Zechariah 2:7

KJV

Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest [with] the daughter of Babylon.

KJV (with Strong's)

Deliver {H4422} thyself, O {H1945} Zion {H6726}, that dwellest {H3427} with the daughter {H1323} of Babylon {H894}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Move, Tziyon! You who are living with the daughter of Bavel, escape!"

Berean Standard Bible

“Get up, O Zion! Escape, you who dwell with the Daughter of Babylon!”

American Standard Version

Ho Zion, escape, thou that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Zechariah 2:7 issues an urgent divine command to "Zion," representing the Jewish remnant, to separate herself from "the daughter of Babylon." This verse is a powerful call for the exiles who had chosen to remain in Babylon to return to Jerusalem, emphasizing the necessity of physical and spiritual deliverance from the oppressive and idolatrous influence of their former captors. It underscores God's unwavering commitment to the restoration of His people and the rebuilding of His holy city, urging them to align with His redemptive purposes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Zechariah 2:7 is situated within a series of eight night visions granted to the prophet Zechariah, designed to encourage the post-exilic community in Jerusalem. Specifically, it follows the vision of the four horns and four smiths ([Zechariah 1:18-21](/zechariah/1-18-21 "Vision of the Four Horns and Four Smiths")) and immediately precedes the vision of the man with the measuring line ([Zechariah 2:1-5](/zechariah/2-1-5 "Vision of the Man with a Measuring Line")). The preceding verses in chapter 2 describe God's promise to dwell in Jerusalem and be a wall of fire around her, protecting her from enemies and expanding her boundaries beyond physical walls due to the multitude of people and livestock. This command to "deliver thyself" serves as a direct, imperative response to God's announced intention to restore Jerusalem to glory and to pour out His Spirit. It is a call for God's people to actively participate in this divine restoration by leaving the place of their captivity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy of Zechariah dates to approximately 520-518 BC, during the early post-exilic period. While a remnant of Jews had returned to Judah under Zerubbabel and Joshua around 538 BC, many others, particularly those who had prospered or established lives, remained in Babylon. Babylon, though no longer the dominant empire (it had fallen to Persia in 539 BC), still represented a powerful pagan culture and the place of their seventy-year captivity. The command in Zechariah 2:7 is therefore a literal call for these remaining exiles to leave the land of their former oppressors and return to Jerusalem to participate in the rebuilding of the Temple and the city. Culturally, remaining in a foreign land could lead to assimilation and compromise of their covenant identity, making the call to separation vital for their spiritual purity and national restoration.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Zechariah and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Restoration**, as God initiates and orchestrates the return of His people and the rebuilding of Zion. Secondly, it emphasizes **Separation and Purity**, calling God's people to disengage from the corrupting influences of the world, symbolized by "Babylon," in order to maintain their distinct identity as the people of God. This echoes earlier prophetic calls to leave Babylon, such as in [Isaiah 48:20](/isaiah/48-20 "Isaiah 48:20 - Call to Flee Babylon") and [Jeremiah 51:6](/jeremiah/51-6 "Jeremiah 51:6 - Flee from Babylon"). Thirdly, it reinforces the theme of **Zion's Centrality and Glorification**, portraying Jerusalem as the focal point of God's redemptive plan, where His presence will dwell and from which His glory will extend. The return of the exiles is essential for the full realization of this promised glory.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Deliver (Hebrew, _mâlaṭ'_):** This primitive root (H4422) properly means "to be smooth," which by implication leads to "to escape (as if by slipperiness)." Causatively, it means "to release or rescue." In this imperative form, "Deliver thyself," it conveys an urgent command for self-rescue, to flee or escape from a dangerous situation. It implies an active, decisive movement away from bondage or threat.
* **O (Hebrew, _hôwy'_):** This interjection (H1945) is a prolonged form of "ho" or "woe." While it can express sorrow or lament, in this context, it functions as an urgent, emphatic call for attention or an exclamation, akin to "Ah!" or "Ho!" It adds intensity and solemnity to the divine command that follows, underscoring the gravity and urgency of the message.
* **Daughter (Hebrew, _bath'_):** Derived from the root "to build" (H1323), this word refers to a female offspring, but is used in a wide sense for various relationships, including poetic personifications. In "daughter of Babylon," it personifies the city or empire of Babylon, often connoting its inhabitants, its character, and its destiny. It's a common Old Testament idiom to refer to a city or nation and its people, often with a sense of its inherent nature or fate.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Deliver thyself":** This is a direct, urgent, and imperative command. It signifies a call to active self-rescue and escape. The responsibility is placed squarely on "Zion" to initiate the separation, though it is God who provides the means and reason for such deliverance.
* **"O Zion":** This is the direct address to God's people. "Zion" (H6726) is a metonym for Jerusalem and, by extension, the people of Israel, particularly the faithful remnant. The "O" (H1945) adds an exclamation of urgency and directness to the address, emphasizing the critical nature of the command for God's chosen people.
* **"that dwellest [with] the daughter of Babylon":** This clause identifies the current, undesirable state of "Zion." The verb "dwellest" (H3427, _yâshab'_) indicates a settled residence or continued presence. The phrase "daughter of Babylon" (H1323, H894) is a poetic personification of the Babylonian empire and its capital, symbolizing idolatry, oppression, and spiritual corruption. The implication is that remaining in Babylon, even if comfortable, constitutes a spiritual and physical compromise that God's people must abandon.

