Zechariah 8:5

KJV

And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the streets {H7339} of the city {H5892} shall be full {H4390} of boys {H3206} and girls {H3207} playing {H7832} in the streets {H7339} thereof.

Complete Jewish Bible

The city's open places will also be full of boys and girls playing there.'

Berean Standard Bible

And the streets of the city will be filled with boys and girls playing there.”

American Standard Version

And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Zechariah 8:5 paints a vibrant and idyllic picture of Jerusalem's future restoration, envisioning a city so secure and prosperous that its streets are filled with the joyful sounds and carefree activity of children at play. This prophetic declaration serves as a powerful symbol of divine blessing, peace, and demographic flourishing, contrasting sharply with the desolation and fear that characterized the city during and after the Babylonian exile. It speaks to God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people and His intention to transform their sorrow into profound delight and security.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Zechariah 8:5 is situated within a series of prophecies (chapters 7-8) delivered to the returned exiles, addressing their questions about fasting and encouraging them to rebuild the Temple and live righteously. Chapter 8, in particular, is a magnificent declaration of God's future blessings for Jerusalem and Judah. It begins with God's passionate declaration of His jealousy for Zion and His promise to [return to Jerusalem and dwell in her midst](/zechariah/8-3 "Zechariah 8:3 - God's Return to Zion"). Immediately preceding verse 5, [Zechariah 8:4](/zechariah/8-4 "Zechariah 8:4 - Elderly People in Jerusalem") describes the city's streets being full of elderly men and women, each with their staff for age, signifying long life, stability, and peace. Verse 5 completes this intergenerational portrait of a thriving, secure, and blessed community, moving from the wisdom and longevity of the elders to the vitality and hope embodied by the children. The entire chapter outlines the conditions and characteristics of this restored Jerusalem, emphasizing truth, peace, and prosperity as direct results of God's presence.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecies of Zechariah were given to the Jewish community who had returned to Judah after the Babylonian exile, a period marked by hardship, discouragement, and the daunting task of rebuilding their devastated homeland and the Temple. Jerusalem was largely desolate, its walls broken, and its population sparse. In ancient Near Eastern cities, the presence of children playing freely in public spaces was a profound indicator of peace, security, and prosperity. During times of war, siege, or famine, children were often the first casualties or were hidden away for safety. A city bustling with children signified that the community was not only safe from external threats but also experiencing internal stability, health, and a growing population, all signs of divine favor and a reversal of the curses of exile. This vision offered immense hope to a people struggling to re-establish themselves in a land that had known much suffering.
* **Key Themes:** Zechariah 8:5 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book and broader prophetic literature. Foremost is the theme of **Restoration and Renewal**, depicting a complete reversal of Jerusalem's fortunes from desolation to dynamic life, directly linked to God's promise to [dwell in Zion](/zechariah/8-3 "Zechariah 8:3 - God Dwells in Zion"). This verse powerfully illustrates **Peace and Security**, as the carefree play of children is the ultimate sign that a city is safe from war, famine, and internal strife, embodying the prophetic vision of a time when people will [beat their swords into plowshares](/isaiah/2-4 "Isaiah 2:4 - Swords into Plowshares"). Furthermore, it highlights **Prosperity and Abundance**, as a growing population of healthy children indicates a flourishing community with sufficient resources to sustain future generations, fulfilling God's covenant blessings (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28:1-14](/deuteronomy/28-1-14 "Deuteronomy 28:1-14 - Blessings for Obedience")). Ultimately, this flourishing life is a direct manifestation of **Divine Presence and Favor**, as God's decision to return and establish His presence among His people (as promised in [Zechariah 8:3](/zechariah/8-3 "Zechariah 8:3 - God's Return to Jerusalem")) is the foundational cause for such joy and vitality.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **full (Hebrew, _mâlêʼ'_):** This word (H4390) is a primitive root meaning "to fill or (intransitively) be full of." Its application is wide, encompassing literal fullness (e.g., a vessel) as well as figurative (e.g., full of joy, full of wrath). In Zechariah 8:5, it conveys a sense of overflowing abundance and complete occupancy. The streets will not merely have children, but they will be *full* of them, suggesting a vibrant, bustling, and populous city, indicative of profound blessing and demographic growth after a period of depopulation and desolation.
* **boys (Hebrew, _yeled'_):** This term (H3206), derived from the root "to be born," refers to "something born, i.e., a lad or offspring." It broadly means a child, boy, or young man. Its inclusion here, alongside "girls," emphasizes the presence of the younger generation, signifying continuity, future hope, and the re-establishment of family life within the city. The presence of children is a clear sign of a healthy, growing, and secure community.
* **girls (Hebrew, _yaldâh'_):** As the feminine form of _yeled_ (H3207), this word specifically denotes "a lass" or "damsel." Its explicit mention alongside "boys" underscores the comprehensive nature of the promised restoration, encompassing all segments of the younger population. The equal emphasis on both genders highlights a complete and balanced demographic recovery, ensuring the future vitality and continuation of the community.
* **playing (Hebrew, _sâchaq'_):** This primitive root (H7832) means "to laugh (in pleasure or detraction)" and, by implication, "to play." It conveys a sense of joyful activity, merriment, and unburdened delight. The children are not merely present; they are actively engaged in carefree play, which is the ultimate sign of security and peace. It implies an environment free from fear, want, or threat, allowing for spontaneous, uninhibited joy—a stark contrast to the conditions of exile or siege.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the streets of the city":** This phrase sets the scene, focusing on the public spaces of Jerusalem. "Streets" (Hebrew, _rᵉchôb_) refers to broad places or avenues, which would have been desolate or dangerous during periods of war and exile. The emphasis on these public areas becoming active signifies a complete transformation of the urban landscape from one of emptiness and fear to one of vibrant, communal life.
* **"shall be full of boys and girls":** This clause describes the primary inhabitants of these restored public spaces. The future tense "shall be full" is a prophetic promise, indicating a guaranteed future reality. The mention of "boys and girls" specifically highlights the presence of the youngest generation, symbolizing new life, growth, and the demographic flourishing of the city. Their presence signifies a healthy, growing population after the devastation of war and exile.
* **"playing in the streets thereof.":** This final clause provides the crucial detail of their activity, which is "playing." This is not merely passive presence but active, joyful engagement. The act of children playing freely and safely in public streets is the ultimate cultural indicator of profound peace, security, and prosperity. It means the city is safe from external threats, internal strife, and economic hardship, allowing its most vulnerable members to thrive in uninhibited joy.

