Zechariah 9 2

Zechariah 9:2 kjv

And Hamath also shall border thereby; Tyrus, and Zidon, though it be very wise.

Zechariah 9:2 nkjv

Also against Hamath, which borders on it, And against Tyre and Sidon, though they are very wise.

Zechariah 9:2 niv

and on Hamath too, which borders on it, and on Tyre and Sidon, though they are very skillful.

Zechariah 9:2 esv

and on Hamath also, which borders on it, Tyre and Sidon, though they are very wise.

Zechariah 9:2 nlt

Doom is certain for Hamath,
near Damascus,
and for the cities of Tyre and Sidon,
though they are so clever.

Zechariah 9 verses

Zechariah 9 2 Meaning

Zechariah 9:2 declares that Hamath, a prominent city to the north of Israel, will also fall within the scope of the divine judgment and the reign that God establishes. It then specifically singles out Tyre and Sidon, the wealthy Phoenician port cities, emphasizing that despite their immense power and renowned expertise in commerce, craft, and strategy—qualities summarized as "though it be very wise"—their worldly wisdom and might will not grant them immunity from God's sovereign plan or coming judgment.

Zechariah 9 2 Context

Zechariah chapter 9 marks a significant transition within the book, beginning a new prophetic oracle focusing on the Lord's universal dominion and the future of Judah and its neighboring nations. Verses 1-8 specifically detail a divine procession of judgment that moves through the territories bordering Israel, including Damascus, Hamath, and the Philistine cities, before ultimately bringing salvation and protection to Jerusalem. Zechariah 9:2 narrows the focus to Hamath, geographically to the north, and then highlights Tyre and Sidon, key Phoenician cities along the Mediterranean coast. These cities were historically renowned for their immense wealth, naval power, extensive trade networks, and skilled craftsmanship. However, they were also often rivals to or exploiters of Israel and were associated with idolatrous practices. The oracle sets the stage for a comprehensive divine intervention that asserts God's ultimate authority over all human strongholds, irrespective of their power or perceived wisdom.

Zechariah 9 2 Word analysis

• And Hamath also: (Hebrew: וְחֲמָת גַּם־הִיא, wəḥǎmāṯ gam-hî).

  • Hamath (חֲמָת): An ancient and significant city and region in central Syria, located on the Orontes River. It was often considered the northernmost limit of the land promised to Israel. Its inclusion underscores the broad sweep of God's sovereign control over the geopolitical landscape beyond just Judah's immediate southern neighbors.
  • also (גַּם־הִיא, gam-hî): Literally "even it" or "it too." This emphasizes that Hamath, like other territories mentioned, will be fully incorporated into the sphere of divine action, be it judgment or transformation, and is not exempt due to its distance or strength.

• shall border thereby: (Hebrew: תִּגְבֹּל־בָּהּ, tigbol-bah).

  • shall border (תִּגְבֹּל, tigbol): From the root גבל (gabal), meaning "to bound, to set a limit, to be contiguous." It implies that Hamath will lie at the edge or become contiguous with the area under the influence of God's visitation described in the oracle. This can suggest geographical proximity to the land of Hadrach (Zech 9:1), or it can signify being encompassed and delimited by the divine decree, drawn into its sphere of influence and ultimate fate.
  • thereby (בָּהּ, bah): Refers to the "land of Hadrach" mentioned previously in Zech 9:1, encompassing the region affected by the Lord's coming.

• Tyre and Sidon: (Hebrew: צֹר וְצִידֹון, Tsor wəTzîḏôwn).

  • Tyre (צֹר): A prominent Phoenician city located on an island off the coast, famed for its massive fortifications, purple dye, and global maritime trade. It symbolized great earthly wealth and seemingly unassailable human power.
  • Sidon (צִידֹון): Another ancient and major Phoenician port city, often mentioned alongside Tyre due to their shared cultural and commercial dominance. Their collective mention emphasizes God's authority over the entirety of Phoenician power.

• though it be very wise: (Hebrew: כִּי חֲכָמָה מְאֹד, kî ḥăḵāmāh mə’ōḏ).

  • though (כִּי, kî): Here functioning concessively, meaning "even though" or "despite the fact that," highlighting a contrast.
  • it be wise (חֲכָמָה, ḥăḵāmāh): From the root חכם (ḥāḵām), "to be wise, skillful." This specifically refers to Tyre (the feminine form likely applying to the city personified) and extends to Sidon by association. Tyre was indeed renowned for its shrewd commercial practices, naval architecture, urban planning, craftsmanship (e.g., Hiram of Tyre assisting Solomon), and strategic prowess.
  • very (מְאֹד, mə’ōḏ): Intensifies the quality, "very much," "exceedingly."
  • This phrase is deeply significant, functioning as a prophetic irony. Tyre's human wisdom and resulting might, often a source of great pride, are presented as insufficient to avert God's decree. It implies that their intelligence and strength, so formidable in the eyes of the world, ultimately fail before divine sovereignty, a theme common in biblical prophecies concerning arrogant nations.

• "And Hamath also shall border thereby; Tyre and Sidon...": This grouping signifies that these distinct northern and coastal entities are all subject to the overarching divine plan unfolding over the region. The oracle's scope is broad, impacting not just immediate neighbors but major geopolitical players.

• "...Tyre and Sidon, though it be very wise.": This phrase juxtaposes the impressive human capabilities of Tyre and Sidon against the impending divine action. Their celebrated wisdom, encompassing mercantile shrewdness, military fortifications, and skilled craftsmanship, stands in stark contrast to their inability to secure themselves from God's decree, reinforcing the ultimate futility of human pride and self-reliance against God's will.

Zechariah 9 2 Bonus section

• Polemical Purpose: The explicit mention of Tyre's "wisdom" served a polemical purpose. It challenged the common understanding that a city's success and imperviousness to external threats were direct indicators of divine favor from its own deities. Zechariah asserts that the God of Israel transcends and judges all such earthly wisdom and power.
• Historical Echoes: Many biblical scholars see the conquest of Tyre by Alexander the Great in 332 BC as a striking, albeit partial, historical fulfillment of this prophecy and those in Zechariah 9:3-4. Tyre, despite its island fortifications and naval strength, fell after a grueling seven-month siege, vividly demonstrating that its much-touted wisdom and power were not ultimately protective. This event provides a concrete historical testament to the prophetic truth that worldly strength, no matter how formidable, is subject to God's decree.
• Contrasting Wisdoms: The passage subtly sets up a contrast between human wisdom and divine wisdom. While Tyre's wisdom built cities and empires, God's wisdom directs the course of nations, ultimately bringing forth His Messiah. This prepares the reader for Zechariah 9:9, where the true wise and righteous King, who comes not on a warhorse but humbly on a donkey, is introduced.

Zechariah 9 2 Commentary

Zechariah 9:2 is a concise declaration of God's extensive authority over the nations, focusing on Hamath as part of the broader region affected by the prophetic vision, and specifically highlighting Tyre and Sidon. These Phoenician cities were bastions of human achievement—maritime giants, economic powerhouses, and centers of ingenious craftsmanship and strategic thinking, often epitomized by their "wisdom." However, the prophetic assertion that even they, "though very wise," would be included in God's judgment, undermines the ancient Near Eastern glorification of human ingenuity and material strength. It serves as a powerful reminder that no human empire, no matter how prosperous or cleverly devised, can withstand or escape the ultimate purposes of the Lord. Their worldly wisdom and strength are insufficient; rather, their pride often attracted God's righteous judgment, paving the way for the establishment of His righteous king and His eternal kingdom.