Zechariah 9:4

KJV

Behold, the Lord will cast her out, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be devoured with fire.

KJV (with Strong's)

Behold, the Lord {H136} will cast her out {H3423}, and he will smite {H5221} her power {H2428} in the sea {H3220}; and she shall be devoured {H398} with fire {H784}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But Adonai will dispossess her and break her power at sea, while the city itself will be destroyed by fire.

Berean Standard Bible

Behold, the Lord will impoverish herand cast her wealth into the sea,and she will be consumed by fire.

American Standard Version

Behold, the Lord will dispossess her, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be devoured with fire.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Zechariah 9:4 delivers a powerful prophetic oracle concerning the judgment of God upon the formidable Phoenician city of Tyre. This verse vividly declares that the sovereign Lord will decisively cast out and dismantle Tyre's strength, particularly its maritime power, leading to its complete and fiery destruction. It serves as a stark testament to divine sovereignty over all earthly powers and the inevitable consequences of pride and self-reliance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Zechariah 9:4 is part of a larger prophetic section (Zechariah 9-11) often referred to as "Burden of the Word of the Lord." This particular chapter begins with a series of oracles against various nations and cities surrounding Israel, including Damascus, Hamath, Sidon, and the Philistine cities (Zechariah 9:1-7). These judgments serve as a prelude to the coming of the Messiah and the restoration of Zion, emphasizing that God's plan for His people involves the subjugation or transformation of surrounding hostile powers. The immediate preceding verse, [Zechariah 9:3](/zechariah/9-3 "Zechariah 9:3 - Tyre's Wealth and Fortifications"), specifically highlights Tyre's immense wealth and formidable fortifications, setting the stage for the dramatic pronouncement of its downfall in verse 4. The subsequent verses then shift to the Philistine cities and the promise of God's protection for His house ([Zechariah 9:8](/zechariah/9-8 "Zechariah 9:8 - God's Protection of His House")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Tyre was a prominent Phoenician city-state, renowned as a major maritime trading power in the ancient world. Located on an island off the coast of modern-day Lebanon, it was famous for its wealth, naval strength, and seemingly impregnable fortifications. Its culture was deeply intertwined with commerce and seafaring, and it had accumulated vast riches through its extensive trade networks across the Mediterranean. Historically, Tyre had a complex relationship with Israel, sometimes serving as an ally (as during David and Solomon's reigns) and at other times as an oppressor or a symbol of worldly pride. The prophecy in Zechariah 9:4 is widely understood to have found a remarkable fulfillment in the siege and destruction of Tyre by Alexander the Great in 332 BC. Alexander famously constructed a massive causeway from the mainland to the island city, effectively "smiting her power in the sea" and allowing his forces to conquer and utterly destroy it, often by fire, after a seven-month siege. This historical event aligns strikingly with the prophetic imagery.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Zechariah and the broader prophetic literature. First, it underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment and Sovereignty**. Even the most powerful and self-reliant nations, like Tyre, are ultimately subject to the sovereign will and righteous judgment of God. This demonstrates that no earthly power can withstand the Lord's decree, a truth echoed in passages like [Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God's Sovereignty Over Kingdoms"). Second, it highlights the **Consequences of Pride and Materialism**. Tyre's downfall serves as a cautionary tale against placing ultimate trust in wealth, fortifications, and human ingenuity. Its arrogance and self-sufficiency, often condemned in prophecies against it (e.g., [Ezekiel 28:1-19](/ezekiel/28-1-19 "Ezekiel 28:1-19 - Prophecy Against the Prince of Tyre")), are shown to be futile against divine justice. Finally, the precise nature of the prophecy's fulfillment reinforces the theme of the **Reliability of God's Prophetic Word**. The historical accuracy of the destruction of Tyre, particularly the manner in which its "power in the sea" was smitten, validates the divine inspiration of Scripture and God's unwavering faithfulness to His pronouncements.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Lord (Hebrew, _ʼĂdônây'_):** (H136) This term is an emphatic form of the Hebrew word for "lord" or "master" and is used here as a proper name for God, emphasizing His absolute sovereignty and authority. The use of _ʼĂdônây_ signifies that the judgment against Tyre is not merely a historical accident but a direct, intentional act of the supreme divine ruler, underscoring His ultimate control over nations and their destinies.
* **power (Hebrew, _chayil'_):** (H2428) This word encompasses a wide range of meanings, including strength, wealth, valor, army, or resources. In the context of Tyre, "her power" refers to its formidable military might, its vast commercial wealth, its fortified defenses, and its overall economic and political influence, particularly its naval strength. The prophecy targets the very essence of what made Tyre seem invincible.
* **devoured (Hebrew, _ʼâkal'_):** (H398) A primitive root meaning "to eat" (literally or figuratively), but often translated as "consume" or "devour" in contexts of destruction. When paired with "fire," as it is here, it signifies a complete and irreversible consumption, leaving nothing behind. This emphasizes the totality of Tyre's destruction, not merely a defeat but an utter annihilation of its former glory and existence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Behold, the Lord will cast her out":** The introductory "Behold" (הִנֵּה, _hinneh_) serves to draw attention to a significant and certain divine action. "The Lord" (אֲדֹנָי, _ʼĂdônây_) is the divine agent, emphasizing His absolute authority. "Cast her out" (יְרִשֶׁנָּה, _yereshennah_) from the root _yârash_ (H3423), implies dispossessing, expelling, or ruining. This speaks to the removal of Tyre from its secure position, stripping it of its inhabitants and its established place of power and prosperity.
* **"and he will smite her power in the sea":** This clause specifically targets Tyre's defining characteristic: its maritime dominance. "Smite" (וְהִכָּה, _vehikkah_) from _nâkâh_ (H5221), suggests a decisive, forceful blow. "Her power" (חֵילָהּ, _cheilah_) refers to its strength, wealth, and military might, particularly its naval fleet and the economic infrastructure built on sea trade. The phrase "in the sea" is highly significant, as Tyre was an island city whose strength was intrinsically linked to its control of the seas. This foretells a unique form of judgment that would dismantle its very foundation.
* **"and she shall be devoured with fire":** This final clause describes the ultimate fate of Tyre. "Devoured" (תֵּאָכֵל, _te'akhel_) from _ʼâkal_ (H398), indicates complete consumption, while "with fire" (בָּאֵשׁ, _ba'esh_) signifies total and destructive judgment. This imagery points to a thorough and irreversible ruin, leaving the city in ashes and its former glory utterly obliterated.