#### Literary Devices
Zechariah 8:5 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of hope and restoration. Most notably, **Imagery** is central, painting a vivid mental picture of a bustling, joyful Jerusalem filled with the sounds and sights of children at play. This concrete image immediately evokes feelings of peace, security, and vibrancy, contrasting sharply with the desolation the exiles would have known. **Symbolism** is also profoundly at work; the "boys and girls playing" are not just literal children but symbolize the city's complete demographic and spiritual renewal, its return to normalcy, and its status as a place of blessing and life. Their carefree play is a potent symbol of the absence of fear and the presence of profound shalom (peace). Furthermore, there is a subtle **Repetition** of "streets" (used twice in the verse), which serves to emphasize the public sphere as the locus of this renewed life and activity, highlighting the transformation of the city's very fabric.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Zechariah 8:5 stands as a powerful testament to God's unwavering faithfulness and His redemptive plan for His people. It speaks to a divine reversal of fortune, transforming a city of sorrow and desolation into a hub of joyous life and security. The theological implication is that God's presence brings about true peace (shalom), not merely the absence of conflict, but holistic well-being, prosperity, and the flourishing of life across generations. This vision underscores God's desire for His people to live in safety and abundance, a direct fulfillment of His covenant promises to bless and multiply them. It points to a future where divine favor manifests in tangible, everyday joy, reminding believers that God's ultimate intention is for His creation to thrive under His loving dominion.

