Zechariah 9:14
What does Zechariah 9:14 mean?
A plain-English look at Zechariah 9:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Zechariah 9:14 means
This verse vividly portrays God's direct and overwhelming involvement in the battle. "Jehovah shall be seen over them," indicating His visible presence and leadership among His fighting people. His divine intervention is depicted with terrifying force: "his arrow shall go forth as the lightning," signifying swift, unstoppable, and destructive power. Further emphasizing His active role, "the Lord Jehovah will blow the trumpet," a clear signal for war and divine manifestation, and He "will go with whirlwinds of the south," symbolizing irresistible natural forces marshaled for His purposes. This paints a picture of God as a mighty warrior, personally leading and ensuring the victory of His people.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And Jehovah shall be seen over them; and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning; and the Lord Jehovah will blow the trumpet, and will go with whirlwinds of the south.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And the Lord shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord God shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And Jehovah shall be seen over them; and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning; and the Lord Jehovah will blow the trumpet, and will go with whirlwinds of the south.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the Lord will be seen over them, and his arrow will go out like the thunder-flame: and the Lord God, sounding the war-horn, will go in the storm-winds of the South.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Jehovah doth appear for them, And gone forth as lightning hath His arrow, And the Lord Jehovah with a trumpet bloweth, And He hath gone with whirlwinds of the south.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the Lord God shall be seen over them, and his dart shall go forth as lightning: and the Lord God will sound the trumpet, and go in the whirlwind of the south.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Jehovah shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning; and the Lord Jehovah will blow the trumpet, and will march with whirlwinds of the south.
Context
Building upon the strategic preparation of Judah and Ephraim for battle in verse 13, this verse elevates the conflict to a divine level. It describes Jehovah Himself actively participating in the war, using powerful imagery of lightning and whirlwinds. This direct divine intervention sets the stage for the victorious outcome and the celebratory aftermath described in verses 15 and 16, reinforcing that the ultimate victory belongs to God.
v.13For I have bent Judah for me, I have filled the bow with Ephraim; and I will stir up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and will make thee as the sword of a mighty man.
v.14This passage
v.15Jehovah of hosts will defend them; and they shall devour, and shall tread down the sling-stones; and they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine; and they shall be filled like bowls, like the corners of the altar.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Joshua 6:4
And seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets.
- Isaiah 21:1
The burden of the wilderness of the sea. As whirlwinds in the South sweep through, it cometh from the wilderness, from a terrible land.
- Matthew 28:20
teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
- Isaiah 30:30
And Jehovah will cause his glorious voice to be heard, and will show the lighting down of his arm, with the indignation of his anger, and the flame of a devouring fire, with a blast, and tempest, and hailstones.
- Psalms 77:17
The clouds poured out water; The skies sent out a sound: Thine arrows also went abroad.
- Zechariah 2:5
For I, saith Jehovah, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and I will be the glory in the midst of her.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Zechariah 9
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Zechariah 9.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Honesty
Biblical honesty means living truthfully in word and deed, reflecting God’s character in all aspects of life and interactions.
Topic
Bible Verses About Justice
God’s perfect character and righteous standards guide all justice, which we are called to pursue in our lives and communities.
Topic
Bible Verses About Kindness
The Bible consistently promotes kindness as a fruit of the Spirit and a necessary trait for believers.