Zechariah 9:4
Zechariah 9:4 in Multiple Translations
Behold, the Lord will impoverish her and cast her wealth into the sea, and she will be consumed by fire.
Behold, the Lord will cast her out, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be devoured with fire.
Behold, the Lord will dispossess her, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be devoured with fire.
See, the Lord will take away her heritage, overturning her power in the sea; and she will be burned up with fire.
But look at what will happen. The Lord will take away everything they have, and knock down their strong defenses into the sea. The city will be burned down.
Beholde, the Lord wil spoyle her, and he wil smite her power in the Sea, and she shalbe deuoured with fire.
Lo, the Lord doth dispossess her, And He hath smitten in the sea her force, And she with fire is consumed.
Behold, the Lord will dispossess her, and he will strike her power in the sea; and she will be devoured with fire.
Behold, the LORD will cast her out, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be devoured with fire.
Behold the Lord shall possess her, and shall strike her strength in the sea, and she shall be devoured with fire.
But I, Yahweh, will cause their precious possessions to be taken away and all their ships to be destroyed, and their city will be destroyed by a fire.
Berean Amplified Bible — Zechariah 9:4
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 9:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הִנֵּ֤ה
אֲדֹנָ/י֙
יֽוֹרִשֶׁ֔/נָּה
וְ/הִכָּ֥ה
בַ/יָּ֖ם
חֵילָ֑/הּ
וְ/הִ֖יא
בָּ/אֵ֥שׁ
תֵּאָכֵֽל
הִנֵּ֤ה
hinnêh
H2009
behold
Part
אֲדֹנָ/י֙
ʼĂdônây
H136
Lord
N-mp | Suff
יֽוֹרִשֶׁ֔/נָּה
yârash
H3423
to possess
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms | Suff
וְ/הִכָּ֥ה
nâkâh
H5221
to smite
Conj | V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms
בַ/יָּ֖ם
yâm
H3220
West
Prep | N-ms
חֵילָ֑/הּ
chayil
H2428
Helech
N-ms | Suff
וְ/הִ֖יא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Conj | Pron
בָּ/אֵ֥שׁ
ʼêsh
H784
fire
Prep | N-cs
תֵּאָכֵֽל
ʼâkal
H398
to eat
V-Niphal-Imperf-3fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Zechariah 9:4
הִנֵּ֤ה
hinnêh
H2009
"behold"
Part
This Hebrew word is an expression that means 'behold' or 'look', often used to draw attention to something. It appears in Genesis and Isaiah, and is translated as 'behold' or 'lo' in the KJV.
Definition: behold, lo, see, if
Usage: Occurs in 799 OT verses. KJV: behold, lo, see. See also: Genesis 1:29; Genesis 42:35; Deuteronomy 19:18.
אֲדֹנָ/י֙
ʼĂdônây
H136
"Lord"
N-mp | Suff
Adonay is a title used to refer to God, spoken in place of Yahweh as a sign of reverence and respect. It is used throughout the Bible to address God or refer to Him in a formal way. Adonay is a term of worship and devotion.
Definition: Lord - a title, spoken in place of Yahweh in Jewish display of reverence Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 430 OT verses. KJV: (my) Lord. See also: Genesis 15:2; Isaiah 3:17; Psalms 2:4.
יֽוֹרִשֶׁ֔/נָּה
yârash
H3423
"to possess"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms | Suff
To possess means to take control of something, like a piece of land, by driving out others and occupying it. This word is used in the Bible to describe inheriting property or seizing power.
Definition: : possess/inherit 1) to seize, dispossess, take possession off, inherit, disinherit, occupy, impoverish, be an heir 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take possession of 1a2) to inherit 1a3) to impoverish, come to poverty, be poor 1b) (Niphal) to be dispossessed, be impoverished, come to poverty 1c) (Piel) to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to possess or inherit 1d2) to cause others to possess or inherit 1d3) to impoverish 1d4) to dispossess 1d5) to destroy, bring to ruin, disinherit
Usage: Occurs in 204 OT verses. KJV: cast out, consume, destroy, disinherit, dispossess, drive(-ing) out, enjoy, expel, [idiom] without fail, (give to, leave for) inherit(-ance, -or) [phrase] magistrate, be (make) poor, come to poverty, (give to, make to) possess, get (have) in (take) possession, seize upon, succeed, [idiom] utterly. See also: Genesis 15:3; Joshua 15:63; Psalms 25:13.
