Zechariah 2:6

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

“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.

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Zechariah 2:6 delivers an urgent and emphatic divine summons to the Jewish exiles, particularly those still residing in Babylon and other lands of dispersion. The LORD passionately calls His people to "come forth" and "flee" from their place of captivity, declaring that He Himself had scattered them "as the four winds of the heaven," yet now intends to gather them back to their homeland, Jerusalem, as part of His grand plan for restoration and protection.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Zechariah 2:6 is situated within the second of Zechariah's eight night visions, which span chapters [1-6](/zechariah/1 "Zechariah 1-6 - The Eight Night Visions"). These visions were granted to the prophet around 520-518 BC, during the critical post-exilic period when the returned exiles were struggling to rebuild the Temple and restore Jerusalem. The preceding verses, [Zechariah 2:1-5](/zechariah/2-1-5 "Zechariah 2:1-5 - The Measuring Line and God's Presence"), describe a vision of a man with a measuring line, signifying the future expansion and security of Jerusalem. Crucially, God promises to be "a wall of fire round about" Jerusalem and "the glory in the midst of her," indicating divine protection and presence that would negate the need for physical walls. Verse 6 directly follows this promise of a glorious, undefended Jerusalem, extending the divine invitation for those still dispersed to return and partake in this promised restoration, thus reinforcing the theme of God's active involvement in His people's destiny.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Zechariah 2:6 is the aftermath of the Babylonian exile. After seventy years of captivity, a remnant of the Jewish people had returned to Judah under the decrees of Cyrus the Great (538 BC), as recorded in [Ezra 1](/ezra/1 "Ezra 1 - Cyrus's Decree"). However, many Jews remained in Babylon and other parts of the Persian Empire, having established lives there. The "land of the north" (Hebrew: _'eretz tsaphon_) primarily refers to Babylon, which was located northeast of Judah and was the center of their recent seventy-year captivity. However, in prophetic literature, "the north" often symbolized the direction from which invading forces and judgment came (e.g., [Jeremiah 1:14](/jeremiah/1-14 "Jeremiah 1:14 - Evil from the North")). Thus, it represents not only a geographical location but also a place of spiritual and physical oppression, from which God's people are called to separate themselves. The call to "flee" resonates with the urgency of escaping a place of impending judgment or danger, even if it has become a comfortable home.

* **Key Themes:** This verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes within Zechariah and broader prophetic literature. One prominent theme is **Divine Summons and Deliverance**, where the repeated "Ho, ho" functions as an urgent, passionate plea from the LORD for His people to abandon the land of their captivity and return to their homeland. It underscores God's active desire for their freedom and restoration, demonstrating His faithfulness to His covenant promises. Another crucial theme is **Scattering and Gathering**, acknowledged in the phrase "I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven." This directly references the wide dispersion of the Jewish people due to God's judgment and the consequences of their sin, as prophesied in passages like [Deuteronomy 28:64](/deuteronomy/28-64 "Deuteronomy 28:64 - Israel's Dispersion"). Yet, immediately following this, God reiterates His intention to gather them back, showcasing His ultimate sovereignty over their history and destiny. This promise of gathering is a consistent motif in prophetic literature, offering hope even amidst dispersion, as seen in [Isaiah 11:12](/isaiah/11-12 "Isaiah 11:12 - God Gathers the Dispersed"). Finally, the verse introduces the theme of **Separation and Holiness**, calling believers to "come forth" and "flee" not only from a literal geographical location but also from any spiritual "land of the north"—influences, systems, or places that hold God's people captive or compromise their faith and allegiance to Him.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Ho (Hebrew, _hôwy'_):** A prolonged form of a root word, this interjection is often used as a cry of warning or woe, but here it functions as an urgent, emphatic summons or call to action. Its repetition ("Ho, ho") intensifies the divine imperative, conveying the LORD's passionate and authoritative desire for His people to respond immediately.
* **Flee (Hebrew, _nûwç'_):** A primitive root meaning to flit, vanish away, escape, or to be put to flight. In this context, it emphasizes the imperative for the exiles to swiftly and decisively depart from their place of captivity. It implies an urgent, almost desperate, need to escape from a dangerous or compromising situation.
* **Spread abroad (Hebrew, _pâras'_):** A primitive root meaning to break apart, disperse, or scatter. This word vividly describes the wide dispersion of the Jewish people across various lands, emphasizing the complete and comprehensive nature of their scattering, which was a consequence of divine judgment and historical events.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, saith the LORD":** This opening imperative is a dramatic and urgent divine summons. The repeated "Ho, ho" (H1945, _hôwy_) intensifies the call, signaling a momentous declaration. It is a direct command to the Jewish exiles, particularly those still in Babylon (the "land of the north," H6828, _tsâphôwn_), to abandon their place of captivity and return to Judah. The phrase "saith the LORD" (H5002, _nᵉʼum_ H3068, _Yᵉhôvâh_) underscores the divine authority and certainty of the command, emphasizing that this is not merely a suggestion but an authoritative oracle from the sovereign God of Israel.
* **"for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the LORD."**: This clause provides the divine rationale and context for the urgent summons. The LORD declares that He Himself was the one who dispersed His people "as the four winds of the heaven" (H702, _ʼarbaʻ_ H7307, _rûwach_ H8064, _shâmayim_), signifying a complete and widespread scattering in every direction. This dispersion was a consequence of their sin and God's judgment, yet the declaration here implies that just as He scattered them, He now possesses the power and intention to gather them back. The repetition of "saith the LORD" reaffirms His sovereignty over both their dispersion and their impending restoration, highlighting His ultimate control over the destiny of His people.