#### Literary Devices
Zechariah 9:4 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of divine judgment. The use of **Personification** is evident in referring to Tyre as "her," giving the city a feminine identity that is then subjected to the Lord's actions, making the judgment feel more personal and direct. The prophecy is rich in **Imagery**, particularly the vivid pictures of "smiting her power in the sea" and "devoured with fire." These images are not merely descriptive but are deeply symbolic, representing the complete and utter destruction of Tyre's economic, military, and physical existence. The phrase "smite her power in the sea" is a striking **Metonymy**, where "power in the sea" stands for Tyre's entire maritime empire and naval strength, the very source of its perceived invincibility. The overall tone is one of **Prophetic Oracle**, a direct pronouncement from God through His prophet, carrying the weight of divine authority and certainty. The intensity of the destruction described might also verge on **Hyperbole** to emphasize the totality and finality of the judgment, ensuring the audience grasps the absolute nature of God's wrath against the proud city.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Zechariah 9:4 stands as a profound theological statement on God's absolute sovereignty over all earthly powers and His righteous judgment against human pride and self-sufficiency. It underscores the biblical truth that no nation, however wealthy or militarily formidable, can ultimately defy the will of the Almighty. Tyre's destruction serves as a timeless object lesson that trust placed in material possessions, fortifications, or human ingenuity is ultimately misplaced and will crumble before the divine decree. This prophecy also highlights God's faithfulness to His word, demonstrating that His pronouncements of judgment, just like His promises of salvation, are certain to be fulfilled in history. It reminds believers that God is actively involved in the affairs of nations, orchestrating events to bring about His ultimate purposes and to establish His righteous kingdom.

