Zechariah 8 12

Zechariah 8:12 kjv

For the seed shall be prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things.

Zechariah 8:12 nkjv

'For the seed shall be prosperous, The vine shall give its fruit, The ground shall give her increase, And the heavens shall give their dew? I will cause the remnant of this people To possess all these.

Zechariah 8:12 niv

"The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will produce its crops, and the heavens will drop their dew. I will give all these things as an inheritance to the remnant of this people.

Zechariah 8:12 esv

For there shall be a sowing of peace. The vine shall give its fruit, and the ground shall give its produce, and the heavens shall give their dew. And I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things.

Zechariah 8:12 nlt

For I am planting seeds of peace and prosperity among you. The grapevines will be heavy with fruit. The earth will produce its crops, and the heavens will release the dew. Once more I will cause the remnant in Judah and Israel to inherit these blessings.

Zechariah 8 verses

Zechariah 8 12 Meaning

Zechariah 8:12 declares a future of divine blessing and prosperity for the repentant remnant of Judah. Following their return from exile and commitment to truth and peace (as outlined in previous verses), God promises a reversal of their previous scarcity and hardship. The verse portrays a flourishing agricultural scene: fertile ground, abundant harvests from vines, generous increase from the earth, and essential dew from the heavens. Crucially, this abundance is divinely initiated, with God Himself ensuring that the restored community, the "remnant," will fully inherit and experience these blessings, establishing a deep sense of security and well-being.

Zechariah 8 12 Context

Zechariah 8 stands as a profound message of hope and restoration for the exilic community of Judah. Following their return from Babylon, the people were struggling to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple amidst opposition and economic hardship. Chapter 7 highlighted their questions about past fasting, and chapter 8 responds by turning their focus from past grievances to future glories under God's renewed covenant. God declares His passionate return to Zion, promising to dwell among them and make Jerusalem a "city of truth" and "holy mountain."

Verse 12 is embedded within a series of declarations that reverse the previous curses and consequences of their disobedience. God outlines not only the restoration of the physical city and the influx of nations to seek the Lord in Jerusalem (Zech 8:20-23) but also the material and agricultural abundance they will experience. This promise of peace and prosperity directly counters the prior struggles of scarcity, famine, and oppression. It serves as a tangible manifestation of God's covenant faithfulness to a people now called to live righteously, speak truth, and administer justice (Zech 8:16-17). The verse signifies a complete transformation from curse to blessing, demonstrating God's active involvement in establishing their security and well-being.

Zechariah 8 12 Word analysis

• For the seed (וְכִ֤י זֶרַע֙, v'kî zera`):

  • וְכִ֤י (v'kî): "For" or "Indeed." Emphasizes the certainty and positive nature of the following promise.
  • זֶרַע (zera)`: "Seed." In agricultural terms, it refers to grain for sowing or the planted crop itself. Metaphorically, it can mean "offspring," "descendants," or a "generation." Here, it points primarily to the literal agricultural product, but with a broader implication of prosperity extending to the community's future and well-being. Its flourishing is central to the land's health and the people's sustenance.

• shall be prosperous / of peace (הַשָּׁל֣וֹם, ha-šālōm):

  • הַשָּׁל֣וֹם (ha-šālōm): "The peace" or "the prosperity." This is key. The Hebrew is literally "seed of peace," indicating that the "seed" (and by extension, its outcome/yield) will be characterized by peace, security, and well-being. It is not just that the seed itself will grow successfully, but that its flourishing will bring about peace and completeness, a holistic prosperity that extends beyond mere material gain to encompass spiritual and social harmony. This directly contrasts the insecurity and strife previously experienced.

• the vine (הַגֶּ֣פֶן, ha-gefen):

  • הַגֶּ֣פֶן (ha-gefen): "The vine." A prominent agricultural staple in ancient Israel, often symbolizing Israel itself (Psa 80; Isa 5; Hos 10:1). Its fruitfulness is a direct sign of blessing, while its barrenness signifies divine judgment.

• shall give her fruit (נָתְנָה֙ פִּרְיָ֔הּ, nāṯnâ piryāh):

  • נָתְנָה (nāṯnâ): "She has given/will give." A perfect tense used with future significance, conveying the certainty and completion of the promised action.
  • פִּרְיָ֔הּ (piryāh): "Her fruit." Refers specifically to the produce of the vine, grapes, symbolizing abundance and delight.

• and the ground (וְהָאָ֙רֶץ֙, v'hā'āretz):

  • וְהָאָ֙רֶץ֙ (v'hā'āretz): "And the land/ground." Refers to the arable land itself, the source of agricultural livelihood.

