Zechariah 9 15

Zechariah 9:15 kjv

The LORD of hosts shall defend them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones; and they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine; and they shall be filled like bowls, and as the corners of the altar.

Zechariah 9:15 nkjv

The LORD of hosts will defend them; They shall devour and subdue with slingstones. They shall drink and roar as if with wine; They shall be filled with blood like basins, Like the corners of the altar.

Zechariah 9:15 niv

and the LORD Almighty will shield them. They will destroy and overcome with slingstones. They will drink and roar as with wine; they will be full like a bowl used for sprinkling the corners of the altar.

Zechariah 9:15 esv

The LORD of hosts will protect them, and they shall devour, and tread down the sling stones, and they shall drink and roar as if drunk with wine, and be full like a bowl, drenched like the corners of the altar.

Zechariah 9:15 nlt

The LORD of Heaven's Armies will protect his people,
and they will defeat their enemies by hurling great stones.
They will shout in battle as though drunk with wine.
They will be filled with blood like a bowl,
drenched with blood like the corners of the altar.

Zechariah 9 verses

Zechariah 9 15 Meaning

Zechariah 9:15 presents a powerful declaration of God's active role in protecting and granting overwhelming victory to His people, Judah. It promises that the Lord of hosts Himself will shield His elect, empowering them to conquer their adversaries decisively. This victory will be so absolute that it is depicted with vivid, almost brutal imagery of consuming enemies and reveling in the spoils of war, likening it to the pouring of blood like libations at the altar, signifying a sacred and complete triumph ordained by God.

Zechariah 9 15 Context

Zechariah 9 begins a new prophetic section within the book, often called the "Book of Burden." Chapters 9-11 foretell the coming of the Messiah, His peaceful reign, the ingathering of Judah and Ephraim, and the eventual triumph over their oppressors. Chapter 9 specifically depicts the march of Alexander the Great across the Near East (prophetically foretold by his sparing of Jerusalem), which serves as a backdrop to the subsequent arrival of Jerusalem's true King—the humble, riding on a donkey (Zech 9:9). Following this peaceful Messianic figure, Zechariah 9:13-17 then pivots to a vivid description of divine warfare, where Judah, and by extension the people of God, become the instrument of God's judgment against hostile nations. Verse 15 fits precisely into this theme of God empowering His people for a definitive victory, demonstrating His protective sovereignty and the total annihilation of enemies who stood against His kingdom. Historically, this prophecy offered hope to the post-exilic community facing hostile neighbors and global empires, assuring them of God's continued involvement and ultimate victory on their behalf.

Zechariah 9 15 Word analysis

• The LORD of hosts: Hebrew: Yahweh Tsva'ot (יהוה צבאות). This title emphasizes God's supreme power and authority as the commander of heavenly armies (angels) and earthly armies. It portrays Him as a warrior God, indicating His direct involvement and formidable might in warfare. This term frequently appears in prophetic books, affirming God's sovereignty over all creation, including military forces, thus polemicizing against pagan deities worshipped by surrounding nations as war gods.
• will defend them: Hebrew: ganan (גנן). This verb means "to surround, to protect, to shield, to defend." It denotes active, vigilant guardianship, implying that God will act as a fortress or barrier around His people, ensuring their safety amidst conflict. This isn't passive protection but a dynamic intervention.
• And they shall eat up: Hebrew: akhal (אכל). Meaning "to eat, devour, consume." In a military context, this often metaphorically signifies destruction, complete defeat, or plundering the enemy. It denotes the complete absorption of the vanquished.
• and subdue with sling stones: Hebrew: kavash (כבשׁ) meaning "to tread down, subdue, bring into bondage," combined with "stones of a sling." This suggests a decisive, overwhelming victory where the enemies are thoroughly trampled upon and enslaved. "Sling stones" (אבני-קלע) could symbolize a relatively simple, yet divinely effective weapon, turning a seemingly weak instrument into one of crushing power, perhaps alluding to David's victory over Goliath (1 Sam 17). It implies widespread devastation.
• And they shall drink, and be noisy as with wine: Hebrew: shatah (שׁתה) "to drink," and hamah (המה) "to make a noise, roar, be turbulent." This depicts revelry or a triumphant feast. The intoxication imagery ("as with wine") suggests complete elation and unrestrained joy in their victory. Some interpretations view this "drinking" metaphorically as drinking the blood of their enemies (Is 49:26; Deut 32:42) or being drunk from their slaughter, portraying a savage joy in their foes' demise.
• And be filled like bowls: Hebrew: mala (מלא) "to fill," mizraq (מזרק) "a sprinkling bowl" or "basin." These were often sacred vessels used in temple sacrifices to collect or sprinkle blood or wine. The imagery here shifts from the battle to a sacred, ritualistic context.
• like the corners of the altar: Hebrew: qarnot ha-mizbeach (קרנות המזבח). These "horns" were prominent projections on the four corners of the altar in the tabernacle and temple. Blood from sacrifices was typically applied to them (Ex 29:12, Lev 4:7). The imagery signifies that the abundance of the enemies' destruction or blood will be so vast that it metaphorically overflows the sacrificial bowls and reaches even the sacred horns of the altar. This points to the victory being a divinely consecrated event, almost a massive sacrificial offering, demonstrating God's satisfaction and the purity of His judgment. It also emphasizes the vastness of the carnage, a complete and unreserved outpouring.

