Zechariah 9 5

Zechariah 9:5 kjv

Ashkelon shall see it, and fear; Gaza also shall see it, and be very sorrowful, and Ekron; for her expectation shall be ashamed; and the king shall perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon shall not be inhabited.

Zechariah 9:5 nkjv

Ashkelon shall see it and fear; Gaza also shall be very sorrowful; And Ekron, for He dried up her expectation. The king shall perish from Gaza, And Ashkelon shall not be inhabited.

Zechariah 9:5 niv

Ashkelon will see it and fear; Gaza will writhe in agony, and Ekron too, for her hope will wither. Gaza will lose her king and Ashkelon will be deserted.

Zechariah 9:5 esv

Ashkelon shall see it, and be afraid; Gaza too, and shall writhe in anguish; Ekron also, because its hopes are confounded. The king shall perish from Gaza; Ashkelon shall be uninhabited;

Zechariah 9:5 nlt

The city of Ashkelon will see Tyre fall
and will be filled with fear.
Gaza will shake with terror,
as will Ekron, for their hopes will be dashed.
Gaza's king will be killed,
and Ashkelon will be deserted.

Zechariah 9 verses

Zechariah 9 5 Meaning

Zechariah 9:5 proclaims a divine judgment upon the Philistine cities of Ashkelon, Gaza, and Ekron. It foretells that Ashkelon will witness this impending doom with fear, and Gaza will suffer immense, agonizing pain. Ekron will face shame as its deeply held confidence and expectations are utterly crushed. Furthermore, the ruling authority of Gaza will be eliminated, and Ashkelon will become desolate, no longer inhabited. This signifies a complete downfall and loss of prominence for these strongholds, brought about by divine power.

Zechariah 9 5 Context

Zechariah 9 inaugurates a new section of Zechariah's prophecies (chapters 9-14), sometimes referred to as the "burdens" or oracles concerning the future. Unlike chapters 1-8, which focus on temple rebuilding and post-exilic issues, these chapters often possess a more apocalyptic and Messianic tone, extending into a distant future. Zechariah 9 begins with an oracle of divine judgment on Israel's historical enemies in the surrounding nations, including Phoenicia (Tyre and Sidon) and the Philistine cities, before turning to the triumphant advent of the King of Zion (Zechariah 9:9). This verse specifically focuses on the western coastal plain's Philistine cities: Ashkelon, Gaza, and Ekron. Historically, these were significant trade centers and strong military powers, frequently opposing or subjugating Israel. The prophecy contextualizes their destruction as part of God's wider plan for the region, asserting His absolute sovereignty over all nations and demonstrating that no earthly power can ultimately withstand His purposes. This serves as a comforting assurance to a beleaguered Judah that their adversaries will ultimately fall.

Zechariah 9 5 Word analysis

• Ashkelon (אַשְׁקְלוֹן - Ashqelon): A major Philistine city located on the Mediterranean coast. Its strategic importance as a trade port and military stronghold made it a perennial adversary to Israel.
• shall see it (תִּרְאֶה - tir'eh): Literally "she will see." The 'it' refers to the unfolding divine judgment mentioned previously or implicitly, suggesting an eyewitness to impending destruction or calamity affecting others, leading to terror.
• and be afraid (וְתִירָא - v'tira): Denotes trembling and fear, indicating profound apprehension and a loss of composure in the face of the overwhelming catastrophe.
• Gaza (עַזָּה - Azzah): Another powerful and strategic Philistine city, often serving as a gateway to Egypt. Its name literally means "strong."
• and shall writhe (וְתָחִיל - v'tachil): To be in intense pain, agony, often used for labor pains (cf. Isa 13:8, Jer 4:31). This signifies unavoidable and severe suffering.
• in great pain (מְאֹד - me'od): An intensifier meaning "very much," "exceedingly," underscoring the severity of Gaza's anguish.
• Ekron (עֶקְרוֹן - Eqron): The northernmost of the five main Philistine cities. Its inclusion emphasizes the widespread nature of the judgment across the Philistine pentapolis (though Ashdod and Gath are dealt with earlier/differently in Zech 9:6-7).
• because its hope (כִּי מִבְטָהּ - ki mivtahah): "Mivtah" signifies trust, reliance, or security. The phrase indicates that the cause of Ekron's downfall is the failure of whatever it placed its confidence in. This could be its military might, political alliances, economic stability, or even its pagan deities.
• is put to shame (הֹבִישָׁה - hovishah): To be disgraced, disappointed, or confounded. Their trust proves utterly worthless, leading to public humiliation and despair.
• The king (מֶלֶךְ - melekh): Refers to the ruler or supreme authority of Gaza, not necessarily an individual king, but the seat of power itself.
• shall perish (יֹאבַד - yo'vad): Will be destroyed, ruined, lost, or vanish. This signifies the end of autonomous rule or significant leadership from Gaza.
• from Gaza (מֵעַזָּה - me'Azzah): Indicates the source or location from which the king's rule or very existence will cease.
• Ashkelon (אַשְׁקְלוֹן - Ashqelon): Mentioned again, underscoring its unique fate.
• shall not be inhabited (לֹא־תֵשֵׁב - lo'-teshev): Literally "she will not sit," implying that it will cease to be dwelt in or settled. This signifies a prolonged and possibly permanent state of desolation, contrasting with Gaza whose 'king' perishes but not necessarily the city itself ceasing habitation entirely, suggesting a slightly different outcome.

