Zechariah 8:6

KJV

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes? saith the LORD of hosts.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635}; If it be marvellous {H6381} in the eyes {H5869} of the remnant {H7611} of this people {H5971} in these days {H3117}, should it also be marvellous {H6381} in mine eyes {H5869}? saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635}.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI-Tzva'ot says, 'This may seem amazing to the survivors in those days, but must it also seem amazing to me?' says ADONAI-Tzva'ot.

Berean Standard Bible

This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “If this is impossible in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be impossible in My eyes?” declares the LORD of Hosts.

American Standard Version

Thus saith Jehovah of hosts: If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in those days, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes? saith Jehovah of hosts.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Zechariah 8:6 presents a profound rhetorical question from the LORD of hosts, directly challenging the limited human perspective of the post-exilic Jewish community. It contrasts their incredulity regarding the promised restoration and prosperity for Jerusalem with God's infinite power and unwavering faithfulness. The verse underscores that what appears impossible or extraordinary in human estimation is effortlessly achievable and entirely within the divine purview of the Almighty.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Zechariah 8:6 is embedded within a series of nine oracles delivered to the returned exiles in Jerusalem, specifically within a larger section (chapters 7-8) that addresses their fasting practices and offers profound promises of restoration. Following a period of national mourning and spiritual decline, the LORD, through Zechariah, pivots from rebuke to lavish assurances of future blessing. This verse immediately follows declarations of God's intention to return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem, transforming it into a "city of truth" and a place where old men and children will safely play. The rhetorical question of verse 6 serves as a divine affirmation, preempting any human doubt about the feasibility of such grand promises, setting the stage for further detailed blessings in [Zechariah 8:7-8](/zechariah/8-7-8 "Zechariah 8:7-8 - God's Promise to Save His People").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "remnant of this people" refers to the Jewish exiles who had returned to Judah from Babylonian captivity following Cyrus's decree in 538 BC. They faced immense challenges: a desolate homeland, a ruined temple, economic hardship, and opposition from surrounding peoples. Their initial enthusiasm for rebuilding had waned, replaced by discouragement and a sense of their own weakness. The grand promises of Zechariah 8, including a revitalized Jerusalem, a burgeoning population, and abundant agricultural prosperity, would have seemed utterly fantastical given their impoverished and vulnerable circumstances. The phrase "in these days" highlights their present reality of struggle, contrasting it sharply with the glorious future God envisions.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Zechariah and the broader prophetic tradition. It highlights **God's Omnipotence and Sovereignty**, asserting that His capacity is boundless and not limited by human perception or historical circumstances, as seen in [Jeremiah 32:27](/jeremiah/32-27 "Jeremiah 32:27 - Nothing is too Hard for God"). It also emphasizes the profound **Contrast Between Divine and Human Perspective**, where human doubt and limited vision are set against God's perfect understanding and infinite power. What is "marvellous" (extraordinary or difficult) for humanity is a simple matter for God, echoing the truth that [God's thoughts are higher than our thoughts](/isaiah/55-9 "Isaiah 55:9 - God's Higher Ways"). Furthermore, the verse reinforces the theme of **Divine Faithfulness and Promises of Restoration**, underscoring God's unwavering commitment to His covenant with Israel and His intention to fully restore His people and their land, despite their past failures and present struggles, as promised in [Zechariah 8:3-5](/zechariah/8-3-5 "Zechariah 8:3-5 - God's Return to Zion").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **marvellous (Hebrew, _pâlâʼ_):** This word (H6381) signifies something extraordinary, difficult, or wonderful—something that goes beyond human capacity, expectation, or comprehension. It can refer to a miracle, a wondrous deed, or something too hard to understand or accomplish. In this context, it captures the human perception of the promised restoration as astonishingly improbable or even impossible.
* **LORD of hosts (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh tsâbâʼ_):** "LORD" (H3068, _Yᵉhôvâh_) refers to the covenant name of God, emphasizing His self-existent, eternal nature. "Hosts" (H6635, _tsâbâʼ_) denotes a mass of persons, especially organized for war (an army), or figuratively, celestial bodies. Together, "LORD of hosts" emphasizes God's supreme authority and power over all heavenly and earthly forces, including armies, angelic beings, and the cosmos. This title underscores His absolute capability to fulfill His promises, no matter how grand or seemingly impossible from a human perspective.
* **eyes (Hebrew, _ʻayin_):** This word (H5869) literally means "eye," but figuratively it can represent perception, understanding, or perspective. The phrase "in the eyes of" indicates how something appears or is perceived by someone. The contrast between "the eyes of the remnant of this people" and "mine eyes" highlights the vast difference between finite human perception, which is limited by present circumstances and past experiences, and God's infinite, all-seeing perspective, which is unconstrained by any limitation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thus saith the LORD of hosts;":** This opening phrase, a common prophetic formula, establishes the divine authority and absolute certainty of the message that follows. It signals that the words are not human conjecture but direct revelation from the Almighty, the sovereign commander of all creation.
* **"If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days,":** This clause sets up the human perspective. The "remnant" refers to the small, struggling group of exiles who had returned to Judah. "In these days" refers to their current difficult circumstances. For them, the grand promises of restoration—a thriving Jerusalem, peace, and prosperity—seemed "marvellous," meaning incredibly difficult, extraordinary, or even impossible to achieve given their present reality and limited resources. Their "eyes" represent their limited human perception and doubt.
* **"should it also be marvellous in mine eyes?":** This is the rhetorical question at the heart of the verse. It directly contrasts the human perception of "marvellous" with God's perspective. The implied answer is a resounding "No." What is astonishingly difficult or impossible for humans is not so for God. For the "LORD of hosts," whose power is infinite and whose purposes are unwavering, the promised restoration is not a wondrous or difficult feat but an assured outcome of His sovereign will.
* **"saith the LORD of hosts.":** This concluding phrase reiterates the divine authorship and authority, emphatically reinforcing the truth of the rhetorical question and the certainty of God's perspective and power. It serves as a powerful seal on the divine declaration.

