Zechariah 8:2
Zechariah 8:2 in Multiple Translations
This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “I am jealous for Zion with great zeal; I am jealous for her with great fervor.”
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury.
Thus saith Jehovah of hosts: I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I am jealous for her with great wrath.
These are the words of the Lord of armies: I am angry about the fate of Zion, I am angry about her with great wrath.
This is what the Lord Almighty says. I am jealously protective of the people of Zion; I am extremely passionate about them.
Thus saith the Lord of hostes, I was ielous for Zion with great ielousie, and I was ielous for her with great wrath.
'Thus said Jehovah of Hosts: I have been zealous for Zion with great zeal, With great heat I have been zealous for her.
The LORD of Armies says: “I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I am jealous for her with great wrath.”
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury.
Thus saith the Lord of hosts: I have been jealous for Sion with a great jealousy, and with a great indignation have I been jealous for her.
“This is what I, the Commander of the armies of angels, say: ‘I love the people of Jerusalem; I love them very much, and I am very angry with their enemies.’
Berean Amplified Bible — Zechariah 8:2
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Zechariah 8:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כֹּ֤ה
אָמַר֙
יְהוָ֣ה
צְבָא֔וֹת
קִנֵּ֥אתִי
לְ/צִיּ֖וֹן
קִנְאָ֣ה
גְדוֹלָ֑ה
וְ/חֵמָ֥ה
גְדוֹלָ֖ה
קִנֵּ֥אתִי
לָֽ/הּ
כֹּ֤ה
kôh
H3541
thus
Adv
אָמַר֙
ʼâmar
H559
to say
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
יְהוָ֣ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
צְבָא֔וֹת
tsâbâʼ
H6635
army
N-cp
קִנֵּ֥אתִי
qânâʼ
H7065
be jealous
V-Piel-Perf-1cs
לְ/צִיּ֖וֹן
Tsîyôwn
H6726
Zion
Prep | N-proper
קִנְאָ֣ה
qinʼâh
H7068
jealousy
N-fs
גְדוֹלָ֑ה
gâdôwl
H1419
Great (Sea)
Adj
וְ/חֵמָ֥ה
chêmâh
H2534
rage
Conj | N-fs
גְדוֹלָ֖ה
gâdôwl
H1419
Great (Sea)
Adj
קִנֵּ֥אתִי
qânâʼ
H7065
be jealous
V-Piel-Perf-1cs
לָֽ/הּ
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Zechariah 8:2
כֹּ֤ה
kôh
H3541
"thus"
Adv
This Hebrew word means thus or in this manner. It can also indicate a location or time, such as here or now. The KJV translates it in various ways, including also, here, and so.
Definition: 1) thus, here, in this manner 1a) thus, so 1b) here, here and there 1c) until now, until now...until then, meanwhile Aramaic equivalent: kah (כָּה "thus" H3542)
Usage: Occurs in 541 OT verses. KJV: also, here, + hitherto, like, on the other side, so (and much), such, on that manner, (on) this (manner, side, way, way and that way), + mean while, yonder. See also: Genesis 15:5; 1 Kings 22:20; Isaiah 7:7.
אָמַר֙
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
יְהוָ֣ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
צְבָא֔וֹת
tsâbâʼ
H6635
"army"
N-cp
This Hebrew word means a large group of people or things, often referring to an army or a campaign, and is also used to describe the Lord's hosts. It appears in the Bible as a name for God, emphasizing His power and authority. In the KJV, it's translated as 'host' or 'army'.
Definition: : army 1) that which goes forth, army, war, warfare, host 1a) army, host 1a1) host (of organised army) 1a2) host (of angels) 1a3) of sun, moon, and stars 1a4) of whole creation 1b) war, warfare, service, go out to war 1c) service
Usage: Occurs in 463 OT verses. KJV: appointed time, ([phrase]) army, ([phrase]) battle, company, host, service, soldiers, waiting upon, war(-fare). See also: Genesis 2:1; 1 Samuel 17:55; Psalms 24:10.
