Zechariah 9:17
What does Zechariah 9:17 mean?
A plain-English look at Zechariah 9:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Zechariah 9:17 means
The chapter concludes with an exuberant affirmation of God's goodness and beauty, and the profound impact of His blessings upon His people. The rhetorical question, "For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty!" expresses awe and wonder at the Lord's character and actions. This divine favor translates into tangible prosperity: "grain shall make the young men flourish, and new wine the virgins." This imagery speaks of abundant harvest and fertile increase, leading to health, strength, and joy for both male and female members of the community, symbolizing holistic rejuvenation and delight in the provisions of God. It promises a season of prosperity and spiritual vibrancy.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! grain shall make the young men flourish, and new wine the virgins.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! grain shall make the young men flourish, and new wine the virgins.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For how good it is and how beautiful! grain will make the young men strong and new wine the virgins.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862For what His goodness! and what His beauty! Corn the young men, And new wine the virgins--make fruitful!
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For what is the good thing of him, and what is his beautiful thing, but the corn of the elect, and wine springing forth virgins?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! Corn shall make the young men flourish, and new wine the maidens.
Context
This verse serves as a celebratory conclusion to the entire chapter, following the promises of divine salvation and the exaltation of God's people in verse 16. It shifts from direct prophetic declarations to an expression of praise and wonder at God's character and the resulting blessings. This final celebratory note leaves the reader with an overwhelming sense of God's generosity and the flourishing of His people under His care, bringing the themes of judgment, salvation, and the coming King to a glorious close.
v.16And Jehovah their God will save them in that day as the flock of his people; for they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted on high over his land.
v.17This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Amos 9:13
Behold, the days come, saith Jehovah, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt.
- Joel 2:26
And ye shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and shall praise the name of Jehovah your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you; and my people shall never be put to shame.
- Joel 3:18
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down sweet wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the brooks of Judah shall flow with waters; and a fountain shall come forth from the house of Jehovah, and shall water the valley of Shittim.
- Isaiah 33:17
Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold a land that reacheth afar.
- Romans 5:20
And the law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly:
- Revelation 5:12
saying with a great voice, Worthy is the Lamb that hath been slain to receive the power, and riches, and wisdom, and might, and honor, and glory, and blessing.
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