וְ/הִכָּ֥ה
nâkâh
H5221
"to smite"
Conj | V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to strike or hit something, and it's used in many different ways, like in Exodus when God strikes down the Egyptians. It can also mean to punish or destroy, as seen in Isaiah. The word is used to describe God's judgment.
Definition: 1) to strike, smite, hit, beat, slay, kill 1a)(Niphal) to be stricken or smitten 1b) (Pual) to be stricken or smitten 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to smite, strike, beat, scourge, clap, applaud, give a thrust 1c2) to smite, kill, slay (man or beast) 1c3) to smite, attack, attack and destroy, conquer, subjugate, ravage 1c4) to smite, chastise, send judgment upon, punish, destroy 1d) (Hophal) to be smitten 1d1) to receive a blow 1d2) to be wounded 1d3) to be beaten 1d4) to be (fatally) smitten, be killed, be slain 1d5) to be attacked and captured 1d6) to be smitten (with disease) 1d7) to be blighted (of plants)
Usage: Occurs in 461 OT verses. KJV: beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), [idiom] go forward, [idiom] indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer, punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, [idiom] surely, wound. See also: Genesis 4:15; Joshua 10:20; 1 Samuel 29:5.
בַ/יָּ֖ם
yâm
H3220
"West"
Prep | N-ms
Refers to a large body of water like the Mediterranean Sea or a sea in general, sometimes specifically the west or seaward direction.
Definition: This name means sea, seaward, westward Another name of eph.ron (עֶפְרוֹן "(Mount )Ephron" H6085H)
Usage: Occurs in 339 OT verses. KJV: sea ([idiom] -faring man, (-shore)), south, west (-ern, side, -ward). See also: Genesis 1:10; Joshua 17:10; Psalms 8:9.
חֵילָ֑/הּ
chayil
H2428
"Helech"
N-ms | Suff
This word represents strength, might, or power, whether physical, financial, or military. In the Bible, it's used to describe the strength of God or the wealth of a nation, as seen in Deuteronomy 8:17-18.
Definition: § Helech = "your army" a place near Arvad and Gammad
Usage: Occurs in 221 OT verses. KJV: able, activity, ([phrase]) army, band of men (soldiers), company, (great) forces, goods, host, might, power, riches, strength, strong, substance, train, ([phrase]) valiant(-ly), valour, virtuous(-ly), war, worthy(-ily). See also: Genesis 34:29; 2 Chronicles 13:3; Psalms 18:33.
וְ/הִ֖יא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Conj | Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
בָּ/אֵ֥שׁ
ʼêsh
H784
"fire"
Prep | N-cs
Fire is a powerful symbol in the Bible, representing both God's anger and his refining presence, as seen in Deuteronomy 4:24 and Malachi 3:2-3. It is also used for cooking and warmth. This concept is central to many biblical stories.
Definition: 1) fire 1a) fire, flames 1b) supernatural fire (accompanying theophany) 1c) fire (for cooking, roasting, parching) 1d) altar-fire 1e) God's anger (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: esh (אֶשָּׁא "fire" H0785)
Usage: Occurs in 348 OT verses. KJV: burning, fiery, fire, flaming, hot. See also: Genesis 15:17; Joshua 7:15; Psalms 11:6.
תֵּאָכֵֽל
ʼâkal
H398
"to eat"
V-Niphal-Imperf-3fs
This word means to eat or devour, and it's used in many stories, including when Jesus fed the 5000 with fish and bread in the book of Matthew. It's about taking in nourishment and being satisfied.
Definition: 1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to eat (human subject) 1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds) 1a3) to devour, consume (of fire) 1a4) to devour, slay (of sword) 1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought) 1a6) to devour (of oppression) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be eaten (by men) 1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire) 1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh) 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to cause to eat, feed with 1c2) to cause to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to feed 1d2) to cause to eat 1e) (Piel) 1e1) consume Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)
Usage: Occurs in 703 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. See also: Genesis 2:16; Leviticus 6:9; Numbers 24:8.
