Zechariah 2:6

¶ Ho, ho, [come forth], and flee from the land of the north, saith the LORD: for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the LORD.

Ho {H1945}, ho {H1945}, come forth, and flee {H5127} from the land {H776} of the north {H6828}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}: for I have spread you abroad {H6566} as the four {H702} winds {H7307} of the heaven {H8064}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}.

Up!" says ADONAI, "Move! Flee the land of the north! For I scattered you like the four winds of the sky," says ADONAI.

“Get up! Get up! Flee from the land of the north,” declares the LORD, “for I have scattered you like the four winds of heaven,” declares the LORD.

Ho, ho, flee from the land of the north, saith Jehovah; for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heavens, saith Jehovah.

Commentary on Zechariah 2:6 (KJV)

Zechariah 2:6 presents an urgent divine summons to the Jewish people, particularly those still residing in Babylon and other lands of exile. It is part of a series of visions granted to the prophet Zechariah during the post-exilic period, emphasizing God's plan for Jerusalem's restoration and protection.

Context

The book of Zechariah was written after the initial return of Jewish exiles from Babylon, around 520-518 BC. Chapters 1-6 contain a series of eight night visions given to Zechariah, designed to encourage the struggling community rebuilding the Temple and the city of Jerusalem. In Zechariah 2:1-5, a vision describes Jerusalem being measured, with God promising to be "a wall of fire round about" and "the glory in the midst of her." Verse 6 directly follows this, extending the call to those still dispersed. The "land of the north" primarily refers to Babylon, which lay to the northeast of Judah and was the center of their recent seventy-year captivity. However, it can also symbolize any place of spiritual or physical oppression where God's people are scattered.

Key Themes

  • Divine Summons and Deliverance: The repeated "Ho, ho" is an urgent cry, a passionate plea from the LORD for His people to abandon the land of their captivity and return to their homeland. It signifies God's active desire for their freedom and restoration.
  • Scattering and Gathering: The phrase "I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven" acknowledges the wide dispersion of the Jewish people due to God's judgment and the consequences of their sin (Deuteronomy 28:64). Yet, immediately following this, God reiterates His intention to gather them back, demonstrating His ultimate sovereignty over their history and destiny. This promise of gathering is a consistent theme in prophetic literature, offering hope even amidst dispersion (Isaiah 11:12).
  • Separation from the World: Beyond the literal return from Babylon, this verse carries a spiritual implication for believers in all ages. It's a call to "come forth" and "flee" from any spiritual "land of the north" – influences, systems, or places that hold God's people captive or compromise their faith.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew interjection "Ho, ho" (הוֹי, hoy) is an exclamation often used as a cry of warning or woe, but here it functions as an urgent, emphatic call or summons to action, conveying a sense of urgency and divine authority.
  • "Land of the north" (אֶרֶץ צָפוֹן, 'eretz tsaphon) is a common prophetic designation for the major invading powers that came from that direction, especially Babylon, which was the primary place of Israel's exile.
  • "Spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven" uses a vivid metaphor to describe the extent of Israel's dispersion across the known world, emphasizing the complete scattering of the exiles.

Practical Application

For believers today, Zechariah 2:6 serves as a powerful reminder of God's call to separation and restoration. Just as ancient Israel was called to leave the physical land of Babylon, we are called to come out from spiritual "Babylon" – the systems, values, and influences of the world that oppose God's kingdom. This verse encourages us to actively respond to God's summons to live in His promised land of fellowship and purpose, trusting that He is faithful to gather and protect His people, no matter how scattered or lost they may feel. It is a call to align ourselves with God's will and experience His protective presence.

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.

  • Isaiah 48:20

    Go ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans, with a voice of singing declare ye, tell this, utter it [even] to the end of the earth; say ye, The LORD hath redeemed his servant Jacob.

  • Ezekiel 17:21

    And all his fugitives with all his bands shall fall by the sword, and they that remain shall be scattered toward all winds: and ye shall know that I the LORD have spoken [it].

  • Genesis 19:17

    And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.

  • Deuteronomy 28:64

    And the LORD shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, [even] wood and stone.

  • Isaiah 52:11

    Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean [thing]; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD.

  • Isaiah 52:12

    For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel [will be] your rereward.

  • Ezekiel 11:16

    Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come.

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