Zechariah 8:8 kjv
And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.
Zechariah 8:8 nkjv
I will bring them back, And they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. They shall be My people And I will be their God, In truth and righteousness.'
Zechariah 8:8 niv
I will bring them back to live in Jerusalem; they will be my people, and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God."
Zechariah 8:8 esv
and I will bring them to dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in faithfulness and in righteousness."
Zechariah 8:8 nlt
I will bring them home again to live safely in Jerusalem. They will be my people, and I will be faithful and just toward them as their God.
Zechariah 8 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Zechariah 8:13 | "And it shall come to pass that as you were a curse among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so I will save you, and you shall be a blessing." | Prophecy of future blessing |
| Genesis 12:2 | "And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great; so you shall be a blessing." | God's promise to Abraham |
| Isaiah 19:25 | "whom the Lord of hosts has blessed, saying, “Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance.”" | Blessing extending to other nations |
| Jeremiah 30:10 | "‘Therefore fear not, O my servant Jacob, declares the Lord, nor be dismayed, O Israel; for behold, I will save you from far away, and your offspring from the land of their captivity." | Promise of salvation and comfort |
| Jeremiah 32:41 | "I will rejoice in doing them good, and I will plant them in this land with all my heart and with all my soul.’" | God's delight in blessing His people |
| Luke 1:73-74 | "the oath that he swore to Abraham our father, to grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear," | Fulfillment of God's oath |
| Acts 3:26 | "The first thing God did was to raise up his servant and send him to bless you by turning each of you from your iniquities." | Jesus as the ultimate blessing |
| Romans 11:16 | "If the dough offered as firstfruit is holy, then so is the whole lump; and if the root is holy, then so are the branches." | Israel as root of blessing |
| Galatians 3:8 | "And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All nations shall be blessed in you.”" | Gospel preached to Abraham |
| 2 Corinthians 9:8 | "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work." | God's abounding grace |
| Philippians 4:13 | "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." | Strength through Christ |
| Ephesians 6:10 | "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might." | Call to spiritual strength |
| Joshua 1:9 | "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”" | Command to Joshua |
| Judges 6:12 | "And the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, “The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor.”" | God with Gideon |
| 1 Samuel 17:47 | "And that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hand.”" | God's deliverance |
| Isaiah 41:10 | "fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." | Promise of God's presence and strength |
| Hebrews 11:34 | "escaped the edge of the sword, were made powerful in weakness, became mighty in war, and put foreign armies to flight." | Faith leading to strength |
| Zechariah 4:6 | "Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts." | Spirit's power, not human might |
| Psalm 46:1-3 | "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way..." | God as refuge and strength |
| Matthew 10:8 | "...Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without paying." | Spreading blessing |
Zechariah 8 verses
Zechariah 8 8 Meaning
"So I will save you, and you shall be a blessing. Do not fear; let your hands be strong." This verse from Zechariah assures God's people of their salvation and promises they will be a source of blessing to others. It's a call to courage and resilience in the face of adversity, emphasizing that God's protection makes strength possible.
Zechariah 8 8 Context
Zechariah 8 takes place during the post-exilic period when the Jewish people had returned from Babylonian captivity. The Temple in Jerusalem was being rebuilt, but discouragement and hardship were prevalent. Zechariah delivers a series of prophetic messages from God, reaffirming His commitment to Jerusalem and His people. This particular verse comes within a section (Zechariah 8:9-17) where God assures them of renewed prosperity and peace, contrasting their current difficult circumstances with a glorious future. The prophecy aims to encourage the returned exiles, strengthen their resolve in rebuilding the Temple and their community, and instill hope by reminding them of God's unwavering covenantal faithfulness. It speaks to a time when their faithfulness to God's commands was crucial for their restoration.
Zechariah 8 8 Word Analysis
- וּבָרַכְתִּיךְ (uvarakhtikha): "And I will bless you." This is the Hiphil perfect of the verb ברך (barak), meaning "to bless," "to convey God's favor," "to prosper." The Hiphil conjugation emphasizes God as the active agent bringing the blessing. It signifies a bestowal of divine favor and well-being. The suffix '-kha' means "you" (masculine singular), addressing the people collectively as one entity. This blessing is not merely material but encompasses spiritual and national restoration.
- וּבִרְכָּה (ubirkhah): "and you shall be a blessing." Again from the root ברך (barak), but this time it's a noun meaning "a blessing." It signifies that the people themselves will become conduits of blessing, reflecting God’s favor outward to other nations, a promise first given to Abraham. This shifts the focus from receiving to giving, highlighting the role of God’s redeemed people in His global redemptive plan.
- הִתְאַמְּנִי (hit'ammeni): "be strong," "be strengthened." This is the Hiphil imperative of the verb אמן (aman). In the Hiphil, it means "to be made strong," "to be strengthened." The imperative mood is a direct command from God. This isn't about self-generated strength, but about drawing strength from God. The people are to become fortified in their efforts and in their spirit.
- וִיהִי (viyhi): "and let them be." This is a waw conjunctive followed by the Qal imperfect third person masculine singular of the verb היה (hayah), "to be." In this context, it carries a volitive sense, like a jussive or cohortative, conveying "let them be" or "may they be." It’s a permissive or encouraging statement, joining the command to be strong with the anticipated outcome of their hands' actions.
- יְדֵי (yedei): "hands." This is the construct form of the noun יד (yad), meaning "hand." In biblical idiom, "hands" often represents a person's actions, their work, their capability, and their efforts.
- יָדֶיךָ (yadekha): "your hands." The plural construct form with the second person masculine singular suffix. This specifically refers to the actions and efforts of "you" (the people being addressed).
Words Group Analysis:
- "you shall be a blessing": This phrase echoes the foundational promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:2, signifying a divine elevation of Israel from a people who were a curse to one who would be a source of blessing. It indicates that their restoration is not just for themselves but has global implications for God's kingdom.
- "do not fear; let your hands be strong": This forms a clear imperative statement. "Do not fear" is a direct antidote to the anxieties of the people, while "let your hands be strong" is the positive counter-action, empowered by God's promise of salvation. It connects faith (casting out fear) with action (strengthening one's hands).
Zechariah 8 8 Bonus Section
This verse highlights the transformative power of God's redemptive work. It moves from a state of vulnerability and potential curse to one of blessing and influence. The inclusion of "you shall be a blessing" connects this specific prophecy to the overarching Abrahamic covenant, underscoring the continuity of God's salvific plan through history. The phrase "let your hands be strong" is deeply practical; it's not passive waiting but active participation in the Lord's work, fortified by His strength, whether in building physical structures or in spiritual service. The prophecy foreshadows the work of Christ, who ultimately fulfills this role of being the ultimate blessing from God, and empowers believers through His Spirit to carry on His work.
Zechariah 8 8 Commentary
Zechariah 8:8 offers a powerful dual assurance and command to a weary people. God promises salvation and declares they will be a blessing, not just recipients of His favor, but active participants in spreading it. This transforms their identity and purpose. The command to "not fear" directly addresses the palpable anxieties following their return from exile; the nation was in ruins, and their enemies were present. However, this fear is to be met with the positive instruction: "let your hands be strong." This strength is not innate but comes from God's presence and power, enabling them to persevere in rebuilding and in their covenant walk. It's a call to courageous action rooted in divine assurance, reflecting a principle that faith in God’s promises equips believers to act boldly. For the modern believer, this verse resonates as a reminder that God’s salvation empowers us to face trials without fear and to actively engage in His work, becoming a source of blessing to those around us through His strength.