Study Notes — Zechariah 9:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Zechariah 9:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Zechariah 9:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Zechariah 9:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Zechariah 9:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Zechariah 9:4
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Zechariah 9:4
- Cambridge Bible on Zechariah 9:4
- Barnes' Notes on Zechariah 9:4
- Whedon's Commentary on Zechariah 9:4
- Sermons on Zechariah 9:4
Context — The Burden against Israel’s Enemies
2and also against Hamath, which borders it, as well as Tyre and Sidon, though they are very shrewd.
3Tyre has built herself a fortress; she has heaped up silver like dust, and gold like the dirt of the streets.
4Behold, the Lord will impoverish her and cast her wealth into the sea, and she will be consumed by fire.
5Ashkelon will see and fear; Gaza will writhe in agony, as will Ekron, for her hope will wither. There will cease to be a king in Gaza, and Ashkelon will be uninhabited. 6A mixed race will occupy Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezekiel 28:18 | By the multitude of your iniquities and the dishonesty of your trading you have profaned your sanctuaries. So I made fire come from within you, and it consumed you. I reduced you to ashes on the ground in the eyes of all who saw you. |
| 2 | Ezekiel 26:17 | Then they will lament for you, saying, “How you have perished, O city of renown inhabited by seafaring men— she who was powerful on the sea, along with her people, who imposed terror on all peoples! |
| 3 | Isaiah 23:1–7 | This is the burden against Tyre: Wail, O ships of Tarshish, for Tyre is laid waste, without house or harbor. Word has reached them from the land of Cyprus. Be silent, O dwellers of the coastland, you merchants of Sidon, whose traders have crossed the sea. On the great waters came the grain of Shihor; the harvest of the Nile was the revenue of Tyre; she was the merchant of the nations. Be ashamed, O Sidon, the stronghold of the sea, for the sea has spoken: “I have not been in labor or given birth. I have not raised young men or brought up young women.” When the report reaches Egypt, they will writhe in agony over the news of Tyre. Cross over to Tarshish; wail, O inhabitants of the coastland! Is this your jubilant city, whose origin is from antiquity, whose feet have taken her to settle far away? |
| 4 | Ezekiel 28:8 | They will bring you down to the Pit, and you will die a violent death in the heart of the seas. |
| 5 | Ezekiel 26:3–5 | therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, O Tyre, I am against you, and I will raise up many nations against you, as the sea brings up its waves. They will destroy the walls of Tyre and demolish her towers. I will scrape the soil from her and make her a bare rock. She will become a place to spread nets in the sea, for I have spoken, declares the Lord GOD. She will become plunder for the nations, |
| 6 | Proverbs 11:4 | Riches are worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness brings deliverance from death. |
| 7 | Ezekiel 28:16 | By the vastness of your trade, you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mountain of God, and I banished you, O guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones. |
| 8 | Joel 3:8 | I will sell your sons and daughters into the hands of the people of Judah, and they will sell them to the Sabeans—to a distant nation.” Indeed, the LORD has spoken. |
| 9 | Ezekiel 27:26–36 | Your oarsmen have brought you onto the high seas, but the east wind will shatter you in the heart of the sea. Your wealth, wares, and merchandise, your sailors, captains, and shipwrights, your merchants and all the warriors within you, with all the other people on board, will sink into the heart of the sea on the day of your downfall. The countryside will shake when your sailors cry out. All who handle the oars will abandon their ships. The sailors and all the captains of the sea will stand on the shore. They will raise their voices for you and cry out bitterly. They will throw dust on their heads and roll in ashes. They will shave their heads for you and wrap themselves in sackcloth. They will weep over you with anguish of soul and bitter mourning. As they wail and mourn over you, they will take up a lament for you: ‘Who was ever like Tyre, silenced in the middle of the sea? When your wares went out to sea, you satisfied many nations. You enriched the kings of the earth with your abundant wealth and merchandise. Now you are shattered by the seas in the depths of the waters; your merchandise and the people among you have gone down with you. All the people of the coastlands are appalled over you. Their kings shudder with fear; their faces are contorted. Those who trade among the nations hiss at you; you have come to a horrible end and will be no more.’” |
| 10 | Amos 1:10 | So I will send fire upon the walls of Tyre to consume its citadels.” |
Zechariah 9:4 Summary
Zechariah 9:4 tells us that God will judge the city of Tyre for its pride and wealth. The verse says that God will take away Tyre's wealth and power, and the city will be destroyed by fire. This is a reminder that true wealth and security come from God, not from money or material possessions (as seen in Psalm 52:7 and 1 Timothy 6:10). We should trust in God's provision and power, rather than in our own strength and wealth, and use our resources to further His kingdom, as taught in verses like Matthew 6:19-21 and Luke 12:13-21.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for the Lord to 'impoverish' Tyre in Zechariah 9:4?
