Zechariah 9:9 kjv
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
Zechariah 9:9 nkjv
"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.
Zechariah 9:9 niv
Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Zechariah 9:9 esv
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Zechariah 9:9 nlt
Rejoice, O people of Zion!
Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem!
Look, your king is coming to you.
He is righteous and victorious,
yet he is humble, riding on a donkey ?
riding on a donkey's colt.
Zechariah 9 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mt 21:4-5 | This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet: "Tell the daughter of Zion, 'Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.'" | Direct fulfillment citation |
| Mk 11:7-10 | And they brought the colt to Jesus... and they began to cry out: "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!" | Fulfillment of donkey entry & King's welcome |
| Lk 19:37-38 | As he was drawing near...the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice... "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!" | Fulfillment, rejoice/shout theme |
| Jn 12:14-15 | Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, "Do not be afraid, Daughter of Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey's colt." | Fulfillment, direct quote and emphasis |
| Isa 9:6-7 | For to us a child is born, to us a son is given...of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end... | Prophecy of Messiah as King & Peacebearer |
| Jer 23:5-6 | "Behold, the days are coming," declares the Lord, "when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch... In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely." | Prophecy of righteous King bringing salvation |
| Isa 62:11 | Behold, the Lord has proclaimed to the end of the earth: Say to the daughter of Zion, "Behold, your salvation comes..." | Messiah as "Salvation," to Daughter of Zion |
| Zeph 3:14-15 | Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty warrior who will save... | Call to rejoice, presence of saving God |
| Psa 2:6 | "As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill." | God establishing His King on Zion |
| Psa 118:26 | Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We bless you from the house of the Lord! | Crowd's chant for Messiah's entry |
| Dan 7:13-14 | "I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man...and to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom..." | Prophecy of divine, universal King |
| Gen 49:10-11 | "The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. He tethers his foal to the vine, and his donkey's colt to the choicest branch." | Prophetic association of Judah's King with donkey/colt |
| Phil 2:6-8 | though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself... | King's humility emphasized by Paul |
| Zech 9:10 | 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... | King's reign of peace, contrasts with war |
| Zech 12:7-8 | "The Lord will save the tents of Judah first... On that day the Lord will protect the inhabitants of Jerusalem..." | Lord's future salvation for Judah/Jerusalem |
| Isa 53:2-3 | For he grew up before him like a young plant...He had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men... | Prophecy of humble, suffering Messiah |
| Psa 45:3-4 | Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one, in your splendor and majesty! In your majesty ride out victoriously for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness... | King's reign with righteousness & meekness |
| 1 Pet 2:21-23 | For to this you have been called... Christ also suffered for you... "He committed no sin, nor was deceit found in his mouth." When he was reviled, he did not revile in return... | Messiah's righteousness & humble suffering |
| Tit 2:13-14 | waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness... | Jesus as "Savior," for redemption |
| Rev 19:11 | Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. | Contrast: First coming humble, Second coming majestic/judging King |
Zechariah 9 verses
Zechariah 9 9 Meaning
Zechariah 9:9 is a foundational Messianic prophecy announcing the triumphal yet humble arrival of Israel's promised King, the Messiah. It calls for intense celebration from the people of God because their righteous and salvific King is coming to them. Crucially, His arrival is characterized not by military might and earthly conquest, as often expected of kings, but by profound humility and peace, signified by His riding on a donkey instead of a warhorse. This verse points forward to the historical event of Jesus Christ's entry into Jerusalem.
Zechariah 9 9 Context
Zechariah chapter 9 forms part of a series of prophecies (chapters 9-11) often referred to as "the burden of the word of the Lord." Chapter 9 begins with judgments against the surrounding Gentile nations that posed a threat to Judah and Israel. Following these declarations of judgment and divine sovereignty over the nations, the prophecy sharply shifts to the restoration and glorious future of Zion. Verse 9:9 stands as a pivotal Messianic oracle within this larger context, suddenly announcing the advent of Zion's true King. This placement suggests that even amidst divine judgment on the world, God's ultimate plan centers on His people and their coming Redeemer. The historical setting is post-exilic Judah, where the people were disheartened yet hopeful for God's promised restoration, expecting a glorious, powerful king who would overthrow their oppressors, like previous mighty kings of Israel. Zechariah 9:9 radically redefines these expectations by portraying a King who is salvific and righteous, yet surprisingly humble and peaceful.
Zechariah 9 9 Word analysis
- Rejoice greatly (גִּילִי מְאֹד - gili m'od): An emphatic imperative, expressing an command for exceedingly fervent and jubilant celebration. Gili conveys intense, almost dancing joy, while m'od adds the adverbial force of "very much" or "exceedingly."
- O daughter of Zion (בַּת צִיּוֹן - bat Tzion): A common prophetic idiom, personifying the inhabitants of Jerusalem and the community of God's people as a maiden, deeply connected to God and chosen by Him. Zion represents the spiritual and political heart of Israel, where God dwells.