Word-groups analysis:

• Ashkelon shall see it and be afraid; Gaza too, and shall writhe in great pain: This paints a vivid picture of escalating suffering. Ashkelon merely observes and fears; Gaza experiences direct, excruciating agony. This contrast highlights the severity and directness of judgment on Gaza.
• Ekron also, because its hope of what it expected is put to shame: This explains the reason for Ekron's downfall. It's not just physical destruction but the shattering of false security and expectations, which often involved relying on worldly power or pagan deities. This underscores the theological polemic against trust in anything other than the Almighty.
• The king shall perish from Gaza; Ashkelon shall not be inhabited: These twin pronouncements indicate different forms of complete destruction for two prominent cities. Gaza loses its leadership and autonomy, suggesting political subjugation. Ashkelon, however, faces a more absolute demographic end – utter desolation, losing its population and perhaps its very urban existence as a viable city.

Zechariah 9 5 Bonus section

The specific targeting of Philistine cities in this oracle (Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron) alongside Tyre and Sidon (mentioned earlier in Zechariah 9:2-4) reflects their persistent hostility and idolatry. Philistia, situated along the vital trade routes between Egypt and Mesopotamia, often controlled these strategic passages and exerted significant influence or opposition towards Judah. The prophetic judgment here signifies a divine purging of the land, preparing for the advent of a righteous, peace-bringing King of Zion, contrasted starkly with the earthly kings whose power is extinguished. The vivid imagery of writhing in pain (חִיל - hil or chuyl) is frequently used in prophecy to depict the inevitable, overwhelming terror and suffering associated with the Day of the LORD or significant divine judgment (e.g., Isa 13:8, Ps 55:4, Jer 6:24). The promise that Ashkelon will not be inhabited, while Gaza's king perishes, could indicate differing degrees or types of destruction—one a total demographic collapse, the other a political subjugation, though both signify the end of their previous stature. This level of detail confirms the certainty and severity of God's judicial decree against those who stand in opposition to His purposes and His people.

Zechariah 9 5 Commentary

Zechariah 9:5 serves as a potent prophetic announcement of judgment against the ancient Philistine strongholds, deeply woven into the historical fabric of conflict with Israel. The precise descriptions of each city's demise illustrate the comprehensive and tailored nature of divine judgment. Ashkelon's fear, Gaza's intense agony likened to birth pains, and Ekron's dashed hopes represent a progression from internal dread to outward suffering to existential disappointment. The destruction of Gaza's king signifies the end of its independent sovereignty, a critical blow to its power and pride. Ashkelon's pronouncement of becoming uninhabited, unlike other cities whose kings may perish, suggests an even more complete and enduring desolation. This passage assures the post-exilic community that despite their own weakness, God remains sovereign over all nations, judging those who have historically oppressed His people. It implicitly contrasts the futility of trusting in earthly might or false gods with the security found in the true God. The historical fulfillment is often associated with the conquests of Alexander the Great, demonstrating God's use of earthly powers to bring about His decreed judgments, establishing a trajectory leading to the Messianic king introduced in the very next verses (Zech 9:9-10).