Zechariah 12:1
The burden of the word of the Lord for Israel, saith the Lord, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.
Zechariah 12:1 in other translations
| BSB | This is the burden of the word of the LORD concerning Israel. Thus declares the LORD, who stretches out the heavens and lays the foundation of the earth, who forms the spirit of man within him: |
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| WEB | A revelation of the LORD’s word concerning Israel: The LORD, who stretches out the heavens and lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him says: |
| ASV | The burden of the word of Jehovah concerning Israel. Thus saith Jehovah, who stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him: |
| YLT | The burden of a word of Jehovah on Israel. An affirmation of Jehovah, Stretching out heaven, and founding earth, And forming the spirit of man in his midst. |
| DARBY | The burden of the word of Jehovah concerning Israel. Thus saith Jehovah, who stretcheth out the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him: |
| BBE | The word of the Lord about Israel. The Lord by whom the heavens are stretched out and the bases of the earth put in place, and the spirit of man formed inside him, has said: |
| Webster | The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, who stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. |
What does Zechariah 12:1 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Zec 12:1-14. Jerusalem the Instrument of Judgment on Her Foes Hereafter; Her Repentance and Restoration.
1. burden--"weighty prophecy"; fraught with destruction to Israel's foes; the expression may also refer to the distresses of Israel implied as about to precede the deliverance. for Israel--concerning Israel [Maurer]. stretcheth forth--present; now, not merely "hath stretched forth," as if God only created and then left the universe to itself (Joh 5:17). To remove all doubts of unbelief as to the possibility of Israel's deliverance, God prefaces the prediction by reminding us of His creative and sustaining power. Compare a similar preface in Is 42:5; 43:1; 65:17, 18. formeth ... spirit of man--(Nu 16:22; He 12:9).Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Introduction
The first part of this chapter, with several passages in chap. 14, relates to an invasion that shall be made on the inhabitants of Judea and Jerusalem in the latter ages of the world, some time after the restoration and settlement of the Jews in their own land. It also describes, in very magnificent terms, the signal interposition of God in their favor. From this the prophet proceeds in the latter part of the chapter, Zac 14:10-14, to describe the spiritual mercies of God to converting his people; and gives a very pathetic and affecting account of the deep sorrow of that people, when brought to a sense of their great sin in crucifying the Messiah, comparing it to the sorrow of a parent for his first-born and only son, or to the lamentations made for Josiah in the valley of Megiddon, 2Chr 35:24, 2Chr 35:25. A deep, retired sorrow, which will render the mourners for a season insensible to all the comforts and enjoyments of the most endearing society. Verse 1 The burden of the word of the Lord - This is a new prophecy. It is directed both to Israel and Judah, though Israel alone is mentioned in this verse. Which stretcheth forth the heavens - See on Isa 42:5 (note). Formeth the spirit of man within him - Then it is not the same substance with his body. It is a Spirit within Him.Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Zechariah 12:1-8
Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain
Zechariah 12:1 in the original Hebrew
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for Zechariah 12:1
- Isaiah 42:5
Thus saith God the Lord, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:
- Jeremiah 51:15
He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding.
- Isaiah 57:16
For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made.
- Psalms 102:25-26
Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:
- Hebrews 12:9
Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
- Hebrews 1:10-12
And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.
- Isaiah 44:24
Thus saith the Lord, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the Lord that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;
- Isaiah 48:13
Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together.
- Ecclesiastes 12:7
Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
- Genesis 2:7
And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
- Numbers 16:22
And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?
- Psalms 136:5-6
To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
3 and a burdensome stone to her adversaries.
6 The victorious restoring of Judah.
10 The repentance of Jerusalem.
Cir. A.M. 3504. B.C. 500. burden.
9:1; La 2:14; Mal 1:1
for.
Isa 51:22,23; Jer 30:10,16; 50:34; Eze 36:5-7; Joe 3:19,21
Ob 1:16,17
which.
Job 26:7; Ps 102:25,26; 104:2; 136:5,6; Isa 40:12,22; 42:5
Isa 44:24; 45:12,18; 48:13; 51:13; Jer 10:12; 51:15; Heb 1:10-12
formeth.
Ge 2:7; Nu 16:22; Ec 12:7; Isa 57:16; Jer 38:16; Eze 18:4; Heb 12:9
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- Zechariah 12:1
The burden of the word of the Lord for Israel, saith the Lord, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.
- Zechariah 12:2
Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.
Zechariah 12:1 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | CARGA de la palabra de Jehová acerca de Israel. Jehová, que extiende los cielos, y funda la tierra, y forma el espíritu del hombre dentro de él, ha dicho: |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | *L’oracle de la parole de l’ Éternel sur Israël: Ainsi dit l’ Éternel, qui a étendu les cieux, et qui a fondé la terre, et qui a formé l’esprit de l’homme au-dedans de lui. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Ausspruch des Wortes Jehovas über Israel. Es spricht Jehova, der den Himmel ausspannt und die Erde gründet, und des Menschen Geist in seinem Innern bildet: |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Onus verbi Domini super Israël. Dicit Dominus extendens cælum, et fundans terram, et fingens spiritum hominis in eo: |