlights God's covenant loyalty. Despite national failures and judgment, God preserves a faithful remnant through whom His promises will be continued and fulfilled. These are the recipients of His renewed favor.
• of this people (הָעָם הַזֶּה - hā‘ām hazzeh):
  • hā‘ām (הָעָם) means "the people," specifically referring to the Jewish people.
  • hazzeh (הַזֶּה) is a demonstrative pronoun meaning "this," pointing to the particular generation present at the time, facing the challenges of rebuilding.
  • Significance: Clearly identifies the immediate beneficiaries of God's changed disposition—the current generation of returned exiles who are engaged in the post-exilic restoration.
• as in the former days (כַּיָּמִים הָרִאשׁוֹנִים - kayyāmîm hāri’šōnîm):
  • ka- (כַּ) is a preposition meaning "as, like."
  • yāmîm (יָמִים) means "days, time, period."
  • hāri’šōnîm (הָרִאשׁוֹנִים) means "first, former, prior."
  • Significance: This phrase is key to understanding the contrast. "The former days" unequivocally points to the era leading up to the Babylonian exile, characterized by national disobedience, prophetic warnings, divine judgment, famine, drought, destruction, and exile. It emphasizes a clear break from God's previous judicial actions against Israel for their sins.
• declares the Lord of hosts (נְאֻם יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת - nə’um YHVH tsəbā’ôt):
  • nə’um (נְאֻם) is a prophetic formula, "oracle of," "utterance of," indicating direct divine speech. It underscores the authoritative and certain nature of the message.
  • YHVH (יְהוָה) is the sacred personal name of God, revealing His covenant relationship.
  • tsəbā’ôt (צְבָאוֹת) means "armies, hosts."
  • Significance: Yahweh Tzeva'ot (Lord of hosts) highlights God's sovereignty, power, and authority over all cosmic and earthly forces. This powerful title ensures that His declared intention to change His dealings with His people will be carried out without fail, reinforcing the absolute certainty and reliability of the promise, despite any present difficulties.

Words-group analysis

• "But now I will not deal...as in the former days": This central declarative statement encapsulates the radical shift in divine posture. It sets up an unequivocal contrast between an era of punitive action and a coming era of grace and favor. God is initiating a new chapter, no longer bound by past patterns of judgment toward His obedient remnant. This new phase is a testament to God's restorative mercy.
• "the remnant of this people": This group is specifically identified as the recipients of this new dealing. It emphasizes that while a significant portion of the nation faced exile and perished, God preserved a portion (the "remnant") to uphold His covenant promises and rebuild His nation. The term underscores God's faithfulness and selective grace even in the midst of general national failure, focusing His redemptive plan through a smaller, faithful core.
• "declares the Lord of hosts": This solemn prophetic formula, attached to the divine title of power and sovereignty, firmly establishes the promise's origin, authority, and infallibility. It ensures the audience, and future readers, that this is not merely a prophet's wishful thinking but the determined will of the all-powerful, covenant-keeping God. It provides absolute assurance for the fulfillment of the ensuing blessings.

Zechariah 8 11 Bonus section

• Hope for a New Era: This verse provides crucial theological underpinning for the entire post-exilic restoration project. It assures the struggling community that their labor will not be in vain and that God is indeed on their side, contrasting their previous national experiences of divine abandonment due to sin.
• Echoes in the New Covenant: The shift from God dealing with Israel "as in the former days" prefigures the more radical and permanent change promised in the New Covenant (Jer 31:31-34, Heb 8:7-13). In Christ, the old covenant and its legalistic limitations and judgments are replaced by a new covenant of grace, forgiveness, and an internalized law, establishing a dealing with God's people fundamentally different and more profound than "former days."
• The Nature of Remnant Theology: The verse highlights the continuous biblical theme of the "remnant." It demonstrates that God's covenant promises are not nullified by widespread apostasy but are faithfully upheld through a faithful few who continue to seek Him. This remnant becomes the channel through which God's redemptive plan progresses, illustrating His preservation power.
• God's Sovereignty in Redemption: The unwavering "I will not deal" (lo’ ’e‘eśeh) emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty and initiative in redemption. It's not the people earning their way out of punishment but God graciously choosing to change His interaction, demonstrating that true change originates from Him.

Zechariah 8 11 Commentary

Zechariah 8:11 is a pivotal declaration of divine reversal, serving as the theological anchor for the outpouring of blessings described throughout the rest of chapter 8. Having chastised His people in "the former days" due to their disobedience and rejection of His prophets (Zec 7:7-14), God now unequivocally declares a change of heart toward the post-exilic "remnant." This isn't a reward for their past merits but a gracious initiative rooted in His covenant faithfulness and purpose to restore. The phrase "But now" signals a new epoch, replacing divine judgment with favor. The emphasis on "the Lord of hosts" guarantees that this promise, though astounding in its grace, will be fully executed by the omnipotent and sovereign God. This verse shifts the community's expectation from continued sorrow and judgment to confident hope in God's imminent blessings, contingent upon their continued obedience and rebuilding efforts. It transforms a narrative of deserved punishment into one of unmerited divine grace and an impending era of peace, prosperity, and joy for Zion.