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Zechariah 12:2

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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.

Behold, I will make {H7760} Jerusalem {H3389} a cup {H5592} of trembling {H7478} unto all the people {H5971} round about {H5439}, when they shall be in the siege {H4692} both against Judah {H3063} and against Jerusalem {H3389}.

"I will make Yerushalayim a cup that will stagger the surrounding peoples. Even Y'hudah will be caught up in the siege against Yerushalayim.

“Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples. Judah will be besieged, as well as Jerusalem.

Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of reeling unto all the peoples round about, and upon Judah also shall it be in the siege against Jerusalem.

Commentary

Context of Zechariah 12:2

Zechariah 12 is a pivotal chapter within the prophetic book of Zechariah, focusing on the future of Jerusalem and Judah, particularly in what is often understood as the "Day of the Lord" or the end times. The prophet Zechariah, a contemporary of Haggai, delivered messages of encouragement and hope to the returned exiles in Judah, urging them to rebuild the Temple. However, much of his prophecy extends beyond his immediate historical context to describe God's ultimate plans for Israel and the nations, culminating in the establishment of His kingdom.

Verse 2 introduces a dramatic scenario where Jerusalem becomes a focal point of international conflict. This prophecy describes a future period when hostile nations will gather against God's chosen city, but their aggression will ironically lead to their own downfall. It sets the stage for divine intervention and the ultimate vindication of Jerusalem.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty Over Nations: The verse clearly states, "Behold, I will make Jerusalem..." emphasizing God's active role in shaping geopolitical events. He is not a passive observer but the orchestrator of history, even amidst human conflict.
  • Jerusalem as a Stumbling Block: The phrase "a cup of trembling" signifies that Jerusalem will become a source of confusion, staggering, and ultimate defeat for those who oppose it. It's a metaphor for divine judgment, where the very act of attacking Jerusalem will cause the attackers to reel and stumble, as if intoxicated by a potent, disorienting draught. This imagery is also seen in Isaiah 51:17.
  • Future Siege and Divine Protection: The prophecy foretells a time when "all the people round about" (surrounding nations) will lay siege "both against Judah [and] against Jerusalem." This points to a massive, coordinated assault. Yet, the divine declaration implies that this siege will not succeed in destroying Jerusalem but rather serve as a catalyst for God's powerful intervention and protection of His people.
  • Eschatological Conflict: This verse, along with the rest of Zechariah 12-14, speaks to significant end-time events concerning Israel, the nations, and the ultimate triumph of God's purposes. It highlights a climactic confrontation where God's faithfulness to His covenant people will be undeniably demonstrated.

Linguistic Insights

The key phrase "cup of trembling" in Hebrew is kos ra'al (כּוֹס רַעַל). The word kos means "cup," and ra'al means "trembling," "staggering," or "reeling." This imagery powerfully conveys a state of disorientation, weakness, and impending judgment. It suggests that the nations attacking Jerusalem will be overwhelmed and incapacitated by their own aggression, as if they have drunk a potent, intoxicating, and ultimately debilitating potion. The "trembling" refers to the physical and mental instability that precedes collapse or defeat.

Related Scriptures

Practical Application

Zechariah 12:2 offers profound reassurance and a sober warning. For believers, it underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises, particularly His commitment to Israel and His ultimate plan for Jerusalem. Even when circumstances appear dire and hostile forces gather, God remains in control, turning the schemes of His adversaries back on themselves. This verse reminds us that God's purposes will prevail, and His people are ultimately secure under His divine protection.

For those who oppose God's plans or His people, this prophecy serves as a stark warning: attempting to thwart divine will leads to self-destruction. In a broader sense, it encourages us to trust in God's sovereignty even when global events seem chaotic, knowing that He is working all things according to His perfect will, leading to the ultimate establishment of His righteous kingdom.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Zechariah 14:14 (5 votes)

    And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the heathen round about shall be gathered together, gold, and silver, and apparel, in great abundance.

  • Psalms 75:8 (4 votes)

    For in the hand of the LORD [there is] a cup, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture; and he poureth out of the same: but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring [them] out, [and] drink [them].

  • Isaiah 51:22 (4 votes)

    Thus saith thy Lord the LORD, and thy God [that] pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, [even] the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again:

  • Isaiah 51:23 (4 votes)

    But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee; which have said to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over: and thou hast laid thy body as the ground, and as the street, to them that went over.

  • Isaiah 51:17 (3 votes)

    ¶ Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of the LORD the cup of his fury; thou hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling, [and] wrung [them] out.

  • Jeremiah 25:15 (2 votes)

    ¶ For thus saith the LORD God of Israel unto me; Take the wine cup of this fury at my hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send thee, to drink it.

  • Jeremiah 49:12 (2 votes)

    For thus saith the LORD; Behold, they whose judgment [was] not to drink of the cup have assuredly drunken; and [art] thou he [that] shall altogether go unpunished? thou shalt not go unpunished, but thou shalt surely drink [of it].