The Meaning of Zechariah 12:8 Explained

Zechariah 12:8

KJV: In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them.

YLT: In that day cover over doth Jehovah the inhabitant of Jerusalem, And the stumbling among them hath been in that day as David, And the house of David as God -- As a messenger of Jehovah -- before them.

Darby: In that day will Jehovah defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that stumbleth among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David as God, as the Angel of Jehovah before them.

ASV: In that day shall Jehovah defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem: and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of Jehovah before them.

Discover Zechariah 12:8

CONTEXT: What is the Context of Zechariah 12:8?

MEANING: What does Zechariah 12:8 Mean?

WORDS: What do the individual words in Zechariah 12:8 mean?

RELATIONS: What do the major concepts mean in Zechariah 12:8?

What is the context of Zechariah 12:8?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David [shall be] as God, as the angel of the LORD before them.

What does Zechariah 12:8 Mean?

Study Notes

angel
.

angels

Angel, Summary: Angel, "messenger," is used of God, of men, and of an order of created spiritual beings whose chief attributes are strength and wisdom. 2 Samuel 14:20 ; Psalms 103:20 ; Psalms 104:4 . In the O.T. the expression "the angel of the Lord" (sometimes "of God") usually implies the presence of Deity in angelic form.; Genesis 16:1-13 ; Genesis 21:17-19 ; Genesis 22:11-16 ; Genesis 31:11-13 ; Exodus 3:2-4 ; Judges 2:1 ; Judges 6:12-16 ; Judges 13:3-22 (See Scofield " Malachi 3:1 ") . The word "angel" is used of men in; Luke 7:24 ; James 2:25 ; Revelation 1:20 ; Revelation 2:1 ; Revelation 2:8 ; Revelation 2:12 ; Revelation 2:18 ; Revelation 3:1 ; Revelation 3:7 ; Revelation 3:14 In Revelation 8:3-5 . Christ is evidently meant. Sometimes angel is used of the spirit of man.; Matthew 18:10 ; Acts 12:15 . Though angels are spirits; Psalms 104:4 ; Hebrews 1:14 power is given them to become visible in the semblance of human form. Genesis 19:1 cf; Genesis 19:5 ; Exodus 3:2 ; Numbers 22:22-31 ; Judges 2:1 ; Judges 6:11 ; Judges 6:22 ; Judges 13:3 ; Judges 13:6 ; 1 Chronicles 21:16 ; 1 Chronicles 21:20 ; Matthew 1:20 ; Luke 1:26 ; John 20:12 ; Acts 7:30 ; Acts 12:7 ; Acts 12:8 etc.). The word is always used in the masculine gender, though sex, in the human sense, is never ascribed to angels.; Matthew 22:30 ; Mark 12:25 . They are exceedingly numerous.; Matthew 26:53 ; Hebrews 12:22 ; Revelation 5:11 ; Psalms 68:17 . The power is inconceivable. 2 Kings 19:35 . Their place is about the throne of God.; Revelation 5:11 ; Revelation 7:11 . Their relation to the believer is that of "ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation," and this ministry has reference largely to the physical safety and well-being of believers.; 1 Kings 19:5 ; Psalms 34:7 ; Psalms 91:11 ; Daniel 6:22 ; Matthew 2:13 ; Matthew 2:19 ; Matthew 4:11 ; Luke 22:43 ; Acts 5:19 ; Acts 12:7-10 . From; Hebrews 1:14 ; Matthew 18:10 ; Psalms 91:11 it would seem that this care for the heirs of salvation begins in infancy and continues through life. The angels observe us; 1 Corinthians 4:9 ; Ephesians 3:10 ; Ecclesiastes 5:6 a fact which should influence conduct. They receive departing saints. Luke 16:22 . Man is made "a little lower than the angels," and in incarnation Christ took "for a little "time" this lower place.; Psalms 8:4 ; Psalms 8:5 ; Hebrews 2:6 ; Hebrews 2:9 that He might lift the believer into His own sphere above angels. Hebrews 2:9 ; Hebrews 2:10 . The angels are to accompany Christ in His second advent. Matthew 25:31 . To them will be committed the preparation of the judgment of the nations. Matthew 13:30 ; Matthew 13:39 ; Matthew 13:41 ; Matthew 13:42 . See Scofield " Matthew 25:32 ". The kingdom-age is not to be subject to angels, but to Christ and those for whom He was made a little lower than the angels. Hebrews 2:5 An archangel, Michael, is mentioned as having a particular relation to Israel and to the resurrections.; Daniel 10:13 ; Daniel 10:21 ; Daniel 12:1 ; Daniel 12:2 ; Judges 1:9 ; 1 Thessalonians 4:16 . The only other angel whose name is revealed Gabriel, was employed in the most distinguished services.; Daniel 8:16 ; Daniel 9:21 ; Luke 1:19 ; Luke 1:26 .

