The Meaning of Zechariah 8:5 Explained

Zechariah 8:5

KJV: And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof.

YLT: And broad places of the city are full of boys and girls, Playing in its broad places.

Darby: And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof.

ASV: And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And the streets  of the city  shall be full  of boys  and girls  playing  in the streets  thereof. 

What does Zechariah 8:5 Mean?

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 8:5 mean?

And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls Playing in its streets -
וּרְחֹב֤וֹת הָעִיר֙ יִמָּ֣לְא֔וּ יְלָדִ֖ים וִֽילָד֑וֹת מְשַׂחֲקִ֖ים בִּרְחֹֽבֹתֶֽיהָ ס

וּרְחֹב֤וֹת  And  the  streets 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: רְחֹב  
Sense: broad or open place or plaza.
הָעִיר֙  of  the  city 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: עִיר 
Sense: excitement, anguish.
יִמָּ֣לְא֔וּ  shall  be  full 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: מָלֵא 
Sense: to fill, be full.
יְלָדִ֖ים  of  boys 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: יֶלֶד  
Sense: child, son, boy, offspring, youth.
וִֽילָד֑וֹת  and  girls 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, feminine plural
Root: יַלְדָּה  
Sense: girl, damsel, marriageable girl.
מְשַׂחֲקִ֖ים  Playing 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Participle, masculine plural
Root: שָׂחַק  
Sense: to laugh, play, mock.
בִּרְחֹֽבֹתֶֽיהָ  in  its  streets 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine plural construct, third person feminine singular
Root: רְחֹב  
Sense: broad or open place or plaza.
ס  - 
Parse: Punctuation