* [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalms/33-10-11 "Psalm 33:10-11 - God's Counsel Stands Forever")
* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")
* [Isaiah 23:1-18](/isaiah/23-1-18 "Isaiah 23 - Prophecy Against Tyre")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Zechariah 9:4 challenges us to critically examine the foundations of our own security and trust. In a world that often values material wealth, technological advancement, and military might, this ancient prophecy serves as a powerful reminder that all earthly strengths are fleeting and ultimately subject to the sovereign will of God. We are called to humility, recognizing that true and lasting security is found not in our possessions, achievements, or even national power, but solely in the Lord. This passage encourages us to cultivate a posture of dependence on God, to prioritize eternal values over temporal gains, and to align our lives with His righteous purposes. It also offers comfort, assuring us that God is just and that He will ultimately bring all things into account, ensuring that pride and wickedness do not have the final word.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where do I tend to place my ultimate trust and security in life?**
* **How might the pursuit of wealth or worldly power subtly displace God as the true source of my confidence?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate greater humility and dependence on God in my daily life?**
* **How does the certainty of God's judgment on prideful nations inform my prayers for justice in the world today?**

### FAQ
**Was the prophecy against Tyre in Zechariah 9:4 literally fulfilled?**

Answer: Yes, the prophecy against Tyre in Zechariah 9:4 is widely considered to have been literally and remarkably fulfilled, primarily by Alexander the Great's siege and destruction of the island city in 332 BC. The specific details, such as "smiting her power in the sea" and being "devoured with fire," align precisely with historical accounts of Alexander's campaign. He famously built a causeway (a mole) from the mainland to the island, effectively "smiting" or undermining Tyre's maritime defenses and power base in the very sea that protected it. After capturing the city, it was largely destroyed by fire and its inhabitants killed or enslaved, fulfilling the prophecy of being "devoured with fire." This historical event is often cited as a powerful example of the Bible's prophetic accuracy.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Zechariah 9:4 speaks of a historical judgment on Tyre, its theological implications find profound Christ-centered fulfillment. The Lord's sovereign power to "cast out" and "smite" the strength of a seemingly invincible earthly kingdom foreshadows Christ's ultimate victory over all opposing powers, including sin, death, and the spiritual forces of darkness. Just as Tyre's wealth and fortifications proved futile against God's decree, so too are all human attempts at self-salvation and all worldly systems of oppression ultimately powerless before the reign of Christ. The "fire" that devours Tyre can be seen as a type of the purifying judgment that will ultimately consume all unrighteousness, making way for the establishment of God's eternal kingdom. Jesus, the true King of Zion who comes "lowly, and riding upon an ass" ([Zechariah 9:9](/zechariah/9-9 "Zechariah 9:9 - The Coming of Zion's King")), is the one who ultimately disarms the "power" of the enemy ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")) and whose coming will bring about the final judgment and the new heavens and new earth where righteousness dwells ([2 Peter 3:10-13](/2_peter/3-10-13 "2 Peter 3:10-13 - The Day of the Lord and New Creation")). Thus, Zechariah 9:4, in its declaration of divine judgment and sovereignty, points forward to the comprehensive and redemptive work of Christ, who brings both judgment upon sin and salvation to His people.

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

Ezekiel 28:18

Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.

Ezekiel 26:17

And they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and say to thee, How art thou destroyed, [that wast] inhabited of seafaring men, the renowned city, which wast strong in the sea, she and her inhabitants, which cause their terror [to be] on all that haunt it!

Joel 3:8

And I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the children of Judah, and they shall sell them to the Sabeans, to a people far off: for the LORD hath spoken [it].

Amos 1:10

But I will send a fire on the wall of Tyrus, which shall devour the palaces thereof.

Ezekiel 28:16

By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.

Isaiah 23:1

¶ The burden of Tyre. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in: from the land of Chittim it is revealed to them.

Isaiah 23:7

[Is] this your joyous [city], whose antiquity [is] of ancient days? her own feet shall carry her afar off to sojourn.