Zechariah 12:3

And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.

And in that day {H3117} will I make {H7760} Jerusalem {H3389} a burdensome {H4614} stone {H68} for all people {H5971}: all that burden {H6006} themselves with it shall be cut in pieces {H8295}{H8295}, though all the people {H1471} of the earth {H776} be gathered together {H622} against it.

When that day comes, I will make Yerushalayim a heavy stone for all the peoples. All who try to lift it will hurt themselves, and all the earth's nations will be massed against her.

On that day, when all the nations of the earth gather against her, I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who would heave it away will be severely injured.

And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all the peoples; all that burden themselves with it shall be sore wounded; and all the nations of the earth shall be gathered together against it.

Commentary

Context of Zechariah 12:3

The book of Zechariah, written by the prophet Zechariah after the Babylonian exile, largely focuses on the rebuilding of the temple and the spiritual restoration of Jerusalem. Chapters 9-14, often referred to as "Zechariah's Apocalypse," shift to prophetic visions concerning the future of Israel, the coming of the Messiah, and the ultimate destiny of nations. Zechariah 12 specifically describes a future time when Jerusalem will be divinely protected and its enemies defeated. Verse 3 is set within this eschatological framework, referring to a climactic "day" of divine intervention and judgment.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Jerusalem's Centrality in End-Time Prophecy: This verse highlights Jerusalem as a focal point of global conflict in the last days. It portrays the city not merely as a geographical location but as a spiritual battleground around which nations will gather.
  • Divine Protection and Sovereignty: Despite the seemingly overwhelming odds—"all the people of the earth be gathered together against it"—God declares His unwavering commitment to protect Jerusalem. The image of a "burdensome stone" emphasizes that any nation attempting to move or destroy Jerusalem will incur severe injury and destruction.
  • Judgment on Opposing Nations: The phrase "all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces" underscores God's severe judgment against those who seek to harm or control His chosen city and people. This points to a definitive and devastating defeat for Jerusalem's adversaries. This theme is echoed in other prophetic books, such as the descriptions of the nations gathered in the Valley of Jehoshaphat in Joel 3.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "burdensome stone" is 'eben ma'amasah. 'Eben means "stone," and ma'amasah derives from a root meaning "to burden" or "to lift a heavy load." The imagery is vivid: a stone so heavy that anyone attempting to lift or move it will strain themselves, possibly injuring or even breaking themselves in the process. It's a metaphor for an immovable object that causes harm to those who attempt to manipulate it. The phrase "cut in pieces" (Hebrew: karat) implies a decisive and complete destruction or severance, indicating utter defeat for those who oppose God's plan for Jerusalem.

Related Scriptures

The concept of nations gathering against Jerusalem in a final conflict is a recurring theme in prophetic literature. For instance, the prophecies in Ezekiel 38-39 describe the invasion of Gog and Magog, which many interpret as a future attack on Israel. Similarly, the battle of Armageddon in Revelation 16 speaks of kings of the earth gathering for war against God. This verse from Zechariah provides a foundational understanding of Jerusalem's unique role in these end-time events and God's steadfast protection over it, paralleling the assurance found in Psalm 125:2, where the mountains surround Jerusalem, and the Lord surrounds His people.

Practical Application

Zechariah 12:3 offers profound comfort and warning. For believers, it reinforces God's faithfulness to His promises and His ultimate sovereignty over all nations and historical events. Even when global powers seem to conspire against His purposes, God remains in control, ensuring the ultimate victory of His people and His plans. It encourages trust in God's protective hand, reminding us that no force can ultimately thwart His will. For those who might oppose God's plans or His chosen people, the verse serves as a sober warning of inevitable divine judgment. It calls all to consider their alignment with God's purposes rather than resisting them.

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

  • Matthew 21:44

    And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

  • Zechariah 14:2

    For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.

  • Zechariah 14:4

    And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which [is] before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, [and there shall be] a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

  • Daniel 2:34

    Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet [that were] of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.

  • Daniel 2:35

    Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.

  • Luke 20:18

    Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

  • Zechariah 13:1

    ¶ In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.
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