קִנֵּ֥אתִי
qânâʼ
H7065
"be jealous"
V-Piel-Perf-1cs
To be jealous means to feel envious or resentful of someone or something, often because of a perceived threat or rivalry. In the Bible, jealousy is sometimes portrayed as a negative emotion, as in the story of Cain and Abel in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) to envy, be jealous, be envious, be zealous 1a) (Piel) 1a1) to be jealous of 1a2) to be envious of 1a3) to be zealous for 1a4) to excite to jealous anger 1b) (Hiphil) to provoke to jealous anger, cause jealousy
Usage: Occurs in 28 OT verses. KJV: (be) envy(-ious), be (move to, provoke to) jealous(-y), [idiom] very, (be) zeal(-ous). See also: Genesis 26:14; Psalms 37:1; Psalms 73:3.
לְ/צִיּ֖וֹן
Tsîyôwn
H6726
"Zion"
Prep | N-proper
Zion refers to a mountain in Jerusalem, often used as another name for the city, especially in prophetic books like Isaiah and Jeremiah.
Definition: Zion = "parched place" another name for Jerusalem especially in the prophetic books Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 153 OT verses. KJV: Zion. See also: 2 Samuel 5:7; Isaiah 49:14; Psalms 2:6.
קִנְאָ֣ה
qinʼâh
H7068
"jealousy"
N-fs
This word refers to strong feelings of jealousy or envy, often related to romantic or spiritual passion. It can describe human emotions or God's zeal for His people, as seen in the Bible.
Definition: 1) ardour, zeal, jealousy 1a) ardour, jealousy, jealous disposition (of husband) 1a1) sexual passion 1b) ardour of zeal (of religious zeal) 1b1) of men for God 1b2) of men for the house of God 1b3) of God for his people 1c) ardour of anger 1c1) of men against adversaries 1c2) of God against men 1d) envy (of man) 1e) jealousy (resulting in the wrath of God)
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: envy(-ied), jealousy, [idiom] sake, zeal. See also: Numbers 5:14; Isaiah 9:6; Psalms 69:10.
גְדוֹלָ֑ה
gâdôwl
H1419
"Great (Sea)"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means something or someone great, whether in size, age, or importance. It appears in descriptions of the Great Sea and the Philistines. The word is used to convey a sense of magnitude or grandeur.
Definition: adj great Also named: pe.lish.ti (פְּלִשְׁתִּי "(Sea of the )Philistines" H6430I)
Usage: Occurs in 499 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] aloud, elder(-est), [phrase] exceeding(-ly), [phrase] far, (man of) great (man, matter, thing,-er,-ness), high, long, loud, mighty, more, much, noble, proud thing, [idiom] sore, ([idiom]) very. See also: Genesis 1:16; Joshua 7:26; 1 Kings 20:13.
וְ/חֵמָ֥ה
chêmâh
H2534
"rage"
Conj | N-fs
This word means intense anger or rage, like a burning fire. It's used in the Bible to describe God's wrath and human anger, often warning against the dangers of unchecked emotions. In Proverbs and Psalms, it cautions against the destructive power of anger and rage.
Definition: 1) heat, rage, hot displeasure, indignation, anger, wrath, poison, bottles 1a) heat 1a1) fever 1a2) venom, poison (fig.) 1b) burning anger, rage Aramaic equivalent: che.ma (חֱמָא "rage" H2528)
Usage: Occurs in 117 OT verses. KJV: anger, bottles, hot displeasure, furious(-ly, -ry), heat, indignation, poison, rage, wrath(-ful). See H2529 (חֶמְאָה). See also: Genesis 27:44; Isaiah 63:5; Psalms 6:2.
גְדוֹלָ֖ה
gâdôwl
H1419
"Great (Sea)"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means something or someone great, whether in size, age, or importance. It appears in descriptions of the Great Sea and the Philistines. The word is used to convey a sense of magnitude or grandeur.
