Zechariah 9:1–8 (August 15, 2025)

Judgment on Israel's Enemies

9:1 The oracle of the word of the Lord is against the land of Hadrach

and Damascus is its resting place.

For the Lord has an eye on mankind

and on all the tribes of Israel,[a]

2 and on Hamath also, which borders on it,

Tyre and Sidon, though they are very wise.

3 Tyre has built herself a rampart

and heaped up silver like dust,

and fine gold like the mud of the streets.

4 But behold, the Lord will strip her of her possessions

and strike down her power on the sea,

and she shall be devoured by fire.

5 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;

6 a mixed people[b] shall dwell in Ashdod,

and I will cut off the pride of Philistia.

7 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.

8 Then I will encamp at my house as a guard,

so that none shall march to and fro;

no oppressor shall again march over them,

for now I see with my own eyes.

Footnotes

Zechariah 9:1 Or For the eye of mankind, especially of all the tribes of Israel, is toward the Lord

Zechariah 9:6 Or a foreign people; Hebrew a bastard

Zechariah 9

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Summary

Zechariah 9:1–8 opens the second half of the book with a prophetic “oracle” of God’s judgment on the nations surrounding Israel. In the ancient world, an oracle was a prophecy of the divine given through a priest. The listeners of Zechariah's day would be familiar with the concept.

Here, the word of the LORD is described as “resting” or “settling” (v. 1) upon the land, signaling God's decisive intervention. Cities to the north (Hadrach, Damascus, Hamath) are mentioned first, followed by Phoenician strongholds like Tyre and Sidon. They were renowned for wisdom and wealth (vv. 2–4). Though Tyre fortified herself and amassed silver “like dust” and gold “like the mud of the streets,” it will not stand God's judgment. The LORD will strip her possessions, strike her power, and cast her wealth into the sea.

The prophecy moves southward to Philistia (Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron, and Ashdod), whose rulers and people will be dismayed, uprooted, and replaced by a remnant that belongs to God (vv. 5–7). God will remove the abominations from their mouths and the detestable practices from between their teeth, pointing to the purifying of a remnant from the nations.

The oracle ends with a striking promise of divine protection:

“Then I will encamp at my house as a guard, so that none shall march to and fro; no oppressor shall again march over them, for now I see with my own eyes.” (v. 8)

This vision of judgment and salvation prepares the way for the coming Messianic King in the next section (vv. 9–17), which we will read and meditate tomorrow.

Who is God?

God is the sovereign ruler over all nations, seeing and judging every people. His eyes are upon both Israel and the surrounding nations (v. 1). He is not impressed by human wisdom, wealth , or military might:

"Tyre has built herself a rampart and heaped up silver like dust, and fine gold like the mud of the streets. But behold, the Lord will strip her of her possessions and strike down her power on the sea, and she shall be devoured by fire." (vv. 3-4)

He also protects His people according to His covenant. He is with His people, encamping at His house to guard them from oppressors (v. 8). His judgment is not random but purposeful. Through His judgment, he removes idols, breaks oppressive powers, and establishes peace for His dwelling place.

What is our Guilt?

Like the nations surrounding Israel, we are often tempted to trust in the visibly fortified defenses, economic abundance, or human wisdom. We build our own “Tyre-like” security systems, thinking we can shield ourselves from disasters. Yet God warns that such pride and self-reliance invite His judgment. Moreover, we can fall into spiritual complacency, assuming God’s protection without pursuing holiness, just as Israel’s neighbors lived with abominations “in their mouths” and “between their teeth” (v. 7). We should not confuse God's patience with God's approval.

How does Grace Shine?

Grace shines in God’s purpose to save a remnant even from among the enemy nations. He promises to remove their abominations and include them among His covenant people:

“It shall be like a clan in Judah, and Ekron shall be like the Jebusites” (v. 7).

This anticipates the gospel, in which Gentiles, once far off, are brought near through Christ.

8 Then I will encamp at my house as a guard, so that none shall march to and fro; no oppressor shall again march over them, for now I see with my own eyes.

Ultimately, God Himself encamps as a guard over His people. God's promise is fulfilled in Christ, who is “God with us.” God secures eternal protection from the oppression of sin, Satan, and death.

Prayer

Sovereign Lord,

We praise You as the King over all nations. You see every stronghold of pride and every false refuge of wealth or human wisdom. Forgive us for trusting in our own security rather than in You. Thank You that in Christ You remove our abominations and bring us into Your household. Guard us by Your presence, that we may live in holiness and peace, and may the nations see Your saving power in us.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.