Zechariah 9 7

Zechariah 9:7 kjv

And I will take away his blood out of his mouth, and his abominations from between his teeth: but he that remaineth, even he, shall be for our God, and he shall be as a governor in Judah, and Ekron as a Jebusite.

Zechariah 9:7 nkjv

I will take away the blood from his mouth, And the abominations from between his teeth. But he who remains, even he shall be for our God, And shall be like a leader in Judah, And Ekron like a Jebusite.

Zechariah 9:7 niv

I will take the blood from their mouths, the forbidden food from between their teeth. Those who are left will belong to our God and become a clan in Judah, and Ekron will be like the Jebusites.

Zechariah 9:7 esv

I will take away its blood from its mouth, and its abominations from between its teeth; it too shall be a remnant for our God; it shall be like a clan in Judah, and Ekron shall be like the Jebusites.

Zechariah 9:7 nlt

I will grab the bloody meat from their mouths
and snatch the detestable sacrifices from their teeth.
Then the surviving Philistines will worship our God
and become like a clan in Judah.
The Philistines of Ekron will join my people,
as the ancient Jebusites once did.

Zechariah 9 verses

Zechariah 9 7 Meaning

Zechariah 9:7 describes a profound transformation of the Philistine cities, particularly Ekron, following God's divine judgment. The verse promises that their idolatrous and defiling practices—symbolized by "blood from his mouth" (referring to forbidden dietary practices, possibly pagan sacrifices or cannibalism) and "detestable things from between his teeth" (referring to unclean foods or idol offerings)—will be removed. This cleansing signifies a spiritual conversion. After this purification, these former enemies will become a "remnant for our God," indicating their survival from judgment and adoption into the covenant community. They will be integrated and given a place of belonging and possibly honor, becoming "like a clan in Judah," while Ekron specifically will be transformed "like a Jebusite," illustrating complete assimilation into the worship and people of the true God.

Zechariah 9 7 Context

Zechariah 9:7 is part of a larger oracle within the book of Zechariah, specifically the first section of the second major prophetic division (Zech 9-14). Chapter 9 begins with a prophecy of judgment against the nations surrounding Israel (Syria, Phoenicia, Philistia) but also interweaves promises of future salvation and the coming of the Messiah. The immediate context of verse 7 describes the Lord's "burden against the land of Hadrach" (Zech 9:1) and His hand being "against Ashkelon, and Gaza will writhe in anguish... and Ekron will be put to shame" (Zech 9:5). This judgment clears the way for a transformation, not total annihilation, for some of these Gentile cities. The verse predicts that the Philistines, ancient adversaries of Israel, will undergo a profound change, shedding their pagan practices and becoming part of God's people. This serves as a prophetic foreshadowing of God's global redemptive plan to bring salvation not only to Israel but also to the Gentiles.

