Zechariah 2:2

Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what [is] the breadth thereof, and what [is] the length thereof.

Then said {H559} I, Whither goest {H1980} thou? And he said {H559} unto me, To measure {H4058} Jerusalem {H3389}, to see {H7200} what {H4100} is the breadth {H7341} thereof, and what is the length {H753} thereof.

I asked, "Where are you going?" He said to me, "To measure Yerushalayim, to determine its width and length."

“Where are you going?” I asked. “To measure Jerusalem,” he replied, “and to determine its width and length.”

Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof.

Zechariah 2:2 is part of the prophet Zechariah's third vision, occurring during the post-exilic period when the Jewish people had returned from Babylonian captivity and were rebuilding Jerusalem and the Temple. This verse captures a moment of inquiry from the prophet as he seeks to understand the purpose of a mysterious figure.

Context

The preceding verse, Zechariah 2:1, introduces "a man with a measuring line in his hand." Zechariah, seeing this, naturally asks, "Whither goest thou?" (Where are you going?). The man's response in this verse – "To measure Jerusalem, to see what [is] the breadth thereof, and what [is] the length thereof" – initially suggests a survey for rebuilding or demarcation. However, the vision immediately transitions in Zechariah 2:5 to reveal that Jerusalem will become so vast and populous that it will have no need for physical walls, for the Lord Himself will be "a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her." This context is crucial for understanding the true symbolic meaning of the measurement.

Key Themes

  • Divine Foreknowledge and Planning: The act of measuring signifies God's precise and deliberate plan for Jerusalem. It's not a measurement for limitation, but rather an assessment for future, unbounded expansion.
  • Restoration and Expansion: This vision provides a powerful message of hope and assurance for the Jewish exiles who had returned to a desolate land. It promises a future Jerusalem that will far exceed its former glory and physical boundaries, echoing themes of restoration found in other prophetic books like Isaiah 60:1.
  • Divine Protection: The measurement ultimately serves to highlight that Jerusalem's future security will not depend on man-made defenses, but on God's omnipresent protection. The city's inhabitants will dwell securely because God Himself is their shield.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "measure" (קָוָה - qavah or קָו - qav, related to "line" or "cord") implies drawing a line or surveying. In this context, it isn't about setting boundaries to restrict, but rather to ascertain the potential for growth. It's a divine survey for a glorious, expansive future, emphasizing God's meticulous care and grand design for His people and their dwelling place.

Practical Application

Zechariah 2:2 reminds us that God's plans are often far grander than our immediate circumstances or human understanding. Even when facing what seems like immense challenges or limitations, God has a boundless vision for His people and His work. This verse encourages believers to trust in God's comprehensive oversight and His promise of protection and prosperity, knowing that His presence is the ultimate security. It also points to the ultimate fulfillment of God's plans for His people, culminating in the glorious, boundless future of God's people, often symbolized by the New Jerusalem described in Revelation, which needs no physical walls because God Himself is its security and glory.

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.

  • Jeremiah 31:39

    And the measuring line shall yet go forth over against it upon the hill Gareb, and shall compass about to Goath.

  • Ezekiel 45:6

    And ye shall appoint the possession of the city five thousand broad, and five and twenty thousand long, over against the oblation of the holy [portion]: it shall be for the whole house of Israel.

  • Revelation 21:15

    And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.

  • Revelation 21:17

    And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred [and] forty [and] four cubits, [according to] the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.

  • Revelation 11:1

    ¶ And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.

  • Ezekiel 48:15

    And the five thousand, that are left in the breadth over against the five and twenty thousand, shall be a profane [place] for the city, for dwelling, and for suburbs: and the city shall be in the midst thereof.

  • Ezekiel 48:17

    And the suburbs of the city shall be toward the north two hundred and fifty, and toward the south two hundred and fifty, and toward the east two hundred and fifty, and toward the west two hundred and fifty.

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