Zechariah 8:6 kjv
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes? saith the LORD of hosts.
Zechariah 8:6 nkjv
"Thus says the LORD of hosts: 'If it is marvelous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, Will it also be marvelous in My eyes?' Says the LORD of hosts.
Zechariah 8:6 niv
This is what the LORD Almighty says: "It may seem marvelous to the remnant of this people at that time, but will it seem marvelous to me?" declares the LORD Almighty.
Zechariah 8:6 esv
Thus says the LORD of hosts: If it is marvelous in the sight of the remnant of this people in those days, should it also be marvelous in my sight, declares the LORD of hosts?
Zechariah 8:6 nlt
"This is what the LORD of Heaven's Armies says: All this may seem impossible to you now, a small remnant of God's people. But is it impossible for me? says the LORD of Heaven's Armies.
Zechariah 8 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text (shortened) | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 18:14 | Is anything too hard for the LORD? | God asks if anything is impossible for Him. |
| Num 11:23 | Is the LORD's arm too short? | God's power not limited by human needs. |
| Jer 32:17 | Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who made the heavens and the earth by your great power... nothing is too hard for you. | Affirmation of God's limitless power. |
| Job 42:2 | I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. | Confirms God's omnipotence. |
| Is 55:8-9 | For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD... | Contrast between divine and human perspective. |
| Matt 19:26 | With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. | Reinforces God's ability to do the impossible. |
| Mark 10:27 | Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” | Similar to Matt 19:26, emphasizing God's power. |
| Luke 1:37 | For nothing will be impossible with God. | Declares God's ability over all things. |
| Heb 10:23 | Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. | Emphasizes God's faithfulness to His word. |
| Ps 33:11 | The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations. | God's eternal plans are unwavering. |
| Is 43:18-19 | Remember not the former things... Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth... | God's capacity for new, wondrous acts. |
| Joel 2:28 | And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh... | God's promised future spiritual blessing. |
| Acts 2:17 | And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh... | Fulfillment of Joel's prophecy by God's power. |
| Rom 4:21 | fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. | Abraham's faith in God's power to fulfill promise. |
| Eph 3:20 | Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us. | God's power exceeding human imagination. |
| Is 10:20-22 | The remnant of Israel and the survivors of the house of Jacob will no more lean on him who struck them, but will lean on the LORD... | Mentions "the remnant" in a context of restoration. |
| Mic 5:7 | Then the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many peoples... | The remnant as a focus of God's future action. |
| Rom 9:27 | And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant will be saved." | The remnant concept in a saving context. |
| Zech 8:12 | For there shall be the seed of peace... and I will cause the remnant of this people to inherit all these things. | Immediate context showing future blessing for the remnant. |
| Zech 8:13 | Just as you were a byword of cursing among the nations... so will I save you, and you will be a blessing. Fear not... | Continuation of promises in immediate context. |
| Rev 21:5 | And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” | Ultimate divine renewal, making impossible things new. |
| Titus 1:2 | in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began. | God's trustworthiness to fulfill promises. |
| 1 Sam 16:7 | ...For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart. | God's perspective differing greatly from man's. |
Zechariah 8 verses
Zechariah 8 6 Meaning
Zechariah 8:6 conveys a profound theological truth regarding God's power contrasted with human limitation and doubt. It means that while the post-exilic Jewish remnant found the promised restoration to be impossibly difficult or wonderfully astonishing given their depleted circumstances, this difficulty or marvel does not apply to the Almighty God. The rhetorical question from the "LORD of hosts" asserts that what seems unachievable or incredible from a human perspective is readily accomplished by Him, for nothing is too difficult or marvelous for God.
Zechariah 8 6 Context
Zechariah 8:6 is situated within the book of Zechariah, specifically in a section of rich oracles concerning the future blessing and restoration of Jerusalem and the people of Judah (chapters 7-8). This verse comes after four preceding messages in chapter 8 detailing God's renewed favor for Zion, His return to dwell in Jerusalem, and promises of her future prosperity and security. The Jewish people had returned from Babylonian exile approximately 18 years prior but faced ongoing hardships, opposition, and economic struggles in rebuilding the Temple and city. Their initial enthusiasm had likely waned, replaced by weariness and doubt, particularly concerning the grandeur of God's promised future for them, which seemed so distant from their current reality. Therefore, this verse directly addresses their skepticism and limited perspective by powerfully affirming God's unfailing ability to fulfill His seemingly "marvelous" (or impossible) promises, regardless of how improbable they appear to the weary "remnant."
