Zechariah 8:18-23

Zechariah 8:18-23

[18] And the word  of the LORD  of hosts  came unto me, saying,  [19] Thus saith  the LORD  of hosts;  The fast  of the fourth  month, and the fast  of the fifth,  and the fast  of the seventh,  and the fast  of the tenth,  shall be to the house  of Judah  joy  and gladness,  and cheerful  feasts;  therefore love  the truth  and peace.  [20] Thus saith  the LORD  of hosts;  It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come  people,  and the inhabitants  of many  cities:  [21] And the inhabitants  of one  city shall go  to another,  saying,  speedily  to pray  before  the LORD,  and to seek  the LORD  of hosts:  [22] Yea, many  people  and strong  nations  shall come  to seek  the LORD  of hosts  in Jerusalem,  and to pray  before  the LORD.  [23] Thus saith  the LORD  of hosts;  In those days  it shall come to pass, that ten  shall take hold  out of all languages  of the nations,  even shall take hold  of the skirt  of him that is a Jew,  saying,  with you: for we have heard  that God  is with you.

What does Zechariah 8:18-23 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

This final section of this part of the book (chs7-8) returns full circle to the theme with which it began, namely, the people"s concern about fasting (cf. Zechariah 7:1-7). These messages began after a few Bethelites came to Jerusalem ( Zechariah 7:2-7), and they ended with the promise that multitudes of Gentiles representing all languages would come to Jerusalem. The fasting of the past would become feasting in the future.