Zechariah 9 7 Word analysis

• "I will take away the blood": Hebrew: wĕhasīrōṯî dam (וַהֲסִירֹותִי דָמוֹ).
  • "blood" (dam, דָּם): Refers literally to animal blood. In the Old Covenant, consumption of blood was strictly forbidden (Gen 9:4, Lev 17:10-14, Deut 12:23) because the life of the flesh is in the blood and it was reserved for atonement. Its presence here points to practices that defile in the eyes of the God of Israel. It could allude to pagan rituals involving blood offerings or consumption, or merely to their general dietary uncleanliness according to Mosaic law.
• "from his mouth": Hebrew: mippîw (מִפִּיו).
  • "mouth" (peh, פֶּה): The organ of eating and speaking. This directly links the removal of blood to their consumption habits.
• "and his detestable things": Hebrew: wĕšiqqûṣāyw (וְשִׁקּוּצָיו).
  • "detestable things" (shiqqûts, שִׁקּוּץ): Strong term in Hebrew, frequently referring to idols, abominable religious practices (like child sacrifice), or defiling, unclean food items (Deut 7:26, 1 Ki 14:24, Ezek 8:9-10). It signifies anything repugnant to God, especially those connected to pagan worship.
• "from between his teeth": Hebrew: mibbên šinnāyw (מִבֵּין שִׁנָּיו).
  • This phrase emphasizes the removal of these unclean practices from their grasp, implying they are no longer consumed or cherished. It suggests a thorough purging of their pagan ways.
• "Then he also will be a remnant for our God": Hebrew: wĕniš’ar gam-hū’ lē’lōhênû (וְנִשְׁאַר גַּם־הוּא לֵאלֹהֵינוּ).
  • "remnant" (shě'ār, שְׁאָר): The concept of a chosen few preserved through judgment. Here, it denotes that these Gentile peoples will survive God's judgment and be preserved, not for their own glory, but "for our God" (Israel's God). This highlights a gracious act of God transforming former enemies into His own.
  • "for our God": lē’lōhênû (לֵאלֹהֵינוּ): A declaration of their new allegiance and belonging to the God of Israel, YHWH.
• "and he will be like a clan in Judah": Hebrew: wĕhāyāh ke’allūf bihyūḏāh (וְהָיָה כְּאַלּוּף בִּיהוּדָה).
  • "clan" (allûf, אַלּוּף): Can refer to a chieftain, leader, or head of a clan (Gen 36:15, Zech 12:5-6). It signifies a position of belonging, acceptance, and possibly even honor or leadership within the community of Judah, contrasting their former outsider status. This suggests full integration into God's covenant people.
• "and Ekron like a Jebusite": Hebrew: wĕ‘eqrôn kaīyĕḇûsî (וְעֶקְרוֹן כַּיְבוּסִי).
  • "Ekron" (Eqrôn, עֶקְרוֹן): One of the five major Philistine cities, known for its strong idolatry. Its specific mention serves as a representative example for the Philistines as a whole.
  • "Jebusite" (Yĕvûsî, יְבוּסִי): The inhabitants of Jerusalem before King David conquered it (2 Sam 5:6-9). While initially formidable, the Jebusites were not entirely eradicated but largely assimilated and subjected, becoming part of the broader Israelite population (Josh 15:63, Judg 1:21). The comparison means Ekron will not be destroyed but will be thoroughly subdued, integrated, and transformed into an obedient and God-worshipping component within the unified nation, much like the Jebusites became part of Israel. This denotes a complete, even if subordinate, belonging to God's people.

Zechariah 9 7 Bonus section

The transformation of the Philistines into worshipers of God's people is an astonishing reversal of historical animosity, serving as a powerful example of God's redemptive scope. It anticipates the New Testament inclusion of Gentiles into the Church (e.g., Acts 15) without them necessarily becoming ethnic Israelites, but spiritually integrated into the "Israel of God." The mention of "clan in Judah" could also imply a new spiritual identity and a leadership capacity, as allûf sometimes denotes leadership (e.g., Duke of Edom, Gen 36). This highlights that transformation does not lead to a subordinate class, but to full co-heirship and honor. The phrase reflects a messianic age vision where barriers are broken down and peoples from every tongue and tribe are welcomed into God's household.

Zechariah 9 7 Commentary

Zechariah 9:7 paints a powerful picture of divine judgment leading to spiritual cleansing and the radical transformation of former enemies into faithful worshipers. The imagery of removing "blood from his mouth" and "detestable things from between his teeth" signifies the complete cessation of idolatrous practices and consumption of defiling foods—hallmarks of pagan cultures contrasting with the Law of God. This purification allows for their astonishing integration into God's covenant community. To be a "remnant for our God" means they are preserved by divine grace and redirected to serve the true God. The promise that they will be "like a clan in Judah" suggests a place of full acceptance and honor within Israel, signifying a spiritual equality despite historical enmity. Furthermore, the explicit comparison of "Ekron like a Jebusite" conveys total assimilation; just as the Jebusites, once hostile inhabitants of Jerusalem, eventually integrated and lost their distinct identity within Israel, so too will these Philistine cities lose their pagan identity and become absorbed into the worship of YHWH. This verse speaks to the sweeping, redemptive purpose of God that extends beyond Israel to include Gentiles who turn to Him, fulfilling promises of a global family of God.