Zechariah — Chapter 10
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1Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.
2For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd.
3Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds, and I punished the goats: for the LORD of hosts hath visited his flock the house of Judah, and hath made them as his goodly horse in the battle.
4Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail, out of him the battle bow, out of him every oppressor together.
5And they shall be as mighty men, which tread down their enemies in the mire of the streets in the battle: and they shall fight, because the LORD is with them, and the riders on horses shall be confounded.
6And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them again to place them; for I have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I am the LORD their God, and will hear them.
7And they of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man, and their heart shall rejoice as through wine: yea, their children shall see it, and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in the LORD.
8I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them: and they shall increase as they have increased.
9And I will sow them among the people: and they shall remember me in far countries; and they shall live with their children, and turn again.
10I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Assyria; and I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon; and place shall not be found for them.
11And he shall pass through the sea with affliction, and shall smite the waves in the sea, and all the deeps of the river shall dry up: and the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, and the sceptre of Egypt shall depart away.
12And I will strengthen them in the LORD; and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith the LORD.
1Ask ye of Jehovah rain in the time of the latter rain, [even of] Jehovah that maketh lightnings; and he will give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.
2For the teraphim have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie; and they have told false dreams, they comfort in vain: therefore they go their way like sheep, they are afflicted, because there is no shepherd.
3Mine anger is kindled against the shepherds, and I will punish the he-goats; for Jehovah of hosts hath visited his flock, the house of Judah, and will make them as his goodly horse in the battle.
4From him shall come forth the corner-stone, from him the nail, from him the battle bow, from him every ruler together.
5And they shall be as mighty men, treading down [their enemies] in the mire of the streets in the battle; and they shall fight, because Jehovah is with them; and the riders on horses shall be confounded.
6And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them back; for I have mercy upon them; and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I am Jehovah their God, and I will hear them.
7And [they of] Ephraim shall be like a mighty man, and their heart shall rejoice as through wine; yea, their children shall see it, and rejoice; their heart shall be glad in Jehovah.
8I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them; and they shall increase as they have increased.
9And I will sow them among the peoples; and they shall remember me in far countries; and they shall live with their children, and shall return.
10I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Assyria; and I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon; and [place] shall not be found for them.
11And he will pass through the sea of affliction, and will smite the waves in the sea, and all the depths of the Nile shall dry up; and the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, and the sceptre of Egypt shall depart.
12And I will strengthen them in Jehovah; and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith Jehovah.
1Ask the Lord for rain in the season of the late spring rains—the Lord who causes thunderstorms—and he will give everyone showers of rain and green growth in the field.
2For the household gods have spoken wickedness, the soothsayers have seen a lie, and the dreamers have disclosed emptiness and give comfort in vain. Therefore the people set out like sheep and become scattered because they have no shepherd.
3“I am enraged at the shepherds and will punish the lead goats.“For the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has brought blessing to his flock, the house of Judah, and will transform them into his majestic warhorse.
4From him will come the cornerstone, the wall peg, the battle bow, and every ruler.
5And they will be like warriors trampling the mud of the streets in battle. They will fight, for the Lord will be with them, and will defeat the enemy cavalry.
6“I (says the Lord) will strengthen the kingdom of Judah and deliver the people of Joseph and will bring them back because of my compassion for them. They will be as though I had never rejected them, for I am the Lord their God, and therefore I will hear them.
7The Ephraimites will be like warriors and will rejoice as if they had drunk wine. Their children will see it and rejoice; they will celebrate in the things of the Lord.
8I will signal for them and gather them, for I have already redeemed them; then they will become as numerous as they were before.
9Though I scatter them among the nations, they will remember in far-off places—they and their children will survive and return.
10I will bring them back from Egypt and gather them from Assyria. I will bring them to the lands of Gilead and Lebanon, and there will not be enough room for them.
11The Lord will cross the sea of storms and will calm its turbulence. The depths of the Nile will dry up, the pride of Assyria will be humbled, and the domination of Egypt will be no more.