In this context, it means that God will remove Tyre's wealth and power, much like He did with Babylon in Isaiah 13:19, leaving the city weak and vulnerable to destruction.
Why does the verse say that Tyre's wealth will be 'cast into the sea'?
This phrase is likely a metaphor for the complete loss and destruction of Tyre's wealth, similar to how the wicked will be 'cast into outer darkness' in Matthew 22:13, never to be recovered or used again.
What is the significance of Tyre being 'consumed by fire'?
Fire is often a symbol of God's judgment and purification in the Bible, as seen in Isaiah 66:15-16 and Revelation 20:15, so in this context, it represents the complete and utter destruction of Tyre at the hands of God.
Is this verse still relevant today, or was it only meant for ancient Tyre?
While the specific prophecy was directed at ancient Tyre, the principles of God's judgment on pride and wealth are still applicable today, as seen in verses like 1 Timothy 6:10 and James 5:1-6.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I prioritize wealth and material possessions in my own life, and how might God be calling me to re-evaluate those priorities in light of Zechariah 9:4?
- How can I balance the desire for financial security and provision with the knowledge that true wealth and security come from God alone, as taught in verses like Psalm 37:3-7 and Matthew 6:24?
- In what ways can I be a witness to the gospel in a world that often prioritizes wealth and power above all else, and how can I use my own resources to further God's kingdom, as seen in verses like Matthew 25:14-30 and Acts 2:44-47?
- What are some areas in my life where I may be trusting in my own strength and wealth, rather than in God's provision and power, and how can I surrender those areas to Him, as seen in verses like Proverbs 3:5-6 and Isaiah 40:29-31?
Gill's Exposition on Zechariah 9:4
Behold, the Lord will cast her out,.... Or "inherit her" (f), or "them", as the Septuagint render the words; when, being converted, she would become the Lord's inheritance and possession, and her
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Zechariah 9:4
Behold, the Lord will cast her out, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be devoured with fire. Behold, the Lord will cast her out - (Ezekiel 26:4; Ezekiel 26:12; Ezekiel 27:27). Cast her out.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Zechariah 9:4
Behold; observe it, for I tell you truth; though strange, it will be so. The Lord will cast her out; the Lord will do this, he will eject and cast her out of her inheritance, as the word in the Hebrew, and he will inherit her, as the word also bears. God will do both, he will seize into his hand by some or other, and so put them out of all. Her fortifications shall not be able to secure her possession. He will smite her power in the sea; the Lord declares how he will do what he threatens against Tyre, where their strength lieth; he will break them, take away their shipping, and then both treasures will waste, trade will fail, and auxiliaries will not be gotten. And she, Tyre, probably Zidon with her, shall be devoured with fire; that is, by the enemy in the siege, or at the taking of her. All which was done about A.M. 3672, one hundred and eighty-five years after this prophecy, when Alexander the Great mastered Tyre at sea with a fleet of one hundred and ninety or two hundred ships, took the city, slew many thousands of them, and, as Curtius reports, burnt the city.
Trapp's Commentary on Zechariah 9:4
Zechariah 9:4 Behold, the Lord will cast her out, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be devoured with fire.Ver. 4. Behold, the Lord will cast her out] Or, impoverish her, as some render it; that is, for her money. God can soon let her blood in the vena cava, cavities of her veins, called Marsupium; and make her nudam tanquam ex mari. bare just as out of the sea, And then for her munitions, He will smite her power in the sea] She was seated in an island, upon munitions of rocks; the sea was to her instead of a threefold wall and ditch. She was better fortified than Venice is; which yet hath flourished above nine hundred years, and was never in the enemy’ s hands; whence she hath for her motto, Intacta manet. It remains intact. But Tyre was taken by Nebuchadnezzar, as his wages; and afterwards by Alexander, who never held anything impossible that he undertook, however unlikely it were to be effected. He found means to fill up the sea with stones, trees, and rubbish, where it divided Tyre from the continent; and made himself master of it. And she shall be devoured with fire] Though seated in the heart of the sea, Ezekiel 28:2, and had motted up herself against God’ s fire. Nothing shall quench the fire that he kindleth.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Zechariah 9:4
Verse 4. Will smite her power in the sea] See Ezekiel 26:17. Though Alexander did take Tyre, Sidon, Gaza, c. yet it seems that the prediction relative to their destruction was fulfilled by Nebuchadnezzar. See Amos 1:6-8; Zephaniah 2:4; Zephaniah 2:7.