Fallen angels. Two classes of these are mentioned:

(1) "The angels which kept not their first estate place, but left their own habitation," are "chained under darkness," awaiting judgment. 2 Peter 2:4 ; Judges 1:6 ; 1 Corinthians 6:3 ; John 5:22 .

(See Scofield " Genesis 6:4 ")

(2) The angels who have Satan Genesis 3:1 as leader.

(See Scofield " Revelation 20:10 ") .

The origin of these is nowhere explicitly revealed. They may be identical with the demons.

(See Scofield " Matthew 7:22 ") . For Satan and his angels everlasting fire is prepared. Matthew 25:41 ; Revelation 20:10 .

David
Kingdom in Old Testament, Summary:

I. Dominion over the earth before the call of Abraham

(1) Dominion over creation was given to the first man and woman ( Genesis 1:26 ); ( Genesis 1:28 ). Through the fall this dominion was lost, Satan becoming "prince of this world"; ( Matthew 4:8-10 ); ( Psalms 89:33-37 ).

(2) After the flood, the principle of human government was established under the covenant with Noah

Biblically this is still the charter of all Gentile government.

II. The Theocracy in Israel. The call of Abraham involved, with much else, the creation of a distinctive people through whom great purposes of God toward the race might be worked out.

(see "Israel" ( Genesis 12:1-3 ); ( Romans 11:26 ).

Among these purposes is the establishment of a universal kingdom. The order of the development of Divine rule in Israel is:

(1) The mediatorship of Moses ( Exodus 3:1-10 ); ( Exodus 19:9 ); ( Exodus 24:12 ).

(2) The leadership of Joshua ( Joshua 1:1-5 ).

(3) The institution of Judges ( Judges 2:16-18 ).

(4) The popular rejection of the Theocracy, and choice of a king -- Saul, ( 1 Samuel 8:1-7 ); ( 1 Samuel 9:12-17 ).

III. The Davidic kingdom

(1) The divine choice of David ( 1 Samuel 16:1-13 ).

(2) The giving of the Davidic Covenant ( 2 Samuel 7:8-16 ); ( Psalms 89:3 ); ( Zechariah 12:6-8 ); ( Psalms 89:20 ); ( Isaiah 62:1-746 ); ( Psalms 89:28-37 ).

(3) The exposition of the David Covenant by the prophets ( Isaiah 1:25 ); ( Isaiah 1:26 ); ( Psalms 89:4 ).

See margin reference, "Kingdom" and references.

The kingdom as described by the prophets is:

a) Davidic, to be established under an heir of David, who is to be born of a virgin, therefore truly man, but also "Immanuel," "the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace" ( Isaiah 7:13 ); ( Isaiah 7:14 ); ( Isaiah 9:6 ); ( Isaiah 9:7 ); ( Isaiah 11:1 ); ( Jeremiah 23:5 ); ( Ezekiel 34:23 ); ( Ezekiel 37:24 ); ( Hosea 3:4 ); ( Hosea 3:5 ).

b) A kingdom heavenly in origin, principle, and authority ( Daniel 2:34 ); ( Daniel 2:35 ); ( Daniel 2:44 ); ( Daniel 2:45 ) but set up on the earth, with Jerusalem as the capital; ( Isaiah 2:2-4 ); ( Isaiah 4:3 ); ( Isaiah 4:5 ); ( Isaiah 24:23 ); ( Isaiah 33:20 ); ( 1713518215_8 ); ( Jeremiah 23:5 ); ( Jeremiah 31:38-40 ); ( Joel 3:1 ); ( Isaiah 11:10-16 ); ( Joel 3:17 ).

c) The kingdom is to be established first over regathered, restored, and converted Israel, and then to become universal ( Psalms 2:6-8 ); ( Psalms 22:1-31 ); ( Psalms 22:1-10 ); ( Isaiah 1:2 ); ( Isaiah 1:3 ); ( Isaiah 11:1 ); ( Joel 3:16 ); ( Isaiah 11:12 ); ( Jeremiah 23:5-8 ); ( Jeremiah 30:7-11 ); ( Ezekiel 20:33-40 ); ( Ezekiel 37:21-25 ); ( Zechariah 9:10 ); ( Zechariah 14:16-19 ).