Definition: adj great Also named: pe.lish.ti (פְּלִשְׁתִּי "(Sea of the )Philistines" H6430I)
Usage: Occurs in 499 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] aloud, elder(-est), [phrase] exceeding(-ly), [phrase] far, (man of) great (man, matter, thing,-er,-ness), high, long, loud, mighty, more, much, noble, proud thing, [idiom] sore, ([idiom]) very. See also: Genesis 1:16; Joshua 7:26; 1 Kings 20:13.
קִנֵּ֥אתִי
qânâʼ
H7065
"be jealous"
V-Piel-Perf-1cs
To be jealous means to feel envious or resentful of someone or something, often because of a perceived threat or rivalry. In the Bible, jealousy is sometimes portrayed as a negative emotion, as in the story of Cain and Abel in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) to envy, be jealous, be envious, be zealous 1a) (Piel) 1a1) to be jealous of 1a2) to be envious of 1a3) to be zealous for 1a4) to excite to jealous anger 1b) (Hiphil) to provoke to jealous anger, cause jealousy
Usage: Occurs in 28 OT verses. KJV: (be) envy(-ious), be (move to, provoke to) jealous(-y), [idiom] very, (be) zeal(-ous). See also: Genesis 26:14; Psalms 37:1; Psalms 73:3.
לָֽ/הּ
""
Prep | Suff
Study Notes — Zechariah 8:2
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Zechariah 8:2 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Zechariah 8:2
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Zechariah 8:2
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Zechariah 8:2
- Trapp's Commentary on Zechariah 8:2
- Ellicott's Commentary on Zechariah 8:2
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Zechariah 8:2
- Cambridge Bible on Zechariah 8:2
- Barnes' Notes on Zechariah 8:2
- Whedon's Commentary on Zechariah 8:2
- Sermons on Zechariah 8:2
Context — The Restoration of Jerusalem
1Again the word of the LORD of Hosts came to me, saying:
2This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “I am jealous for Zion with great zeal; I am jealous for her with great fervor.”
3This is what the LORD says: “I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the LORD of Hosts will be called the Holy Mountain.” 4This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Old men and old women will again sit along the streets of Jerusalem, each with a staff in hand because of great age.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joel 2:18 | Then the LORD became jealous for His land, and He spared His people. |
| 2 | Zechariah 1:14–16 | Then the angel who was speaking with me said, “Proclaim this word: This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘I am very jealous for Jerusalem and Zion, but I am fiercely angry with the nations that are at ease. For I was a little angry, but they have added to the calamity. ’ Therefore this is what the LORD says: ‘I will return to Jerusalem with mercy, and there My house will be rebuilt, declares the LORD of Hosts, and a measuring line will be stretched out over Jerusalem.’ |
| 3 | Isaiah 42:13–14 | The LORD goes forth like a mighty one; He stirs up His zeal like a warrior. He shouts; yes, He roars in triumph over His enemies: “I have kept silent from ages past; I have remained quiet and restrained. But now I will groan like a woman in labor; I will at once gasp and pant. |
| 4 | Psalms 78:58–59 | They enraged Him with their high places and provoked His jealousy with their idols. On hearing it, God was furious and rejected Israel completely. |
| 5 | Nahum 1:2 | The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD is avenging and full of wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on His foes and reserves wrath for His enemies. |
| 6 | Isaiah 59:17 | He put on righteousness like a breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on His head; He put on garments of vengeance and wrapped Himself in a cloak of zeal. |
| 7 | Ezekiel 36:5–6 | Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Surely in My burning zeal I have spoken against the rest of the nations, and against all Edom, who took My land as their own possession with wholehearted joy and utter contempt, so that its pastureland became plunder. Therefore, prophesy concerning the land of Israel and tell the mountains and hills, the ravines and valleys, that this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I have spoken in My burning zeal because you have endured the reproach of the nations. |
| 8 | Isaiah 63:15 | Look down from heaven and see, from Your holy and glorious habitation. Where are Your zeal and might? Your yearning and compassion for me are restrained. |
| 9 | Isaiah 63:4–6 | For the day of vengeance was in My heart, and the year of My redemption had come. I looked, but there was no one to help; I was appalled that no one assisted. So My arm brought Me salvation, and My own wrath upheld Me. I trampled the nations in My anger; in My wrath I made them drunk and poured out their blood on the ground.” |
| 10 | Nahum 1:6 | Who can withstand His indignation? Who can endure His burning anger? His wrath is poured out like fire; even rocks are shattered before Him. |
Zechariah 8:2 Summary
This verse means that God loves Zion, which is another name for Jerusalem and the people of Israel, with a strong and passionate love. He is jealous when they turn away from Him and worship other things, just like a husband is jealous when his wife's affections are directed towards another man (as seen in Exodus 20:5). God's zeal and fervor for Zion show that He is committed to restoring and redeeming His people, and this is a reminder of His love for us (as seen in John 3:16). This love and passion should inspire us to love and worship Him with all our hearts, just as He loves us with all His heart.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for God to be jealous for Zion?
