Zechariah 8:21 kjv
And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts: I will go also.
Zechariah 8:21 nkjv
The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, "Let us continue to go and pray before the LORD, And seek the LORD of hosts. I myself will go also."
Zechariah 8:21 niv
and the inhabitants of one city will go to another and say, 'Let us go at once to entreat the LORD and seek the LORD Almighty. I myself am going.'
Zechariah 8:21 esv
The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, 'Let us go at once to entreat the favor of the LORD and to seek the LORD of hosts; I myself am going.'
Zechariah 8:21 nlt
The people of one city will say to the people of another, 'Come with us to Jerusalem to ask the LORD to bless us. Let's worship the LORD of Heaven's Armies. I'm determined to go.'
Zechariah 8 21 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 2:2 | "And it shall come to pass in the latter days, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established..." | Prophecy of nations seeking God in Jerusalem. |
| Mic 4:1-2 | "It shall come to pass in the latter days... peoples shall come and say: 'Come, let us go up to the mountain...'" | Echoes mutual invitation to seek the Lord. |
| Zec 8:20 | "Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem..." | Immediate context; sets the stage for mutual calls. |
| Zec 8:23 | "In those days ten men from the nations of every tongue shall take hold of the skirt of a Jew..." | Fulfillment: Gentiles seeking out God's people. |
| Isa 55:6 | "Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near." | Command to proactively seek God. |
| Jer 29:13 | "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart." | Promise of finding God for those who diligently seek. |
| Psa 27:8 | "You have said, 'Seek my face.' My heart says to you, 'Your face, LORD, do I seek.'" | Personal and communal yearning for God's presence. |
| Psa 42:1-2 | "As a deer pants for flowing streams, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God..." | Illustrates intense spiritual longing ("speedily"). |
| Psa 65:2 | "To you, O Hearer of prayer, to you shall all flesh come." | Universal turning to God in prayer. |
| Acts 8:27-38 | The Ethiopian eunuch's journey to Jerusalem to worship and seek understanding of scripture. | Practical example of seeking God from afar. |
| Psa 96:3 | "Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!" | Encouraging others to know God. |
| Matt 28:19-20 | "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them..." | The Great Commission: Disciples calling others to Christ. |
| Isa 49:6 | "I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth." | Israel's prophetic role to attract nations. |
| Isa 60:3 | "Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising." | Nations drawn to God's manifested glory in Zion. |
| Joel 2:28 | "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh..." | The Spirit empowers all people to seek God. |
| Eph 2:13-18 | Describes how Christ brought Gentiles near to God, breaking down barriers. | Unity in access to God for Jew and Gentile. |
| Rev 7:9 | "After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation..." | Ultimate fulfillment of universal worship. |
| Rom 15:9-11 | Cites OT prophecies about Gentiles glorifying God for His mercy. | Gentile inclusion and worship affirmed in NT. |
| Phil 2:10-11 | "so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow... and every tongue confess..." | Universal submission and confession of Jesus Christ. |
| Jer 3:17 | "At that time Jerusalem shall be called the throne of the LORD, and all nations shall gather to it..." | Nations coming to God's presence in Jerusalem. |
| Amo 5:4 | "Seek the LORD and live." | Direct command and promise for seeking God. |
| Col 3:1-2 | "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above..." | Command for believers to continually seek God. |
| Heb 11:6 | "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him." | Basis of seeking God: faith and His nature. |
Zechariah 8 verses
Zechariah 8 21 Meaning
Zechariah 8:21 depicts a future time when people from different cities, spurred by an intrinsic spiritual zeal, will proactively encourage one another to embark on a unified pilgrimage to seek the Lord God in Jerusalem. This verse highlights the spontaneous, mutual invitation among diverse populations to come and entreat the favor of the Lord of hosts, signifying a widespread spiritual awakening and a longing for God's presence that transcends ethnic or geographical boundaries.
Zechariah 8 21 Context
Zechariah 8:21 is part of a larger section (chapters 7-8) addressing the returnees' questions about fasting after their exile. Instead of focusing solely on ritual, the Lord shifts their focus to righteousness and future glory. Chapters 1-6 contain prophetic visions, while 7-8 are primarily direct prophetic messages. Chapter 8 opens with God's passionate desire to return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem (vv. 1-3), transforming the city into a place of truth, holiness, and safety. He promises material blessing and the reversal of past suffering for His people (vv. 4-17). Importantly, God declares that the fasts established during the exile will be turned into feasts of joy (vv. 18-19). Verses 20-23 then pivot to the grand vision of Gentile inclusion and universal pilgrimage. Verse 20 declares that many nations will come to seek the Lord in Jerusalem, and verse 21 details the mechanism: a spontaneous, internal drive among cities to invite each other, "Let us go." This prophetic imagery provided immense hope to a struggling post-exilic community, extending their limited view of restoration to encompass a global impact where their God would be acknowledged by all.
Zechariah 8 21 Word analysis
- And the inhabitants (`yoshve` - יֹשְׁבֵ֣י): From the verb `yashav`, meaning "to sit, dwell, inhabit." This indicates not merely individuals but settled communities, established cities with their populations. It emphasizes a communal, not just an individual, resolve.
