Zechariah 12:11

KJV

In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon.

KJV (with Strong's)

In that day {H3117} shall there be a great {H1431} mourning {H4553} in Jerusalem {H3389}, as the mourning {H4553} of Hadadrimmon {H1910} in the valley {H1237} of Megiddon {H4023}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When that day comes, there will be great mourning in Yerushalayim, mourning like that for Hadad-Rimmon in the Megiddo Valley.

Berean Standard Bible

On that day the wailing in Jerusalem will be as great as the wailing of Hadad-rimmon in the plain of Megiddo.

American Standard Version

In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Zechariah 12:11 prophesies a future, profound lamentation in Jerusalem, unparalleled in its intensity. This "great mourning" is vividly compared to the historical sorrow experienced at Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon, a site traditionally associated with deep national grief. The verse underscores the immense spiritual and emotional anguish that will accompany Israel's recognition of the Messiah they had previously rejected, signifying a pivotal moment of national repentance and restoration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Zechariah 12:11 is deeply embedded within a prophetic oracle concerning "that day"—a significant eschatological period of divine intervention. The preceding verses in [Zechariah 12:1-9](/zechariah/12-1-9 "Zechariah 12:1-9 - God's Protection of Jerusalem") describe God's miraculous defense of Jerusalem against all invading nations, portraying Judah and Jerusalem as an "impregnable cup" and a "heavy stone" that crushes their adversaries. This divine protection sets the stage for a profound spiritual transformation. Immediately prior to our verse, [Zechariah 12:10](/zechariah/12-10 "Zechariah 12:10 - Looking Upon Him Whom They Have Pierced") delivers a pivotal prophecy: "And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn." Verse 11 then amplifies the scale and depth of this mourning, using a historical analogy to convey its unparalleled magnitude. The mourning described in verse 11 is directly consequent to the national recognition and repentance prophesied in verse 10.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The comparison to "the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon" is a powerful historical allusion. Most scholars identify this event with the death of King Josiah at Megiddo, as recorded in [2 Kings 23:29-30](/2_kings/23-29-30 "2 Kings 23:29-30 - King Josiah's Death") and [2 Chronicles 35:20-25](/2_chronicles/35-20-25 "2 Chronicles 35:20-25 - Josiah's Final Battle and Mourning"). King Josiah was a righteous king, renowned for his religious reforms and faithfulness to the Lord. His untimely death in battle against Pharaoh Necho of Egypt around 609 BC was a catastrophic blow to Judah, plunging the nation into deep and widespread lamentation. The prophet Jeremiah composed a lament for Josiah ([2 Chronicles 35:25](/2_chronicles/35-25 "2 Chronicles 35:25 - Jeremiah's Lament for Josiah")), and the mourning became a proverbial expression of national sorrow. The "valley of Megiddon" (or Armageddon in its Greek form) was a strategically vital plain in northern Israel, a frequent battleground throughout history, making it a fitting backdrop for a scene of profound national tragedy. By referencing this specific historical event, Zechariah emphasizes that the future mourning will be as intense, widespread, and deeply felt as this unparalleled historical grief.
* **Key Themes:** The primary theme in Zechariah 12:11 is **Eschatological Mourning**. The phrase "In that day" consistently points to a future, decisive period of divine intervention, often associated with the end times and the second coming of the Messiah. The mourning described is not merely grief over loss but a deep spiritual lamentation and repentance. This leads to the theme of **National Repentance**, which is inextricably linked to Israel's future recognition of the Messiah they had previously rejected, as prophesied in [Zechariah 12:10](/zechariah/12-10 "Zechariah 12:10 - The Pierced One"). This profound sorrow signifies a national turning to God, acknowledging their past blindness and sin, and embracing their true King. Finally, the **Historical Allusion** to Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon serves as a powerful rhetorical device. It highlights the unparalleled depth and scale of the future mourning, drawing upon a collective memory of national tragedy to convey the intensity of the spiritual awakening that awaits Israel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **mourning (Hebrew, _miçpêd'_):** From the root _sâphad_, meaning to wail or lament. This term denotes a loud, often ritualistic lamentation, typically expressed through wailing, weeping, and other outward signs of profound grief. It signifies a deep, communal expression of sorrow, frequently associated with funerals or national calamities. In this context, it is a sorrow of the highest degree, implying a public and widespread display of anguish.
* **great (Hebrew, _gâdal'_):** A primitive root meaning to be (causatively make) large in various senses, including magnitude, importance, or intensity. When applied to "mourning," it emphasizes the immense scale, profound depth, and overwhelming nature of the sorrow. It suggests a lamentation that is not merely significant but truly monumental and unprecedented.
* **day (Hebrew, _yôwm'_):** From an unused root meaning to be hot, referring to a day as the warm hours. However, it is often used figuratively to denote a "space of time defined by an associated term." In prophetic literature, "in that day" is a crucial eschatological marker, pointing to a specific, future period of divine judgment, salvation, and transformation, often associated with the "Day of the Lord." Here, it signals a decisive, divinely appointed time in history.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem,"**: This opening clause sets the eschatological stage, pointing to a specific, future period ("that day") when a profound and widespread lamentation will grip the capital city of Jerusalem. The use of "great" (Hebrew _gâdal_) emphasizes the immense scale and intensity of this sorrow, suggesting it will be unlike any mourning previously experienced by the city. This mourning is directly linked to the spiritual awakening and recognition of the pierced Messiah prophesied in the preceding verse.
* **"as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon."**: This clause provides a powerful simile, comparing the future mourning in Jerusalem to a historical event of immense national sorrow. The "mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon" is widely understood to refer to the deep lamentation over the death of King Josiah. By drawing this parallel, Zechariah underscores that the future mourning will be of unparalleled depth, intensity, and national scope, echoing a collective memory of profound loss and grief. The comparison serves to convey the magnitude of the spiritual anguish and repentance that will characterize this future period.