God's jealousy for Zion is a demonstration of His passionate love and concern for His people, as seen in Exodus 20:5 and Deuteronomy 4:24, where He warns against idolatry and emphasizes His exclusive relationship with Israel.
How can God be jealous when we are told not to be jealous?
While human jealousy is often rooted in selfishness and sin, God's jealousy is a righteous and holy response to the affections of His people being directed away from Him, as seen in Deuteronomy 32:16 and 1 Kings 14:22, where God's people are rebuked for their idolatry.
What is the significance of God's zeal and fervor for Zion?
God's zeal and fervor for Zion represent His intense passion and commitment to restoring and redeeming His people, as seen in Isaiah 37:32 and Ezekiel 36:22-23, where God promises to restore Israel for His own sake and for the sake of His holy name.
How does this verse relate to God's broader plan of salvation?
This verse is a reminder that God's plan of salvation is rooted in His love and passion for His people, as seen in John 3:16 and Romans 5:8, where God's love for the world is demonstrated through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and in Revelation 21:1-4, where God dwells with His people in the New Jerusalem.
Reflection Questions
- What does it mean for me to be an object of God's jealousy, and how should I respond to His passionate love?
- How can I cultivate a deeper understanding of God's zeal and fervor for His people, and what implications does this have for my own life and relationships?
- In what ways can I demonstrate my love and devotion to God, and how can I avoid directing my affections away from Him?
- What does this verse reveal about God's character, and how can I apply this knowledge to my daily life and worship?
Gill's Exposition on Zechariah 8:2
Thus saith the Lord of hosts,.... This prophecy, according to Kimchi and Ben Melech, respects time to come; the days of the Messiah, in the war of Gog and Magog, when they shall come up against
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Zechariah 8:2
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury. Thus saith the Lord of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy - (Zechariah 1:14).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Zechariah 8:2
I was; I have been in time past, in days of old before the captivity, and I have been so since the captivity for some years past. Jealous for Zion: properly it is the passion of a lover or husband, mixed of love, care, and anger in their highest degrees for the beloved, and against all that is hurtful to it; so God had greatly loved Zion, had been careful of her honour and welfare, and displeased with her sins, which first hurt her, and then with the Chaldeans, which violated her. With great jealousy; with great care that she should not, as formerly, sin against my love and her own welfare, and with a great love to do her good now, and to rescue her from her enemies. I was jealous for her; on her behalf, and not as formerly against her, I am jealous in favour to her, as the Hebrew phrase importeth. With great fury; with heat of anger against her enemies, as ,15, See Poole "", See Poole "".
