Zechariah 10:8

KJV

I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them: and they shall increase as they have increased.

KJV (with Strong's)

I will hiss {H8319} for them, and gather {H6908} them; for I have redeemed {H6299} them: and they shall increase {H7235} as they have increased {H7235}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"I will whistle for them and gather them, because I have redeemed them; they will be as numerous as they were before;

Berean Standard Bible

I will whistle for them to gather,for I have redeemed them;and they will be as numerousas they once were.

American Standard Version

I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them; and they shall increase as they have increased.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Zechariah 10:8 powerfully portrays God's sovereign initiative in the restoration of His people, promising a divine summons and a miraculous regathering rooted in His past acts of redemption. This verse anticipates a future of abundant increase and flourishing for the scattered remnant of Israel, underscoring the Lord's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises and His active role as their Shepherd and Redeemer.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Zechariah 10 marks a significant shift in the book, moving from the symbolic visions of chapters 1-6 and the prophetic burdens concerning fasting and true worship in chapters 7-8, to a more direct prophetic oracle. This chapter serves as a bridge, transitioning from the immediate post-exilic concerns to broader eschatological hopes for Israel's future. It opens with a call to seek the Lord for rain (blessing) rather than relying on false gods or diviners, directly contrasting the true source of provision with deceptive alternatives. The subsequent verses (Zechariah 10:2-3) condemn the "shepherds" (leaders) who have led the flock astray, setting the stage for God's personal intervention as the true Shepherd. Verse 8, therefore, is a pivotal declaration of God's direct action to reclaim, gather, and multiply His people after the failures of human leadership.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy of Zechariah was delivered to the Jewish community that had returned from Babylonian exile, a period marked by rebuilding the temple and re-establishing their national and religious identity. While a remnant had returned, many Jews remained dispersed throughout the Persian Empire and beyond. The historical reality was one of diminished numbers, vulnerability, and a longing for the glorious past. Culturally, the imagery of a shepherd and flock was deeply resonant, representing the relationship between leaders and their people, and especially between God and Israel. The concept of God "hissing" or whistling to summon His people would have evoked the familiar practice of a shepherd calling his sheep or a beekeeper calling his bees, signifying a swift, decisive, and effective summons. The "gathering" promised here would have been understood in light of the previous exiles and the yearning for a complete return to the promised land.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Zechariah and the broader prophetic corpus. Firstly, it highlights **God's unwavering covenant faithfulness**, demonstrating His commitment to His people despite their failures and dispersion, echoing promises found in [Deuteronomy 30:3-5](/deuteronomy/30-3-5 "Deuteronomy 30:3-5 - God's Promise of Restoration"). Secondly, the theme of **divine restoration and regathering** is prominent, emphasizing God's active role in bringing His scattered flock back to their homeland, as also prophesied in [Jeremiah 23:3](/jeremiah/23-3 "Jeremiah 23:3 - God Gathers the Remnant"). Thirdly, it underscores **God's sovereign power and authority** as the ultimate Shepherd, contrasting His effective leadership with the failures of human "shepherds" (Zechariah 10:2-3). Finally, the promise of **supernatural increase and blessing** points to a future of prosperity and flourishing, reminiscent of the rapid growth of Israel in Egypt before the Exodus, as described in [Exodus 1:7](/exodus/1-7 "Exodus 1:7 - Israel's Multiplication in Egypt").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hiss (Hebrew, _shâraq'_):** This primitive root properly means "to be shrill," implying to whistle or hiss, which can be used as a call or in scorn. In Zechariah 10:8, the context dictates a positive, authoritative summons, akin to a shepherd calling his flock or a master summoning servants. It conveys the swiftness, ease, and effectiveness with which God will gather His people. It is not a sound of derision, but of divine command and attraction.
* **Gather (Hebrew, _qâbats'_):** A primitive root meaning "to grasp," hence to collect or assemble. This word emphasizes God's active role in bringing together those who are dispersed. It speaks to a comprehensive and intentional collection, implying that no one will be left behind whom God intends to gather. The act of gathering is a direct consequence of the divine "hiss" or summons.
* **Redeemed (Hebrew, _pâdâh'_):** This primitive root means "to sever," which leads to the broader meaning of ransoming, releasing, or preserving. It signifies an act of deliverance from bondage, danger, or a state of being lost. The past tense "I have redeemed them" grounds God's future actions in His historical faithfulness, particularly His deliverance of Israel from Egypt (Exodus) and Babylon (Exile). This redemption is the fundamental basis and motivation for His ongoing work of gathering and increasing His people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I will hiss for them, and gather them":** This opening clause declares God's decisive and personal intervention. The "hiss" (or whistle) signifies a swift, compelling, and irresistible summons from God, indicating His sovereign power to call His scattered people from wherever they may be. This is followed by the active "gather," emphasizing the physical and spiritual restoration of the dispersed remnant back to their land and to Himself. It highlights God's initiative and the certainty of His purpose.
* **"for I have redeemed them":** This phrase provides the foundational reason and motivation for God's actions. The past perfect tense ("I have redeemed") points to God's prior acts of deliverance, particularly the Exodus from Egypt and the return from Babylonian exile, as the basis for His continued faithfulness. God's covenant relationship with His people, established through His redemptive acts, guarantees His ongoing commitment to their welfare and restoration. His past redemption is the pledge of future blessing.
* **"and they shall increase as they have increased":** This final clause promises a future of abundant growth and prosperity. The repetition of "increase" (Hebrew _râbâh_) emphasizes the certainty and magnitude of this blessing. It implies a return to, and even surpassing of, the rapid population growth and flourishing experienced by Israel in their most prosperous periods, such as their multiplication in Egypt before the Exodus or during the time of the united monarchy. This signifies not just numerical growth, but overall flourishing and blessing under God's direct care.

