Zechariah 9:5
What does Zechariah 9:5 mean?
A plain-English look at Zechariah 9:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Zechariah 9:5 means
The prophecy extends its focus to the Philistine cities, particularly Ashkelon, Gaza, and Ekron, describing their reaction to the judgment against Tyre. Ashkelon will see Tyre's destruction and be filled with fear, while Gaza will experience intense pain. Ekron's "expectation shall be put to shame," implying that its hopes, possibly for alliances or continued prosperity, will be dashed. The outcome for Gaza is the loss of its king, signifying a collapse of leadership, and Ashkelon's desolation means it "shall not be inhabited." This illustrates the domino effect of God's judgment, spreading from Tyre to its neighboring nations.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Ashkelon shall see it, and fear; Gaza also, and shall be sore pained; and Ekron, for her expectation shall be put to shame; and the king shall perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon shall not be inhabited.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Ashkelon shall see it, and fear; Gaza also shall see it, and be very sorrowful, and Ekron; for her expectation shall be ashamed; and the king shall perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon shall not be inhabited.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Ashkelon shall see it, and fear; Gaza also, and shall be sore pained; and Ekron, for her expectation shall be put to shame; and the king shall perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon shall not be inhabited.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Ashkelon will see it with fear, and Gaza, bent with pain; and Ekron, for her hope will be shamed: and the king will be cut off from Gaza, and Ashkelon will be unpeopled.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862See doth Ashkelon and fear, Also Gaza, and she is exceedingly pained, Also Ekron--for her expectation dried up, And perished hath a king from Gaza, And Ashkelon doth not remain,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Ascalon shall see, and shall fear, and Gaza, and shall be very sorrowful: and Accaron, because her hope is confounded: and the king shall perish from Gaza, and Ascalon shall not be inhabited.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Ashkelon shall see [it], and fear; Gazah also, and she shall be greatly pained; Ekron also, for her expectation shall be put to shame: and the king shall perish from Gazah, and Ashkelon shall not be inhabited.
Context
Following the explicit judgment against Tyre in verse 4, this verse shifts the prophetic gaze to the neighboring Philistine cities. It details their direct and emotional responses—fear, pain, and shame—to the divine judgment they witness. This section prepares the reader for God's further actions against the Philistines in verses 6 and 7, emphasizing the widespread nature of His judgment but also hinting at a future remnant among them.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 18:9
And the kings of the earth, who committed fornication and lived wantonly with her, shall weep and wail over her, when they look upon the smoke of her burning,
- Jeremiah 51:8
Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: wail for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed.
- Zephaniah 2:4
For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation; they shall drive out Ashdod at noonday, and Ekron shall be rooted up.
- Acts 8:26
But an angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza: the same is desert.
- Romans 5:5
and hope putteth not to shame; because the love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given unto us.
- Isaiah 20:5
And they shall be dismayed and confounded, because of Ethiopia their expectation, and of Egypt their glory.
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