12Thus I will strengthen them by my power, and they will walk about in my name,” says the Lord.
1Ask of Yahweh rain in the spring time, Yahweh who makes storm clouds, and he gives rain showers to everyone for the plants in the field.
2For the teraphim have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie; and they have told false dreams. They comfort in vain. Therefore they go their way like sheep. They are oppressed, because there is no shepherd.
3My anger is kindled against the shepherds, and I will punish the male goats; For Yahweh of Armies has visited his flock, the house of Judah, and will make them as his majestic horse in the battle.
4From him will come the cornerstone, from him the nail, from him the battle bow, from him every ruler together.
5They shall be as mighty men, treading down muddy streets in the battle; and they shall fight, because Yahweh is with them; and the riders on horses will be confounded.
6“I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them back; for I have mercy on them; and they will be as though I had not cast them off: for I am Yahweh their God, and I will hear them.
7Ephraim will be like a mighty man, and their heart will rejoice as through wine; yes, their children will see it, and rejoice. Their heart will be glad in Yahweh.
8I will signal for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them; and they will increase as they have increased.
9I will sow them among the peoples; and they will remember me in far countries; and they will live with their children, and will return.
10I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Assyria; and I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon; and there won’t be room enough for them.
11He will pass through the sea of affliction, and will strike the waves in the sea, and all the depths of the Nile will dry up; and the pride of Assyria will be brought down, and the scepter of Egypt will depart.
12I will strengthen them in Yahweh; and they will walk up and down in his name,” says Yahweh.
Summary
God promises to strengthen Judah and save Ephraim, gathering His scattered people from among the nations — they will be as mighty as before, and He will whistle for them and redeem them.
Authorship & Background
- Ask the LORD for Rain, Not Idols (vv.1-2)
- God's Anger Against the Shepherds (v.3)
- From Judah: Cornerstone, Tent Peg, Battle Bow (v.4)
- Mighty Warriors Because the LORD is With Them (v.5)
- The Full Restoration of Judah and Ephraim (vv.6-7)
- God Whistles for His Scattered People (vv.8-10)
- The Sea of Trouble Parted (v.11)
- Strengthened and Walking in His Name (v.12)
Map & Geography
- Egypt (v.10, v.11): Land to the southwest; place of Israel's bondage and exodus.
- Assyria (v.10, v.11): Empire to the northeast that conquered the northern kingdom of Israel (722 BC).
- Lebanon (v.10): Region north of Israel known for its cedar forests.
- Gilead (v.10): Mountainous region east of the Jordan River.
Videos
The Bible Project — Zechariah Overview (Video)
Animated overview of the book of Zechariah showing the literary structure, key themes, and how this book fits into the larger biblical narrative. Excellent visual introduction.
Reflection
- 1. "Ask the LORD for rain" (v.1). Whatever you need — provision, guidance, refreshing — go to GOD first, not substitutes. Not horoscopes, not self-help, not worry. Ask the LORD. He makes the storm clouds. He gives the showers. He alone.
- 2. Bad leadership causes wandering (v.2). If you are in a place of spiritual confusion or wandering, consider: who are you following? False shepherds produce scattered sheep. Seek leaders who point to Christ, not to themselves.
- 3. Christ is your cornerstone, tent peg, and battle bow (v.4). He gives you alignment (cornerstone — you know which way to build). He gives stability (tent peg — you won't collapse). He gives victory (battle bow — you can overcome). Everything you need comes "from Him."
- 4. "As though I had not cast them off" (v.6). God's grace doesn't just forgive — it ERASES the shame. You are not a "recovering sinner" forever marked by failure. In God's eyes, you are restored so completely it's as if the rejection never happened. Stop carrying shame God has already removed.
- 5. God whistles for you (v.8). When you are scattered and far away, God doesn't shout in anger — He whistles. A familiar, tender call that you recognize. Listen for His whistle today. He is calling you home.