The Meaning of Zechariah 8:11 Explained

Zechariah 8:11

KJV: But now I will not be unto the residue of this people as in the former days, saith the LORD of hosts.

YLT: And now, not as in the former days am I to the remnant of this people, An affirmation of Jehovah of Hosts.

Darby: But now I will not be unto the remnant of this people as in the former days, saith Jehovah of hosts;

ASV: But now I will not be unto the remnant of this people as in the former days, saith Jehovah of hosts.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

But now I [will] not [be] unto the residue  of this people  as in the former  days,  saith  the LORD  of hosts. 

What does Zechariah 8:11 Mean?

Study Notes

residue
Or, remnant.

Context Summary

Zechariah 8:1-17 - Truth And Love Must Prevail
In his third answer Zechariah dilates on the prosperity awaiting the chosen city. The Lord had returned, to dwell there, and the old men and women who were at the end of life should join with the happy boys and girls who were at the beginning in the enjoyment of the blessings of peace. Exiles also would return to people the former desolations. But with these delightful forecasts ensue reiterated appeals. [source]

Chapter Summary: Zechariah 8

1  The restoration of Jerusalem
9  They are encouraged to build the temple by God's favor to them
16  Good works are required of them
18  Joy and blessing are promised

What do the individual words in Zechariah 8:11 mean?

But now not as in days the former I [will treat] the remnant of people this says Yahweh of hosts
וְעַתָּ֗ה לֹ֣א כַיָּמִ֤ים הָרִֽאשֹׁנִים֙ אֲנִ֔י לִשְׁאֵרִ֖ית הָעָ֣ם הַזֶּ֑ה נְאֻ֖ם יְהוָ֥ה צְבָאֽוֹת

וְעַתָּ֗ה  But  now 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb
Root: עַתָּה  
Sense: now.
כַיָּמִ֤ים  as  in  days 
Parse: Preposition-k, Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: יׄום 
Sense: day, time, year.
הָרִֽאשֹׁנִים֙  the  former 
Parse: Article, Adjective, masculine plural
Root: רִאשֹׁון  
Sense: first, primary, former.
אֲנִ֔י  I  [will  treat] 
Parse: Pronoun, first person common singular
Root: אֲנִי  
Sense: I (first pers.
לִשְׁאֵרִ֖ית  the  remnant 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, feminine singular construct
Root: שְׁאֵרִית  
Sense: rest, residue, remainder, remnant.
הָעָ֣ם  of  people 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: עַם 
Sense: nation, people.
הַזֶּ֑ה  this 
Parse: Article, Pronoun, masculine singular
Root: זֶה  
Sense: this, this one, here, which, this … that, the one … the other, another, such.
נְאֻ֖ם  says 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: נְאֻם  
Sense: (Qal) utterance, declaration (of prophet).
יְהוָ֥ה  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
צְבָאֽוֹת  of  hosts 
Parse: Noun, common plural
Root: צָבָא 
Sense: that which goes forth, army, war, warfare, host.