#### Literary Devices
Zechariah 8:6 primarily employs **Rhetorical Question** to make a powerful theological point. By posing a question whose answer is self-evident, the LORD compels the audience to confront their own limited perspective and acknowledge His boundless power. The question "should it also be marvellous in mine eyes?" implicitly asserts God's omnipotence and challenges human doubt. This is further amplified by **Contrast**, specifically between the human and divine perspectives on what is "marvellous." The "eyes of the remnant of this people" represent human limitation and incredulity, while "mine eyes" signify God's infinite capacity and effortless ability to accomplish His will. The repeated use of the divine title **"LORD of hosts"** serves as an **Emphasis** of God's supreme authority and military might, reinforcing the certainty of His promises and His ability to bring them to pass, regardless of human obstacles.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Zechariah 8:6 powerfully articulates the vast chasm between human limitation and divine omnipotence. It teaches that God's capacity to act is not constrained by our perceptions of possibility or the magnitude of our challenges. What seems utterly impossible or miraculous from a human vantage point is simply a matter of course for the Creator of the universe. This truth is foundational to understanding God's character as sovereign, faithful, and all-powerful, reminding us that His plans will always prevail, even when they defy our logical expectations. It encourages a faith that looks beyond present circumstances to the limitless power of God to fulfill His word.

* [Genesis 18:14](/genesis/18-14 "Genesis 18:14 - Is Anything Too Hard for the LORD?")
* [Luke 1:37](/luke/1-37 "Luke 1:37 - For With God Nothing Will Be Impossible")
* [Ephesians 3:20](/ephesians/3-20 "Ephesians 3:20 - God's Power at Work Within Us")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Zechariah 8:6 offers profound encouragement for believers navigating seemingly insurmountable obstacles or periods of deep discouragement. Like the post-exilic remnant, we often face circumstances that make God's promises or our own aspirations seem "marvellous" – too good to be true, or utterly impossible. This verse calls us to shift our gaze from the limitations of our "eyes" and "these days" to the boundless power and unwavering perspective of the "LORD of hosts." It reminds us that our finite understanding and present difficulties do not diminish God's infinite capacity or His commitment to His redemptive purposes. Instead of marveling at the impossibility of our situation, we are invited to marvel at the God for whom nothing is too hard. This fosters a deeper trust, inspiring us to press forward in faith, knowing that the God who promised restoration to ancient Israel is the same God who works powerfully in our lives today, bringing about His will in ways that often transcend our comprehension.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "marvellous" or seemingly impossible situations are you facing in your life or community that cause you to doubt God's ability?**
* **How does shifting your perspective from your own limited "eyes" to the "eyes" of the LORD of hosts change your outlook on these challenges?**
* **In what specific ways can you demonstrate greater trust in God's omnipotence this week, even when circumstances seem to defy His promises?**

### FAQ
**What does "marvellous in the eyes" mean in this context?**

Answer: In Zechariah 8:6, "marvellous in the eyes" refers to something that appears extraordinary, difficult, or even impossible from a human perspective. The Hebrew word _pâlâʼ_ (H6381) carries the sense of something wondrous, beyond human comprehension or ability. For the returned Jewish exiles, the promises of a fully restored, prosperous, and populous Jerusalem seemed "marvellous" because their current reality was one of hardship, scarcity, and limited numbers. It was a rhetorical question from God, contrasting their limited, doubt-filled human view with His boundless power, for whom such restoration was not wondrously difficult but rather a simple act of His will. This concept is similar to how God asks Abraham, "[Is anything too hard for the LORD?](/genesis/18-14 "Genesis 18:14 - Is Anything Too Hard for the LORD?")" when Sarah doubts the promise of a child in her old age.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Zechariah 8:6, with its profound contrast between human doubt and divine omnipotence, finds its ultimate fulfillment and clearest demonstration in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "marvellous" works of restoration and salvation that seemed impossible to the "remnant of this people" are precisely what God accomplished through His Son. The incarnation itself is a "marvellous" act, as God became man, a truth that transcends human understanding, yet is central to our faith ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). Even more "marvellous" is the cross, where the seemingly impossible reconciliation of sinful humanity with a holy God was achieved through Christ's atoning sacrifice ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")). The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the supreme "marvellous" act, demonstrating God's power over sin and death, and serving as the bedrock of our hope ([1 Corinthians 15:20-22](/1_corinthians/15-20-22 "1 Corinthians 15:20-22 - Christ's Resurrection and Our Hope")). What was "marvellous" to the remnant in Zechariah's day—a restored people and city—is fully realized in the New Covenant through Christ, who builds His church, a spiritual temple, and brings about a new creation where all things are made new ([Revelation 21:5](/revelation/21-5 "Revelation 21:5 - Behold, I Am Making All Things New")). Thus, the question of Zechariah 8:6 is answered definitively in Christ: what is "marvellous" in our eyes is precisely what God, in His infinite wisdom and power, has accomplished and continues to accomplish through Him.

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 32:27

Behold, I [am] the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?

Romans 4:20

He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

Romans 4:21

And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

Luke 1:37

For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Luke 18:27

And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

Jeremiah 32:17

Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, [and] there is nothing too hard for thee:

Luke 1:20

And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.