#### Literary Devices
Zechariah 2:6 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its urgent message. The most striking is **Repetition**, particularly the double interjection "Ho, ho" at the beginning, which serves to grab attention and emphasize the urgency and solemnity of the divine summons. Similarly, the phrase "saith the LORD" is repeated twice, acting as a **Divine Oracle** marker that authenticates the message as a direct revelation from Yahweh, leaving no doubt about its authority. The verse also utilizes **Imperative Mood** with commands like "come forth" and "flee," directly instructing the exiles to take immediate action. Finally, a vivid **Simile** is used in "I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven," which powerfully illustrates the comprehensive and widespread nature of Israel's dispersion, comparing it to the scattering force of winds from all directions. This simile also subtly hints at the LORD's sovereign control over even their scattering, implying His ability to re-gather them.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Zechariah 2:6 is a profound theological statement on God's sovereignty over history, His faithfulness to His covenant, and His unwavering commitment to His people's restoration. It reveals that even the scattering of Israel, a consequence of their sin and divine judgment, was ultimately under God's control. The call to "flee" is not merely an escape from physical danger but a summons to participate in God's redemptive plan, to leave behind the spiritual compromises and idolatries of exile and return to a place of renewed covenant relationship. This theme of divine initiative in gathering a scattered people is central to biblical theology, pointing to a God who actively pursues and restores His own, demonstrating His power to reverse even the most dire consequences of sin and judgment. It foreshadows a greater, spiritual gathering that transcends geographical boundaries.