#### Literary Devices
Zechariah 12:11 masterfully employs several **literary devices** to convey the profound nature of the prophesied mourning. The most prominent is **Simile**, explicitly stated by the word "as," comparing the future "great mourning in Jerusalem" to the historical "mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon." This comparison immediately conjures a powerful image of deep, national sorrow, leveraging a well-known historical tragedy to emphasize the unparalleled intensity of the coming lamentation. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Allusion**, specifically to the widely remembered death of King Josiah at Megiddo. This historical reference allows the prophet to communicate a depth of grief that words alone might struggle to convey, tapping into the collective memory and emotional experience of his audience. The use of "great mourning" also borders on **Hyperbole**, suggesting a lamentation so immense it surpasses ordinary grief, elevating it to a truly monumental and unprecedented event in Jerusalem's history.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Zechariah 12:11, in conjunction with 12:10, presents a profound theological truth: the future repentance and restoration of Israel will be marked by a deep, national mourning for the Messiah they pierced. This is not a sorrow of despair, but a godly grief that leads to salvation, born from the recognition of their sin and the identity of their rejected King. It highlights God's faithfulness to His covenant people, demonstrating that even after centuries of spiritual blindness, a day will come when a spirit of grace and supplication will lead them to a transformative encounter with their Savior. This mourning is an essential prelude to national spiritual renewal and the establishment of God's kingdom.
* [John 19:37](/john/19-37 "John 19:37 - Fulfillment of Zechariah 12:10")
* [Revelation 1:7](/revelation/1-7 "Revelation 1:7 - Every Eye Shall See Him")
* [Romans 11:25-27](/romans/11-25-27 "Romans 11:25-27 - All Israel Will Be Saved")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Zechariah 12:11 invites us to contemplate the profound nature of true repentance, both individually and corporately. The "great mourning" described is not merely an emotional outburst but a deep, spiritual sorrow over sin, particularly the rejection of God's Anointed One. For us today, this underscores the seriousness of our own sins and the necessity of genuine contrition before God. It reminds us that spiritual awakening often begins with a recognition of our brokenness and a turning towards the one we have grieved by our disobedience. Furthermore, this prophecy offers a powerful testament to God's unwavering redemptive plan, which includes a future for Israel. It encourages us to pray for the spiritual awakening of all people, including the Jewish people, and to participate in sharing the good news of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, so that many might experience the transforming grace that leads to repentance and salvation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does the "great mourning" in Zechariah 12:11 teach us about the nature of true repentance?**
* **How does understanding Israel's future mourning for the Messiah impact your own sense of spiritual accountability and the need for ongoing repentance?**
* **In what ways can we, as believers, cultivate a heart of compassion and prayer for the spiritual awakening of others, especially those who have not yet recognized Jesus as Messiah?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of comparing the future mourning to "Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon"?**

