Zechariah 1:14

So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy.

So the angel {H4397} that communed {H1696} with me said {H559} unto me, Cry {H7121} thou, saying {H559}, Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635}; I am jealous {H7065} for Jerusalem {H3389} and for Zion {H6726} with a great {H1419} jealousy {H7068}.

The angel speaking with me then said to me, "Here is what ADONAITzva'ot says: 'I am extremely jealous on behalf of Yerushalayim and Tziyon;

Then the angel who was speaking with me said, “Proclaim this word: This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘I am very jealous for Jerusalem and Zion,

So the angel that talked with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith Jehovah of hosts: I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy.

Commentary on Zechariah 1:14 (KJV)

Zechariah 1:14 reveals a profound declaration from God through His angel, emphasizing His passionate commitment to Jerusalem and Zion. This verse serves as a powerful message of divine assurance to the returning exiles.

Context

The prophet Zechariah ministered to the Jewish people who had returned from seventy years of Babylonian captivity, as prophesied by Jeremiah 29:10. They were in the process of rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem, a task fraught with difficulties, opposition, and a sense of discouragement. The visions recorded in Zechariah’s early chapters, including this one, were intended to encourage the people, remind them of God's enduring covenant, and assure them of His active presence and future plans for their city and nation.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Jealousy and Zeal: The phrase "I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy" signifies God's intense, protective love and fierce commitment. This isn't human envy, but a righteous indignation against anything that harms His people or His holy city, and a zealous determination to fulfill His promises concerning them. It speaks to God's deep affection and proprietary claim over His chosen people and land.
  • God's Sovereignty: The title "the LORD of hosts" (Hebrew: YHWH Sabaoth) underscores God's absolute power and authority over all heavenly and earthly armies, forces, and events. It reminds the struggling rebuilders that the Sovereign Creator is on their side, capable of overcoming all obstacles.
  • Assurance of Restoration: Despite the past judgment of exile and the current challenges, God’s declaration of jealousy signifies His unwavering intention to restore Jerusalem to glory and prosperity. It is a promise that His covenant with His people remains intact and will ultimately be fulfilled.
  • God's Active Involvement: The angel's message reveals God's direct and personal engagement with the affairs of His people. He is not distant but intimately concerned with their well-being and the destiny of their sacred places.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "jealousy" here is qin'ah (קִנְאָה), which conveys a strong sense of zeal, passion, or indignation. When applied to God, as seen in Exodus 34:14 ("for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God"), it describes His righteous insistence on exclusive devotion from His people and His fervent commitment to His own honor and covenant promises. It is a holy passion that drives Him to protect and vindicate what is His.

Practical Application

This verse offers profound encouragement for believers today. It reminds us that:

  • God's commitment to His people is unwavering. Even when we face trials or feel discouraged, God's passionate love and protective zeal for His own remain.
  • His plans for us and His kingdom are certain to come to pass, despite any opposition or delays. Just as He was faithful to restore Jerusalem, He is faithful to complete the work He began in us (Philippians 1:6).
  • We can trust in the "LORD of hosts" to fight for us and to bring about His purposes in our lives and in the world.

The divine jealousy expressed here is a source of hope and security, assuring us that God is actively involved in our lives and passionately dedicated to our ultimate good and the fulfillment of His promises.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Joel 2:18

    ¶ Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people.

  • Zechariah 1:9

    Then said I, O my lord, what [are] these? And the angel that talked with me said unto me, I will shew thee what these [be].

  • Zechariah 1:17

    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.

  • Isaiah 40:1

    ¶ Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.

  • Isaiah 40:6

    The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh [is] grass, and all the goodliness thereof [is] as the flower of the field:

  • Isaiah 42:13

    ¶ The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies.

  • Isaiah 9:7

    Of the increase of [his] government and peace [there shall be] no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

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