* [Isaiah 2:4](/isaiah/2-4 "Isaiah 2:4 - Swords into Plowshares")
* [Micah 4:4](/micah/4-4 "Micah 4:4 - Peace and Security")
* [Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears or Death")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Zechariah 8:5 offers a profound source of hope and encouragement for believers today, reminding us of God's enduring commitment to restoration and His desire for our holistic well-being. In a world often marked by anxiety, conflict, and uncertainty, this vision of children playing freely in secure streets serves as a powerful reminder that God's ultimate plan is for peace, joy, and flourishing. It challenges us to cultivate environments—whether in our homes, churches, or communities—where safety, innocence, and joy can thrive, reflecting the divine ideal. Furthermore, it encourages us to maintain a hopeful perspective, trusting that even in the midst of present difficulties, God is at work, moving His people towards a future of abundant life and unburdened delight, ultimately culminating in His eternal kingdom where such peace will reign supreme. This verse calls us to pray for and work towards conditions of shalom in our world, starting with valuing and protecting the most vulnerable among us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of children playing freely in the streets challenge or affirm your understanding of true peace and security?**
* **In what ways can we, as individuals and communities, contribute to creating environments where "boys and girls can play in the streets"—both literally and metaphorically?**
* **How does this prophetic vision of future restoration strengthen your hope in God's faithfulness amidst current challenges or periods of desolation in your life?**

### FAQ

**What does "full of boys and girls playing" symbolize in Zechariah 8:5?**

Answer: The phrase "full of boys and girls playing" is a rich symbol of complete restoration, peace, and prosperity. Historically, the presence of children playing freely in public streets indicated that a city was secure from external threats like war or invasion, and free from internal dangers like famine or disease. It symbolizes a thriving, healthy population, demographic growth after a period of decline, and a profound sense of normalcy and joy. It is the antithesis of a desolate, war-torn city, representing God's blessing and the return of shalom (holistic peace) to Jerusalem. This imagery also connects to the earlier promise in [Zechariah 8:4](/zechariah/8-4 "Zechariah 8:4 - Elderly People in Jerusalem") of elderly people living long lives, completing an intergenerational picture of a blessed community.

**How does this prophecy relate to the historical context of Zechariah?**

Answer: Zechariah prophesied to the Jewish exiles who had returned from Babylon to a devastated Jerusalem. The city was largely depopulated, the Temple was in ruins, and the people faced significant challenges and discouragement. In this context, the prophecy of [Zechariah 8:5](/zechariah/8-5 "Zechariah 8:5 - Children Playing in Jerusalem") offered immense hope and encouragement. It directly addressed their fears and the reality of their desolate surroundings by painting a vivid picture of a future Jerusalem that would be vibrant, secure, and populous. It assured them that their efforts to rebuild were not in vain and that God's ultimate plan was to bring about a glorious restoration, transforming their present sorrow and emptiness into future joy and abundance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Zechariah 8:5 speaks directly to the physical restoration of Jerusalem in the post-exilic period, its ultimate and fullest realization finds its Christ-centered fulfillment in the spiritual and eternal realities brought about by Jesus Christ. The peace and security envisioned for Jerusalem's streets are but a foretaste of the profound shalom that Christ offers to His followers. Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus established a new covenant, ushering in the [kingdom of God](/luke/17-21 "Luke 17:21 - The Kingdom of God Within You"), where true peace reigns in the hearts of believers. The "boys and girls playing" can be seen as a beautiful type of the spiritual children of God—those who, through faith in Christ, are born into His family and live in the freedom and joy of His presence. This vision culminates in the promise of the [New Jerusalem](/revelation/21-1-4 "Revelation 21:1-4 - The New Jerusalem"), where God Himself will dwell with His people, wiping away every tear and eliminating all sorrow, pain, and death. In that eternal city, the ultimate security and unburdened joy foreshadowed in Zechariah's prophecy will be perfectly and eternally realized, for Christ is the source of all life, peace, and the [restoration of all things](/acts/3-21 "Acts 3:21 - Restoration of All Things").

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

Jeremiah 31:13

Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.

Jeremiah 31:27

¶ Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man, and with the seed of beast.

Psalms 144:12

That our sons [may be] as plants grown up in their youth; [that] our daughters [may be] as corner stones, polished [after] the similitude of a palace:

Psalms 144:15

Happy [is that] people, that is in such a case: [yea], happy [is that] people, whose God [is] the LORD.

Psalms 128:3

Thy wife [shall be] as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.

Psalms 128:4

Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD.

Matthew 11:16

¶ But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,