Answer: The comparison to "Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon" is a powerful **simile** and **allusion** to a historical event of immense national sorrow for Israel. Most scholars identify this with the death of King Josiah, a righteous and beloved king, who was killed in battle against Pharaoh Necho at Megiddo around 609 BC ([2 Kings 23:29-30](/2_kings/23-29-30 "2 Kings 23:29-30 - King Josiah's Death"); [2 Chronicles 35:20-25](/2_chronicles/35-20-25 "2 Chronicles 35:20-25 - Josiah's Death and Lamentation")). Josiah's death was a catastrophic loss for Judah, leading to widespread and intense lamentation that became a proverbial expression of national grief. By referencing this historical tragedy, Zechariah emphasizes that the future mourning in Jerusalem will be of unparalleled depth, intensity, and national scope—a sorrow so profound that it rivals the most significant national tragedy in their collective memory. It underscores the severity of the sin that prompts such mourning and the magnitude of the spiritual transformation that will ensue.

**Is this mourning a sign of despair or a step towards restoration?**

Answer: While the mourning described is indeed "great" and deeply sorrowful, it is not a mourning of despair but rather a crucial step towards spiritual restoration and national healing. [Zechariah 12:10](/zechariah/12-10 "Zechariah 12:10 - The Spirit of Grace and Supplication") clarifies that this mourning occurs when the "spirit of grace and of supplications" is poured out, leading the inhabitants of Jerusalem to "look upon him whom they have pierced." This implies a recognition of sin and a turning to God, which is the essence of true repentance. Such sorrow, often called "godly grief" in the New Testament ([2 Corinthians 7:10](/2_corinthians/7-10 "2 Corinthians 7:10 - Godly Grief Leads to Repentance")), leads to salvation without regret. Therefore, this mourning is a necessary and redemptive process, signifying a profound national turning to God and a prelude to Israel's ultimate spiritual renewal and restoration in the kingdom.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Zechariah 12:11 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the profound national repentance of Israel at the return of Jesus Christ. The "great mourning" prophesied here is the direct consequence of the event described in [Zechariah 12:10](/zechariah/12-10 "Zechariah 12:10 - They Will Look Upon Me Whom They Have Pierced"), where the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem will "look upon him whom they have pierced." This "pierced one" is unequivocally Jesus Christ, whose crucifixion is explicitly referenced in [John 19:37](/john/19-37 "John 19:37 - Fulfillment of Prophecy") and whose glorious return is described in [Revelation 1:7](/revelation/1-7 "Revelation 1:7 - Every Eye Will See Him"). At His second coming, when "every eye shall see him," Israel will recognize Jesus as their long-rejected Messiah. The intense mourning, likened to the unparalleled grief for King Josiah, will be a national expression of sorrow and repentance for their historical rejection of Him. This deep contrition is not one of despair, but a godly grief that leads to salvation, signifying Israel's spiritual rebirth and their embrace of Jesus as Lord and King, leading to their ultimate restoration within God's redemptive plan ([Romans 11:25-27](/romans/11-25-27 "Romans 11:25-27 - All Israel Will Be Saved")).

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

2 Chronicles 35:24

His servants therefore took him out of that chariot, and put him in the second chariot that he had; and they brought him to Jerusalem, and he died, and was buried in [one of] the sepulchres of his fathers. And all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah.

2 Kings 23:29

In his days Pharaohnechoh king of Egypt went up against the king of Assyria to the river Euphrates: and king Josiah went against him; and he slew him at Megiddo, when he had seen him.