Zechariah 8 18

Zechariah 8:18 kjv

And the word of the LORD of hosts came unto me, saying,

Zechariah 8:18 nkjv

Then the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying,

Zechariah 8:18 niv

The word of the LORD Almighty came to me.

Zechariah 8:18 esv

And the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying,

Zechariah 8:18 nlt

Here is another message that came to me from the LORD of Heaven's Armies.

Zechariah 8 verses

Zechariah 8 18 Meaning

Zechariah 8:18 serves as a formal introductory statement, declaring that a new divine oracle or message came from the LORD of hosts directly to the prophet Zechariah. It acts as a transitional phrase, marking the beginning of God's direct revelation regarding the future transformation of Judah's mournful fasts into joyous feasts, flowing from the preceding exhortation to righteous living. The verse firmly establishes the divine origin and supreme authority of the subsequent prophecy, ensuring its validity and certainty for the audience.

Zechariah 8 18 Context

Zechariah 8:18 introduces a new segment in the prophecy, pivoting from the direct call for ethical living (Zec 8:16-17) to a glorious promise of future blessing and restoration for Judah. Chapters 7 and 8 collectively address questions from the returning exiles about whether they should continue observing their traditional fasts commemorating past calamities (Zec 7:3). Chapter 8 begins by reiterating God's passion for Zion and promises her future prosperity. Verses 16-17 outline the righteous conduct God requires for this blessing to materialize: truth, justice, peace, and avoidance of malicious plotting and false oaths. Following this, verse 18 acts as a divine interjection, signalling a direct response to the issue of fasting, which will be further elaborated in verse 19. It confirms that the subsequent message is not merely human opinion but a definitive decree from God, offering hope and transforming the nature of their observances.

Zechariah 8 18 Word analysis

• And (וַיְהִי, Vayhi): A conjunctive particle. Here, it functions narratively, signaling the continuation of divine communication. It connects the ethical commands of Zechariah 8:16-17 with the subsequent promise, implying a direct relationship between obedience and blessing, and showing that this new word logically follows the previous instruction.
• the word (דְּבַר, devar): Hebrew davar encompasses not only spoken utterance but also a deed, a matter, or a command. It signifies an active, potent communication from God, bearing authority and effect. In prophetic literature, it's often God's decree that brings about what it declares, indicating a powerful, purposeful message that will be actualized (Isa 55:11).
• of the LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): The covenantal name of God, YHWH (Yahweh). It signifies His personal, relational, and unchanging character as the God who keeps His promises to Israel. This name grounds the prophecy in faithfulness and commitment, assuring His people that He is actively involved in their history and future.
• of hosts (צְבָאוֹת, Tz'va'ot): "Armies" or "hosts." This epithet for YHWH signifies His absolute sovereignty as the supreme commander of all celestial armies and earthly forces. It assures God's omnipotence to enforce His word and deliver His people, even when circumstances seem bleak or political powers are dominant. Its frequent use in post-exilic prophecy underscores His ultimate power over all perceived threats and difficulties.
• came (הָיָה, hayah): "Was," "came to pass," "happened." In this context, it emphasizes the divine initiative and the actualization of the revelation to the prophet. It indicates that the message was not of human origin or imagination, but a sovereign act of God to communicate.
• to me (אֵלַי, elai): Refers specifically to the prophet Zechariah, identifying him as the divinely chosen recipient and mediator of this divine message to the people of Judah. It authenticates Zechariah's prophetic role and confirms the message's direct divine origin.
• saying (לֵאמֹר, lemor): A formulaic Hebrew infinitive used to introduce direct speech or a command. It formally marks the precise beginning of God's revealed message, setting apart what follows as His own verbatim words to be faithfully transmitted.

• "And the word of the LORD of hosts": This entire phrase acts as a sovereign declaration and a solemn preamble to divine instruction. It unequivocally signifies a fresh divine revelation originating from the supreme, all-powerful God, establishing its absolute authority. This consistent hallmark of prophetic messaging ensures the audience that the following words are God's immutable truth, transcending human opinion or counsel (e.g., Jeremiah 1:2, Ezekiel 1:3, Haggai 1:1).
• "came to me, saying": This part emphasizes the divine initiative in the prophetic act itself and the precise communication to the chosen prophet. It highlights the direct, personal delivery of God's message to Zechariah, underscoring his role as a faithful intermediary. This direct divine encounter underlines the urgency, certainty, and sacred nature of the message that immediately follows, preparing the audience to hear the very words of God.

Zechariah 8 18 Bonus section

This introductory formula is crucial as it punctuates the prophecy of Zechariah, clearly delineating divine utterances. Such formulas (e.g., "The word of the LORD came...") are commonplace across prophetic literature, yet each occurrence signifies a renewed emphasis on God's active engagement with His people. The "LORD of hosts" motif resonates with broader biblical theology concerning God's rule over all creation, reminding Israel that their earthly geopolitical weakness does not diminish their God's ultimate power. This divine "word" carries creative, redemptive, and judicial power; when God speaks, things happen. In this instance, it precedes a complete re-framing of national suffering and devotion into joy and blessing, ultimately highlighting that divine action transcends human sorrow and offers profound transformation.

Zechariah 8 18 Commentary

Zechariah 8:18 is a concise yet powerful introductory formula within the book of Zechariah, signifying the authoritative shift from exhortations of righteous living to glorious promises of restoration. By attributing the subsequent message to "the word of the LORD of hosts," the verse instantly grounds the coming revelation in absolute divine authority and omnipotence. The title "LORD of hosts" is critically important in a post-exilic context where Judah felt small and powerless; it reassures them of God's boundless capability to execute His will despite their current circumstances. This introduction is not merely a literary device but a theological statement affirming divine inspiration. The revelation comes "to me" (Zechariah) and is clearly introduced by "saying," indicating that the prophet is a direct conduit for God's explicit words. The verse thus sets the stage for a dramatic pronouncement, transforming traditional observances of sorrow into celebrations of joy, founded entirely on God's unwavering faithfulness and power.