Trapp's Commentary on Zechariah 8:2
Zechariah 8:2 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury.Ver. 2. I was jealous for Zion] Jealous as a husband, zealous as a loving father; for, Non amat qui non zelat, He does not love who does not ardently low, saith Augustine; and a father being rebuked by some for his exceeding forwardness for his friend, answered, Ego aliter amare non didici, I know not how to love any otherwise than earnestly. God, therefore, to ascertain his people of the truth of the ensuing promises, and to cure their unbelief, lets them know that all this he will do for them of his free grace without their having deserved it. As at first he loved them merely because he loved them, Deuteronomy 7:7-8; so, out of the same love, he will bestow upon them all the good things here mentioned. See the like Isaiah 9:6-7, where, after a sweet description of Christ, his kingdom and benefits, he concludes all with "The zeal" (that is, the tender love and free grace) "of the Lord of hosts will perform this. Fear ye not." So 2 Samuel 7:21 "For thy word’ s sake," that is, for thy Christ’ s sake, "and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all these things" which thou hadst promised. "According to thine own heart," that is, ex mero motu, out of pure and unexcited love, or zeal, which is the top of all the affections and the heat of the heart.
Ellicott's Commentary on Zechariah 8:2
(2) I was.—Better, I am in both cases. Here God declares His determination to give expression to His burning love for Zion.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Zechariah 8:2
Verse 2. I was jealous] Some refer this to the Jews themselves. They were as the spouse of Jehovah: but they were unfaithful, and God punished them as an injured husband might be expected to punish an unfaithful wife. Others apply it to the enemies of the Jews. Though I gave them a commission to afflict you, yet they exceeded their commission: I will therefore deal with them in fury - in vindictive justice.
Cambridge Bible on Zechariah 8:2
2. Thus saith the Lord of hosts] “At each word and sentence, in which good things, for their greatness almost incredible, are promised, the prophet premises, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, as if he would say, Think not that what I pledge you are my own, and refuse me not credence as man. What I unfold are the promises of God.” Jerome, quoted by Pusey. I was] Rather, I am. Comp. Zechariah 1:14, where the same tense is so rendered. with great fury] i.e. against her enemies, as Zechariah 1:15.
Barnes' Notes on Zechariah 8:2
Thus saith the Lord of hosts - Jerome: “At each word and sentence, in which good things, for their greatness, almost incredible are promised, the prophet premises, “Thus saith the Lord of hosts,” as
Whedon's Commentary on Zechariah 8:2
Imminence of the day of redemption, Zechariah 8:1-8.The introductory formula of Zec 8:1, does not mark the beginning of a new discourse; it introduces only a new line of thought in the prophecy which begins in Zechariah 7:4.
Sermons on Zechariah 8:2
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
From Babylon to Jerusalem - (Zechariah) ch.5:5 - 8:13 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the four spirits of heaven mentioned in Revelation 7. These spirits are sent forth by God to execute tasks of judgment. The preacher emphasiz |
|
The Image of God by Carter Conlon | This sermon emphasizes the importance of seeking the real image of God, highlighting the dangers of false images and the need for a face-to-face encounter with the true Christ. It |
|
Studies in Zechariah 07 Zechariah 7: 8: by John W. Bramhall | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on Chapter 8 of the Bible, which is divided into two parts. The first part addresses the people's sins and touches their conscience, while the s |
|
|
Be a Nehemiah by Duane Troyer | Duane Troyer preaches on the story of Nehemiah, highlighting his unwavering faith, dedication, and leadership in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem amidst adversity and opposition. |
|
Revival - Part 3 by Doc Greenway | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of revival and its significance in the lives of believers. The sermon is based on the account of Jehovah dealing with Eden, the en |
|
|
Mid South Conference 1978-07 Zechariah's Visions by Bob Clark | In this sermon, Zechariah chapter 1, verses 1 to 6, the preacher introduces the book of Zechariah and its general theme. Zechariah preached for three months, overlapping with the m |
|
|
The Carpenters Are Here by Carter Conlon | This sermon emphasizes the importance of being a builder in God's kingdom, not a destroyer, by allowing God to shake us, fill us with His Spirit, and empower us to speak His word w |