Zechariah 8 6 Word analysis
- Thus says the LORD of hosts (כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת - Koh amar YHWH Tseva'ot): This is a standard and potent prophetic formula, affirming the absolute divine authority and reliability of the message. "LORD of hosts" (YHWH Sabaoth) is a title emphasizing God's supreme power and sovereignty as the commander of heavenly armies and the universe, contrasting human weakness and limited sight. It frames the declaration as unassailably true.
- If (אִם - im): Introduces a conditional clause, setting up a hypothetical situation based on human perception.
- it is marvelous (יִפָּלֵא - yippālē'): From the root פלא (P.L.A). This key term means "to be wonderful," "to be extraordinary," "to be incomprehensible," or "to be difficult/impossible." In the context of human ability or perception, it signifies something so hard or amazing it appears beyond reach or belief. In reference to God, it means something wondrous and uniquely divine.
- in the eyes of (בְעֵינֵי - be'eynei): An idiom denoting "in the opinion of," "to appear to," or "to seem to." It refers to the human perspective and evaluation of a situation.
- the remnant of this people (הַשְּׁאֵרִית הַזֹּאת - ha-she'erit ha-zot): This refers specifically to the Jewish community that returned from Babylonian exile to Judah. They were a small, struggling group who had endured immense suffering, symbolizing God's faithfulness in preserving a portion of His people, despite their dwindling numbers and hopes.
- in those days (בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם - ba-yamim ha-hem): Refers to the historical period of the return from exile and the subsequent rebuilding, as well as a future time of complete restoration promised by God. It ties the current difficulties to future hope.
- should it also be marvelous in My eyes? (גַּם־בְּעֵינַי יִפָּלֵא - gam-be'eynai yippale'): This is a rhetorical question that anticipates a firm "No." It presents a stark contrast between human perception and divine capacity. What is yippālē' (impossible/too difficult) for humans is not so for God.
- declares the LORD of hosts (נְאֻם יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת - ne'um YHWH Tseva'ot): A strong concluding affirmation, sealing the statement as an authoritative divine decree. Its repetition underscores the certainty of God's power and word.
- "Thus says the LORD of hosts... declares the LORD of hosts": These bookending statements highlight the ultimate source and unwavering authority of the message. The repetition emphasizes that this truth is from the God of supreme power, not human conjecture.
- "If it is marvelous... should it also be marvelous in My eyes?": This striking contrast illuminates the chasm between human limitation and divine omnipotence. The word "marvelous" or "difficult" is used with a double sense – once from the perspective of limited humanity and once from the perspective of unlimited divinity. For humans, it means "too hard"; for God, it implies "easily done" or "wonderfully accomplished" through His power.
Zechariah 8 6 Bonus section
The rhetorical question posed by God in this verse is not seeking information, but rather prompting introspection and correction of the people's worldview. It serves to re-orient their focus from their present struggles and past disappointments to God's immutable character and infinite power. This divine "rhetoric" is a hallmark of prophetic literature, designed to awaken faith and trust. The underlying truth is that God delights in performing what humans deem impossible, thereby magnifying His glory. This truth implies that whenever God’s people encounter something that seems ‘marvelous’ (impossible) in their own eyes, they should automatically expect that it is not ‘marvelous’ in God’s eyes, but rather within His ordinary means of accomplishment for His will. It's an encouragement to align one's perception with God's.
Zechariah 8 6 Commentary
Zechariah 8:6 serves as a powerful declaration to the struggling post-exilic community and an enduring principle for all believers. It addresses human skepticism and the tendency to measure divine capability by human experience or circumstance. The returned remnant, having endured hardship and seen only slow progress in rebuilding, likely viewed the grand prophetic promises of future glory and blessing as "marvelous" – either too good to be true, too difficult to achieve, or simply beyond their imagination. God directly confronts this limited human perspective with a rhetorical question that challenges their doubt.
By asking "should it also be marvelous in My eyes?", God asserts His transcendence. What may appear insurmountable, extraordinary, or simply beyond reach from a human viewpoint (too marvelous in the sense of too hard or unbelievable) is utterly within God's capacity (not marvelous in the sense of challenging or difficult for Him). He is not bound by human logic, economic constraints, physical limitations, or even past failures. His plans and His power are infinite. The use of "LORD of hosts" twice further reinforces His unmatched authority and ability to fulfill every promise, regardless of the perceived impossibilities.
This verse therefore encourages faith over doubt, reminding us that God's power is absolute and that He is well able to accomplish what seems impossible from our earthly vantage point.For practical usage, when facing seemingly insurmountable problems, depleted resources, or long-deferred hopes, this verse calls believers to remember that their limitations do not dictate God's abilities. Examples include: a person struggling with an impossible situation, a community seeking radical change, or individuals doubting God's promises after long waiting.