#### Literary Devices
Zechariah 10:8 employs several powerful literary devices. **Imagery** is central, particularly the vivid picture of God "hissing" or whistling to summon His people, akin to a shepherd calling his flock or a beekeeper calling his bees. This evokes a sense of immediate, personal, and effective divine action. The **Metaphor** of God as a shepherd gathering His flock is implicit, reinforcing His tender care and authoritative control over His people. **Repetition** is used effectively with the phrase "as they have increased," which serves to emphasize the certainty and magnitude of the promised growth. This is not merely a wish but a divine decree that will mirror or even exceed past periods of prosperity. Finally, the entire verse is a declaration of **Divine Speech**, marked by the first-person pronoun "I will," underscoring God's direct involvement, sovereign will, and unwavering commitment to His people's restoration.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Zechariah 10:8 is a profound declaration of God's enduring covenant faithfulness and His active role in the restoration of His people. It articulates the theological truth that God's redemptive work is not a one-time event but an ongoing process rooted in His character and past acts of deliverance. The divine "hiss" and gathering signify a new exodus, a spiritual and physical return from dispersion, driven by God's prior redemption. This verse assures believers that even when scattered, diminished, or seemingly forgotten, God remains intimately involved in their lives, possessing the power and will to call them back, restore them, and cause them to flourish beyond their former state. It speaks to the hope of a comprehensive restoration, not just of a physical land, but of a people renewed in their relationship with their Redeemer.

* [Isaiah 11:12](/isaiah/11-12 "Isaiah 11:12 - God Gathers the Dispersed of Judah and Israel")
* [Jeremiah 31:10](/jeremiah/31-10 "Jeremiah 31:10 - The Lord Will Gather Israel")
* [Ezekiel 36:24](/ezekiel/36-24 "Ezekiel 36:24 - God Gathers Israel from the Nations")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Zechariah 10:8 offers immense comfort and profound encouragement for believers today, reminding us that our God is a God of active intervention and faithful restoration. In moments of personal scattering—whether due to sin, doubt, suffering, or feeling lost and disconnected—this verse assures us that God knows exactly where we are and possesses the sovereign power to call us back to Himself. His past redemptive work in our lives, culminating in the sacrifice of Christ, is the guarantee of His continued commitment to our well-being and flourishing. We are called to trust in His ability to gather us, restore what has been diminished, and cause us to increase in spiritual fruitfulness and impact. This passage encourages us to look beyond present difficulties to the certain hope of God's redemptive purposes unfolding in our lives and in the global body of Christ, knowing that He will faithfully complete the work He began.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel "scattered" or diminished, and how does the promise of God's active "hiss" and gathering bring you hope?**
* **How does God's past redemption in your life (e.g., salvation, specific deliverances) serve as a foundation for trusting Him with your future restoration and increase?**
* **What might it look like for you, or your community, to "increase as they have increased" in a spiritual sense, and how can you cooperate with God's work in this regard?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of God "hissing" for His people in this verse?**

Answer: The word "hiss" (Hebrew _shâraq_) here does not carry a negative connotation of scorn or derision, as it might in other contexts (e.g., [Jeremiah 19:8](/jeremiah/19-8 "Jeremiah 19:8 - A Hiss of Horror and Scorn")). Instead, it signifies a swift, decisive, and compelling summons. It's akin to a shepherd whistling to call his flock, a beekeeper summoning his bees, or a master calling his servants. It emphasizes God's sovereign authority and the ease and certainty with which He will gather His dispersed people. It's a powerful, attractive call that ensures their return.

**Who are "them" that God promises to gather and increase?**

Answer: In its immediate context, "them" refers to the scattered remnant of Judah and Israel, the descendants of Jacob who were dispersed due to various exiles and historical events. Zechariah's prophecy looks forward to a comprehensive regathering of all God's people from the lands where they were scattered, particularly from Assyria and Egypt, as mentioned in [Zechariah 10:10-11](/zechariah/10-10-11 "Zechariah 10:10-11 - God Gathers His People from Distant Lands"). Ultimately, in a broader theological sense, this promise extends to all of God's people, both Jew and Gentile, who are gathered into His fold through Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Zechariah 10:8 finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the true Shepherd who "hisses" and gathers His flock. While the immediate prophecy concerned the physical restoration of Israel, its deepest spiritual reality is realized in the New Covenant. Jesus Himself declares, "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me" ([John 10:14](/john/10-14 "John 10:14 - Jesus, the Good Shepherd")). He is the one who, through His life, death, and resurrection, has "redeemed" His people, not with silver or gold, but with His precious blood ([1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18-19 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redeemed by the Blood of Christ")). His redemptive work on the cross is the ultimate basis for the gathering of God's scattered children, both from Israel and from every nation, tribe, and tongue ([John 11:51-52](/john/11-51-52 "John 11:51-52 - Jesus Dies to Gather God's Scattered Children")). The "increase" promised in Zechariah 10:8 is seen in the rapid growth of the early church and the ongoing expansion of God's kingdom throughout the world, as believers are added daily to the number of the redeemed ([Acts 2:47](/acts/2-47 "Acts 2:47 - The Lord Adds to Their Number Daily")). Thus, Christ is the divine Caller, the ultimate Redeemer, and the one through whom God's people are gathered and supernaturally increased, fulfilling the prophetic vision of Zechariah.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 5:26

And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth: and, behold, they shall come with speed swiftly:

Isaiah 7:18

And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] the LORD shall hiss for the fly that [is] in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that [is] in the land of Assyria.

Jeremiah 33:22

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.

Jeremiah 31:10

¶ Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare [it] in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd [doth] his flock.

Jeremiah 31:11

For the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of [him that was] stronger than he.

Ezekiel 36:10

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

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.