Zechariah 9 10

Zechariah 9:10 kjv

And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth.

Zechariah 9:10 nkjv

I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim And the horse from Jerusalem; The battle bow shall be cut off. He shall speak peace to the nations; His dominion shall be 'from sea to sea, And from the River to the ends of the earth.'

Zechariah 9:10 niv

I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the warhorses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.

Zechariah 9:10 esv

I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall speak peace to the nations; his rule shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.

Zechariah 9:10 nlt

I will remove the battle chariots from Israel
and the warhorses from Jerusalem.
I will destroy all the weapons used in battle,
and your king will bring peace to the nations.
His realm will stretch from sea to sea
and from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth.

Zechariah 9 verses

Zechariah 9 10 Meaning

Zechariah 9:10 is a messianic prophecy describing the righteous King who brings an era of universal peace, dismantling all instruments of war and establishing His dominion from geographical boundaries symbolic of worldwide reach. It foretells a kingdom characterized by non-violence, where the King Himself actively proclaims peace to all nations, extending His sovereignty from the literal borders of the promised land to the furthest reaches of the globe. This depicts a transformative reign distinct from earthly empires built on conquest, centering on divine, righteous, and peaceful governance.

Zechariah 9 10 Context

Zechariah 9 is part of the book's second major section, chapters 9-14, which shifts from the earlier visions and messages about Jerusalem's restoration and the temple's rebuilding (chapters 1-8). This later section focuses on Israel's future, primarily prophetic of the Messiah's first and second comings. Zechariah 9 specifically portrays God's judgment on Israel's pagan neighbors (Syria, Tyre, Philistia) and then pivots dramatically to the joyous arrival of Zion's King (verse 9). Verse 10 builds directly upon the humble and righteous nature of this King, detailing the peace and expansive dominion that will characterize His reign. Historically, this prophecy arises after the return from Babylonian exile, in a time of modest restoration, but points far beyond, addressing the deep longing for a truly universal, righteous, and peaceful rule, in stark contrast to the warring empires known to the original audience. The explicit mention of Ephraim and Jerusalem seeks to overcome the ancient division of the northern and southern kingdoms, envisioning a unified Israel under this messianic ruler.

Zechariah 9 10 Word analysis

• And I will cut off (וְהִכְרַתִּי - v'hikhrati): The Hebrew verb karath (כָּרַת) means "to cut off, destroy, make a covenant." Here, it signifies a decisive and complete eradication, executed by divine power (indicated by the "I will" – God as the actor). It’s an act of disarming the world for a new era.
• the chariot from Ephraim (רֶכֶב מֵאֶפְרַיִם - rekeb me’efrayim): Rekeb (רֶכֶב) means "chariot," a primary instrument of warfare and military might in ancient times (e.g., Exod 14, Josh 17). Ephraim here represents the northern kingdom of Israel, often characterized by its reliance on military power (Hos 14:3) and political instability. The removal signifies the disarmament of all Israel.
• and the horse from Jerusalem (וְסוּס מִירוּשָׁלָֽם - v'sus mirushalaim): Sus (סוּס) means "horse," symbolizing cavalry and another key military component (Deut 17:16). Jerusalem represents the southern kingdom, Judah. Together with Ephraim, it signifies the removal of instruments of war from the entire land of Israel, unifying the historically divided kingdoms under a principle of peace rather than militarism. This is a direct counter to the typical display of power by earthly kings.
• and the battle bow shall be cut off (וְנִכְרְתָה קֶשֶׁת מִלְחָמָֽה - v'nikhretha qesheth milchamah): Qesheth milchamah (קֶשֶׁת מִלְחָמָה) means "bow of battle" or "war bow," a vital long-range weapon. The repetition of "cut off" emphasizes the totality and divine agency of this disarmament. This goes beyond defensive removal to an elimination of offensive capacity.
• He shall speak peace to the nations (וְדִבֶּר שָׁלוֹם לַגּוֹיִם - v'dibber shalom lagoyim): Dibber shalom means "to speak peace" or "declare peace." This is not passive peace but an active proclamation and establishment of it. The King (referenced from Zech 9:9) is the subject. Goyim (גּוֹיִם) refers to "nations" or "Gentiles," highlighting the universal scope of this peace, extending beyond Israel. It counters polemically the idea that a powerful king rules by force; instead, this King rules by proclamation of peace.
• his dominion (מֶמְשַׁלְתּוֹ - memsheltow): This noun signifies "rule, dominion, authority, sovereignty." It denotes the scope and nature of His governance. It emphasizes that this is a truly kingly reign, yet it is exercised in a way radically different from worldly empires.
• shall be from sea to sea (מִיָּם עַד יָם - miyyam ‘ad yam): A well-known idiom for vast, expansive territory. In an ancient Israelite context, it often referred to the Mediterranean (Great Sea) in the west and perhaps the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, or even the Dead Sea in the east, or could refer to the Euphrates/Tigris river system. Symbolically, it points to a dominion without clear terrestrial bounds.
• and from the River to the ends of the earth (וּמִנָּהָר עַד אַפְסֵי אָֽרֶץ - uminahar ad apsey arets): "The River" (הַנָּהָר - hanahar) almost invariably refers to the Euphrates River, a traditional boundary of Israel's divinely promised land (Gen 15:18). "The ends of the earth" (apsey 'arets - אַפְסֵי אָרֶץ) signifies the ultimate boundaries, the most distant regions. Combined, "from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth" provides a comprehensive hyperbole, clearly establishing the global, universal extent of this King's dominion, covering every corner of the world. This reinforces the limitless, comprehensive nature of the Messiah's future reign.

Zechariah 9 10 Bonus section

The vision of a disarmed Israel and a King speaking peace to nations presents a clear contrast to many geopolitical realities of the ancient world and, indeed, our own. It points to a profound spiritual shift where trust is placed in God rather than armaments. While partially fulfilled through the spiritual expansion of Christ's kingdom through the gospel (the peace He brought breaking down barriers, Eph 2:14-17), its complete realization in a physical, global sense awaits His second coming when all things are made new. The Messianic kingdom will finally bring about complete and perpetual peace on earth, extending to every person.

Zechariah 9 10 Commentary

Zechariah 9:10 is a powerful prophetic declaration, directly tied to the arrival of Zion's righteous and humble King announced in the preceding verse. It details the unique nature of His universal reign: it is not one achieved through conquest and military might, but through divine disarming and the proactive proclamation of peace. The stripping away of chariots, horses, and battle bows from both Ephraim and Jerusalem symbolizes the end of reliance on earthly power and the unification of a previously divided nation under this King of peace. His kingdom, therefore, stands in stark contrast to the militaristic empires of the world, promoting a radical, peace-driven ethos. The extensive territorial claims – "from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth" – confirm that His sovereignty transcends national borders and historical boundaries, reaching all nations. This verse anticipates a Messianic era where righteousness flourishes, instruments of war are obsolete, and peace prevails universally, inaugurated and sustained by the King's own declaration and reign.