- Shout aloud (הָרִיעִי - hari'i): Another strong imperative for vocal expression, derived from a root often associated with a war cry or the blowing of a trumpet for alarm or triumph. Here, it signifies a triumphant acclamation or shout of joy, akin to praising a victorious king.
- O daughter of Jerusalem (בַּת יְרוּשָׁלִַם - bat Yerushalayim): A parallel poetic expression reinforcing the address to the people of God within the capital city, emphasizing the specificity of the King's arrival and its impact on the chosen nation.
- Behold (הִנֵּה - hinneh): An interjection used to draw immediate attention, signaling the imminence and profound significance of what is about to be revealed. It prepares the audience for a vital truth.
- your king (מַלְכֵּךְ - malkech): Indicates a personal, intimate relationship. This is not just any king, but their promised Messiah-King, the one belonging uniquely to Israel as their sovereign and shepherd.
- is coming (בָּא - ba'): A Hebrew participle denoting an imminent, active, and certain arrival. It signifies that the King is already in the process of approaching.
- to you (לָךְ - lach): Emphasizes the directness and purpose of the King's coming—He is arriving specifically for the sake of His people.
- righteous (צַדִּיק - tzaddiq): Describes the King's character as just, morally pure, and vindicated by God. He upholds divine standards and acts in accordance with perfect truth and justice. This attribute defines His nature and the nature of His reign.
- and having salvation (וְנוֹשָׁע - v'nosha): A significant term from the Nifal stem of the verb "to save." It can be interpreted as "one who is saved" (victorious/delivered) and thereby "brings salvation," or more directly, "victorious." The context strongly supports the meaning that He possesses salvation as an intrinsic part of His being and effectively grants it. He is not merely rescued, but is the rescuer, the very source of deliverance.
- humble (וְעָנִי - v'ani): Often translated as "afflicted," "poor," or "lowly." This word strikingly contrasts with human expectations of royalty. It describes the Messiah's meek and unassuming character, a deliberate choice of self-abasement, signifying His non-violent, peaceful nature and reliance on God rather than earthly might.
- and mounted on a donkey (וְרֹכֵב עַל-חֲמוֹר - v'rokhev al-chamor): This detail is central to the prophecy. Unlike warhorses used by conquering kings, a donkey was a symbol of peace, humility, and civil authority. Patriarchs and judges rode donkeys, associating this mount with peaceable leadership.
- on a colt, the foal of a donkey (וְעַל-עַיִר בֶּן-אֲתֹנוֹת - v'al-ayir ben-atonot): Further specific clarification. Ayir is a young male donkey, often unbroken, symbolizing additional humility or purity. This detail emphasizes the prophetic precision and unique nature of the King's entry. The "foal of a female donkey" confirms the animal's young, unworked status.
Zechariah 9 9 Bonus section
The seemingly redundant phrase "on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey" in the Hebrew text can be understood in a couple of ways that amplify its prophetic significance:
- Intensive Parallelism: This is a common Hebrew poetic device where a concept is reiterated with slight variations for emphasis and to magnify its importance. It strongly underscores the specific nature of the animal chosen.
- Prophetic Specificity for Fulfillment: Matthew's Gospel (21:7) records that disciples brought both a donkey and a colt, and Jesus sat on them, providing a remarkably literal fulfillment of the detail, suggesting that the "on a donkey, even on a colt" might imply two animals or a particular arrangement that the Evangelist notes. This level of precise detail emphasizes God's sovereign control over even the seemingly minor aspects of His Messianic plan.
The King being described as "having salvation" (וְנוֹשָׁע - v'nosha) can be interpreted not merely as one who is saved, but as one who is victorious and thus inherently capable of bringing salvation to others. It defines His essence: He is Deliverance itself, for Himself and for His people. This underlines His unique redemptive authority. This prophecy is a remarkable instance of divine paradox—the King of glory arriving in utmost lowliness—highlighting that God's ways and power often transcend and confound human wisdom.
Zechariah 9 9 Commentary
Zechariah 9:9 is a masterpiece of Messianic prophecy, strikingly accurate in its portrayal of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem (as seen in the Gospels). It calls the "daughter of Zion" and "daughter of Jerusalem" to celebrate with exuberant joy, for their long-awaited King is approaching. This King is described as "righteous" and "having salvation," emphasizing His divine character and His role as the bringer of deliverance from sin and its consequences. However, the most profound and counter-intuitive aspect of this prophecy is the depiction of the King's humility. Rather than riding a warhorse, emblematic of conquest and earthly power, He arrives "humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey." This humble entrance profoundly challenges the conventional human expectations of a conquering Messiah who would lead a political or military revolution against oppressors. Instead, it signifies a King of peace, whose dominion is established through righteousness and servanthood, ushering in a spiritual kingdom rather than an earthly one. This verse beautifully sets the stage for the New Testament's revelation of Jesus as the Suffering Servant who brings salvation through self-sacrifice and humility.