Zechariah 10:9

And I will sow them among the people: and they shall remember me in far countries; and they shall live with their children, and turn again.

And I will sow {H2232} them among the people {H5971}: and they shall remember {H2142} me in far countries {H4801}; and they shall live {H2421} with their children {H1121}, and turn again {H7725}.

and I will sow them among the peoples. In distant lands they will remember me; they will rear their children and then return.

Though I sow them among the nations,they will remember Me in distant lands;they and their childrenwill live and return.

And I will sow them among the peoples; and they shall remember me in far countries; and they shall live with their children, and shall return.

Commentary

Zechariah 10:9 offers a profound prophetic word concerning the future of God's people, particularly the nation of Israel. It speaks to a period of dispersion, divine preservation, and eventual restoration, highlighting God's steadfast commitment to His covenant.

Context

Chapter 10 of Zechariah is part of a larger section (chapters 9-14) that shifts focus from the immediate post-exilic period to future messianic and eschatological themes. This chapter specifically contrasts the false shepherds who have led the people astray with the Lord Himself, who promises to be the true Shepherd and deliverer. Verses 6-12 outline a future ingathering and strengthening of Judah and Ephraim (representing the whole of Israel), bringing them back from the lands of their dispersion. Verse 9 specifically describes the means and purpose of this dispersion and the condition of the people within it.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty in Dispersion and Preservation: The phrase "And I will sow them among the people" indicates that Israel's dispersion throughout history (e.g., the Assyrian and Babylonian exiles, and later the Roman diaspora) was not random but a sovereign act of God. The word "sow" (Hebrew: zara) implies purposeful planting, suggesting that even in scattering, there is a divine intention and a future harvest. Despite being scattered, God promises their preservation, ensuring their survival even in "far countries." This echoes God's promise to gather His scattered people.
  • Remembrance and Repentance: "and they shall remember me in far countries; and they shall ... turn again." This highlights a crucial spiritual aspect of their journey. Even amidst foreign cultures and difficult circumstances, the people would recall their covenant relationship with God. This remembrance is not passive but active, leading to a powerful turning back to Him. The term "turn again" (Hebrew: shuv) is a foundational biblical concept signifying repentance, a change of heart and direction, and a return to God's ways, often preceding a physical return to the land. This theme resonates with calls to return to the Lord with repentance.
  • Continuity and Future Hope: "and they shall live with their children." This promise assures the continuation of the family line and the survival of the nation through generations, even during periods of exile. It underscores God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, ensuring that His people would not be utterly consumed but would endure, preserving their identity and hope for future restoration.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew verb for "sow" (Χ–Χ¨Χ’, zara) carries the connotation of planting seeds, which can scatter them widely but also implies intentional placement for future growth. This suggests that even in their dispersion, there was a divine purpose for their eventual flourishing. The phrase "turn again" comes from the verb Χ©Χ•Χ‘ (shuv), a rich term in Hebrew scripture meaning to repent, return, or turn back. It signifies a profound spiritual and often physical reversal, emphasizing the people's renewed commitment to God.

Practical Application

Zechariah 10:9 offers enduring hope and insight for believers today. It reminds us that even when we feel scattered, displaced, or far from God, His hand is still sovereign. We are called to "remember" Him, actively recalling His faithfulness and His Word, which should lead us to "turn again" to Him in repentance and renewed devotion. This verse also speaks to the enduring nature of God's promises across generations, assuring us that His covenant love extends to our children and future descendants, providing continuity and hope even in challenging times.

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

Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 6:9

    And they that escape of you shall remember me among the nations whither they shall be carried captives, because I am broken with their whorish heart, which hath departed from me, and with their eyes, which go a whoring after their idols: and they shall lothe themselves for the evils which they have committed in all their abominations.

  • Jeremiah 31:27

    ΒΆ 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.

  • Isaiah 65:23

    They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they [are] the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them.

  • Esther 8:17

    And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.

  • 1 Kings 8:47

    [Yet] if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they were carried captives, and repent, and make supplication unto thee in the land of them that carried them captives, saying, We have sinned, and have done perversely, we have committed wickedness;

  • 1 Kings 8:48

    And [so] return unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, which led them away captive, and pray unto thee toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name:

  • Micah 5:7

    ΒΆ And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the LORD, as the showers upon the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men.
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