And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.
And I will bring {H935} them, and they shall dwell {H7931} in the midst {H8432} of Jerusalem {H3389}: and they shall be my people {H5971}, and I will be their God {H430}, in truth {H571} and in righteousness {H6666}.
I will bring them back, and they will live in Yerushalayim. They will be my people; and I will be their God, with faithfulness and justice.'
I will bring them back to dwell in Jerusalem, where they will be My people, and I will be their faithful and righteous God.”
and I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem; and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.
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Ezekiel 36:28
And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. -
Ezekiel 11:20
That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God. -
Jeremiah 31:33
But this [shall be] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. -
Jeremiah 4:2
And thou shalt swear, The LORD liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory. -
Revelation 21:3
And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God [is] with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, [and be] their God. -
Revelation 21:7
He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. -
2 Corinthians 6:16
And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Zechariah 8:8 is a powerful prophetic declaration of God's unwavering commitment to His people, promising their restoration, secure dwelling, and a renewed covenant relationship characterized by His divine nature.
Context
This verse is part of a series of encouraging prophecies given through the prophet Zechariah to the Jewish remnant who had returned from Babylonian exile. Following earlier chapters that addressed the rebuilding of the Temple and called for repentance, Zechariah 8 shifts focus entirely to the future blessings and prosperity for Jerusalem and its inhabitants. God reassures the people that His past judgments were for their correction, and His future intentions are for their good. This verse specifically highlights the future gathering of the scattered Jewish people and their secure dwelling in a restored Jerusalem, underscoring God's faithfulness to His covenant promises even after periods of disobedience and exile.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew terms underlying "truth" and "righteousness" add depth to the verse:
Together, these terms emphasize that the restored relationship is built on God's faithful and just character, and it calls for a response of integrity and uprightness from His people.
Practical Application
Zechariah 8:8 offers profound hope and assurance for believers today: