Zechariah 9

1-8 Judgment on Israel’s Enemies: An Oracle

1-4 The word of the Lord is against Hadrach (probably a Syrian region), Damascus, the capital of Aram (could be translated “the eye of Adam”), Israel, Hamatha (also in Syria) and even Tyre and Sidon, though they are wise, and Tyre is wealthy and protected. The NASV translation of verse 1 is easier to understand:

The burden of the word of the LORD is against the land of Hadrach, with Damascus as its resting place (for the eyes of men, especially of all the tribes of Israel, are toward the LORD).

5-8 Predictions of other lands:

• Ashkelon will be uninhabited
• Gaza’s king will perish
• A mongrel people will settle in Ashdod
• Philistia will lose its pride
• Ekron will be like the Jebusites, will lose hope
• God will guard his house so that no oppressors will overtake it.

9-17 The Coming Ruler of God’s People

9-10 Prediction of the king riding into Jerusalem on a donkey colt, commanding peace to the nations.

11-13 For the blood of the covenant, I will release prisoners of hope, having power over Judah, Ephraim (Israel), and Greece.

14-15 The LORD of hosts will protect his people, and they will overcome their enemies.

16-17 He will save his flock, who like crown jewels will “shine on his land.”