Cambridge Bible on Zechariah 9:4
4. cast her out] Or, dispossess her, R. V. Lit. take possession of her, i.e. by ejecting her and coming into her place. Comp. Exodus 34:24. Ewald renders less satisfactorily will impoverish her. her power in the sea] The order of the Hebrew words is, shall smite in the sea her power; where “power” does not mean only, though it may possibly include, her bastions and fortifications (Psalms 48:14; Psalms 122:7), but is to be taken in its widest sense. “The scene of her pride was to be that of her overthrow; the waves which girt her round should bury her ruins and wash over her site. Even in the sea the hand of God should find her and smite her in it and into it, and so that she should abide in it.” Pusey. devoured with fire] “Proudly confident in the strength of their island fortress, the Tyrians mocked the attempts of Alexander to reduce their city. Every engine of war suited for defence had been stored up in their bulwarks, and every device which their skilful engineers could suggest was had recourse to, and for a time with marked success. ‘Ye despise this land army through confidence in the place that ye dwell in as an island, but I will show you that ye dwell on a continent,’ was the language of Alexander (Q. Curtius, de reb. gest. Alex.
Magn. iv. 2). The shallow channel between the mainland and the island was at last bridged over by a huge dam of earth erected after repeated failures, and the city which had stood a five years’ siege from the Assyrians, a thirteen years’ siege from the Chaldæans, was taken after a short siege of seven months by Alexander. Ten thousand of its brave defenders were either massacred or crucified” (2,000 were crucified, from 6,000 to 8,000 are said to have been massacred), “the rest were sold into slavery, none escaped save those who were concealed by the Sidonians in the ships. Q. Curtius adds distinctly (Zechariah 4:4) that ‘Alexander having slain all, save those who fled to the temples, ordered the houses to be set on fire.’ ” Rev. C. H. H. Wright.
Barnes' Notes on Zechariah 9:4
Behold - Such were the preparations of Tyre. Over against them, as it were, the prophet sets before our eyes the counsels of God.
Whedon's Commentary on Zechariah 9:4
THE FINAL TRIUMPH OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD, Zechariah 9:1 to Zechariah 14:21.
Sermons on Zechariah 9:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(The Word for Today) Isaiah 23:1 - Part 1 by Chuck Smith | The video begins by discussing the importance of family and the breakdown of the family unit in society. It introduces Pastor Chuck Smith's Marriage and Family Bible Study as a res |
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Isaiah and the Nations by A.B. Simpson | A.B. Simpson emphasizes the significance of understanding Isaiah's prophecies in the context of the surrounding nations that influenced Israel's history. He explains how Judah and |
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Isaiah Chapter 5 Isaiah and the Nations by A.B. Simpson | A.B. Simpson emphasizes the significance of understanding the geopolitical context of Isaiah's prophecies, particularly the neighboring nations that influenced Israel and Judah. He |
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Ezekiel 26:3 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith delivers a powerful sermon on Ezekiel 26:3, emphasizing the prophecy against Tyre and its eventual downfall at the hands of multiple nations, starting with Nebuchadnezz |
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Ezekiel 26 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith discusses the prophecy of the destruction of Tyre as foretold by Ezekiel, emphasizing the involvement of multiple nations and the eventual siege by Nebuchadnezzar. He h |
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Preaching on Alcohol by Billy Sunday | This sermon emphasizes the need for righteousness and the importance of turning to Jesus for true fulfillment and purpose. It highlights the consequences of seeking satisfaction in |
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What Can We Take Into Eternity? by Peter Masters | This sermon emphasizes the reality that we enter and leave this world with nothing material, highlighting the importance of spiritual preparation for eternity. It contrasts the fat |