- of one city (`‘iyr lĕ‘iyr` - עִ֥יר לְעִיר): Literally "city to city." This highlights direct inter-city communication and shared purpose. It implies a spontaneous, cooperative movement, not mandated by a central authority but arising from mutual conviction and invitation. This points to a grassroots, organic evangelistic effort among Gentiles.
- shall go (`hālakh` - הָלַךְ): A common verb for "to walk, go." Here, it signifies purposeful action and movement. The use of the imperfect tense indicates ongoing or habitual action in the future, conveying a continuous flow of people.
- to another, saying: Implies conversation, persuasion, and shared conviction. It highlights the proactive nature of their outreach.
- Let us go (`nelĕkhah` - נֵלְכָה־): This is the cohortative form, an emphatic call to action or a self-exhortation. It reveals an internal, deeply felt urgency and communal resolution. There is no external coercion; rather, a self-initiated spiritual hunger drives them.
- speedily (`mahēr` - מָהֵר): From the root meaning "to hasten, be quick." It indicates eagerness, fervor, and zeal. It contrasts with hesitation or reluctance, showing a genuine, fervent desire to seek the Lord without delay. This word signifies profound spiritual readiness.
- to entreat (`ləḥallōth` - לְחַלּוֹת): A Piel infinitive construct of the verb `ḥālāh`, which primarily means "to be sick," but in the Piel form often means "to be made weak" and idiomatically, "to entreat the favor of," "to implore," or "to pray earnestly." It signifies a humble and fervent appeal for grace, favor, or a beneficial outcome, recognizing one's dependence on the petitioned party. It speaks of genuine repentance and supplication.
- the favor of the LORD (`pĕnê YHWH` - פְנֵ֥י יְהוָה): Literally "the face of Yahweh." This is a Hebrew idiom referring to the direct presence, benevolent attention, and personal favor of God. It's not just about a place, but about an encounter with the living God Himself and experiencing His blessings and gracious disposition.
- and to seek the LORD of hosts (`ūləḇaqqēsh ’eth-YHWH tseḇā’ōth` - וּלְבַקֵּ֥שׁ אֶת־יְהוָ֣ה צְבָאֹֽות):
- to seek (`ləḇaqqēsh`): From `bāqash`, meaning "to seek, search for, inquire for." It implies diligence, persistence, and thoroughness in pursuit. This reinforces the proactive nature.
- the LORD of hosts (`YHWH tseḇā’ōth`): This divine title emphasizes God's omnipotence, His sovereign rule over all heavenly and earthly powers (hosts/armies). It magnifies the majesty of the One whom they are seeking, confirming His universal authority and ability to deliver and bless.
- Inhabitants of one city shall go to another: This phrase depicts a unique form of future missionary zeal. It's not God sending a prophet from Israel, but communities of Gentiles actively engaging other Gentile communities. This demonstrates an innate spiritual movement driven by conversion and recognition of the true God, a direct antithesis to forced conversion or imperial mandates. It counters any exclusive nationalism of the time by showing mutual encouragement among outsiders.
- Let us go speedily to entreat the favor of the LORD and to seek the LORD of hosts: This declaration embodies spontaneous zeal and fervent devotion. The repetition of "to entreat the favor of" and "to seek" emphasizes a desperate longing and determined pursuit. The use of the powerful title "LORD of hosts" underlines the majesty of the God they seek, a powerful statement against the local deities (polemics against polytheism) previously worshipped by nations. They are recognizing the true and supreme God. This collective "let us go" indicates an unprecedented unity in spiritual purpose among disparate peoples.
Zechariah 8 21 Bonus section
The imagery of "city to city" urging each other to seek the Lord suggests a powerful, self-propagating revival that is not dependent on Israelite missionaries alone, but upon a divine working that transcends cultural and ethnic barriers, fostering a horizontal spiritual partnership among the nations themselves. This proactive, invitational spirit foreshadows the New Testament concept of the church inviting others to salvation and pilgrimage in faith, though not necessarily to a physical journey to Jerusalem in the Christian dispensation. It reflects a universal spiritual hunger, satisfied only by an encounter with the omnipotent "LORD of hosts." This contrasts sharply with typical human efforts to evangelize, pointing to a future era where God's Spirit powerfully moves hearts on a global scale, making them eager participants in a common spiritual quest.
Zechariah 8 21 Commentary
Zechariah 8:21 paints a vibrant picture of an eschatological age defined by spontaneous spiritual zeal among nations, an eager desire to pilgrimage to the Lord. This verse goes beyond merely stating that Gentiles will come; it explains how—by active mutual invitation and self-exhortation. The emphasis is on a collective, passionate seeking of God's favor and presence, contrasting starkly with any prior apathy or idol worship. The term "speedily" highlights their intense spiritual longing, showing an internal, Spirit-prompted readiness rather than reluctant obligation. This prophetic vision provides hope for a universal acknowledgement of God's sovereignty and a shared pilgrimage towards His divine presence, fulfilling God's ancient promise to be a blessing to all nations through Abraham. It demonstrates that the ultimate end of God's restorative work includes the eager turning of all peoples to Him, freely and with great enthusiasm.