#### Literary Devices
Zechariah 2:7 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its urgent message. **Imperative Mood** is central, with the direct command "Deliver thyself" (mâlaṭ) creating a sense of immediate necessity and personal responsibility. This is amplified by the interjection "O" (hôwy), which functions as an **Exclamation**, adding a dramatic and urgent tone to the divine summons. Furthermore, **Personification** is evident in the phrase "O Zion," where the city of Jerusalem and its inhabitants are addressed as a living entity capable of action. Most significantly, **Symbolism** is profoundly used: "Zion" symbolizes God's covenant people and the restored community, while "the daughter of Babylon" symbolizes not only the literal city and empire but also any oppressive, idolatrous, or worldly system that holds God's people in spiritual or physical bondage. The call to "deliver thyself" is thus a call to active disengagement from such corrupting influences.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Zechariah 2:7 encapsulates a profound theological truth about God's desire for His people's freedom and purity, and their active participation in His redemptive plan. The command to "deliver thyself" is not merely a geographical relocation but a spiritual imperative for Israel to separate from the defiling influences of a pagan culture that had held them captive. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative of God calling His people out of bondage (e.g., Egypt) into a land of promise, where they can worship Him exclusively. The continued presence of some Jews in Babylon, even after the decree of Cyrus, represented a spiritual complacency that threatened their identity and the full restoration of Zion. This verse underscores that God's restoration involves both His sovereign action and His people's obedient response, highlighting the necessity of spiritual discernment to identify and flee from anything that hinders true devotion and belonging to God's kingdom.

* [Isaiah 48:20](/isaiah/48-20 "Go Forth From Babylon")
* [Jeremiah 51:6](/jeremiah/51-6 "Flee From the Midst of Babylon")
* [Revelation 18:4](/revelation/18-4 "Come Out of Her, My People")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Zechariah 2:7, though rooted in a specific historical context, carries timeless spiritual significance for believers today. The call to "Deliver thyself, O Zion" resonates as a powerful reminder for us to examine our lives for any "Babylonian" influences – those worldly systems, values, habits, or relationships that subtly or overtly hinder our spiritual growth, compromise our faith, or distract us from God's purposes. Just as ancient Babylon represented a system opposed to God, so too can contemporary cultural norms, materialism, or ungodly ideologies subtly ensnare us. This verse compels us to actively and decisively separate ourselves from anything that diminishes our allegiance to Christ and His kingdom. It challenges us to prioritize spiritual freedom over comfort, convenience, or worldly acceptance. Our true identity is in "Zion," the heavenly Jerusalem, and our commitment should be to build God's kingdom, not to conform to the patterns of this world. This requires vigilance, courage, and a willingness to step out of familiar but compromising situations, trusting that God's presence is our ultimate security and fulfillment.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Babylonian" influences or attachments in my life might be hindering my spiritual growth or full devotion to God?**
* **In what areas am I called to "deliver myself" or actively separate from worldly patterns or values?**
* **What steps can I take to more fully align my life with the values and purposes of God's "Zion" (His kingdom)?**

### FAQ
**What does "the daughter of Babylon" mean in this context?**

Answer: "The daughter of Babylon" (Hebrew: _bath-Babel_) is a common poetic personification in the Old Testament, referring to the city or empire of Babylon itself, along with its inhabitants and its characteristic nature. In Zechariah 2:7, it literally refers to the historical city of Babylon, where many Jewish exiles still resided even after the decree allowing their return to Jerusalem. Symbolically, it represents the oppressive, idolatrous, and corrupting influence of a pagan empire that held God's people captive. It signifies a place of spiritual and physical bondage from which God calls His people to separate themselves. This imagery later evolves in prophetic literature, notably in [Revelation 17](/revelation/17 "The Great Prostitute and the Beast") and [Revelation 18](/revelation/18 "The Fall of Babylon"), to represent a global system of spiritual rebellion and opposition to God from which His people are called to "come out."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Zechariah 2:7 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the spiritual deliverance and freedom offered through Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate "Deliverer" and the cornerstone of the new "Zion." While the Old Testament command was a physical and spiritual call for Israel to leave literal Babylon, the New Testament reveals that all humanity is held captive by sin and the spiritual "Babylon" of this world system. Jesus, through His atoning sacrifice, provides the means for true liberation. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God"), delivering us from the dominion of darkness and transferring us into His kingdom (compare [Colossians 1:13](/colossians/1-13 "Delivered from the Dominion of Darkness")). Believers, now united with Christ, are called to be the new "Zion," the spiritual Jerusalem, a holy people set apart from the world's corrupting influences (as seen in [Hebrews 12:22-24](/hebrews/12-22-24 "The Heavenly Jerusalem")). The imperative to "deliver thyself" transforms into a call to live out the freedom already granted in Christ, actively choosing to walk in the Spirit and not conform to the patterns of this world (see [Romans 12:2](/romans/12-2 "Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind") and [Galatians 5:1](/galatians/5-1 "Freedom in Christ")). In Christ, we are truly free, no longer dwelling in the bondage of sin or the spiritual "daughter of Babylon."

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.

Acts 2:40

And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

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.

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.

Jeremiah 51:6

Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this [is] the time of the LORD'S vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence.

Revelation 18:4

And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

Numbers 16:34

And all Israel that [were] round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up [also].