• shall give her increase (נָתְנָ֣ה יְבוּלָ֔הּ, nāṯnâ yevûlāh):

  • נָתְנָ֣ה (nāṯnâ): "She has given/will give." Again, certainty.
  • יְבוּלָ֔הּ (yevûlāh): "Her produce/yield/increase." A broader term than "fruit," referring to the general yield of the earth, like grain and other crops.

• and the heavens (וְהַשָּׁמַ֖יִם, v'haššāmayim):

  • וְהַשָּׁמַ֖יִם (v'haššāmayim): "And the heavens." The sky, the divine source of rain and dew. Essential for life and agriculture, particularly in an arid region.

• shall give their dew (יִתְּנ֣וּ טַלָּ֑ם, yiṯnû ṭallām):

  • יִתְּנ֣וּ (yiṯnû): "They will give." Future tense, emphasizing continuous provision.
  • טַלָּ֑ם (ṭallām): "Their dew." Dew was critically important for irrigation during dry seasons in Israel, a life-giving moisture that nourishes vegetation when rain is scarce. It is a sign of divine blessing and provision.

• and I will cause the remnant (וְהִֽנְחַלְתִּי֙ אֶת־שְׁאֵרִ֣ית, v'hinḥaltî 'et-šᵉ'ērit):

  • וְהִֽנְחַלְתִּי֙ (v'hinḥaltî): "And I will cause to inherit/possess." This is a Hiphil perfect from the root נָחַל (nāḥal), meaning "to inherit," but in the Hiphil, "to cause to inherit," "to give possession to," or "to cause to come into possession." This underscores God's active, direct, and sovereign agency in bringing these blessings to His people. It is not something they achieve through their own might but a gift from Him.
  • שְׁאֵרִ֣ית (šᵉ'ērit): "Remnant." A theological concept denoting the faithful, preserved portion of Israel who endure through judgment and receive God's promised restoration. This term highlights God's grace and selective preservation, demonstrating His ongoing covenant with a chosen group.

• of this people (הָעָם־הַזֶּ֔ה, hā`ām-hazzeh):

  • הָעָם־הַזֶּ֔ה (hāām-hazzeh)`: "This people." Refers to the Jewish community returned from exile and those living in the land during Zechariah's time, specifically those who would obey the Lord's commands in the coming restoration.

• to possess all these (אֶת־כָּל־אֵֽלֶּה׃, 'et-kāl-ʾēlʹleh):

  • כָּל־אֵֽלֶּה (kāl-ʾēlʹleh): "All these." This refers collectively to the agricultural blessings just mentioned: the prosperous seed, the fruitful vine, the bountiful ground, and the life-giving dew from the heavens.

Zechariah 8 12 Bonus section

The blessings promised in Zechariah 8:12 resonate deeply with the Garden of Eden imagery and the concept of a "restored Eden" or New Creation, where God's ideal order is reinstated. The emphasis on nature thriving and giving its yield aligns with a vision of creation functioning harmoniously under divine favor. Furthermore, the "seed of peace" can be understood in an even broader spiritual sense in the New Testament. Just as a physical seed produces life and sustenance, the "seed" of the Gospel, or the Word of God, when sown in the hearts of believers, brings forth the "fruit of the Spirit" (Gal 5:22-23), peace, and righteousness, which is true prosperity for the "remnant" chosen by grace in Christ (Rom 9:27; Rom 11:5). Thus, Zechariah 8:12 provides a tangible, material representation of the holistic spiritual blessings God desires for His people, fulfilled ultimately in Christ.

Zechariah 8 12 Commentary

Zechariah 8:12 is a powerful statement of divine reversal and abundant blessing. After a period of exile and struggle marked by barrenness and lack (referenced in Haggai and earlier parts of Zechariah), God promises a new era of agricultural prosperity. The key phrase "seed of peace" (rather than merely "prosperous seed") signifies that the very nature of their cultivation and harvests will embody Shalom – a comprehensive well-being that includes not only material wealth but also security, wholeness, and contentment. This blessing stems directly from God's personal initiative ("I will cause"), transforming their land and livelihoods as a sign of His renewed favor.

The inclusion of the vine, ground, and heavens, culminating in the critical "dew," portrays a holistic picture of God’s provision, acknowledging the environmental needs for successful agriculture in the region. This is a covenantal blessing, conditioned upon the people's repentance and obedience, which restores not only their physical sustenance but also their trust in God as the ultimate provider. The promise to the "remnant" emphasizes God's faithfulness to His chosen few, ensuring they will experience these rich benefits. This passage therefore speaks to both immediate, post-exilic restoration and to a future, eschatological era of ultimate peace and prosperity under God's rule.