d) The moral characteristics of the kingdom are to be righteousness and peace. The meek, not the proud, will inherit the earth; longevity will be greatly increased; the knowledge of the Lord will be universal; beast ferocity will be removed; absolute equity will be enforced; and outbreaking sin visited with instant judgment; while the enormous majority of earth's inhabitants will be saved ( Isaiah 11:4 ); ( Isaiah 11:6-9 ); ( Isaiah 65:20 ); ( Psalms 2:9 ); ( Isaiah 26:9 ); ( Zechariah 14:16-21 ). The New Testament ( Revelation 20:1-5 ); adds a detail of immense significance -- the removal of Satan from the scene. It is impossible to conceive to what heights of spiritual, intellectual, and physical perfection humanity will attain in this, its coming age of righteousness and peace. ( Isaiah 11:4-9 ); ( Psalms 72:1-10 ).

e) The kingdom is to be established by power, not persuasion, and is to follow divine judgment upon the Gentile world-powers ( Psalms 2:4-9 ); ( Genesis 9:1-6 ); ( Daniel 2:35 ); ( Daniel 2:44 ); ( Daniel 2:45 ); ( Daniel 7:26 ); ( Daniel 7:27 ); ( Zechariah 14:1-19 ) .

f) The restoration of Israel and the establishment of the kingdom are connected with an advent of the Lord, yet future ( Deuteronomy 30:3-5 ); ( Psalms 2:1-9 ); ( Zechariah 14:4 ).

g) The chastisement reserved for disobedience in the house of David ( 2 Samuel 7:14 ); ( Psalms 89:30-33 ) fell in the captivities and world-wide dispersion, since which time, though a remnant returned under prince Zerubbabel, Jerusalem has been under the overlordship of Gentile. But the Davidic Covenant has not been abrogated ( John 14:30 ) but is yet to be fulfilled. ( Acts 15:14-17 ).

angel

and said unto them

The Noahic Covenant. The elements are:

(1) The relation of man to the earth under the Adamic Covenant is confirmed (See Scofield " Genesis 8:21 ")

(2) The order of nature is confirmed ( Genesis 8:22 )

(3) Human government is established ( Isaiah 9:7 )

(4) Earth is secured against another universal judgment by water Genesis 8:21 ; Genesis 9:11

(5) A prophetic declaration is made that from Ham will descend an inferior and servile posterity Genesis 9:24 ; Genesis 9:25 .

(6) A prophetic declaration is made that Shem will have a peculiar relation to Jehovah Genesis 9:26 ; Genesis 9:27 . All divine revelation is through Semitic men, and Christ, after the flesh, descends from Shem.

(7) A prophetic declaration is made that from Japheth will descend the "enlarged" races Genesis 9:27 . Government, science, and art, speaking broadly, are and have been Japhetic, so that history is the indisputable record of the exact fulfilment of these declarations. (See Scofield " Genesis 8:21 ") for the other seven covenants:

EDENIC Genesis 1:28 ADAMIC Genesis 3:15 ABRAHAMIC Genesis 15:18 MOSAIC Exodus 19:25 PALESTINIAN Deuteronomy 30:3 DAVIDIC 2 Samuel 7:16 NEW Hebrews 8:8

crowns

Following the earth-judgments symbolized in the horsed chariots ( Zechariah 6:1-8 ) comes the manifestation of Christ in His kingdom glory ( Zechariah 6:9-15 ). This is the invariable prophetic order: first the judgments of the day of the Lord; Isaiah 2:10-22 ; Revelation 19:11-21 then the kingdom (cf); Psalms 2:5 ; Psalms 2:6 ; Isaiah 3:24-26 ; Isaiah 4:2-6 ; Isaiah 10:33 ; Isaiah 10:34 ; Isaiah 11:1-10 ; Revelation 19:19-21 ; Revelation 20:4-6 . This is set forth symbolically by the crowning of Joshua, which was not a vision, but actually done (cf); Isaiah 8:3 ; Isaiah 8:4 ; Ezekiel 37:16-22 . The fulfilment in the BRANCH will infinitely transcend the symbol. He "shall bear the glory"; Zechariah 6:13 ; Matthew 16:27 ; Matthew 24:30 ; Matthew 25:31 as the Priest-King on His own throne ( Zechariah 6:12 ; Zechariah 6:13 ; Hebrews 7:1-3 ). Christ is now a Priest, but still in the holiest within the veil; Leviticus 16:15 ; Hebrews 9:11-14 ; Hebrews 9:24 and seated on the Father's throne Revelation 3:21 . He has not yet come out to take His own throne Hebrews 9:28 . The crowns made for the symbolical crowning of Joshua were to be laid up in the temple as a memorial to keep alive this larger hope of Israel.

angels

Fallen angels. Two classes of these are mentioned:

(1) "The angels which kept not their first estate place, but left their own habitation," are "chained under darkness," awaiting judgment. 2 Peter 2:4 ; Judges 1:6 ; 1 Corinthians 6:3 ; John 5:22 .

