Zechariah 12:6

The Coming Deliverance of Jerusalem · Zechariah 12:1–9
Read Zechariah 12

Translations

Modern
On that day I will make the clans of Judah like a firepot in a woodpile, like a flaming torch among the sheaves; they will consume all the peoples around them on the right and on the left, while the people of Jerusalem remain secure there.
Traditional
In that day will I make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem.
Literal
On that day I will set the clans of Judah as a basin of fire among the trees, and as a torch of fire among the sheaves; and they will devour on the right and on the left all the peoples round about, and Jerusalem will dwell again in her place, in Jerusalem.
Latin
In die illa ponam duces Juda sicut caminum ignis in lignis, et sicut facem ignis in fœno: et devorabunt ad dexteram et ad sinistram omnes populos in circuitu, et habitabitur Jerusalem rursus in loco suo in Jerusalem.

Original

Hebrew
English
On that day I will make the clans of Judah like a firepot in a woodpile, like a flaming torch among the sheaves; they will consume all the peoples around them on the right and on the left, while the people of Jerusalem remain secure there.

Notes

firepot: People used bronze or gold firepans to carry hot coals to and from the sacrificial altars of the tabernacle and the temple (Exodus 27:3; 1 Kings 7:50). God would place Israel among the nations like a burning firepan to destroy or purify them.

The theme of Jerusalem versus the nations connects the four messages in Zechariah's second oracle. The nations gather against Jerusalem at both the start (Zechariah 12:1–9) and the end (14:1–15) of the oracle. The repeated phrase on that day points to the future day of the Lord.

This oracle shows both judgment and blessing for Jerusalem. The main focus is the cleansing of the people of Israel (Zechariah 13:1), ending with God's universal kingdom (14:16–21). These future visions encouraged the Judeans of Zechariah's time to stay faithful despite feeling unimportant and helpless.

Theme notes and profiles

Apocalyptic Literature

Events

People

Judah: Israelite tribe, kingdom, and province

Places

Jerusalem: The capital of Israel, a holy city for three religions

Glossary

David Zechariah, Book of

Topics

Prophecies Concerning Israel: Prophecies Concerning of Blessing and Restoration