Zechariah 2:4

And said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited [as] towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein:

And said {H559} unto him, Run {H7323}, speak {H1696} to this {H1975} young man {H5288}, saying {H559}, Jerusalem {H3389} shall be inhabited {H3427} as towns without walls {H6519} for the multitude {H7230} of men {H120} and cattle {H929} therein {H8432}:

and said to him, "Run and tell this young man, 'Yerushalayim will be inhabited without walls, because there will be so many people and animals;

and said to him, “Run and tell that young man: ‘Jerusalem will be a city without walls because of the multitude of men and livestock within it.

and said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as villages without walls, by reason of the multitude of men and cattle therein.

Commentary

Zechariah 2:4 presents a vivid prophetic vision of Jerusalem's future, delivered to the prophet Zechariah during the post-exilic period. This verse is part of a series of night visions granted to Zechariah, aiming to encourage the Jewish exiles who had returned from Babylon to rebuild the temple and the city. The context is one of rebuilding and hope after devastation.

Context

The prophet Zechariah ministered alongside Haggai, urging the returned exiles to complete the rebuilding of the Second Temple. In the preceding verses of Zechariah 2, a man with a measuring line appears, seemingly intending to measure and wall off Jerusalem. However, the angel's message in verse 4 supersedes this, revealing a divine plan far grander than any human construction could contain. This vision follows those of the four horns and four carpenters (Zechariah 1:18-21), which symbolized God's judgment against the nations that scattered Judah.

Key Themes

  • Abundant Growth and Prosperity: The phrase "Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein" speaks to an unprecedented population boom and economic flourishing. The city will expand beyond its traditional boundaries, resembling sprawling, unwalled settlements due to its sheer size and prosperity.
  • Divine Protection: The absence of walls, which were crucial for ancient city defense, profoundly signifies God's direct protection. Instead of relying on physical barriers, Jerusalem's security will be guaranteed by the Lord Himself. This theme is further emphasized in the very next verse, Zechariah 2:5, where God declares He will be "a wall of fire round about" her.
  • Restoration and Hope: For the weary exiles who had returned to a desolate land and faced opposition in rebuilding, this prophecy offered immense hope. It painted a picture of a glorious future, far exceeding their immediate struggles, promising a complete and overflowing restoration of their homeland.
  • Messianic Foreshadowing: While immediately applicable to the post-exilic return, many commentators see in this vision a foreshadowing of the ultimate, spiritual, and physical expansion of God's kingdom, culminating in the new heavens and new earth where the New Jerusalem will be a place of boundless life and God's presence (Revelation 21:2-3).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "without walls" is prazot (פְּרָזוֹת), which literally means "open country," "unwalled places," or "villages." It conveys the idea of a city that has grown so large that it has spilled out into the surrounding countryside, becoming too vast to be contained by conventional defenses. This highlights not a lack of security, but a superabundance of inhabitants and divine security that renders physical walls unnecessary.

Practical Application

Zechariah 2:4 offers enduring lessons for believers today:

  • Trust in God's Provision: Just as God promised an overflowing future for Jerusalem, He provides for His people. We are encouraged to trust in His boundless provision, even when circumstances seem limited.
  • Reliance on Divine Protection: This verse reminds us that true security comes from God, not from human efforts or fortifications. When we feel vulnerable, we can rest in the assurance that the Lord is our refuge and strength.
  • Hope Beyond Present Circumstances: For those facing challenges or spiritual desolation, Zechariah's message is one of hope. God's plans are often far grander than our immediate perceptions, and He promises a future of growth and blessing for His church and His people.
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 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 1:17 (6 votes)

    Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the LORD shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem.

  • Ezekiel 38:11 (4 votes)

    And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates,

  • Jeremiah 33:22 (4 votes)

    As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured: so will I multiply the seed of David my servant, and the Levites that minister unto me.

  • Micah 7:11 (4 votes)

    [In] the day that thy walls are to be built, [in] that day shall the decree be far removed.

  • Jeremiah 31:27 (3 votes)

    ¶ Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man, and with the seed of beast.

  • Ezekiel 36:10 (3 votes)

    And I will multiply men upon you, all the house of Israel, [even] all of it: and the cities shall be inhabited, and the wastes shall be builded:

  • Ezekiel 36:11 (3 votes)

    And I will multiply upon you man and beast; and they shall increase and bring fruit: and I will settle you after your old estates, and will do better [unto you] than at your beginnings: and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.