Zechariah 8:8

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.

Complete Jewish Bible:

I will bring them back, and they will live in Yerushalayim. They will be my people; and I will be their God, with faithfulness and justice.'

Berean Standard Bible:

I will bring them back to dwell in Jerusalem, where they will be My people, and I will be their faithful and righteous God.”

American Standard Version:

and I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem; and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And I will bring^{H935} them, and they shall dwell^{H7931} in the midst^{H8432} of Jerusalem^{H3389}: and they shall be my people^{H5971}, and I will be their God^{H430}, in truth^{H571} and in righteousness^{H6666}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Zechariah 8:8

Zechariah 8:8 is a verse that speaks to the restoration of Jerusalem and the return of the Israelites from exile. This prophecy is part of a larger section in the book of Zechariah that offers hope and encouragement to the exiled Jews, promising them a future of prosperity and peace in their homeland. The historical context of this verse is set after the Babylonian exile, when the Persian Empire allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their city and the Temple, which had been destroyed.

The themes of Zechariah 8:8 include the covenant relationship between God and His people, the promise of a renewed community in Jerusalem, and the assurance of God's presence and faithfulness. The verse emphasizes the mutual commitment between God and the Israelites: "they shall be my people, and I will be their God." This reflects the covenantal language used throughout the Old Testament, harking back to the promises made to the patriarchs and reiterated throughout Israel's history.

The phrase "in truth and in righteousness" suggests a restoration not only of the physical presence of the people in Jerusalem but also of the moral and spiritual integrity of their relationship with God. It implies that the returned exiles will live in accordance with God's laws and teachings, and that their worship and community life will be genuine and just.

In summary, Zechariah 8:8 is a message of hope and restoration, promising the return of the Israelites to Jerusalem, where they will live in a renewed covenant relationship with God, characterized by truth and righteousness. This verse reflects the broader biblical theme of God's steadfast love and commitment to His people, offering them forgiveness, restoration, and a future filled with His presence and blessings.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H935
   There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בּוֹא
   Transliteration: bôwʼ
   Pronunciation: bo
   Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way.
   
2. Strong's Number: H7931
   There are 123 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁכַן
   Transliteration: shâkan
   Pronunciation: shaw-kan'
   Description: a primitive root (apparently akin (by transmission) to שָׁכַב through the idea of lodging; compare סִכְלוּת, שָׁכַם); to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively); abide, continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-er), have habitation, inhabit, lay, place, (cause to) remain, rest, set (up).
   
3. Strong's Number: H8432
   There are 390 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: תָּוֶךְ
   Transliteration: tâvek
   Pronunciation: taw'-vek
   Description: from an unused root meaning to sever; a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre; among(-st), [idiom] between, half, [idiom] (there-, where-), in(-to), middle, mid(-night), midst (among), [idiom] out (of), [idiom] through, [idiom] with(-in).
   
4. Strong's Number: H3389
   There are 600 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם
   Transliteration: Yᵉrûwshâlaim
   Pronunciation: yer-oo-shaw-lah'-im
   Description: rarely יְרוּשָׁלַיִם; a dual (in allusion to its two main hills (the true pointing, at least of the former reading, seems to be that of יְרוּשָׁלֵם)); probably from (the passive participle of) יָרָה and שָׁלַם; founded peaceful; Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine; Jerusalem.
   
5. Strong's Number: H5971
   There are 1654 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עַם
   Transliteration: ʻam
   Pronunciation: am
   Description: from עָמַם; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock; folk, men, nation, people.
   
6. Strong's Number: H430
   There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
   Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
   Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
   Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty.
   
7. Strong's Number: H571
   There are 395 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֶמֶת
   Transliteration: ʼemeth
   Pronunciation: eh'-meth
   Description: contracted from אָמַן; stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness; assured(-ly), establishment, faithful, right, sure, true (-ly, -th), verity.
   
8. Strong's Number: H6666
   There are 150 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: צְדָקָה
   Transliteration: tsᵉdâqâh
   Pronunciation: tsed-aw-kaw'
   Description: from צָדַק; rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity); justice, moderately, right(-eous) (act, -ly, -ness).