Words-group analysis:

• "The LORD of hosts will defend them, and they shall eat up and subdue": This phrase highlights God's active, initiating role ("will defend") and the empowered agency of His people ("they shall eat up and subdue"). It portrays a synergy where divine protection directly leads to overwhelming human-led (but God-ordained) military conquest. The transition from being defended to actively destroying their enemies illustrates the transforming power of God's presence.
• "with sling stones, and they shall drink, and be noisy as with wine": This depicts the sheer scale and character of the victory. "Sling stones" suggest numerous individual blows adding up to comprehensive devastation. The "drinking and being noisy as with wine" imagery reinforces not just victory but unrestrained celebration, perhaps even intoxication by the extent of their triumph, a visceral satisfaction in the judgment of their adversaries. This also shows the raw, almost violent joy of a fulfilled judgment, demonstrating divine approval for the extent of their victory.
• "and be filled like bowls, like the corners of the altar": This is the culmination of the imagery, elevating the victory from a mere military conquest to a consecrated, almost religious event. The use of "bowls" (for sprinkling blood) and "corners of the altar" points to the magnitude of bloodshed being likened to a vast sacrificial outpouring, indicating God's wrath and righteous judgment satisfied. The battlefield itself becomes, metaphorically, an altar, signifying a holy act of judgment performed by God's instruments, the people, leading to purity and an end to wickedness.

Zechariah 9 15 Bonus section

The hyperbolic and visceral language used in Zechariah 9:15 is common in Old Testament prophetic literature when describing divine judgment and victory. It’s not necessarily a literal call for bloodshed but emphasizes the totality and righteousness of the Lord's conquest over wickedness and opposition to His kingdom. This "holy war" language often carries eschatological weight, pointing towards the ultimate triumph of God's people and the ushering in of the Messianic age, where all enemies are subdued under the King's feet. While the verse appears brutal, it contrasts sharply with the humility and peace-bringing nature of the Messiah described just a few verses prior (Zech 9:9-10). This juxtaposition highlights two facets of the Messianic kingdom: peace for the righteous, and fierce judgment for the unrepentant and His enemies. This verse is thus not about promoting human aggression, but revealing the power of God who delivers His people through extraordinary means. It assures believers that God’s protective power transforms even the weakest into channels of His mighty victory, with the final victory dedicated to Him as a holy offering.

Zechariah 9 15 Commentary

Zechariah 9:15 presents a potent image of Yahweh's commitment to His people's defense and His orchestrating their ultimate victory over oppressive forces. The title "Lord of hosts" emphasizes His unrivaled might as the Divine Warrior, affirming that the promised protection is absolute. His active defense enables His people not just to survive, but to become instruments of decisive judgment. The vivid, almost violent imagery of "eating up" and "subduing with sling stones" conveys a complete and widespread devastation of the enemies, demonstrating that God's intervention results in absolute triumph. The subsequent imagery of "drinking and being noisy as with wine" captures the unbridled elation of the victorious, reflecting the deep satisfaction that comes from God's righteous vindication.

The culminating metaphor of being "filled like bowls, like the corners of the altar" elevates this military triumph to a profound, almost liturgical significance. The pouring out of blood, symbolic of life and judgment, over the sacred altar components signifies that this victory is a divinely ordained, righteous act, akin to a massive sacrificial offering to God Himself. It’s a statement that God’s holy justice has been executed fully, ritually cleansed, and dedicated back to Him. While the initial historical context related to earthly battles, this prophecy also points forward to the ultimate, spiritual victory over sin and death secured through the Messiah. This verse serves as a reminder that God empowers His people not just for defense, but for triumphant advancement of His kingdom, eradicating evil in His sovereign timing.