(See Scofield " Genesis 6:4 ")

(2) The angels who have Satan Genesis 3:1 as leader.

(See Scofield " Revelation 20:10 ") .

The origin of these is nowhere explicitly revealed. They may be identical with the demons.

(See Scofield " Matthew 7:22 ") . For Satan and his angels everlasting fire is prepared. Matthew 25:41 ; Revelation 20:10 .

Verse Meaning

As part of His defense of them, the Lord would strengthen the feeble among the people so they would be as strong as David, the mighty warrior. The Davidic rulers would also receive supernatural strength and would be like God, as the angel of the Lord who would go before them (cf. Exodus 14:19; Exodus 23:20; Exodus 32:34; Exodus 33:2; Exodus 33:14-15; Exodus 33:22; 1 Samuel 29:9; 2 Samuel 14:17; 2 Samuel 14:20; 2 Samuel 19:27).

Context Summary

Zechariah 12:1-14 - Jerusalem's Day Of Mourning

This vision refers to a time yet future, when the Jews shall have returned to their own land, but still in unbelief; and will be assailed by their foes, though in vain, Zechariah 12:2-3; Zechariah 12:6. The Lord will defend them, Zechariah 12:7-8. Then the nation will mourn. Their repentance will be universal, from the highest to the lowest; lonely, and on account of the sufferings they inflicted on Jesus. The Agent of this mourning will be the Holy Spirit; and it will eventuate in the full forgiveness of sin through the blood of atonement and an entire cleansing from idols. [source]

Chapter Summary: Zechariah 12

¹ Jerusalem a cup of trembling to herself,
³ and a burdensome stone to her adversaries
⁶ The victorious restoring of Judah
¹⁰ The repentance of Jerusalem

What do the individual words in Zechariah 12:8 mean?

In day that will defend Yahweh defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem and shall be the one who is feeble among them that like David and the house of David [shall be] like God like the Angel of Yahweh before them

בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֗וּא יָגֵ֤ן יְהוָה֙ בְּעַד֙ יוֹשֵׁ֣ב יְרוּשָׁלִַ֔ם וְהָיָ֞ה הַנִּכְשָׁ֥ל בָּהֶ֛ם הַה֖וּא כְּדָוִ֑יד וּבֵ֤ית דָּוִיד֙ כֵּֽאלֹהִ֔ים כְּמַלְאַ֥ךְ יְהוָ֖ה לִפְנֵיהֶֽם

בַּיּ֣וֹם	In day
Parse: Preposition-b, Article, Noun, masculine singular Root: יׄום Sense: day, time, year.
הַה֗וּא	that
Parse: Article, Pronoun, third person masculine singular Root: הוּא Sense: he, she, it.
יָגֵ֤ן	will defend
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, third person masculine singular Root: גָּנַן Sense: to defend, cover, surround.
יְהוָה֙	Yahweh
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular Root: יהוה Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
בְּעַד֙	defend
Parse: Preposition Root: בַּעַד Sense: behind, through, round about, on behalf of, away from, about.
יוֹשֵׁ֣ב	the inhabitants
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular construct Root: יָשַׁב Sense: to dwell, remain, sit, abide.
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֔ם	of Jerusalem
Parse: Proper Noun, feminine singular Root: יְרוּשָׁלַםִ Sense: the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split.
וְהָיָ֞ה	and shall be
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, third person masculine singular Root: אֶהְיֶה Sense: to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out.
הַנִּכְשָׁ֥ל	the one who is feeble
Parse: Article, Verb, Nifal, Participle, masculine singular Root: כָּשַׁל Sense: to stumble, stagger, totter.
בָּהֶ֛ם	among them
Parse: Preposition, third person masculine plural
הַה֖וּא	that
Parse: Article, Pronoun, third person masculine singular Root: הוּא Sense: he, she, it.
כְּדָוִ֑יד	like David
Parse: Preposition-k, Proper Noun, masculine singular Root: דָּוִד Sense: youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel.
וּבֵ֤ית	and the house
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular construct Root: בַּיִת Sense: house.
דָּוִיד֙	of David
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular Root: דָּוִד Sense: youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel.
כֵּֽאלֹהִ֔ים	[shall be] like God
Parse: Preposition-k, Noun, masculine plural Root: אֱלֹהִים Sense: (plural).
כְּמַלְאַ֥ךְ	like the Angel
Parse: Preposition-k, Noun, masculine singular construct Root: מַלְאָךְ Sense: messenger, representative.
יְהוָ֖ה	of Yahweh
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular Root: יהוה Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
לִפְנֵיהֶֽם	before them
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine plural construct, third person masculine plural Root: לִפְנֵי Sense: face.

What are the major concepts related to Zechariah 12:8?

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