Keraia
Zechariah 8

Zechariah 8:9

The Restoration of Jerusalem · Zechariah 8:1–23
Read Zechariah 8

Translations

Modern
This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Let your hands be strong, you who now hear these words spoken by the prophets who were present when the foundations were laid to rebuild the temple, the house of the LORD of Hosts.
Traditional
Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets, which were in the day that the foundation of the house of the Lord of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built.
Literal
Thus says YHWH of Hosts: “Let your hands be strong, hearing in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets who spoke in the day that the house of YHWH of Hosts was founded to build the temple.
Latin
Hæc dicit Dominus exercituum: Confortentur manus vestræ, qui auditis in his diebus sermones istos per os prophetarum, in die qua fundata est domus Domini exercituum, ut templum ædificaretur.

Original

Hebrew
English
This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Let your hands be strong, you who now hear these words spoken by the prophets who were present when the foundations were laid to rebuild the temple, the house of the LORD of Hosts.

Notes

Zechariah 8:9

the foundations were laid: This refers to Zerubbabel's and Jeshua's first efforts to rebuild the temple in 536 BC (Ezra 3:8–13). They quickly abandoned the temple reconstruction project. It did not resume until the prophets Haggai and Zechariah encouraged it 16 years later (Ezra 5:1–2; Haggai 1:1).

Zechariah 8:9–13

This section shows how Jerusalem's situation improved when they rebuilt the temple (see 2 Chronicles 15:3–7). The call to be strong (Zechariah 8:9, 13) serves as an inclusio (a rhetorical device that begins and ends a section with a similar refrain) for the section.

Zechariah 8:1–23

This part of Zechariah’s sermons links to the previous section through fasting and the ethical demands of a covenant with the Lord (Zechariah 7:8–10; 8:16–17). Questions about fasting in 7:2–7 are answered in 8:18–19. The tone and message shift from warning and judgment to encouragement and renewal. Fasting will change to feasting (Zechariah 8:19).

Zechariah 7:1–8:23

These sermons provide a transition between the visions of the present (chapters 1–6) and those of the near future (chapters 9–11) and the more distant future (chapters 12–14).

Chapter 7 talks about fasting due to past disasters. Chapter 8 focuses on feasting for future blessings.

Events

Parallels

Micah 4:6–13

People

LORD: Names or title used to refer to God

Glossary

Peace Zechariah, Book of

Topics

Church: House of the Lord Faith: Enjoined Gentiles: Prophecies of the Conversion of Temple: The Second: Prophecies of Its Restoration Temple: The Second: Resumed The Hands: should be Employed in God's Service the Second Temple: The Jews Encouraged to Proceed in Building