Zechariah 8 5

Zechariah 8:5 kjv

And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof.

Zechariah 8:5 nkjv

The streets of the city Shall be full of boys and girls Playing in its streets.'

Zechariah 8:5 niv

The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there."

Zechariah 8:5 esv

And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets.

Zechariah 8:5 nlt

And the streets of the city will be filled with boys and girls at play.

Zechariah 8 verses

Zechariah 8 5 Meaning

Zechariah 8:5 paints a vibrant picture of restoration and abundant life for Jerusalem. It signifies a future where the city, once desolate and sparsely populated due to war and exile, will experience profound peace, security, and prosperity. The imagery of its public squares teeming with young boys and girls joyfully at play communicates a reversal of former judgments, signaling God's dwelling among His people and the reestablishment of normalcy, fertility, and future hope within a secure environment.

Zechariah 8 5 Context

Zechariah 8:5 is part of a series of oracles (Zechariah 7-8) delivered to the returned exiles, who were disheartened and struggling to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple. While chapters 1-6 focused on exhorting them to complete the Temple, chapters 7-8 address their questions about fasting and, more broadly, assure them of God's renewed favor and future blessings. This particular verse falls within a section (8:1-8) promising Zion's complete restoration. God declares His passionate return to Jerusalem, establishing it as a "city of truth" and "holy mountain." Following the promise of elders dwelling in peace, verse 5 extends the picture to the youth, emphasizing the totality of the city's restoration—from the very old to the very young. The historical context is post-exilic Judah, where the city of Jerusalem was still largely desolate, population sparse, and faced constant threats, contrasting sharply with the prophetic vision of a bustling, joyful metropolis.

Zechariah 8 5 Word analysis

• וּרְחֹבוֹת (u-rehovot) – "And the streets" / "And the wide open places": From the Hebrew root rachav (רחב), meaning "to be broad" or "wide." Rehovot refers to public squares, plazas, or broad avenues within a city. It signifies spaces for communal gathering, commerce, and public life. The image is not just narrow passageways but large, open areas meant for people to congregate, suggesting a vibrant public sphere. This implies a complete re-animation of urban life, countering the picture of desolate, abandoned spaces common in a ruined city.
• הָעִיר (ha-'ir) – "of the city" / "the city": Refers specifically to Jerusalem, "the city" repeatedly mentioned by Zechariah (Zech 1:16-17, 2:4, 8:3). This highlights God's particular focus on Jerusalem as His chosen dwelling place and the center of His restored kingdom, both physically and spiritually.
• יִמָּלְאוּ (yimmale'u) – "shall be full" / "will be filled": A passive form of the verb male (מלא), meaning "to be full" or "to fill." It conveys a sense of abundance, saturation, and completion. It suggests that these public spaces will be completely taken over by the joyous activity described, not just sparsely occupied. This emphasizes the magnitude of the demographic and social revival, indicating a thriving and overflowing population.
• יְלָדִים (yeladim) – "boys" / "male children": The plural of yeled (ילד), a general term for a child, here specified as male.
• וִילָדוֹת (wi-yeladot) – "and girls" / "and female children": The plural of yaldah (ילדה), specifying female children. The inclusion of both boys and girls is significant. It underscores a complete family restoration, gender balance in the population, and signifies a full generation rising. The presence of children, especially both genders, promises continuity, growth, and the thriving of families—a stark contrast to judgment prophecies where the sound of children is removed (e.g., Jer 7:34).
• מְשַׂחֲקִים (mesahakim) – "playing" / "playing, frolicking": A participle from the verb sachaq (שׂחק), meaning "to laugh, to mock, to play, to frolic, to sport." Here, it describes the joyous, carefree activity of children. "Playing" signifies deep peace, security, and freedom from fear or want. In a city experiencing insecurity or famine, children would not be playing freely; their time would be consumed by survival. Thus, their innocent play points to a society profoundly at peace, with ample resources and protection. It represents a state of joy and normalcy.
• בִּרְחֹבֹתֶיהָ (bi-rehovoteiha) – "in its streets" / "in its public squares": Repetition of the word rehovot (public squares/streets) serves to strongly reinforce the setting of this joyous activity. It highlights that the transformation is public and observable, permeating the very fabric of the urban environment. The suffix "-יה" (her/its) specifically ties the location back to "the city," Jerusalem, reinforcing the idea that this is a localized, tangible blessing for the specific geographic place.

• "The streets of the city shall be full": This phrase paints a picture of intense vitality and bustling life, overturning the earlier reality of Jerusalem's emptiness (Neh 7:4 - "the city was wide and large, but the people within it were few"). It speaks of repopulation and flourishing activity.
• "boys and girls playing": This group highlights the multi-generational blessing. Along with the elders in Zech 8:4, this signifies a complete community, not just a partial restoration. The act of "playing" symbolizes an atmosphere of safety, leisure, happiness, and innocence—qualities absent in a city under duress or judgment.
• "playing in its streets": The direct return to the public sphere emphasizes transparency and visible demonstration of this renewed well-being. The streets, once possibly dangerous or silent, are now arenas of pure joy, reinforcing the profound peace and stability promised.

Zechariah 8 5 Bonus section

The Hebrew word sachaq (playing) also carries the nuance of laughter and joy, deeply enriching the image beyond mere activity. It evokes genuine happiness and unburdened spirits, reflecting a restoration from tears and sorrow to gladness. This prophecy, delivered while Jerusalem was still vulnerable, would have required significant faith for the hearers to grasp its grand vision. It illustrates the eschatological trajectory of God's covenant promises, ultimately fulfilled in Christ and the coming New Jerusalem, where tears and death are no more, and unending joy pervades (Rev 21:4). The picture of children at play serves as a miniature preview of Eden restored, where safety and life abound under God's perfect reign.

Zechariah 8 5 Commentary

Zechariah 8:5 is a profound prophetic declaration of hope and complete restoration for Jerusalem, moving beyond the physical rebuilding to encompass societal flourishing. It directly reverses the prophetic curses of desolation where the absence of children and joyous sounds signified divine judgment. The imagery of boys and girls playing signifies much more than just population growth; it is a powerful symbol of deep peace, security, stability, and societal well-being. A city where children can freely play without fear speaks volumes about its protection and provision. This prophecy would have deeply encouraged the post-exilic community, reminding them that God’s presence, manifested in true peace and life, was returning to their struggling city. It serves as a reminder that God's plan for His people includes not only spiritual redemption but also the restoration of joyful, secure communal life, pointing ultimately to the full eschatological new creation.