* [Deuteronomy 28:64](/deuteronomy/28-64 "Deuteronomy 28:64 - Prophecy of Israel's Dispersion")
* [Isaiah 11:12](/isaiah/11-12 "Isaiah 11:12 - God Gathers the Dispersed from the Nations")
* [Jeremiah 23:7-8](/jeremiah/23-7-8 "Jeremiah 23:7-8 - The LORD Who Brings Up the Offspring of Israel")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Zechariah 2:6 resonates deeply with believers today, serving as a timeless call to spiritual discernment and decisive action. Just as the ancient Israelites were summoned to leave the physical "land of the north"—Babylon, a place of historical captivity and spiritual compromise—we are likewise called to "come forth" and "flee" from any spiritual "Babylon" in our lives. This "Babylon" can manifest as worldly systems, values, cultural influences, or personal habits that hold us captive, compromise our faith, or hinder our full devotion to God. The verse reminds us that God is actively calling us out of anything that separates us from His presence and purpose. It is an invitation to embrace a life of holiness and separation, trusting that the same God who scattered His people also possesses the power and desire to gather and protect those who respond to His call. Our response involves actively disengaging from ungodly influences and aligning ourselves with God's kingdom, experiencing His promised protection and glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "land of the north" or "Babylonian" influences might God be calling me to "flee" from in my life today?**
* **How does the knowledge of God's sovereignty over both scattering and gathering impact my trust in His plan for my life?**
* **In what practical ways can I "come forth" and separate myself from worldly systems to live more fully in God's promised fellowship and purpose?**
* **How does this verse encourage me to actively participate in God's ongoing work of gathering His people, both physically and spiritually?**

### FAQ
**Who is being addressed in Zechariah 2:6, and why is the call so urgent?**

Answer: The primary audience is the Jewish exiles, particularly those who remained in Babylon and other parts of the Persian Empire after the initial return to Jerusalem. The call is urgent ("Ho, ho, come forth, and flee") because God is about to bring judgment upon Babylon, and He desires His people to escape this impending destruction and return to their homeland, where He promises to be their protection and glory ([Zechariah 2:5](/zechariah/2-5 "Zechariah 2:5 - God as a Wall of Fire")). It's a divine summons to participate in His redemptive plan for Jerusalem.

**What does "the land of the north" signify in this context?**

Answer: "The land of the north" (Hebrew: _'eretz tsaphon_) primarily refers to Babylon, which lay to the northeast of Judah and was the center of the Jewish seventy-year captivity. In prophetic literature, the north often symbolized the direction from which God's judgment and invading armies would come (e.g., [Jeremiah 1:14](/jeremiah/1-14 "Jeremiah 1:14 - Evil from the North")). Therefore, it represents not only a specific geographical location but also a place of spiritual and physical oppression, from which God's people are called to separate themselves.

**How does God "spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven"?**

Answer: This phrase uses a vivid simile to describe the widespread dispersion of the Jewish people across the known world. It signifies that their scattering was complete and far-reaching, like the winds blowing in every direction. The theological implication is that this dispersion, though brought about by foreign powers, was ultimately orchestrated or permitted by God as a consequence of Israel's disobedience, as prophesied in passages like [Deuteronomy 28:64](/deuteronomy/28-64 "Deuteronomy 28:64 - Israel's Dispersion"). It highlights God's sovereignty over their history, both in judgment and in subsequent restoration.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Zechariah 2:6, with its urgent call to "come forth" and "flee" from a place of spiritual and physical bondage, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Testament. While initially a literal summons for the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem, it foreshadows a greater spiritual exodus and gathering initiated by Christ. Jesus, as the ultimate Shepherd, continually calls His sheep out of the "lands of the north"—the spiritual darkness, bondage to sin, and worldly systems that oppose God's kingdom. His invitation to "come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" ([Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Jesus' Invitation to the Weary")) echoes the divine summons to flee from oppression. Furthermore, just as God promised to gather His scattered people, Christ declared His mission to gather all His sheep into one fold, stating, "I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd" ([John 10:16](/john/10-16 "John 10:16 - Jesus, the Good Shepherd")). This gathering extends beyond ethnic Israel to include Gentiles, forming the Church, the new spiritual Israel, where all who believe are united in Christ ([Galatians 3:28-29](/galatians/3-28-29 "Galatians 3:28-29 - All One in Christ Jesus")). The ultimate "fleeing" is from the spiritual "Babylon" of this world, as called for in [Revelation 18:4](/revelation/18-4 "Revelation 18:4 - Come Out of Her, My People"), leading to a final, eternal gathering with Christ in His heavenly kingdom. Thus, Zechariah's prophecy, rooted in historical return, points forward to the universal call of the Gospel and the ultimate redemption and gathering accomplished through the person and work of Jesus Christ.

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

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.